ILLlffi 


LIBRARY  OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 

AT  URBANA-CHAMPAIGN 


973.74 

1461 

96 

US  HISTORICAL 


JJ 


. 


BATTLE  FLAGS  OF  THE  REGIMENT. 


(See  Page  988.) 


HISTORY 


NINETY-SIXTH  REGIMENT 


ILLINOIS  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY, 


PUBLISHED  UNDER  THE  AUSPICES  OF  THE 


Historical   Society  of   UK  Begin* cut ; 

CHARLES  W.  EARLE.  HENRY  H.  GAGE. 

CHARLES  A.  PARTRIDGE.  EDWIN  DRURY. 

EDWARD  A.  BLODGETT.  M.  UMBDENSTOCK,  JR. 


EDITED  BY 


CHARLES    A.   PARTRIDGE. 


CHICAGO: 

1887. 


737 


UROWN,  PETTIBONE  &  Co. 

PRINTERS, 

Sfos.  80  &  82  ADAMS  STREET, 
CHICAGO,  ILL.,  U.  S.  A. 


•  ;' 


HISTORICAL  SOCIETY'S  NOTICE. 


£^te.  TWENTY  years  had  passed  since  its  disbandment,  and  yet  no  history 
10  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  ILLINOIS  had  been  written.  The  only  plan  ever 
formed  which  promised  any  definite  result  was  at  the  reunion  of  the 
Regiment,  held  in  Waukegan,  Lake  County,  Illinois,  in  September.  1S75, 
and  that  had  failed.  No  one  person  or  persons  had  yet  come  to  the  front 
and  expressed  the  willingness  to  assume  the  financial  burden.  All  were 
disappointed,  and  many  were  inquiring,  as  they  met  at  Fairs  and  County 
Reunions,  or  wherever  chance  threw  a  number  of  them  together,  if  some- 
thing could  not  yet  be  done  to  put  in  connected  form  the  more  important 
events  in  which  the  command  participated.  It  was  in  response  to  these 
requests  and  to  give  definite  shape  to  the  half-defined  plans  of  those  who 
had  talked  the  matter  over  that  "The  Historical  Society  of  the  NINETY- 
SIXTH  Regiment  Illinois  Volunteers1'  was  organized  under  the  laws  of 
the  State,  the  incorporators  being  Lieutenant  Charles  W.  Earle,  Adjutant 
E.  A.  Blodgett,  Sergeant  Major  Charles  A.  Partridge,  Corporal  Henry  H. 
Gage,  Edwin  Drury,  and  M.  Umbdenstock,  Jr.  In  the  organization  of 
this  company  abundant  capital  for  the  enterprise  was  assured  and  the 
details  for  the  work  at  once  commenced.  Charles  A.  Partridge,  our 
former  Sergeant  Major,  and  for  fifteen  years  the  able  editor  of  the 
Waukegan  Gazette,  was  secured  as  Editor.  A  historian,  selected  because 
of  his  known  literary  ability,  was  appointed  for  each  Company,  different 
comrades  engaged  to  furnish  chapters  upon  various  special  topics  not 
strictly  a  part  of  the  general  history  of  the  command,  and  a  thousand 
and  one  other  things  set  in  motion  by  which  was  insured  a  full,  complete 
and  truthful  history  of  the  Regiment. 

We  proposed  to  write  a  history  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  Regiment 
Illinois  Volunteers  and  not  the  personal  achievements  or  altiloquence  of 
any  one  or  two  men. 

Only  about  one-half  of  the  Company  historians  carried  out  the  work 
allotted  to  them,  and,  as  a  consequence,  much  additional  labor  fell  upon 
editor.     If  omissions  in  regard  to  Company  organizations  or  per- 
~   soual  sketches  are  noticed  the  blame  cannot  justly  be  placed  on  the 
•j^editor,  for  that  which  appears  has  in  many  instances  only  been  secured 
*«  by  oft-repeated  solicitations. 

It  was  early  decided  that  the  work  should  be  written,  in  part  at  least, 
-r-in  the  form  of  a  diary,  this  plan  seeming  to  promise  the  best  results  in 
^  giving  a  complete  and  connected  history  of  the  Regiment.  It  was 
\p  also  determined  that  there  should  be  a  brief  sketch  of  each  Company,  in 
±-  which  should  be  stated  the  main  facts  relating  to  the  manner  of  its 
—  organization  and  a  narrative  of  any  detached  service  performed  by  it,  to 
o  be  concluded  by  a  brief  personal  biography  of  every  man  in  the  Com- 
— i.  pany.  A  blank,  forwarded  to  every  member  of  the  Regiment  whose 


1520SP, 


iv  HlSTORTT  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.    V.   I. 

address  could  be  ascertained,  in  many  instances  failed  to  elicit  a  reply. 
Such  must  not  complain  if  they  find  their  personal  sketches  deficient, 
although  the  Editor  has  searched  the  reports  in  the  Adjutant  General's 
office  to  complete  them. 

The  maps  and  battle  scenes  have  been  made  expressly  for  this  work, 
at  considerable  expense,  and  we  believe  will  be  satisfactory  to  the  com- 
rades familiar  with  the  scenes  portrayed.  We  are  gratified  at  being  able 
to  present  the  portraits  of  a  large  number  of  the  officers  and  men  of  the 
command.  These  have  been  prepared  at  the  expense  of  the  comrades 
whose  faces  appear,  or  by  some  of  their  personal  friends.  Many  are 
from  old  and  faded  photographs  and  daguerreotypes,  and  could  be  but 
imperfectly  reproduced,  but  nearly  all  are  true  to  life.  Although  they 
have  cost  the  Historical  Society  much  labor,  and  a  considerable  sum  in 
excess  of  the  amounts  charged,  we  have  no  regret  that  this  feature  of  the 
work  was  undertaken.  These  photo  prints  have  been  made  by  M. 
Umbdenstock,  to  whom  we  are  under  many  obligations.  In  this  con- 
nection, it  should  be  mentioned  that  the  utmost  harmony  and  hearty 
cooperation  has  prevailed  among  those  who  assumed  the  task,  and  in 
addition  to  the  work  performed  by  the  editor  and  portrayer,  it  would  be 
unjust  to  omit  an  acknowledgement  of  the  valuable  assistance  of  Mr. 
Edwin  Drury  in  many  of  the  details,  and  Messrs.  Blodgett  and  Gage  for 
financial  advances  while  the  enterprise  has  been  developed. 

While  the  magnitude  of  the  undertaking  was  in  no  measure  compre- 
hended by  us  at  the  outset,  and  more  time  and  money  has  been  required 
for  its  completion  than  was  anticipated,  yet  we  trust  that  the  volume  will 
be  satisfactory  to  those  for  whom  it  was  written — our  comrades  in  arms 
and  those  who  loved  them.  We  promised  a  work  of  five  hundred  pages  ; 
we  give,  instead,  a  volume  of  nearly  twice  that  size.  We  believe  that 
in  other  respects  we  have  exceeded  the  promises  made  in  the  prospectus. 
We  had  no  expectation  of  pecuniary  gain,  and  with  the  entire  edition 
sold,  the  copy  retained  by  each  member  of  the  Historical  Society  will  be 
the  most  expensive.  For  this  we  care  nothing.  If  our  comrades,  after  a 
careful  perusal  of  the  book,  shall  give  it  their  approval  as  a  careful, 
truthful  and  well- written  history,  we  shall  feel  that  we  have  been  fully 
compensated  for  our  work  and  all  our  sacrifices. 

Cherishing  the  memory  of  every  comrade,  whether  living  or  dead  ; 
proud  of  the  fact  that  it  was  our  privilege  to  be  associated  with  them  in 
the  days  when  they  were  making  a  record  of  which  any  soldier  might  be 
justly  proud,  and  rejoicing  that  we  have  been  able  to  be  the  means  of 
putting  in  a  more  connected  and  enduring  form  than  had  hitherto  been 
attempted  some  record  of  their  achievements  ;  and,  finally,  with  a  silent 
tear  for  those  and  with  those  whose  wounds  will  be  opened  afresh  by 
the  perusal  of  these  pages  because  of  the  "vacant  chair,"  we  submit  this 
History,  earnestly  hoping  that  it  may  meet  the  approval  of  our  sur- 
viving comrades  and  their  friends. 

In  behalf  of  and  for  the  Historical  Society  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH 
Regiment  Illinois  Volunteers. 

CHAS.  WARRINGTON  EARLE, 

CHICAGO,  July  1,  1887.  Chairman. 


PRKFACK. 


To  me  was  assigned,  by  the  Historical  Society,  the  work  of  editing 
a  history  of  the  gallant  Regiment  with  which  it  was  my  lot  to  be  asso- 
ciated during  the  War  of  the  Rebellion.  The  trust  was  accepted  with 
extreme  reluctance,  and  with  many  misgivings,  for  I  knew  the  work 
would  be  at  once  delicate  and  difficult.  After  discussing  various  plans 
with  the  members  of  the  Historical  Society,  and  agreeing  upon  a  general 
outline,  I  entered  upon  the  work  assigned  me.  and  the  pages  which  follow 
are  the  result.  As  the  work  has  progressed  I  have  not  unfrequently  found 
my  memory  in  conflict  with  the  letters  and  diaries  of  myself  and  com- 
rades, written  at  the  time  the  events  here  narrated  were  occurring.  In 
all  such  cases  I  have  given  credence  to  the  written  record,  believing  it  to 
be  more  reliable  than  mere  recollection.  I  ask  every  comrade  whose 
memory  contradicts  what  is  here  given,  in  any  material  respect,  to  refrain 
from  criticism  until  he  has  carefully  read  again  his  own  or  his  comrades' 
letters  and  diaries,  penned  when  these  events  were  fresh.  If,  upon  a 
perusal  of  these  records,  material  errors  are  found  I  shall  be  glad  to  have 
them  stated.  It  was  impossible  that  all  should  have  seen  events  from 
the  same  stand-point,  or  that  any  one  should  have  known  of  all  the 
interesting  experiences  of  the  various  members  of  the  entire  command. 
It  is  too  much  to  expect  of  any  one  person,  after  a  lapse  of  twenty  years 
in  which  no  thought  was  entertained  of  undertaking  such  a  work,  to 
recall  from  memory,  or  to  gather  from  the  hastily  written  letters  or  the 
brief  pencilings  in  a  boy's  diary,  a  tithe  of  the  interesting  personal 
reminiscences  that  might  have  been  written  had  their  narration  been 
contemplated  when  the  events  were  occurring. 

The  chapters  written  by  myself  have  been  made  impersonal ;  no 
statement  has  been  made  that  is  not  believed  to  be  strictly  truthful ;  no 
event  has  been  too  highly  colored  ;  no  fact  has  been  so  strongly  stated 
that  it  will  not  bear  the  closest  scrutiny  and  investigation. 

In  my  work  I  have  been  fortunate  in  having  the  cordial  encourage- 
ment and  support  of  my  comrades  generally.  No  committee  could 
have  been  more  kindly  critical,  or  more  considerate  and  cordial  toward 
an  editor  than  has  the  Historical  Society  been  toward  myself.  No  com- 
rades could  have  responded  more  zealously  than  have  a  majority  of  those 
to  whom  I  have  applied  for  information  or  for  access  to  their  written 


vi  HISTORY  or  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

matter.  While  I  cannot  mention  all  who  have  been  helpful  I  should  do 
violence  to  my  own  sense  of  justice  did  I  not  name  some  whose  assist- 
ance has  been  most  frequently  given.  In  addition  to  the  members  of  the 
Historical  Society,  Gen.  J.  C.  Smith,  Col.  Geo.  Hicks  and  Surgeon  F.  W. 
Byers,  of  the  Field  and  Staff  ;  Capt.  Wm.  Vincent  and  Sergt.  C.  H.  Berg, 
of  Company  A  ;  Captain  G.  H.  Burnett  and  Lieutenant  George  Wait,  of 
Company  B  ;  Captain  John  K.  Pollock  and  Captain  W.  M.  Loughlin,  of 
Company  C  ;  Captain  A.  Z.  Blodgett,  Lieutenant  J.  H.  Linklater,  A.  R. 
Thain  and  R.  S.  Thain,  of  Company  D  ;  Captain  W.  F.  Taylor  and  Ser- 
geant P.  Fleming,  of  Company  E  ;  J.  Q.  Robinson,  William  S.  Nash 
and  the  late  Sergeant  John  C.  Lee,  of  Company  F  ;  Captain  B.  G. 
Blowney,  of  Company  G ;  Captain  J.  L  Pierce,  of  Company  H  ; 
William  M.  Perry,  William  W.  McDonald  and  Moses  Rees,  of  Company 
I,  and  Lieutenant  George  W.  Pepoon,  of  Company  K,  have  each  con- 
tributed materially  in  assisting  to  gather  necessary  data.  The  material 
for  the  closing  chapter  was  mainly  collected  and  compiled  by  Edwin 
Drurjr,  of  the  Historical  Society,  and  was  the  result  of  much  diligent 
research. 

As  I  have  lived  over  again  the  days  when  the  history  was  made  of 
which  I  have  so  feebly  written,  my  feelings  have  been  of  mingled  sad- 
ness and  pleasure.  Forms  and  faces  almost  lost  to  memory  have  seemed 
to  come  again,  and  events  almost  forgotten  have  returned  with  a  vivid- 
ness that  had  seemed  impossible. 

Although  this  volume  has  grown  to  be  almost  double  the  size  at  first 
contemplated,  it  is  entirely  too  meagre  to  tell  of  more  than  a  fraction  of 
the  heroic  deeds  of  the  brave  men  who  marched  and  fought  beneath  the 
banner  on  which  was  inscribed  the  magic  figures,  "  96."  Words  cannot 
fittingly  portray  the  lofty  heroism  which  inspired  the  gallant  soldiers 
whose  valorous  deeds  are  here  so  feebly  told.  With  a  fidelity  that  I  trust 
all  will  concede,  and  with  such  ability  as  I  could  command,  the  work 
has  been  pursued  until  the  three  years'  service  of  the  Regiment  has  been, 
in  some  measure,  covered.  Of  the  reader  I  ask  that  what  is  written  be 
accepted  in  a  spirit  as  charitable  as  he  would  have  asked  in  his  own 
behalf  if  unexpectedly  called  to  the  duty  of  writing  a  similar  work. 

CHARLES  A.  PARTRIDGE. 
Waukegan,  111,  July,  1887. 


NCINNATI 

H        I        O 


1M  A  P 
SHOWING  THE   LINES   OF  MARCH 

(SOUTH  OF  1 II  K  OHIO  RIVER) 

NINETY-SIXTH*  REGIMENT 

ILLINOIS    VOLUNTEERS. 


Roads  over  which  the  Regiment  marched  one  or  more  times. 
Routes  traveled  by  Rail  or  Steamboat. 
Location  of  Hattles  in  which  the  Regiment  participated. 
Location  of  Skirmishes  in  which  the  Regiment  participated. 


TABLE    OF   CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Events  Leading  to  the  War — The  Slavery  (Question — The  Missouri  Compromise — 
Fugitive  Slave  Law?  Enacted— The  Difficulty  of  Enforcing  Them — A  Supreme 
Court  Decision — Anti-Slavery  Literature — Lincoln's  Election  a  Pretext  for  Re- 
bellion— Preparations  for  War  at  the  South — The  Great  Conspiracy — Secession 
Ordinances  Passed — The  Guns  of  Sumter  Kcho  Through  the  Land — The  Response 
at  the  North— Alternate  Victories  and  Defeats — Advantages  Gained — A  Crisis 
Reached  in  the  Summer  of  1862 — A.  Second  Grand  Uprising  at  the  North — A  Half 
Million  Enlistments  in  Two  Months 17-26 

CHAPTER   II. 

How  and  Why  Lake  and  Jo  Daviess  Counties  Joined  Hands — In  Camp  at  Rpckford— 
A  Lesson  in  Obedience  to  Orders — The  Formal  Muster-in — Other  Regiments  in 
Camp— Early  Experiences— The  Field  and  Stuff— The  Companies  Lettered- 
Drawing  Arms  and  Uniforms — Battalion  Drill  and  Dress  Parade — On  Escort 
Duty— Visits  from  Home  Friends — Major  Brown  and  the  "Obstacle"  Move- 
ment—The Sutlers  Made  Unhappy  —  Incidents  of  the  Last  Days  at  Camp 
Fuller 27-40 

CHAPTER  III. 

OfE  for  "The  Front"— A  Rain-Storm  En  Route— The  Trip  to  Cincinnati— A  Tedious 
Night  March— Happenings  at  Camp  Champion— The  Tents  Erected — Episode  of 
the  Tall  Men— A  Skirmish  with  Mules— Detachments  Sent  to  the  Forts— More 
Presentations — A  Night  Alarm— Fresh  PorK  that  Had  to  be  Paid  for— Unfortu- 
nate Explosion  of  a  Shell — Five  Companies  Sent  to  Falmouth  and  Five  to  Cov- 
ington— An  October  Snow-Storm—Visits  From  the  Father  and  Son  of  General 
Grant 41-51 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Five  Companies  Start  Southward — Hard  Pikes  vs.  Tender  Feet— Marching  and  Tent- 
ing in  the  Snow— A  Muddy  Cut-Off—Loyal  Whites  and  Enthusiastic  Blacks — 
Five  Companies  Sent  via  Williamsburg  and  Georgetown  to  Lexington— Slaves 
and  Slave-Hunters—Milling  for  the  Military— A  Night's  Foraging — The  Regi- 
ment Reunited — Experiences  at  Lexington — Visit  to  Henry  Clay's  Monument — 
The  First  Death  in  Camp  •. '..;.  .52-04 

CHAPTER  V. 

Southward  to  Harrodsburg— Kentucky  River  Scenery— A  Halt  at  Shakertown — The 
Stay  at  Camp  Clarke— Visits  to  Perryville  Battle  Ground— Recovering  Federal 
Property — Issuing  a  Newspaper — Marching  to  Danville— In  Winter  Quarters  at 
Camp  Baird  —  Occasional  Alarms  at  Night— The  First  Sergeants  Lectured — 
Breaking  Camp  by  Fire-Light— The  Lebanon  March — A  Terrible  Rain  Storm— 
The  Night  at  "Camp  Wet"— The  Return  to  Danville — Frequent  Deaths  Among 
the  Soldiers— A  Scouting  Expedition— Close  of  the  Year  1862 65-81 

CHAPTER  VI. 

The  Negro  Question — Waiting  for  News  from  Stone's  River— Drilling  Resumed — 
Visitors  in  Camp— Pay-day  Arrives— Eleven  Deaths  in  a  Single  Month— A  Heavy 
Winter  Storm— Changes'  Among  the  Officers— An  Eighty-five  Mile  March  to 
Louisville— Aboard  the  Transports— The  Arrival  at  Fort  Donelson— The  Second 
Battle  at  that  Historic  Point— Up  the  Cumberland  to  Nashville 82-97 

CHAPTER  VII. 

The  Irrepressible  Conflict  with  Greybacks— A  Half  Dozen  Promotions— Policing 
the  Camp  Grounds — A  Brigade  Dress  Parade — Resolutions  Adopted  by  the  Regi- 
ment—The Sound  of  Cannon — The  Movement  to  Franklin— Disaster  to  Coburn's 
Brigade— The  Duck  River  Campaign — Frequent  Alarms,  and  Fighting  Near  at 
Hand — Ten  Days  at  Brentwood — Heavy  Fatigue  and  Guard  Duty— A  Man  in  Com- 

Siny   F  Killed  on  the   Picket  Line — The  Paymaster  in  Camp— Shelter  Tents 
eceived— How  the  Month  of  May  Passed— The  Nine  Months'  Fever 98-125 


viii  HISTORY  OF  THE  96xH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

CHAPTER  vm. 

The  Summer  of  1863 — The  March  to  Triune— Lightening  the  Knapsacks— Partial 
Reorganization  of  the  Corps— The  Paymaster  and  the  Enemy  Arrive  Simul- 
taneously—Again Under  Fire,  but  at  Long  Range— Skedaddle,  of  the  Sutler's 
Clerks — Punishment  of  Sleepy  Sentinels — The  Tullahoma  Campaign — A  Succes- 
sion of  Rainy  Days — Again  Under  Fire — Guarding  Prisoners  to  the  Rear — The 
Advance  to  Shelbyville— The  March  to  Wartrace — Close  of  the  Brief  Campaign- 
Good  News  from  Vicksburgand  Gettysburg— A  Day  of  Thanksgiving 126-148 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Tha  Chattanooga  Campaign— The  Difficulties  and  Delays  Attending  itg  Inaugura- 
tion— Conditions  Named  but  not  Complied  with— Gen.  Bragg  Outwitted  and  Out- 
flanked— The  "  Gateway  of  the  South"  Opened  with  Unexpected  Ease — The 
Part  Taken  by  the  Reserve  Corps  in  the  Campaign— The  March  to  Estill  Springs 
— Scouting  Experiences — An  Anniversary  Celebrated  by  a  Portion  of  the  Com- 
mand—Forward— Climbing  the  Cumberland  Mountains— A  Brief  Halt  at  Bridge- 
port—A Forced  March  over  Lookout  Mountain  to  Rossville — The  Conflict  at 
Hand— Preparing  for  the  Sacrifice 149-160 

CHAPTER  X. 

Chickamauga — Preparations  for  the  Impending  Battle — Collecting  the  Scattered 
Forces— The  Enemy  not  in  Retreat — Bragg' s  Lost  Opportunity — The  Lines 
Forming  Along  Chickamauga  Creek — A  Reconnoissance  from  Rossville — Under 
Fire  with  Unloaded  Guns— Cold  Nights  in  Line  of  Battle — Saturday's  Battle — 
The  Fighting  Renewed  on  Sunday— The  Reserves  to  the  Rescue — The  March  to 
the  Right— Three  Desperate  Charges— Repulsing  the  Enemy — Desperate  Fight- 
ing and  Terrific  Losses — Both  Armies  Baffled — Again  at  Rossville — The  Long 
Casualty  List— Companies  C  and  H  Captured — Arrival  at  Moccasin  Point — Official 
Reports— The  New  York  Tribune  Letter 161-221 

CHAPTER  XL 

Personal  Recollections  of  Chickamauga.  By  Geo.  Hicks,  Captain  Company  A, 
NINETY-SIXTH  Illinois  Volunteers.  Extracts  from  an  Address  Delivered  in 
Kingston,  Jamaica,  West  Indies 222-248 

CHAPTER  XII. 

The  Situation  after  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga— In  Camp  on  Moccasin  Point — Artil- 
lery and  Skirmish  Fire — Bragg's  Starvation  Policy — Wheeler's  Cavalry  Raid — 
Short  Rations  for  Men  and  Mules — Corn — The  "Wusscr" — Arrival  of  Gen. 
Hooker— Gen.  Grant  Placed  in  Command— Bridging  the  River  at  Brown's  Ferry 
— Supporting  Hooker  in  Lookout  Valley— Corn  and  Shells — The  March  to  Shell 
Mound — NickajackCove — Building  Winter  Quarters — Strange  Architecture  ..249-261 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

The  March  to  Lookout  Mountain  —  Before  the  Battle  —  The  Colonel's  Speech — 
Nature  of  the  Battle  Field— The  Forces  Engaged  in  the  Battle— Crossing  Look- 
out Creek — Climbing  the  Mountain — Rough  Nature  of  the  Ground — Our  Ad- 
vance—Skirmishing—Artillery Fire— The  Charge— The  Rebels  Fall  Back— The 
Battle  in  the  Clouds — A  Modern  Sinai— Doubling  Point  Lookout— Cheer*  of  Vic- 
tory— Steep  Charge  over  the  "  Nose  "—Writing  on  the  Wall— Last  Stand  of  the 
Enemy — Was  it  a  Battle  ? — Facts  Say  Yes — Rebel  Loss — Our  Loss — Our  Captures 
— The  Bivouac  on  Lookout — Planting  the  Flag  on  Point  Lookout— Cheering  the 
Flag— The  NINETY-SIXTH  on  the  Summit— Description  of  the  Scenery — Battle  of 
Missionary  Ridge— Return  to  Nickajack  Cove— The  Winter 262-283 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

Good-by  to  Nickajack— A  Leisurely  March  over  Historic  Ground— The  Camps  at 
Tyner  and  Ooltewah — Building  Houses  for  a  Day — Blue  Springs  Reached — Fre- 
quent Scouting  Expeditions— Engagement  Near  Dal  ton— Sergeant  Harrim»n 
Killed  — More  Wounds  and  Captures— Taunts  from  the  Skirmish  Line— Ten 
Hours  under  Fire — One  Hundred  Miles  in  Six  Days — An  Accidental  Shot — A 
Ready-Made  Camp — Frequent  Furloughs— Captain  Rowan  and  Lieutenant  Earle 
Return  from  Prison— Drilling  Renewed— Reading  Clubs  Formed— Vaccinating 
the  Regiment — Scurvy  and  the  "Potato  Squad"— Deserters  Drummed  Around 
the  Lines — The  Army  Concentrating — Waiting  for  the  Order  Forward  ! 284-301 

CHAPTER  XV. 

The  Army  Concentrating— The  Atlanta  Campaign  Inaugurated— From  Blue  Springs 
to  Catooga  Springs — Obstructions  in  the  Highway — Two  Partial  Sunstrokes — Ad- 
vance on  Tunnel  Hill— The  Strong  Fortifications  Found  Empty— Looking  Acrogg 
the  Valley— Early  Reveille— Brass  Guns  vt.  Brass  Bands— The  Demonstration 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS.  ix 

Against  Rocky  Face  Ridye—  The  NINETY-SIXTH  Unslings  Knapsacks  and  Takes 
the  Skirmish  Line— Moving  Against  the  Palisades— To  the  Right  and  into  Buz- 
zard Roost  Gap — A  Gallant  Advance— The  Enemy  Mistakes  the  Regiment  for  an 
Army— Almost  out  of  Ammunition— A  Bloody  Sunset— Night  Permits  Ketreat 
and  Rest— Nearly  a  Half  Hundred  Casualties— Deserved  ComplimtntB— Shelled 
out  of  Camp— The  Rebels  Evacuate  the  Dalton  Line 302-314 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

Approaching  Resaca— Passing  the  Cavalry— Another  Line  of  Breastworks  Built — 
Closing  in  upon  the  Enemy— Gallant  Advance  of  the  Skirmishers — Fix  Bayo- 
nets!—A  Charge  Proposed,  but  Never  Made— The  Enemy  Massing  on  the  Left— 
Their  Lines  Advance— Outflanked,  the  Regiment  Retreats— Routed  ! — Fighting 
in  Retreat— At  the  Battery— Hooker's  Troops  to  the  Rescue — Terrible  Slaughter 
of  the  Enemy— Counting  up  the  Losses — Hooker's  Troops  Charge — Partial  Suc- 
ceis  of  their  Assaults— Two  Memorable  Days — Successful  Flanking  Movements 
—The  Enemy  in  Retreat— The  Casualty  List 315-330 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

After  the  Battle— Resaca  Abandoned — "Drawing  Sherman  On  "—Looking  for  Mis- 
sing Comrades— Forward  Again — A  Trio  of  Wounded— Crossing  the  Oostenaula 
— Pressing  the  Enemy — Daily  under  Fire — Calhoun  and  Adairsville  Passed— 
From  Kingston  to  Cassville— Many  Miles  upon  the  Skirmish  Line — The  Enemy 
Pressed  Backward— An  Army  in  Full  Sight— More  Breastworks — A  Battle  Im- 
pending—Artillery Duel  —  Corporal  Gage's  Capture  —  Again  they  Retreat  — 
Wearied  Soldiers—Three  Days  of  Rest— Odd  Fellows  Outfit  Preserved— Visit  to 
the  Seminary— The  Boys  and  the  Books— Sunday's  Experience  at  Caesville. .  .331-342 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

A  Bold  Flank  Movement  — Across  the  Etowah  —  Gen.  Johnston  anticipates  Gen. 
Sherman's  Plans— Pumpkin  Vine  Creek— Late  Marches — In  Reserve — Moving  to 
the  Front  Under  Fire — Strong  Breastworks — Terr, fie  Artillery  Fire — New  Hope 
Church — Ten  Days  in  the  Trenches — Sleeping  and  Eating  to  the  Music  of  MUSK- 
etry — Casualties  Almost  Daily — Miserably  Monotonous — The  Skirmishers  Better 
Natured— Trading  Between  the  Lines— Short  Rations — The  Enemy  Again  Out- 
flanked—The Union  Forces  reach  the  Railroad — In  Camp  at  Ackworth— The  Boon 
of  a  Three  Day's  Rest — The  Railroad  Repaired — Rations  and  Mails  brought  up — 
Getting  Rid  of  the  Grey  backs— Ready  for  Kenesaw  Mountain 343-353 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

'The  Advance  from  Ackworth— The  Country  Full  of  Breastworks — How  the  Army 
was  Fed— Opposite  Pine  Mountain— Killed  by  a  Falling  Tree— Bishop  Polk's 
Death— Frequent  Rain  Storms— Losses  by  Capture — Approaching  Little  Kene- 
saw—A  Gallant  Charge— What  Civil  War  Means— Terrific  Night  Fight— Heavy 
Losses  of  Officers  and  Men — A  Trying  Position — In  Close  Quarters — A  Multitude 
of  Engagements— Moving  to  the  Right — Disastrous  Change  of  Tactics — A  Flag 
of  Truce— Skirmishers'  Experiences— The  Flanking  Movement  Resumed— Ken- 
esaw Mountain  in  Union  Hands 354-378 

CHAPTER  XX. 

.Across  the  Chattahoochie— The  Rest  on  the  Ridge — Peach  Tree  Creek — The  General 
Forward  Movement— Within  Two  Miles  of  Atlanta— The  Battle  on  the  Left— A 
Visit  Interrupted — Killed  in  Camp — Four  Men  Captured — Colonel  Opdyke's 
Reconnoissance — Regimental  Politics — Strong  Breastworks,  and  How  They  were 
Built — Promotions  Among  the  Officers— Frequent  Demonstrations,  One  of  Them 
Attended  by  Heavy  Losses— An  Ominous  Quiet— Mysterious  Movements  on  Foot 
—What  will  General  Sherman  Do  '—Casualties  about  Atlanta 379-392 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

Preparations  for  a  Grand  Movement — A  Night  March — Building  Breastworks  Again 
— Destroying  the  Railroad— Fairly  in  the  Rear  of  the  "Gate  City  "—Guarding  a 
Wagon  Train — Hurried  to  the  Front — The  Battle  of  Jonesboro — The  Fight  at 
Lovejoy's  Station — Four  Fatalities— Anniversary  of  the  Regiment's  Muster-in — 
"  Atlanta  is  Ours,  and  Fairly  Won  "—Withdrawal  of  the  Forces— Burning  Cotton 
—In  Camp  Near  the  City 393-399 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

'The  Gains  and  the  Losses  of  the  Campaign— Plans  for  the  Future— A  Skirmish  near 
Stone  Mountain — Deaths  by  Disease — Gen.  Hood  takes  the  Initiative— A  Race 
to  the  Rear— Passing  Familiar  Ground— In  Sight  of  the  Rebel  Army— Allatoona— 
The  March  to  Rome— Delays  for  want  of  a  Little  Bridge— Calhoun,  Resaca  and 
Dalton— On  the  Flank  of  the  Enemy— Alternate  Brief  Rests  and  Heavy  Marches 
Southward  to  Gaylesville— A  Week  in  Camp  with  Abundant  Rations— Last  Days 
with  Gen.  Sherman 400-408 


x  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'rn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 

Parting  with  Gen.  Sherman— Abundance  of  Forage— A  Rapid  March  Northward — 
Crossing  the  Chickamauga  Battle  Field— At  liossville  and  Chattanooga— West- 
ward by  Cars — The  Trip  to  Athens — Anxiety  as  to  the  Situation— The  Rebels 
Near— Fording  Elk  River— The  March  to  Pulaski— Ragged  but  Resolute— En- 
trenching Again— Paid  Off 409-414 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

The  Rebels  Advance— Pulaski  Evacuated— A  Short  Sleep — Refugees  on  the  Road — A 
Trying  Night  March — A  Sombre  Thanksgiving— Columbia  Reached— Again  Out- 
flanked—Spring  Hill— Close  Proximity  to  the  Enemy — A  Halt  on  the  Ridge — The 
Battle  of  rranklin — Another  Night  March— Arrival  at  Nashville— Two  Nights 
on  the  Front  Line— The  Army  Reinforced— Waiting  for  the  Battle 415-434 

CHAPTER  XXV. 

The  Siege  of  Nashville  —  Reinforcements  Arrive— Recruits  Received  —  Citizens 
Building  Breastworks — The  Country  Anxious — Reason  of  Delay — An  Ice  Storm 
— The  Weather  Grows  Milder — The  Battle  Begins— First  Day's  Work— Important 
Gain?— Night  on  the  Battle-field — The  Second  Day's  Battle — A  Charge  on  the 
Skirmieh  Line — Long  Hours  Under  Fire — A  Gallant  Charge — Four  Guns  and 
Many  Prisoners  Taken — A  Glorious  Victory — Incidents  of  the  Battle — The  Gains 
and  the  Losses— The  Casualty  List 435-44&1 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 

The  Pursuit  of  Hood— The  Pontoon  Train  Missent— A  Halt  at  Franklin— Condition 
of  Affairs  in  the  Village— A  Stern  Chase— Delays  at  Rutherford's  Creek  and 
Duck  River— Lust  Volley  at  the  Enemy— Floundering  in  the  Muri— How  Christ- 
mas passed — Waiting  for  Rations — Forward  Again — The  Enemy  Escapes  Across 
the  Tennessee — Results  Achieved  in  the  Campaign — Gen.  Thomas'  Congratula- 
tory Order 450-456 

CHAPTER  XXVII. 

New  Year's  Day  Celebrated — The  March  to  Huntsville— Going  into  Winter  Quarters 
— The  Army  Dispersed— Incidents  of  the  Stay  at  Hunteville— How  Brick  and  Lum- 
ber were  Obtained— Drill  and  Dress  Parades  Resumed— Changes  and  Promotions 
— Bollenbach's  Capture  and  Escape — Music  in  Camp — A  Sermon  that  was  not 
Enjoyed — Winter  Amusements — The  Division  Reviewed — Rumors  of  a  Move- 
ment   457-461 

CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

Leaving  Winter  Quarters— By  Rail  to  East  Tennessee— A  Glimpse  of  Parson  Brown- 
low — Arrival  at  Strawberry  Plains  —  Russellville —  Visiting  .--chool  —  Dancing 
Parties— Scouting  Experiences— Captain  Sizemore  and  His  Methods— Glad  News 
from  the  East — Richmond  is  Taken — Lee  and  his  Army  Surrender — How  the 
News  was  Received— The  Celebration  at  Shields'  Mills— A  Hush  on  the  Camp— 
The  Appalling  News  of  Lincoln's  Assassination— Its  Effect  on  the  Soldiers  .  462-469 

CHAPTER  XXIX. 

Again  at  Russellville— Ordered  to  Nashville — Camp  Harker— Beside  the  Cumber- 
land—Camp Rumors— The  Good  News  Continues — Changes  and  Promotions — 
Grand  Review  of  the  Corps— Torch  Light  Parade— Preparing  for  Muster-Out — 
Gen.  Kimball's  Congratulatory  Order— The  Recruits  Transferred— Good  Bye  to 
Tennessee — The  March  to  New  Albany— Cattle  Cars  or  Passenger  Coaches  1— 
Colonel  Smith  vs.  the  Railroad  Authorities — Arrival  in  Chicago 470-480 

CHAPTER  XXX. 

Chicago's  Welcome — What  the  Newspapers  Said — Reception  at  the  Sanitary  Fair — 
George  C.  Bates'  Address— Colonel  Hicks'  Response— Gen.  Sherman  Speaks — 
What  Hon.  John  Wentworth  and  Judge  Bradwell  Said— Cheers  for  the  So.diers— 
Cheers  for  the  Ladies— Cheers  by  and  for  Everybody 481-490 

CHAPTER  XXXI. 

At  Camp  Douglas— Two  Deaths  When  Almost  Home— Settling  Up  —  Paid  Off  and 
Disbanded— The  Last  Good  Byes — The  Receptions— At  Waukegan— At  Warren — 
At  Galena 491-507 

CHAPTER  XXXII. 

Prisoners  of  War— Two  Men  Captured  at  Franklin— Two  Captured  from  Hospital — 
Captain  Rowan  Attempts  to  Escape — Capture  of  the  Wounded  at  Chickamauga — 
Companies  C  and  H  Surrender  on  Mission  Ridge— Fate  of  the  Prisoners— Per- 
•onal  Narratives  of  Survivors. . .  508-540' 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS.  xi 

CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

Captured  at  Buzzard  Roost — Narrative  of  Harrison  Memaemer — The  Captures  at 
Resaca— Narratives  of  Myron  J.  Brown,  Corporal  William  B.  Lewin,  First  Ser- 
geant Thomas  J.  Smith,  Richard  Spencer,  Lewis  Miller— Captured  at  Keuesaw 
Mountain  and  Atlanta— Albert  Barney's  Narrative — Captured  at  Franklin...  541-585 

CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

Companies  C  and  H  on  Picket— Withdrawal  of  Army — Anxious  Moments — No  Relief 
—Preparations  for  Defense— More  Fighting — The  Capture— March  to  Dalton — 
Trip  to  Richmond — Separation  of  Officers  and  Men — Libby  Prison— First  Day  in 
Prison— Who  were  There— The  Early  Morning  Roll  Call— Old  Ben— Rations- 
Boxes  from  Home — Occupation  and  Amusements — Traitors  in  our  Midst — A 
Night  in  Prison — Attempts  at  Escape— Gen.  Morgan  in  Libby — The  Conception 
of  the  Successful  Tunnel— The  Working  Parties— Discovery  by  the  Writer — 
The  Passage  Through  the  Tunnel — In  the  Streets  of  Richmond — In  Company 
with  Rebel  Soldiers  —  Experience  of  Successive  Nights  —  Assistance  from 
Negroes— Passage  of  the  Chickahominy — In  Our  Lines— Reception— Home  and 
Regiment 586-452* 

CHAPTER  XXXV. 

The  Pioneer  Battalion—Causes  Leading  to  Its  Organization— Nature  of  the  Service 
Required — A  Building  Blown  Up — Building  Bridges  and  Forte — A  Reconnois- 
sance — How  Swan  Pond  was  Crossed — The  Cumberland  Pontoon — A  Valuable 
Invention— Building  Block  Houses— Formally  Transferred— The  Roster 624-63* 

CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

Notes  from  an  Old  Diary— A  Middle  Tennessee  Scouting  Expedition — How  the 
Scouts  were  Fooled  by  a  Rebel — Jeff  Davis'  Feat  Discounted— A  Very  Tired 
Man  and  a  Bad  Government  Mule— An  Incident  at  Moccasin  Point — Corn  Doled 
out  in  Spoonsful — Color  Corporal  Robison— How  He  Lost  an  Arm— His  Hospital 
Experience— The  Ambulance  Corps— Wounded  Men,  and  Who  Carried  Them — 
Fidelity  and  Courage  of  the  Stretcher  Bearers— Poem  by  A.  R.  Thain 634-64* 

CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

Letters  from  Home — How  the  Mail  Reached  the  Army — The  Mail  Carrier's  Welcome 
—Dangerous  Trips— Past  the  Skirmish  Line — A  Target  for  Rebel  Pickets- 
Personal  Experiences 650-655- 

CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 

The  Covington  "Can-Can" — The  Adjutant's  Bag — A  Bugler's  Bad  Break — A  Horse 
Down  Cellar — Early  Potatoes — An  Unexpected  Meeting — Corporal  Malone's 
Salute— Here,  Ring  !—  The  Cleveland  Girl 656-C67 

CHAPTER  XL. 

The  Field  and  Staff— Personal  Sketches— The  Officers  and  Non-Commissioned 
Officers — Who  They  were  ai-d  What  They  Did — Whereabouts  and  Occupations  of 
the  Survivors— Shoulder  Straps  and  Chevrons 668-678- 

CHAPTER  XLI. 

COMPANY  A— The  First  Company— Nearly  Filled  in  July— Officers  Elected— Swords 
Presented — The  First  to  Reach  Camp  Fuller — Early  Experiences — Again  in 
Galena — Good-by  Again — Final  Move  to  Rockford — The  Letter  "A" — Detached 
at  Harrodsburg— -On  the  Skirmish  Line  at  Triune — The  First  Anniversary — The 
Battle  Casualties — A  Long  List  of  Killed  and  Wounded — Present  Whereabouts 
of  the  Survivors— Sketches  of  the  Officers  and  Men 679-703 

CHAPTER  XLII. 

COMPANY  B — How  it  was  Recruited — The  Organization  at  Hainesville — Three  Times 
Sworn  In — Incidents  in  the  Early  Days — Man  Afraid  of  His  Knapsack— Fort 
Mitchell — Promotions — Ante-Battle  Losses— Casualties  at  Chickamauga — Subse- 
quent Losses — "Gus"  Bollenback's  Capture  and  Esc.-ipc — Company  Statistics — 
A  Proud  Record— The  Complete  Roster 704-?28- 

CHAPTER  XLIII. 

COMPANY  C— Can  Lake  County  Fill  Another  Company  ?— The  Affirmative  Answer- 
Officers  Chosen— Temporary  Rendezvous  at  Waukegan — Sword  Presentations — 
Off  for  Rockford— Chosen  as  Color  Company — A  Promise  to  be  Prompt— Sent  to 
Fort  Shaler— Recruits  from  Rebeldom— Quartered  in  a  Church — School-day  Ex- 
periences Revived — Terrible  Losses  at  Chickamauga— Almost  Blotted  Out — 
'  Subsequent  Casualties— Some  Statistics 729-752; 


xii  HISTORY  or  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

CHAPTER  XLIV. 

-COMPANY  D — How  and  Where  it  was  Recruited — Headquarters  in  Waukegan — The 
Millburn  Ladies'  Supper — Officers  and  Soldiers — Beechwood  Battery — A  Trip  to 
Camp  Chase— Deaths  and  Promotions— Eight  Men  Killed— The  Wounded— The 
Recruits— Company  Statistics— Biographical 753-773 

CHAPTER  XLV. 

-COMPANY  E — The  Apple  River  Company — How  it  was  Recruited  and  Organized — 
Officers  and  Non-Commissioned  OfficerH  Eleeted — A  Sword  to  the  Colonel — On 
Provost  Duty  at  Harrodsburg — The  Terrible  Death-Roil  at  Chickamauga— Almost 
Unparalleled  Losses — Twelve  Men  Killed  or  Mortally  Wounded  in  One  Engage- 
ment— Other  Losses — Moccasin  Point  Duties — Detached  on  Lookout  Mountain — 
Subsequent  Casualties — Some  Statistics — Personal  Sketches 774-791 

CHAPTER  XL VI. 

•COMPANY  F — Rapid  Recruiting — Where  the  Men  were  from — Their  Age  and  Nation- 
ality— Officers  Chosen — Captain  Green  aspires  to  the  Colonelcy — Mustered  In — 
The  First  Man  Killed— Battle  Losses— Two  Men  Die  in  Prison— Ten  Deaths  in 
Hospital — Forty-five  Recruits  reach  the  Company — Changes  among  the  Officers — 
Company  Statistics— The  Roster 7952-809 

CHAPTER  XLVII. 

-COMPANY  G — Two  Companies  where  One  was  Expected — The  Election  of  Officers — 
Sworn  into  the  Service — "Bully  for  the  Boy  with  the  Glass  Eye" — In  Tents  at 
Rockford — Appointment  of  Non-Commissioned  Officers — The  Captain  is  Made 
Lieutenant  Colonel — An  Outsider  Chosen  to  Fill  the  Vacancy— Sword  Presenta- 
tions—A Case  of  Assault  and  Battery — Thanksgiving  Dinner  at  Harrodsburg — 
Subsequent  Changes  Among  the  Officers — The  Company's  Long  Casualty  List — 
Seven  Times  Wounded — Facts  and  Figures — Answers  to  the  Roll-Call 810-841 

CHAPTER  XL VIII. 

COMPANY  H — Eastern  Jo  Daviess  County's  Response — Ninety-one  Men  in  Six  Days — 
Voting  for  Officers — Parting  with  Friends — Rockford  Rations — Trading  Men 
with  the  92d — A  Sword  for  the  Captain — First  Blood  for  Company  H — The  Chick- 
amanga  Record — A  Remnant  Escape  and  are  Captured — Thirty-two  Never  Again 
in  Ranks — The  Atlanta  Campaign— Losses  along  the  Line — Nashville — Recruits 
Arrive — A  Former  Lieutenant  Returns  as  a  Private — Reinforcing  Russellville — 
A  Worthy  Tribute— borne  Company  Statistics 842-868 

CHAPTER  XLIX. 

-COMPANY  I  —  Ten  Days'  Recruiting — A  Change  of  Plans — Full  to  Overflowing — 
Officers  Chosen — Elizabeth  Leads  the  Van — In  Camp  at  Galena — Non-Commis- 
sioned Officers  Appointed — Age  and  Nativity  of  the  Men — Their  Occupations — 
The  Captain  made  Major — Rockford  Reached — At  John's  Hill  Battery — Other 
Detached  Service — Losses  in  Battle — The  Company  Recruited  —  Changes  and 
Promotions — The  Number  at  Muster-out — Record  of  the  Members 869-887 

CHAPTER  L. 

-COMPANY  K — The  Eastern  Part  of  Jo  Daviess  County  Raises  Two  Companies — 
Warren,  Rush  and  Nora  Fill  One  to  Overflowing — Officers  Chosen— Warren  the 
Headquarters  —  Fla»  Presentations  —  Sent  to  Rockford — The  Captain  Chosen 
Colonel — A  Private  Elected  Captain — "K"'  is  the  Letter  Drawn — Occupying  Fort 
Shaler  —  First  Experience  with  a  Rebel  Shell  —  Chickamauga  Losses— Other 
Casualties 888-911 

CHAPTER  LI. 

The  Unaseigned  Recruits— A  Few  Errors  Noted — Boys  Who  Never  Reached  the 
Regiment— A  Roster  that  must  Remain  Incomplete — Statistical 912-913 

CHAPTER  LIT. 

'The  National  Cemeteries — How  the  Graves  of  the  Dead  are  Cared  for— Identifying 
the  Remains — Extracts  from  Official  Reports — Brfef  Description  of  the  Grounds 
— A  List  of  the  "  Known  "  Dead,  with  Place  of  Interment — Losses  Sustained  by 
Illinois  Regiments— Errata 914-923 


INDKX    TO    MAPS,    KTC. 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Battle  Flags  of  the  Regiment. .   . .  Frontispiece 

On  the  way  to  the  Right  at  Chickamauga 17ft 

Escaped  Prisoners  of  War  Crossing  the  Diascon  River 608 

Libby  Prison 592 

Lookout  Mountain,  Battle  of 272 

Nashville,  Battle  of 464 

Rocky  Face  Ridge,  Battle  of 304 

Ross  House 160 

MAPS. 

Chickamauga  Battle  Field 192 

Frankl in  Battle  Field 432 

Nashville  Battle  Field 448 

Marches  of  the  Regiment vi 

PORTRAITS. 

Bangs,  Ambrose  A 720      Byers,  Frederick  W 672 

Bangs,  George  A 368      ,.   , 

oen      Cadwell,  Loyal 416 

Bater,  Henrv 352      „.  '         , 

~     -      „                                   Carver,  Frank 848 

Barnes,  George  F 848      ^     .,      A ,,     -,  a  nnn 

nKn      Castle,  Alfred  8 720 

Barney,  Albert 752       ~  .        -_ 

\tnnt       a                           coo      Champion,  Myron  B 848 

Bean,  William  S 688      _..         .       mi;  -r. 

ri     ,     T  i      ,,.                                 .AA      Champion,  Thomas  E xvi 

Beck.  John  K 400      ~.    ,      T 

r>                                                   n-io      Clarke,  Isaac  L 32 

Benson,  Daniel 912       _.    .    '    . 

-D        m.  •  *     u      TT                              Clark,  Hiram 496 

Berg,  Christopher  H.   688      ~, 

T  ,     'L.                           nKn      Clark,  James  H 884 

Besley.  John  W 352      _.  ,_ 

,„     ,      _                             Clark,  John  M 768 

Biddlecom,  Charles  0 816      „.,    .' 

„                                        Clark,  Samuel 352 

Black,  James  E 896      _.,    .'         _,       ,        ., 

00-      Clarkson,  Theodore  F 256 

Blackler,  John 832 

„,                                   oon      Cleveland,  Manor  H 720 

Blackler,  Thomas 832       ~.                    J  _0. 

.    .  ,  „                         „_-      Cole,  James 784 

Blodgett,  Asiel  Z 752      _.  . 

,.'      ,                                              Cole,  Perrm  P 912 

Blodgett,  Edward  A 96      _,  ...       T  ,     TT  ne.n 

Collier,  John  H 752 

Blodgett,  Jared  0 416      _     . ..      _         ., 

TJ,               TJ      •      •    o                             Conkhn,  Jeremiah 912 

Blowney,  Benjamin  G 816       „     .  _A. 

D  11     u     i     ^i                                           Cook,  Arthur 704 

Bollenback,  Gustavus 720      „       '     T, 

„         „,,                                           ...       Corbm,  John  A ooo 

Bray,  Thomas  B 640      „          '     ,    .  .     ,       „ 

,,                                                  Cowen,  Christopher  C 896 

Brown,  Myron  J 816 

-r,                                                                 Cruver,  John  H 920 

Bryant,  Lewis  H 496       „  „      '     .  , 

Buck,OttoJ 688      Culen,  Richard  C 848 

Burge,  Albert  A 912      Cutler,  Henry  H 496 

Burnett,  Alexander 848      Darby,  Joseph 656 

Burnett,  George  H 368      Davison,  Peter 848 


XIV 


HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 


Davis,  Thomas 336 

Dean,  Harmon  S 896 

Demmon,  Leroy 336 

Devlin,  Michael 752 

Dimmick,  Daniel  W 784 

Dittmar,  Adam 848 

Doolittle,  Leonard  S 496 

Dombski,  Henry 704 

Donahue,  James 416 

Douglas,  Isaac  M  252 

Douglas,  Robert  J 256 

Drew,  Walter '. 816 

Drury,  Edwin 384,  560 

Drury,  Walter  E 912 

Dwyer,  Thomas  W 656 

Earle,  Charles  W 512,  608 

Efinger,  Martin 4U6 

Ellis,  Charles 768 

Evans,  Mo.es 672 

Farnsworth,  George  M 400 

Farnsworth,  Hiram  W 400 

Ferguson,  George  G 768,  864 

Finley,  Timothy 736 

Fleming,  Peter... 784 

Gage,  Henry  H , . .  .-384,  544 

Garrett,  Richard 784 

Gillmore,  Evangelist  J 368 

Gillmore,  Myron 368 

<31eason,  Henry 912 

Gleason,  Isbon  S 640 

Gove,  Joel 720 

Grabham,  John 784 

Graham,  Edward 896 

Granger,  Dighton 704 

Gray,  Elihu  D 920 

Harriman,  Henry  J 896 

Hastings,  Henry  F 864 

Hastings,  Walter  W 752 

Havens,  James  0 384 

Hickcox,  James 400 

Hicks,  George 80 

Holden,  John  H 288 

Hooker,  Gen.  Joseph 240 

Howard,  Gen.  O.  0 240 


Irwin,  William. 


800 


James,  David 336 

James.  James  Edward 688 

Jeffers,  Stephen 672 

Johnson,  Andrew 864 

Kimball,  Gen.  Nathan 240 

Knopf,  Christian 656 

Ladd,  John 832 

Lamb,  Nahum 384 

Lee,  John  C 640 

Lehmann,  George 832 

Lewjn,  William  B 352 

Liuklater,  Jerry  H 256 

Lott,  Austin  E 752,  768 

Loughlin,  William  M 624 

McClellan,  William 480 

McCredie,  James  G 736 

McDonald,  William  W 880 

McMillen,  Malcolm 720 

Madden,  Loughlin 480 

Malone,  Edward 656 

Markley,  Watson 480 

Marshall,  George    880 

Martin,  Charles 672 

Mason,  Judson  A 400 

Miller,  Charles  J 832 

Miller,  Lewis 336 

Miller,  Reuben 416 

Montgomery,  Caleb 768 

Montgomery,  Henry  R 368 

Moore,  George  W 672 

Moore,  Thomas  E 880 

Morley,  William  G 640 

Mowers,  Peter 416 

Murray,  Edward 480 

Murrie,  James 480 

O'Hara,  Berzelus 768 

O'Herrin,  James 816 

Palmer,  George 816 

Palmer,  Joseph 400 

Partridge,  Addison  B 64 

Partridge,  Charles  A 528 

Payne,  Henry  C 480 


INDEX  TO  MAPS,  ETC. 


xv 


Payne,  Samuel  B 480 

Penwell,  Marcellus  J 864 

Pepoon,  George  W 144 

Perry,  William  M 880 

Phillips,  Charles 640 

Phillips,  George  N 656 

Pierce,  Byron  G 672 

Pierce,  Joseph  L 128 

Pocklington,  Thomas 832 

Pollock,  John  K 736 

Pomeroy,  Cyrus  W 112,  120 

Pooley,  John  H 784 

Powers,  Warren  E 704 


Quinn,  Francis  P. 


880 


Rector,  Oscar 736 

Hees,  Chester  J 864 

Richardson,  Halsey  H 784 

Rider,  William  F 352 

Rivenburg,  Lovett  S 784 

Rix,  Edward 7(58 

Robinson,  John  Quincy 800 

Rose,  Deloss 384 

Howan,  Charles  E 800 

Sallee,  James  M 864 

Sammons,  Charles  F 736 

Savage,  Joseph  496 

Saulsbury,  David 920 

Scace,  William  B 320 

Schaef  er,  John  G 208 

Scott,  Aaron 384 

Scott,  William  H 800 

Serviss,  Beri 896 

Sheffield,  Daniel  A 672 

Shepard,  Benjamin  F 816 

.Sherman,  Gen.  W.  T 240 

Shupe,  Dennis 336 

Shupe,  Levi 912 

Simms,  Nelson  R 800 

Simpson,  Edward 688 

Smith,  George  E.,  Jr 256 

Smith,  John  C 48 

Smith,  Mrs.  J.  C 56 

Smith,  Thomas  J 880 

Smith,  Willard  V 752 


Sprague,  William  E 784 

Stahl,  John 800 

Stanley,  Gen.  D.  S 240 

Steedinan,  Gen.  J.  B 240 

Stewart,  George  L 352 

Swanbrough,  John  W 416 

Swindells,  John 752 

Tarpley,  John  P 880 

Tate   Ebenezer 688 

Taylor,  James  M 736 

Taylor,  John  Y 736 

Taylor,  William  F 224 

Thain,  Alexander  R 256 

Thain,  Richard  S 256 

Thomas,  Gen.  Geo.  H 240 

Thrasher,  John  G 656 

Townsend,  Edward  E 896 

Triggs,  John 832 

Traut,  Wallace  V 920 

Trumbull,  Rollin  H 368 

Umbdenstock,  Michael,  Jr.. .  576 

Van  Dervort,  H.  S 848 

Vincent,  John 688 

Vincent,  William 688 

Vose,  Samuel  F 416 

Wait,  George 704 

Ward,  Norman  P 864 

Webb,  Chase  E 736 

Wells,  Thomas  E 720 

Wetherly.  Hiram 920 

Whaples,  William  H 336 

Wheeler,  William  H 656 

Whitaker,  Gen.  Walter  C 240 

Whitcomb,  Oscar  E 704 

Whitmore,  William  D 368 

Whitney,  Allen  B 920 

Whitney,  Hamilton  C 704 

Whitney,  Joseph  C 352 

Winfield,  George  W 920 

Woolsey,  Whi  ting  C 880 

Wright,  Josiah  H 400 


Young,  Orson  V. 


256 


THOMAS  E.  CHAMPION. 


COLONEL  AND    BREVET   BRIGADIER   GENERAL. 


,  *•*•*•• 


CHAPTER    I. 


Events  Leading  to  the  War — The  Slavery  Question— The  Missouri  Com- 
promise— Fugitive  Slave  Laws  Enacted — The  Difficulty  of  Enforcing 
Them  —  A  Supreme  Court  Decision  —  Anti- Slavery  Literature  — 
Lincoln's  Election  a  Pretext  for  Rebellion — Preparations  for  War  at 
the  South — The  Great  Conspiracy — Secession  Ordinances  Passed — 
The  Guns  of  Sumter  Echo  Through  the  Land — The  Response  at  the 
North  —  Alternate  Victories  and  Defeats — Advantages  Gained — A 
Crisis  Reached  in  the  Summer  of  1862— A  Second  Grand  Uprising  at 
the  North — A  Half  Million  Enlistments  in  Two  Months. 

To  THE  general  historian  must  be  committed  the  task  of 
relating,  in  detail,  the  events  which  preceded  and  culminated 
in  the  War  of  the  Rebellion.  And  yet.  in  a  work  of  this 
•character,  there  seems  to  be  an  appropriateness  in  outlining 
these  events,  and  also  in  narrating,  briefly,  the  work  under- 
taken by  the  armies  of  the  Union  during  the  year  and  more 
that  intervened  between  the  firing  upon  Fort  Sumter  and  the 
organization  of  the  gallant  Regiment  whose  history  these  pages 
are  intended  to  set  forth.  Hence  this  opening  chapter. 

There  had  grown  up  in  the  Nation  two  civilizations.  Be- 
ginning with  the  introduction  of  negro  slaves  into  the  Virginia 
colonies  the  people  of  the  North  and  South  had  grown  apart. 
At  the  North  there  was  a  general  adherence  to  the  principles 
laid  down  in  that  clause  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence, 
which  recites  that  "All  men  are  created  free  and  equal."  In 
the  South  the  black  man  was  regarded,  not  merely  as  a  con- 
venience, but  as  a  necessity  as  well,  and  was  looked  upon  as 
belonging  to  an  inferior  race  whose  province  it  was  to  serve. 
In  that  section  custom  came  to  sanction  this  idea,  and  the 
great  majority  of  the  people  acquiesced  in  the  laws  which  were 
enacted  for  the  protection  of  Slavery,  and  which  bound  more 
tightly,  year  by  year,  the  fetters  of  the  black  man.  True, 
there  was  even  at  the  South  an  undertone  of  disapproval,  many 
quietly  expressing  regret  that  the  institution  had  gained  a  foot- 
2  (17) 


18  HISTORY  or  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

hold  upon  the  then  new  world,  but  few  were  bold  enough  to- 
ad vocate  either  an  immediate  or  gradual  emancipation  of  the 
unfortunate  chattels.  Indeed  there  was  but  little  toleration  of 
sentiments  of  this  character,  and,  for  many  years,  neither  the 
press  nor  the  pulpit  in  any  of  the  Slave  States  dared  express- 
other  feelings  than  those  of  approval  of  the  system.  Visitors 
from  the  North  were  not  allowed  to  advocate  their  anti- 
slavery  principles  publicly,  and  abolition  newspapers  found 
little  countenance  or  patronage  in  any  community  where  there 
were  slaves. 

In  Congress  there  was  ceaseless  discussion  of  the  vexing 
problems  growing  out  of  this  troublesome  question.  In  1820, 
there  was  great  excitement  over  the  admission  of  Missouri  as 
a  slave  State.  Slavery  already  existed  there,  being  pro- 
tected under  the  terms  of  the  treaty  ceding  to  the  United 
States  the  Louisiana  territory,  from  which  Missouri  had  been 
carved,  and  Congress  refused  to  prohibit  or  abolish  it,  quiet- 
ing, in  a  measure,  the  consciences  of  enough  of  those  who  had 
a  voice  in  the  matter  to  secure  a  majority  in  Congress  for  the 
bill  by  attaching  to  it  a  clause  which  declared  that  there  should 
be  no  extension  of  slavery  into  any  of  the  territorial  posses- 
sions of  the  United  States  north  of  latitude  36°  30',  which  was 
the  southern  boundary  of  Missouri.  This  was  known  as  the- 
" Missouri  Compromise,"  and  timid  politicians  hoped  that  it 
would  forever  set  at  rest  the  slavery  question.  But  such  was 
not  to  be  its  effect.  Slaves  were  continually  escaping  from 
their  masters,  and  being  aided  on  their  way  toward  Canada  by 
the  liberty  loving  people  of  the  North.  Slave-owners  com- 
plained at  this,  and  demanded  the  enactment  of  laws  for  the- 
protection  of  their  slave  "property."  Their  demands  were 
complied  with,  and  in  1850  the  Fugitive  Slave  Laws  were 
enacted.  The  enforcement  of  these  laws  was  a  difficult  matter, 
however,  as  public  sentiment  at  the  North  did  not  sustain 
them,  and  the  Supreme  Courts  of  some  of  the  States  gave 
decisions  in  favor  of  persons  who  were  sought  to  be  prosecuted 
for  their  violation.  These  enactments  were  the  theme  of 
almost  constant  discussion  in  the  halls  of  Congress,  and  in  the 
newspapers  of  the  day.  In  1854  Kansas  and  Nebraska  were 


THE  DRED  SCOTT  DECISION.  19 

organized  as  territories,  and,  notwithstanding  the  terms  of  the 
Missouri  Compromise,  the  bill  by  which  they  were  created 
declared  that  they  might  be  admitted  as  States,  with  or  without 
slavery,  as  the  people  should  determine.  Immediately  the 
slave-holders  attempted  to  colonize  this  western  region.  A 
counter  movement  was  undertaken,  hundreds  of  men  going 
West  from  New  England,  resolved  to  rescue  these  territories 
from  the  grasp  of  the  devotees  of  Slavery.  The  excitement 
was  intense,  and  numerous  personal  encounters  resulted.  In 
the  home  of  every  man  sent  to  Kansas  from  the  East  there  was 
understood  to  be  a  Bible  and  a  Sharpe's  rifle,  provided  at  the 
expense  of  a  Massachusetts  society  organized  for  the  purpose, 
it  was  said.  At  length  freedom  won,  the  people  of  Kansas 
voting,  by  a  large  majority,  that  the  State  should  be  "free." 
But  so  strong  was  the  opposition  of  the  slave-holders,  that  it 
was  several  years  before  Congress  would  permit  it  to  become 
a  full-fledged  State. 

The  Dred  Scott  decision,  which  came, a  few  weeks  follow- 
ing the  exciting  Presidential  campaign  of  1856,  heaped  ready 
fuel  upon  the  political  fires.  Dred  Scott  was  a  slave  who  had 
been  taken  to  Illinois  and  Minnesota  and  held  in  bondage  for 
two  years  in  each  State.  He  had  married  a  free  woman  of 
color,  and  two  children  had  been  born  to  them.  At  the  sug- 
gestion of  his  anti-slavery  acquaintances,  Scott  brought  suit 
for  his  own  freedom.  Judge  Taney,  of  Maryland,  then  Chief 
Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court,  rendered  a  decision  in  which  he 
enunciated  the  doctrine  that  the  negro  "had  no  rights  which 
the  white  man  was  bound  to  respect,"  and  declared  him  still 
a  slave,  notwithstanding  his  involuntary  residence  in  a  free 
State  for  a  period  of  four  years  or  more.  Not  only  this  :  he 
declared  that  the  right  of  property  in  human  beings  was  dis- 
tinctly affirmed  in  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  and 
that  there  was  no  authority  whatever  by  which  slavery  could 
be  prohibited  in  the  territories.  He  went  even  further,  and 
declared  that  Scott  had  been  lawfully  held  as  a  slave  in  the  free 
States,  and  would  have  been  so  held  had  his  master  gone  there 
with  the  intention  of  taking  up  a  permanent,  instead  of  a  tem- 
porary, residence.  No  decision  from  the  Supreme  Bench  ever 


20  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

before  caused  such  intense  excitement  throughout  the  country 
or  led  to  such  universal  discussion.  The  people  of  the  South 
saw  in  it  an  opportunity  to  make  slavery  National,  and  were 
highly  elated.  Throughout  the  North  it  was  very  severely 
criticised,  and  quite  generally  condemned.  James  Buchanan 
had  just  been  elected  President,  and  both  branches  of  Con- 
gress were  overwhelmingly  Democratic.  But  public  sentiment 
at  the  North  was  being  roused  to  an  extent  not  anticipated  by 
the  upholders  of  slavery.  In  the  newspapers,  in  the  debating 
societies,  in  church  conferences,  everywhere,  this  remarkable 
decision  was  made  the  theme  of  discussion. 

Meantime,  "  Uncle  Tom's  Cabin  "  and  other  works  of  kin- 
dred character,  in  which  the  horrors  of  human  slavery  were 
painted,  had  been  gaining  wide  circulation  at  the  North,  and 
the  anti-slavery  sentiment  was  growing  stronger  and  stronger 
•day  by  day.  In  1858  occurred  the  memorable  contest  between 
Abraham  Lincoln  and  Stephen  A.  Douglas,  who  were  candi- 
dates for  the  office  of  Senator  of  the  United  States  from 
Illinois.  The  former  argued,  not  for  immediate  emancipation, 
but  for  curtailing  the  slave  power  by  forbidding  the  extension 
of  slavery  into  the  territories.  The  latter  claimed  that  the 
people  of  the  territories  should  decide  for  themselves  whether 
or  not  they  would  have  slaves,  and  argued  that  the  Dred  Scott 
decision  was  well  grounded  and  should  be  sustained.  Joint 
debates  between  these  rival  statesmen  were  had  at  many 
points  in  Illinois,  and  great  crowds  gathered  to  hear  the  all- 
absorbing  questions  of  the  day  discussed.  The  speeches  of 
these  able  debaters  were  published  and  sent  broadcast  through- 
out the  land,  attracting  wide  attention.  At  the  election  in 
November  of  that  year  a  Democratic  Legislature  was  chosen 
in  Illinois,  and  Mr.  Douglas  secured  the  Senatorship.  But 
the  speeches  of  Abraham  Lincoln  and  other  anti-slavery  ora- 
tors were  having  their  effect.  At  the  same  time  the  Southern 
leaders  became  more  confident, — nay  more,  defiant, — and 
seemed  to  think  that  they  had  obtained  a  hold  upon  the 
Nation  that  could  not  be  thrown  off.  Viewing  it  from  the 
standpoint  of  these  later  years,  however,  it  would  seem  that 
they  were  merely  acting  a  part  in  a  great  conspiracy,  for  in 


EVENTS  FOLLOWING  LINCOLN'S  ELECTION.  21 

1860  they  not  only  permitted,  but  actually  planned,  a  divi- 
sion of  the  Democratic  party,  going  into  the  canvass  with 
two  candidates  for  the  Presidency — Stephen  A.  Douglas,  of 
Illinois,  and  John  C.  Brecken ridge,  of  Kentucky.  The  nomi- 
nee of  the  Republicans  was  Abraham  Lincoln,  of  Illinois. 
The  contest  was  a  most  exciting  one,  and  resulted  in  the  elec- 
tion of  the  Republican  candidate. 

The  Southern  leaders,  or  a  majority  of  them,  made  the 
election  of  Abraham  Lincoln  the  pretext  for  rebellion,  not 
even  waiting  for  his  inauguration  or  attempting  to  ascertain 
what  his  policy  would  be.  Militia  companies  took  forcible 
possession  of  arms  and  ammunition  in  the  Government 
arsenals  in  several  of  the  slave  States.  Cabinet  officers  and 
Congressmen  vacated  the  seats  to  which  they  had  been  chosen, 
returning  to  their  homes  and  making  violent  disunion  speeches. 
Even  before  the  close  of  the  month  in  which  the  election 
occurred  both  of  the  United  States  Senators  from  South  Caro- 
lina resigned,  and  a  call  was  issued  for  a  convention,  at 
Charleston,  to  consider  the  question  of  seceding  from  the  Union. 
The  Virginia  and  Louisiana  Legislatures  were  speedily  con- 
vened to  discuss  the  same  question.  The  Georgia  Legislature 
appropriated  a  million  dollars  to  arm  the  militia  of  that  State. 
In  December,  South  Carolina  passed  the  Ordinance  of  Seces- 
sion, and  demanded  the  removal  of  the  United  States  troops 
from  the  forts  in  Charleston  harbor.  This  demand  was  not 
acceded  to,  but  President  Buchanan  went  so  far  as  to  send  a 
formal- message  to  the  Secession  Convention,  promising  that 
no  reinforcements  should  be  sent. 

On  the  26th  of  December  Fort  Moultrie  was  abandoned, 
Major  Anderson  taking  the  111  men  under  his  command  to 
Fort  Sumter,  and  two  days  later  South  Carolina  troops  took 
possession  of  the  abandoned  fortress.  Early  in  January, 
1861,  numerous  other  forts  on  the  southern  and  southeastern 
coast  were  taken  possession  of,  and  on  the  ninth  of  the  month 
the  steamer  "  Star  of  the  West"  was  fired  on  by  the  South 
Carolina  forces  while  approaching  Fort  Sumter  with  provisions 
for  Major  Anderson's  little  band,  and  forced  to  return  without 
accomplishing  its  mission.  Before  the  month  closed  Jefferson 


22  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

Davis  resigned  his  seat,  as  a  United  States  Senator,  and 
numerous  other  Senators,  as  well  as  Representatives  in 
Congress  and  members  of  the  Cabinet,  did  the  same.  Mis- 
sissippi, Florida,  Alabama,  Georgia,  Louisiana  and  Texas 
followed  the  example  set  by  South  Carolina,  and  they  in  turn 
were  patterned  after  by  other  slave  States. 

February  was  fruitful  of  exciting  events.  In  every  South- 
ern State  the  militia  was  carefully  organized  and  systematically 
drilled.  From  every  Southern  city  came  notice  that  debts  due 
to  Northern  creditors  were  being  repudiated.  Ships,  forts, 
arsenals,  navy  yards,  mints  and  custom  houses  were  seized, 
and  their  contents  turned  over  to  the  authorities  of  the  so- 
called  Confederacy,  which  had  been  formally  organized  at 
Montgomery,  Ala.,  February  4,  with  Jefferson  Davis  as  its 
recognized  head.  The  South  was  terribly  in  earnest,  and  all 
through  that  memorable  winter  went  forward  with  the  most 
stupendous  preparations  for  war. 

At  length  Inauguration  Day  arrived,  and  Abraham  Lincoln 
became  President  of  the  United  States.  But  even  the  pacific 
utterances  which  his  inaugural  address  contained  had  little 
effect  in  stilling  the  tempest  rising  all  about  him.  There  was 
treason  in  the  Army  and  in  the  Navy,  in  the  Departments  and 
in  Congress,  at  the  Capital  and  throughout  almost  one-half  of 
the  States.  The  North,  slow  to  believe  that  the  extreme 
threats  of  Southern  orators  would  be  carried  out,  waited  and 
wondered,  hoping,  almost  confidently,  that  war  would  be 
averted. 

But  it  was  not  so  to  be.  The  authorities  at  Charleston, 
South  Carolina,  claiming  to  act  for  the  Confederate  authorities, 
refused  to  allow  the  Federal  troops  stationed  at  Fort  Sumter 
to  be  reinforced  or  provisioned,  and  demanded  that  they 
evacuate  the  works.  The  commander  of  the  fort  declined  to 
leave  his  post,  whereupon  its  bombardment  was  ordered  by 
the  Southerners,  and  begun  on  Friday,  April  12,  1861.  A 
gallant  defense  was  made,  but  in  vain,  for  in  a  few  hours  the 
position  of  the  Federal  troops  became  untenable,  and  on  Sunday 
capitulation  followed.  This  event  aroused  the  nation.  Public 
meetings  were  held  in  every  city  and  village  of  the  North,  and 


EARLY  ENGAGEMENTS  OF  THE  WAR.  23 

the  patriotic  sentiments  uttered  gave  President  Lincoln  assur- 
ance that  the  people  of  the  free  States  would  stand  by  him  in 
sustaining  all  attempts  at  enforcing  the  laws  and  preserv- 
ing the  Union.  A  call  was  issued  for  75,000  troops  for 
three  months'  service.  There  was  an  immediate  response, 
and  within  forty-eight  hours  many  more  had  tendered  their 
services  than  could  be  accepted.  Neither  the  General  Gov- 
ernment nor  any  of  the  Northern  States  had  any  considerable 
number  of  arms,  and  there  was  much  difficulty  in  procuring  a 
supply.  It  was  speedily  evident  that  additional  troops  would 
be  needed,  and  as  soon  as  they  could  be  equipped  300,000  men 
were  called  into  the  field  for  three  years,  the  quotas  of  the 
several  States  being  filled  with  little  difficulty  or  delay. 

The  early  engagements  of  the  war  were  rather  disastrous 
than  otherwise.  Bull  Run  was  a  crushing  defeat,  the  Union 
troops  falling  back  upon  the  National  Capital  in  sore  disconr 
iiture.  At  Wilson's  Creek,  Mo.,  the  army  was  obliged  to 
retreat,  after  the  loss  of  their  gallant  leader,  General  Lyon, 
and  many  men.  The  advantages  gained  at  points  in  Missouri 
and  in  West  Virginia  were  not  decisive.  The  battle  of  Bel- 
mont,  Mo.,  fought  in  November,  1861,  served  to  give  the 
Western  troops  confidence  in  themselves,  although  the  results 
achieved  were  not  of  great  magnitude.  The  late  Winter  and 
the  early  Spring  witnessed  some  striking  victories  in  the  West, 
and  were  greatly  encouraging.  At  Mill  Spring,  Ky.,  the 
Union  forces  achieved  a  handsome  victory,  the  rebels  being 
•driven  southward  with  the  loss  of  their  commander,  Gen. 
Zollicoffer,  and  many  men.  They  were  also  driven  from 
Missouri  and  defeated  at  Pea  Ridge,  Ark.  Fort  Donelson 
was  captured  with  15,000  prisoners  and  an  immense  number 
of  cannon.  Pittsburg  Landing,  fought  in  April,  1862,  was  a 
pronounced  victory,  though  dearly  won,  and  Corinth  was  occu- 
pied by  the  National  forces  in  the  early  summer.  Missouri, 
Kentucky  and  Tennessee  were  now  reclaimed.  New  Orleans 
had  been  occupied  by  the  National  forces.  On  the  Atlantic 
coast  important  points  had  been  captured. 

But  with  the  Summer  of  1862  came  reverses.  The  Western 
armies,  decimated  by  frequent  and  severe  engagements,  and 


24:  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

i 

weakened  by  the  enervating  influences  of  climatic  and  other 
diseases,  and  the  severe  strain  in  maintaining  their  long  lines  of 
communication,  were  barely  holding  their  own.  The  Eastern 
armies,  which  had  been  expected  to  capture  the  Confederate 
Capital,  had  come  to  a  halt,  and  were  being  rapidly  thinned 
by  disease  in  the  Chickahominy  swamps.  Their  gallantly 
fought  battles  had  been  but  half  victories  at  best,  and  it  became 
apparent  that  retreat  was  possible,  if  not  probable.  Evidently 
a  crisis  had  been  reached,  and  it  was  a  question  whether  the 
Union  armies  were  not  to  be  forced  backward,  the  scenes  of 
strife  transferred  to  the  States  north  of  the  Potomac  and  Ohio 
rivers,  and  free  soil  watered  with  the  blood  of  the  heroes  who 
should  fall  in  battle. 

In  this  emergency,  a  letter,  breathing  the  highest  patriot- 
ism, and  pledging  the  most  earnest  support  to  the  Government 
in  all  efforts  to  suppress  the  rebellion  and  restore  the  Union, 
was  drawn  up  and  signed  by  the  Governors  of  all  the  loyal 
States.  This  letter  was  dated  July  1,  1862.  Upon  its  receipt, 
President  Lincoln  issued  a  call  for  300,000  additional  troops, 
to  be  mostly  infantry.  The  people  seemed  to  appreciate  the 
situation  fully,  but  there  was  some  delay  in  assigning  quotas 
and  providing  quarters,  so  that  but  little  recruiting  was 
attempted  until  July  had  nearly  closed.  It  should  be  remem- 
bered that  because  of  the  heavy  enlistments  which  had 
occurred  but  a  few  months  previously  there  was  an  actual 
scarcity  of  men  to  do  the  work  in  the  large  shops  and  manu- 
factories and  upon  the  farms.  The  haying  was  not  com- 
pleted, and  a  golden  harvest  was  just  maturing.  How  could 
the  men  be  spared  ?  But  by  the  time  the  recruiting  machinery 
was  in  readiness  volunteers  were  responding  in  large  num- 
bers. The  closing  week  of  July  and  the  early  days  of  August 
witnessed  large  enlistments.  On  the  4th  of  August  the  Presi- 
dent issued  another  call  for  300,000  men  in  addition  to  the 
300,000  called  out  in  July,  and  directed  an  immediate  draft. 
The  second  call  stimulated  enlistments  to  such  an  extent  that 
the  draft  was  temporarily  postponed,  and  in  Illinois  and  some 
other  States  the  quotas  under  both  calls  made  up  by  volunteers. 
A  bounty  of  one  hundred  dollars  was  offered  by  the  General. 


THE  RESPONSE  TO  THE  CALL  FOR  TROOPS.  25 

Government  to  eacli  recruit,  but  on  the  condition  that  only 
twenty-five  dollars  should  be  paid  in  advance  and  the  remainder 
at  the  close  of  service  of  the  soldier,  providing  the  period  of 
service  should  be  not  less  than  two  years.  In  addition  to  this 
from  forty  to  sixty  dollars  county  bounty  was  given  recruits 
from  most  of  the  counties  in  Illinois.  These  bounties,  although 
meager  as  compared  with  the  amounts  subsequently  given, 
encouraged  some  men  with  families  to  enlist,  as  they  were 
thus  assured  of  a  small  fund  of  ready  money  to  leave  with 
their  dependent  ones.  However,  a  great  majority  of  the  vol- 
unteers of  that  year  would  have  enlisted  without  one  dollar  of 
bounty. 

The  State  authorities  authorized  recruiting  officers  to  say 
that  men  enlisted  in  Northern  Illinois  would  be  allowed  to 
remain  at  home  until  toward  the  close  of  the  month,  in  order 
that  the  harvest  might  be  secured.  That  month  of  August. 
1862,  was  one  that  will  be  long  remembered  by  those  who 
shared  in  its  exciting  events.  Recruiting  went  forward 
with  great  rapidity.  Meetings  were  held  almost  nightly,  not 
alone  in  every  city  and  village,  but  in  every  township  and  in 
almost  every  school  district, — churches  and  school-houses  as 
well  as  public  halls  and  court-rooms  being  used  for  these 
gatherings.  Men  of  every  profession  and  occupation  took  the 
stump,  and  plead  with  those  of  military  age  to  respond  to  the 
call  of  their  country  in  its  hour  of  need.  And  the  response 
was  a  wonderful  one,  recruits  thronging  from  the  shops  and 
the  farms,  from  the  offices  and  from  the  business  houses,  all 
through  the  North.  Business  of  every  ordinary  kind  was 
almost  wholly  suspended,  men  and  women  gathering  to  wit- 
ness the  drilling  of  the  newly  organized  commands  at  their 
places  of  temporary  rendezvous,  and  to  bid  good-bye  to  loved 
ones  who  had  placed  their  names  upon  the  muster-rolls,  and 
were  preparing  to  leave  for  the  larger  camps  of  instruction. 
To  the  casual  observer  the  cities  and  villages  might  have  been 
said  to  wear  a  pleasant  aspect,  as  the  great  throngs  moved  up 
and  down  the  streets ;  but  the  firm,  set  lips  of  the  younger 
men,  the  undertone  in  conversation,  the  dewy  eyes  of  maids 
and  matrons,  the  severe,  determined  look  of  men  of  maturer 


•26  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

years,  and  the  great  pain  tugging  away  at  the  heart-strings  of 
all,  of  either  sex  and  every  age,  as  the  hour  of  parting  drew 
near,  told  plainly  that  these  were  by  no  means  holidays.  The 
people  of  the  North  were  fully  resolved  that  the  Nation  should 
lack  neither  men  nor  means  in  its  efforts  to  suppress  the  great 
Rebellion  and  uphold  the  National  authority,  and  their  young 
men,  to  the  number  of  more  than  half  a  million,  responded  to 
the  call  of  their  country  within  the  brief  period  of  two  months, 
and  the  closing  weeks  of  August  and  the  early  days  of  Sep- 
tember, 1862,  saw  them  hurrying  forward  to  the  aid  of  the 
Union  army  whose  depleted  ranks  they  were  to  reinforce. 


WHAT  WAR  MEANS.  27 


CHAPTER   II. 


How  and  Why  Lake  and  Jo  Daviess  Counties  Joined  Hands — In  Camp 
at  Rockford  —  A  Lesson  in  Obedience  to  Orders  —  The  Formal 
Muster-in  —  Other  Regiments  in  Camp  —  Early  Experiences  —  The 
Field  and  Staff — The  Companies  Lettered  —  Drawing  Arms  and 
Uniforms  —  Battalion  Drill  and  Dress  Parade — On  Escort  Duty — 
Visits  from  Home  Friends — Major  Brown  and  the  "Obstacle" 
Movement — The  Sutlers  Made  Unhappy — Incidents  of  the  Last  Days 
at  Camp  Fuller. 

AMID  the  stirring  events  to  which  the  closing  paragraphs 
•of  the  preceding  chapter  allude  THE  NINETY-SIXTH  HEGIMENT 
ILLINOIS  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY  had  its  birth.  Recruited  at  a 
:gloomy  period  of  the  war  and  when  a  high  grade  of  patriotism 
was  required  to  nerve  men  to  enlist,  composed  of  excellent 
material,  carefully  organized  and  admirably  commanded,  it 
•was  given  opportunity  to  bear  a  conspicuous  part  in  the  great 
drama  of  war,  and  its  record,  forged  in  the  white  heat  of  con- 
flict and  under  the  heavy  hammers  of  oft-recurring  battles,  is 
one  to  which  its  members  have  ever  been  able  to  refer  with 
pride.  To  the  recital  of  some  of  these  events  and  to  the  nar- 
rative of  the  doings  and  whereabouts  of  the  command  from 
•day  to  day  during  its  three  years  in  camp  and  field  the  follow- 
ing chapters  are  devoted. 

Without  instituting  comparisons  with  "our  brothers  gone 
before,"  this  much  may  at  least  be  said  :  The  novelty  had 
passed  away.  The  pomp  and  circumstance  of  glorious  war 
had  now  but  few  attractions.  All  knew  that  war  meant,  not 
only  wounds  and  death,  but  hunger  and  hardship  and  priva- 
tion ;  that  it  meant  a  surrender  of  personal  liberty,  on  the  part 
of  the  enlisted  men  at  least,  that  was  a  sacrifice  to  the  son 
of  America,  in  whom  the  spirit  of  independence  was  strong, 
and  who  was  entirely  unused  to  the  restraints  which  military 
life  imposed. 


28  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

But  the  men  who  composed  this  organization  had  con- 
sidered all  of  these  matters  and  resolved  to  make  the  sacrifice. 
Not  in  response  to  a  passing  impulse  had  they  written  their 
names  upon  the  muster  rolls,  but  deliberately  and  from  a  deep 
sense  of  personal  duty.  They  would  help  their  brothers  at  the 
front  who  had  gone  out  to  battle  in  the  months  gone  by.  They 
would  aid  in  turning  back  the  tide  of  treason  and  rebellion  that 
was  threatening  to  engulf  their  homes.  They  would  be  among 
those  to  stand  as  a  living  wall  between  the  Nation  and  its 
enemies,  and  bear  honorable  part  in  bringing  to  a  close  the 
conflict  that  was  to  determine  whether  or  not  the  Union  of  the 
States  was  a  rope  of  sand,  and, — as  all  knew,  although  at  that 
period  not  all  were  free  to  admit  as  much, — to  determine 
whether,  in  a  land  of  boasted  freedom,  there  should  be  a  race 
enslaved. 

In  subsequent  chapters  will  be  found  somewhat  detailed 
statements  as  to  the  enlistment  and  organization  of  the  several 
companies  which  entered  the  service  with  the  command.  In 
making  up  the  several  regiments  recruited  in  Northern  Illinois 
many  questions  arose  as  to  which  companies  should  be  put 
together.  In  nearly  every  county  there  were  men  ambitious 
to  become  field  officers,  and  they  were  generally  ready  to  form 
combinations  or  make  alliances  that  would  further  their  per- 
sonal interests.  Neither  the  four  Companies  from  Lake 
county  nor  the  six  Companies  from  Jo  Daviess  county  were 
able  to  make  up  with  Companies  in  counties  immediately 
adjoining  them  without  conceding  to  these  other  counties  the 
major  part  of  the  Field  and  Staff.  It  happened  that  Hon. 
E.  B.  Washburne,  of  Galena,  then  a  Representative  in  Con- 
gress, and  Hon.  H.  W.  Blodgett,  of  Waukegan,  then  a  State 
Senator,  were  warm  personal  and  political  friends,  and  through 
their  interposition  the  Companies  from  the  two  counties  in 
which  they  resided,  and  which,  although  one  was  the  extreme 
northeast  and  the  other  the  extreme  northwest  county  in  the 
State,  were  then  in  the  same  Congressional  District,  were 
brought  together.  As  some  one  facetiously  remarked  :  It  was 
the  marriage  of  Miss  Issippi  and  L.  Michigan,  Esq.,  a  union- 
that  proved  congenial  to  those  most  directly  interested,  and,  it 


THE  RENDEZVOUS  AT  CAMP  FULLER.  29 

may  be  truthfully  said,  fortunate  for  the  cause  in  which  they 
were  engaged. 

Before  this  result  was  brought  about  several  conferences 
were  had,  prominent  men  in  each  county  visiting  the  other  to 
arrange  the  details  of  the  organization  and  secure  the  consent 
of  the  State  authorities  to  the  proposed  union. 

On  Wednesday,  September  3,  1862,  the  six  Companies 
from  Jo  Daviess  county  went  by  train  to  Rockford,  Winne- 
bago  county,  111.,  and  marched  out  one  and  one-half  miles  to 
Camp  Fuller,  where  quarters  in  barracks,  which  had  been 
recently  erected  in  a  grove  near  the  banks  of  Rock  river, 
were  assigned  them.  On  Friday,  September  5,  at  2  o'clock 
p.  M..  the  four  Companies  from  Lake  county  arrived  by  train, 
and  joined  them  in  this  camp.  Heavy  rains  had  occurred 
during  the  week  previous,  and  the  entire  camp  ground  was 
very  muddy,  water  standing  in  many  places.  Indeed,  the 
building  assigned  to  what  afterward  became  Company  G  was 
almost  entirely  surrounded  by  water,  which  even  came  into 
and  partially  covered  the  lower  bunks.  The  members  of  the 
Company  were  entirely  disgusted  with  the  outlook,  and  their 
commander,  on  reporting  to  Headquarters  the  condition  of 
affairs,  was  given  a  half  dozen  Sibley  tents,  and  the  barracks 
^assigned  to  them  were  left  unoccupied.  Next  day,  however, 
drains  were  dug,  and  the  condition  of  affairs  considerably 
improved,  although  the  grounds  remained  very  muddy. 

There  were  in  Camp  Fuller  at  this  time  three  other  regi- 
ments,— the  74th,  92d  and  95th  Illinois, — all  of  whom  were 
formally  mustered  in  September  4,  although  the  74th  and  some 
companies  of  the  other  regiments  had  been  in  camp  for  a  fort- 
night or  more.  The  rendezvous  had  been  named  in  honor  of 
the  Adjutant  General  of  the  State,  whose  home  was  at 
Belvidere  in  an  adjoining  county. 

On  their  arrival  in  camp,  the  Lake  county  boys  were  given 
an  immediate  lesson  in  prompt  obedience  to  orders,  and  made 
to  know  that  an  officer's  wish  outranked  a  soldier's  appetite. 
It  was  long  past  the  dinner  hour,  and  they  were  thoroughly 
hungry,  but  as  the  aroma  of  boiling  coffee  and  the  odor  of  fry- 
ing meat  were  just  giving  evidence  that  the  meal  was  nearly 


30  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'rn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

ready  there  came  the  noise  of  the  rattling  drum  and  the  rather 
unwelcome  order  to  fall  in.  And  so,  because  the  mustering 
officer  wished  to  finish  his  day's  work,  the  hungry  men  were 
marched  out  a  half  mile  or  so  to  join  their  Jo  Daviess  county 
comrades  and  be  mustered  in. 

It  was  a  memorable  meeting  as  that  body  of  nearly  one 
thousand  gallant  men  gathered  for  the  first  time  and  became 
a  Regiment.  With  little  delay  a  hollow  square  was  formed 
and  an  inspection  held,  a  few  men  being  rejected,  in  nearly 
every  instance  because  of  being  under  eighteen  years  of  age. 
The  inspection  completed,  the  process  of  muster-in  was  pro- 
ceeded with. 

As  these  stalwart  men  stood  there,  and,  with  hands  upraised 
to  Heaven,  swore  to  serve  their  country  for  "three  years 
unless  sooner  discharged,"  it  was  indeed  an  impressive  spec- 
tacle, and  one  that  will  never  be  wholly  forgotten  by  the 
participants  who  still  survive.  Hon.  Allen  C.  Fuller,  of 
Belvidere,  then  Adjutant  General  of  the  State,  acted  as  chief 
mustering  officer,  and,  as  he  put  it,  introduced  the  giants  of 
Jo  Daviess  county  to  the  sturdy  farmer  boys  of  Lake.  Spec- 
tators and  participants  alike  agreed  that  the  "material"  of  the 
Regiment  was  admirable,  that  officers  and  men  averaged  high 
as  regarded  intelligence  and  avoirdupois,  and  that  the  organ- 
ization was  one  that  gave  promise  of  excellent  work  whenever 
opportunity  offered.  The  unusual  proportion  of  very  tall  men 
and  of  large  men  was  the  cause  of  considerable  comment. 
Officers  and  men  from  the  two  counties  eyed  each  other 
closely,  but  each  seemed  pleased,  and  from  that  moment  it  is 
doubtful  if  there  was  ever  a  regret  expressed  or  felt  that  the 
combination  of  Lake  with  Jo  Daviess  had  been  formed. 

The  inspection  and  muster-in  occupied  considerable  time, 
and  it  was  nearly  six  o'clock  when  the  men  were  marched  to 
camp,  the  Lake  county  boys  at  least  being  exceedingly  hungry, 
not  having  had  any  food  since  early  morning  except  a  few 
nick-nacks  purchased  on  the  train.  It  was  to  them  a  foretaste 
of  after  fasts  amid  more  stirring  scenes. 

After  a  hearty  meal  the  boys  began  the  work  of  preparing 
for  the  night.  Their  quarters  were  fairly  comfortable.  The 


SELECTION  OF  THE  FIELD  AND  STAFF.  31 

barracks  were  partitioned  off  so  that  each  Company  had  one- 
large  room  in  which  were  about  fifty  bunks,  and  the  line 
officers  of  each  Company  a  smaller  room  designed  to  be  used 
as  an  office  and  sleeping  room.  Nearly  all  of  the  men  had 
provided  themselves  with  blankets  before  leaving  home,  and 
with  very  little  trouble  the  officers  were  able  to  find  covering 
for  those  who  had  come  without.  The  bunks  were  built  in 
two  tiers,  and  where  men  could  not  readily  agree  as  to  which, 
should  have  the  upper  and  which  the  lower  berth  "cuts  "  were 
drawn.  Each  bunk  was  designed  for  two  persons,  and  it 
was  necessary  that  the  soldiers  should  pair  off.  There  were  a 
few  who  seemed  to  have  no  mates,  and  for  a  night  or  two — 
there  being  a  few  absentees  in  each  Company,  so  that  there 
were  extra  bunks — these  odd  ones  slept  alone.  As  a  rule, 
however,  each  soldier  had  some  one  companion  nearer  to  him 
than  any  other,  and  the  matings  made  those  first  nights  in 
camp  continued  for  months,  and  in  many  instances  until  the 
close  of  the  war. 

In  the  evening  the  officers  met  to  complete  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  .Regiment.  It  had  been  conceded  from  the  first 
that  to  Jo  Daviess  county  should  be  given  the  positions  of 
Colonel  and  Major,  and  the  men  composing  the  Companies- 
from  that  county  had  decided,  by  ballot,  whom  they  would 
have.  Thomas  E.  Champion,  of  Warren,  who  had  recruited 
Company  K,  was  chosen  as  Colonel ;  and  John  C.  Smith,  who- 
had  recruited  Company  I,  as  Major.  No  election  was  held  by 
the  members  of  the  Lake  county  Companies,  but  to  Isaac  L. 
Clarke,  who  had  recruited  Company  G,  was  conceded,  by 
common  consent,  the  position  of  Lieutenant  Colonel.  These 
selections  were  ratified  at  this  evening  meeting.  Some  progress 
was  also  made  in  the  selection  of  Staff  Officers,  but  the  list  was 
not  completed  for  some  days.  The  following  is  the  list,  a& 
finally  made  up,  of 

THE    FIELD    AND     STAFF  : 

Colonel :     THOMAS  E.  CHAMPION,  of  Warren,  Jo  Daviess  County. 
Lieutenant  Colonel :     ISAAC   L.    CLARKE,  of  Waukegan,  Lake 
County. 

Major :     JOHN  C.  SMITH,  of  Galena,  Jo  Daviess  County. 


32  '  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

Adjutant :  EDWARD  A.  BLODGETT,  of  Downer's  Grove,  Du  Page 
County. 

Quarter- Master :  STEPHEN  JEPPERS,  of  Hanover,  Jo  Daviess 
County. 

Surgeon  :     CHARLES  MARTIN,  of  Warren,  Jo  Daviess  County. 

First  Assistant  Surgeon :  MOSES  EVANS,  of  Waukegan,  Lake 
County. 

Second  Assistant  Surgeon :  DANIEL  A.  SHEFFIELD,  of  Court- 
land,  Jo  Daviess  County. 

Chaplain:  JONATHAN  M.  CLENDENNING,  of  Warren,  Jo  Daviess 
•County. 

NON-COMMISSIONED    STAFF. 

Sergeant  Major  :     FRANCIS  P.   QUINN,  of  Company  I. 
Quarter- Master   Sergeant :     WILLIAM  S.  BEAN,  of  Company  A. 
Commissary  Sergeant :     MORRIS  S.  HILL,  of  Company  B. 
Hospital  Steward :     HARVILLAH  CooLEY,  of  Company  C. 
Principal  Musician  :     NILES  CARVER,  of  Companj-  H. 

After  some  discussion,  it  was  decided  that  the  letters  A, 
B,  C,  etc.,  should  be  written  on  slips  of  paper,  these  slips  to 
be  placed  in  a  hat  and  each  Captain  be  permitted  to  draw  one 
of  the  slips  from  the  hat,  his  Company  to  be  assigned  in 
accordance  with  the  letter  drawn  by  him.  Before  this  plan 
was  adopted,  there  was  a  suggestion  that  Captain  Hicks'  Com- 
pany, being  the  first  recruited  and  organized  and  having  pre- 
viously been  in  camp  at  Rockford  for  quite  a  period,  was  by 
right  entitled  to  be  considered  Company  A.  The  reasons 
given  were  deemed  sufficient,  and  the  suggestion  was  adopted 
without  dissent.  The  letters  of  the  other  Companies  were 
designated  in  the  manner  mentioned. 

When  the  line  was  first  formed  the  Company  letters,  run- 
ning from  right  to  left,  were  as  follows  :  A,  F,  D.  I,  C,  H, 
E,  K,  G,  B,  Company  A  thas  becoming  the  right  Company, 
Bthe  left  Company,  C  the  center  Company,  D  the  right  center 
Company  and  E  the  left  center  Company,  so  that  when  column 
was  formed  by  Division  each  of  the  five  ranking  Captains  had 
command  of  two  Companies.  This  formation  was  continued 
throughout  the  service. 

The  first  night  in  camp  was  a  somewhat  trying  one.     The 


ISAAC   L.  CLARKE, 

LIEUTENANT  COLONEL. 


•N»»«J** 


EARLY  EXPERIENCES  IN  THE  CAMP.  33 

boards  upon  which  the  soldiers  slept,  covered  by  a  single 
blanket,  were  not  as  soft  and  comfortable  as  the  mattresses 
and  feather  beds  to  which  they  had  been  accustomed.  The 
surroundings  were  all  new.  The  boards  creaked  as  the  sol- 
diers turned  from  one  side  to  the  other,  and  as  they  turned 
pretty  often  and  there  were  somewhere  near  one  hundred  men 
in  each  room,  this  creaking  was  almost  continuous.  As  a 
rule,  each  Company  had  one  or  two  men  who  were  persistent 
snorers,  and  between  the  creaking  and  the  snoring,  and  the 
noises  of  the  camp  and  the  heavy  rainfall  which  prevailed 
throughout  the  night,  the  sleep  of  all  was  more  or  less  dis- 
turbed. Those  first  nights  in  camp  were  not  always  restful, 
although  the  men  soon  became  accustomed  to  their  surround- 
ings and  slept  comparatively  well. 

Saturday,  September  6,  dawned  gloomy  enough,  the 
weather  being  lowery  and  the  camp  almost  flooded.  At  an 
early  hour  the  drums  beat  reveille,  and  there  was  roll-call  by 
Companies.  Immediately  thereafter  the  men,  actuated  by  a 
common  impulse,  started  for  the  river,  and,  being  provided 
with  soap  and  towels,  in  a  few  moments  the  river  bank  was 
thronged  with  men  engaged  in  the  laudable  undertaking  of. 
washing  their  hands  and  faces.  Tin  cups  were  used,  one  com- 
rade pouring  water  upon  the  hands  of  another  in  school-boy 
fashion.  Pocket  combs  and  pocket  mirrors  were  brought  into 
requisition,  and  the  men  soon  completed  their  toilets  and 
returned  to  their  barracks.  This  experience  was  repeated 
morning,  noon  and  evening  during  the  stay  at  Rockford,  and, 
for  that  matter,  during  the  entire  period  of  service.  The 
breakfast  that  morning  was  rather  an  informal  one.  Coffee 
had  been  made  in  the  big,  sheet-iron  camp  kettles,  and  was 
served  out  to  the  men  in  tin  cups.  There  was  an  ample  sup- 
ply of  genuine  hard-tack  and  both  salt  and  fresh  meat.  The 
meal  ove'r,  the  men  set  about  making  tables  and  seats,  to  be 
used  when  future  meals  were  served.  The  forenoon  was 
largely  occcupied  in  procuring  Quarter-Master's  stores,  and  in 
distributing  cooking  and  eating  utensils.  In  the  afternoon 
there  was  Company  drill,  lasting  for  an  hour  and  a  half.  At 
3 


34  HlSTOEY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,   ILL.    V.   I. 

this  time  only  the  officers  were  in  uniform,  the  enlisted  men 
being  in  citizens'  clothing,  except  that  here  and  there  a  mili- 
tary cap  appeared. 

Sunday,  September  7,  was  quite  unlike  the  usual  Sunday 
at  home.  A  large  portion  of  the  men  were  permitted  to  go 
to  the  city  and  attend  church,  and  in  a  few  Company  quarters 
sermons  were  read  in  the  afternoon  and  prayer  meetings  held 
in  the  evening  ;  but  still  there  was  more  or  less  necessary 
work,  for  rations  had  to  be  issued  and  wood  provided,  and  in 
the  afternoon  each  Company  was  marched  to  Headquarters 
and  $13  paid  to  each  member  by  Lieutenant  Tibbitts,  of  the 
Regular  Army.  It  had  been  agreed  that  the  men  should  each 
receive  a  month's  pay  in  advance,  and  this  payment  was  a 
carrying  out  of  the  promise. 

Monday,  September  8,  there  was  the  usual  routine  of  camp 
duty,  and  a  detail  was  made  from  each  Company  for  fatigue 
duty,  the  men  thoroughly  policing,  or  sweeping,  the  grounds 
about  the  barracks.  Muster  rolls  for  bounty  and  premium 
were  made  out.  Company  and  squad  drill  occupied  a  con- 
siderable part  of  the  day.  In  the  evening  the  officers  had  a, 
"  School, "  where  they  undertook  the  task  of  mastering  the 
intricacies  of  military  text-books.  Few  of  them  had  had  pre- 
vious military  experience,  and  Major  Brown,  a  resident  of 
Rockford,  was  employed  to  instruct  them.  This  evening 
school  for  officers  was  continued  with  considerable  regularity 
for  two  or  three  weeks. 

Tuesday,  September  9,  the  Regiment  was  called  upon  for 
its  first  detail  for  guard  duty,  five  men  being  asked  for  from 
each  Company  ;  during  the  day  two  hundred  gray  army 
blankets  were  issued  to  the  Regiment,  and  given  to  the  men 
most  needing  them.  In  the  early  evening  the  Regiment  had 
its  first  dress  parade.  The  Adjutant  and  Sergeant  Major, 
having  had  previous  military  experience,  readily  formed  the 
line,  and  the  parade  was  gone  through  with  quite  creditably, 
albeit  somewhat  awkwardly. 

Wednesday,  September  10,  there  were  many  visitors  to  the 
camp,  and  on  Thursday  a  picnic  was  had  which  was  sadly 
interrupted  by  an  almost  continuous  rain.  A  few  of  the 


ARMED  WITH  ENFIELD  RIFLED  MUSKETS.  35 

visitors  thought  it  would  be  a  nice  thing  to  share  the  experi- 
ences of  the  soldiers,  and  so  remained  in  camp  for  the  night. 
But  it  was  noticeable  that  very  few  cared  to  repeat  the  experi- 
ence, most  of  them  preferring  hotel  fare  and  hotel  beds  to 
hard-tack  and  the  soft  side  of  an  unplaned  pine  board. 

Friday,  September  12,  and  weekly  thereafter,  quite  a  num- 
ber of  the  officers  and  men  were  given  furloughs  for  five  days> 
and  permitted  to  return  to  their  homes.  In  the  afternoon 
occurred  the  first  battalion  drill,  which,  by  the  aid  of  the 
Adjutant,  Major  Brown,  Lieutenant  Johnston,  —  a  former 
officer  of  the  51st  Illinois, —  and  others,  was  gone  through 
with  quite  creditably.  Saturday,  September  13,  was  full  of 
hard  work,  there  being  squad  drill,  company  drill,  battalion 
drill  and  dress  parade. 

Sunday,  September  14,  was  spent  rather  quietly.  There 
was  Company  inspection  at  ten  o'clock,  and  in  the  afternoon 
there  was  preaching  in  the  grove  by  the  Chaplain  of  the  74th 
Illinois,  nearly  the  entire  encampment  attending.  In  the  early 
evening  there  was  considerable  excitement  all  through  the 
camp  with  regard  to  the  Sutlers.  It  was  alleged  that  these 
Sutlers  had  issued  checks  which  they  refused  to  redeem,  and 
also  that  they  had  passed  counterfeit  money  in  making  change. 
Not  a  few  of  the  soldiers  were  disposed  to  take  the  law  into 
their  own  hands,  but  wiser  counsels  prevailed  and  quiet  was 
restored.  The  excitement  was  renewed  and  increased  next 
day  and  evening,  and  there  was  danger  that  the  Sutlers'  tents 
would  be  demolished.  As  a  result,  the  men  were  ordered  to 
quarters  at  eight  o'clock,  and  all  found  outside  after  that  hour 
were  taken  into  custody  by  the  patrol  guards. 

Arms  and  accoutrements  were  received  by  the  Regiment 
on  the  16th,  and  issued  to  the  Companies  the  following  day. 
The  arms  were  the  Enfield  rifled  muskets,  and  were  as  good 
a  weapon  as  was  then  in  general  use.  Many  Regiments  at 
that  time  had  to  put  up  with  old  Austrian  or  Belgian  muskets, 
and  the  NINETY-SIXTH  was  regarded  as  fortunate  in  securing 
new  Enfields.  Some  of  the  guns  needed  to  have  their  sights 
filed  down  and  their  locks  adjusted.  Fortunately  there  was  a 
practical  gunsmith  in  the  command,  in  the  person  of  Sergeant 


30  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  1. 

Geo.  H.  Burnett,  of  Company  B,  and  he  was  detailed  for  this 
work,  so  that  in  a  few  weeks  all  were  in  admirable  condition. 
About  this  time  it  came  to  the  knowledge  of  the  officers  that 
there  was  more  or  less  gambling  in  camp.  Very  strict  orders 
were  issued  prohibiting  all  games  of  chance,  and  in  some  of 
the  Companies  even  card  playing  was  forbidden  in  the  bar- 
racks. On  the  16th  Colonel  Champion  for  the  first  time  took 
sole  charge  of  the  Regiment  during  Battalion  drill,  conducting 
it  admirably  considering  that  this  was  his  first  attempt.  On 
the  18th  the  Regiment  had  its  first  drill  and  dress  parade 
with  arms. 

On  the  19th  some  of  the  men  were  given  permission  to 
attend  the  agricultural  fair,  then  in  progress  at  Rockford. 
During  this  and  succeeding  days  drill  was  kept  up  according 
to  the  following  order :  Officers'  drill  from  eight  to  nine,  and 
guard  mount  at  the  same  hour ;  Company  drill  from  nine  to 
eleven  ;  Battalion  drill  from  two  to  four  ;  Dress  parade  at  half 
past  five  ;  Officers  and  non-commissioned  officers'  drill  and 
recitations  in  the  evening. 

On  the  20th,  clothing,  received  direct  from  the  Assistant 
U.  S.  Quarter-Master  at  Philadelphia,  was  issued,  each  soldier 
receiving  a  dark-blue  dress  coat,  sky  blue  pants,  woolen  shirts 
and  socks,  cotton  drawers  and  felt  hats  ;  such  as  had  not  been 
previously  supplied  were  provided  with  blankets,  and  all  who 
wished  drew  shoes.  The  clothing  was  of  good  quality,  except 
the  pants,  which  were  shoddy  enough.  With  the  hats  were 
sent  brass  bugles,  eagles,  tassels,  letters,  numbers  and  feathers. 
Some  of  the  experiences  with  the  new  uniforms  were  ludicrous 
enough.  Often  tall  men  found  themselves  the  possessors  of 
very  short  pairs  of  pants  ;  large  men  had  coats  with  sleeves 
reaching  but  little  below  the  elbows,  and  small  men  were  pro- 
vided with  coats  the  sleeves  of  which  reached  far  below  the 
finger  tips.  But  by  dint  of  considerable  swapping  the  majority 
found  themselves  fairly  fitted.  In  nearly  every  Company  was 
someone  who  had  worked  at  tailoring.  These  men,  being 
excused  from  other  duty,  set  about  with  needle  and  scissors 
making  the  clothing  fit,  and  in  a  day  or  two,  all  made  a  very 
presentable  appearance.  The  guns  and  equipments  were 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  PROCLAMATION.  37 

bright  and  clean,  and  the  clothing  new,  so  that  the  transforma- 
tion in  the  appearance  of  the  Battalion  was  complete. 

September  21st  brought  with  it  the  usual  Sunday  morning 
inspection,  and  in  the  evening  there  was  dress  parade.  Large 
numbers  of  men  visited  the  churches  in  the  city,  and  others 
attended  the  religious  services  held  on  the  grounds. 

On  Monday,  the  22d,  light  blue  overcoats  were  issued. 
They  were  of  regulation  pattern,  with  capes,  and  a  great  com- 
fort in  cold  weather,  in  the  afternoon  the  Regiment  was 
drilled  for  the  first  time  in  the  manual  of  loading, — Major 
Brown  acting  as  drill-master. 

Tuesday,  the  23d,  the  Regiment  marched  to  town  and 
escorted  a  large  picnic  party  to  camp.  Most  of  the  visitors 
were  from  Jo  Daviess  county,  but  there  were  quite  a  number 
from  Lake  county  as  well.  Next  day  The  Rockford  Register 
published  the  following  very  complimentary  notice  : 

THE  NINETY-SIXTH  REGIMENT.— This  fine  Regiment  have  received 
their  uniforms,  and  were  down  town  on  Tuesday  on  parade  under  corn 
mand  of  Major  Brown,  and  presented  a  splendid  appearance.  With  the 
Major  as  drill-master,  who  has  seen  service,  the  Regiment  has  made 
rapid  proficiency  in  its  drill,  doing  credit  to  themselves  and  Major  B., 
who  has  shown  himself  an  excellent  officer.  It  is  composed  of  a  splendid 
looking  set  of  men,  of  whom  Jo  Daviess  and  Lake  counties  may  well  be 
proud.  We  acknowledge  the  compliment  of  a  military  salute  while  pass- 
ing the  office. 

The  newspapers  of  the  23d  contained  the  Proclamation  of 
President  Lincoln,  in  which  he  gave  warning  to  the  rebels  that 
unless  hostilities  ceased  within  one  hundred  days  he  should 
declare  the  slaves  free.  This  proclamation  provoked  much 
discussion,  and,  strange  as  it  may  seem  at  this  day,  not  a  little 
criticism,  a  few  men  in  every  Regiment  declaring  that  they 
would  not  light  in  what  they  termed  a  "  nigger  war."  As  a 
rule,  however,  the  action  of  the  President  was  most  heartily 
endorsed,  and  officers  and  men  alike  "  thanked  God  and  took 
courage." 

The  24th  and  25th  were  passed  without  incident  of  especial 
note.  Major  Brown  continued  to  assist  at  the  Regimental 
drills  each  afternoon.  Like  many  other  men,  the  Major  had  a 
hobby;  his  was  what  he  termed  the  "obstacle  movement." 


38  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

The  Regiment  would  be  marching  in  line  of  battle  when  he 
would  call  out :  "Fourth  Company,  obstacle  !  By  the  right 
flank  to  the  rear  into  column,  march  ! "  At  this  command  the 
Fourth  Company,  or  whatever  Company  had  been  designated, 
would  break  files  to  the  rear,  leaving  a  gap  in  the  line,  and 
when  the  imaginary  obstacle  had  been  passed  would  double 
quick  back  to  its  place.  So  far  as  can  be  remembered  this 
movement  was  never  executed  after  Major  Brown  left ;  but 
this  much  can  at  least  be  said,  that  long  before  leaving  Camp 
Fuller  every  Company  in  the  Regiment  had  been  through  the 
movement  and  knew  how  to  pass  around  an  obstacle. 

On  the  26th,  knapsacks  were  issued  to  the  men,  and  the 
little  keepsakes  which  had  occupied  the  corners  of  the  bunks, 
or  been  carried  about  in  pockets,  were  safely  stowed  away  in 
these  receptacles. 

Sunday,  the  28th,  the  Regiment  escorted  the  74th  Illinois 
to  town,  the  latter  Regiment  embarking  for  Louisville.  In 
the  afternoon  there  were  religious  services  in  the  camp,  con- 
ducted by  Rev.  J.  M.  Clendenning,  who  had  enlisted  as  a 
Private  in  Company  K,  but  had  been  appointed  Chaplain  of 
the  Regiment. 

"  Monday,  the  29th,  there  was  a  large  party  of  visitors  in 
the  camp  from  Lake  county.  The  Regiment  received  haver- 
sacks and  canteens,  which  completed  its  outfit. 

Tuesday,  September  30,  there  was  a  formal  sword  pres- 
entation to  Lieutenant  Colonel  Isaac  L.  Clarke,  the  sword 
being  the  gift  of  the  members  of  Company  G.  A  large  bay 
saddle  horse  had  been  purchased  by  his  Lake  county  friends, 
and  was  received  about  the  same  time.  The  Lake  county 
boys  received  one-half  of  the  $40  county  bounty  which  had 
been  voted  them  in  cash,  and  a  county  order  for  the  remainder 
which  was  soon  redeemed.  The  Jo  Daviess  county  soldiers 
had  been  paid  $60  each  before  leaving  their  county.  It  being 
the  last  day  in  the  month,  the  First  Serge  ants  of  the  several 
Companies  were  called  upon  for  their  monthly  reports. 

Up  to  this  time  a  few  furloughs  had  been  granted  to  mem- 
bers of  each  Company  every  week,  but  on  the  1st  of  October 
the  commander  of  the  Regiment,  having  been  notified  to  hold 


THE  LAST  DAYS  AT  ROCKFORD.  39 

his  command  in  readiness  to  proceed  to  the  front,  sent  tele- 
grams to  the  local  papers  in  Lake  and  Jo  Daviess  counties, 
notifying  absentees  to  return  immediately  to  camp.  The 
early  days  of  October  were  very  busy  ones,  both  Regimental 
and  Company  commanders  seeming  determined  to  put  their 
men  in  the  best  possible  condition  for  field  service.  The 
officers  were  already  gaining  confidence  in  themselves,  and 
the  men  were  becoming  quite  proficient  in  their  drill. 

Sunday,  October  5,  there  was  a  careful  inspection  of  the 
barracks  and  grounds  with  a  view  to  promoting  the  utmost 
cleanliness,  and  the  following  day  Major  Smith,  Captain  Hicks 
and  Lieutenant  Loughlin  made  a  very  careful  examination  of 
the  clothing  of  the  men,  the  shoddy  pants  being  declared  an 
imposition  on  the  soldiers. 

Tuesday,  October  7,  the  Paymaster  again  came  to  camp, 
and  each  man  was  given  $25,  that  being  the  amount  of  Gov- 
ernment bounty  allowed  them.  The  same  day  marching 
orders  were  received,  the  Regiment  being  notified  that  they 
were  to  leave  for  Louisville,  as  it  was  then  understood.  The 
following  day  the  destination  was  changed  to  Cincinnati. 
During  the  evening  some  difficulty  arose  between  members  of 
the  NINETY-SIXTH  and  92d  Illinois,  in  attendance  upon  a  party 
in  the  city  of  Rockford,  which  resulted  in  a  personal  encounter 
between  several  enlisted  men  and  a  bitterness  of  feeling  which 
caused  a  renewal  of  the  difficulty  on  two  occasions  after  the 
Regiments  had  reached  Kentucky.  Subsequently  these  diffi- 
culties were  explained,  and  the  Regiments  became  the  best 
of  friends. 

On  the  whole,  the  stay  at  Camp  Fuller  brings  up  few  but 
pleasant  memories.  The  Regiment  made  rapid  progress  in 
drill  and  obedience  to  orders,  and  when  it  left  for  the  front, 
after  nearly  five  weeks  in  its  camp  of  instruction,  it  was  much 
better  fitted  for  field  service  than  the  average  regiment  which 
had  been  in  camp  for  so  short  a  period.  Nearly  all  had  suf- 
fered to  some  extent  from  colds,  the  result  of  sleeping  in  the 
damp  barracks,  and  the  entire  change  of  diet  had  affected 
many  unfavorably.  However,  but  very  few  had  been  sent  to 
the  large  brick  building  outside  the  camp  grounds,  over  which 


40  HISTORY  or  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

waved  the  yellow  hospital  flag,  and  but  two  or  three  from  a 
Company  were  left  behind  because  of  sickness  when  the  com- 
mand started  for  the  front. 

There  were  many  sad  leave-takings  on  the  grounds  during 
the  last  day  or  two  at  the  camp.  All  knew  that  the  war  was 
to  be  fought  in  earnest  from  that  time  forward  ;  that  it  was 
no  holiday  affair  upon  which  they  were  entering,  and  that 
only  stern  duty  awaited  them.  How  well  they  bore  their  part 
in  the  years  succeeding  that  October  day  when  they  took  up 
their  line  of  march  for  the  South,  the  following  chapters  will 
attempt  to  tell. 


OFF  FOE  THE  FRONT. 


CHAPTER    III. 


Off  for  "The  Front"— A  Rain-Storm  En  Route— The  Trip  to  Cincinnati — 
A  Tedious  Night  March — Happenings  at  Camp  Champion — The  Tents- 
Erected — Episode  of  the  Tall  Men — A  Skirmish  with  Mules — Detach- 
ments Sent  to  the  Forts — More  Presentations — A  Night  Alarm — 
Fresh  Pork  that  Had  to  be  Paid  For — Unfortunate  Explosion  of  a 
Shell— Five  Companies  Sent  to  Falmouth  and  Five  to  Covington— 
An  October  Snow-Storm  —  Visits  From  the  Father  and  Son  of 
General  Grant. 

AT  about  nine  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  Wednesday, 
October  8,  1862,  THE  NINETY-SIXTH  REGIMENT  ILLINOIS  VOL- 
UNTEER INFANTRY  bade  adieu  to  Camp  Fuller  and  marched  to- 
the  depot  of  the  Chicago  &  North- Western  Railway.  The- 
morning  was  not  a  pleasant  one,  and  on  the  march  a  drench- 
ing rain  set  in  which  dampened  the  persons  but  not  the  ardor 
of  the  troops.  The  people  of  Rockford  were  thoroughly 
patriotic,  and,  notwithstanding  the  rain,  flags  were  waving 
everywhere,  while  men,  women  and  children  came  out  to  cheer 
the  soldiers  and  add  their  "  God  bless  you,  boys,1"  to  their 
good-byes.  At  the  depot  there  was  some  delay,  so  that  it  was- 
eleven  o'clock  or  a  little  later  when  the  two  trains  required  to 
convey  the  Regiment  finally  started.  The  trip  was  not  a 
rapid  one,  and  it  was  about  five  o'clock  when  Chicago  was 
reached.  Many  friends  of  members  of  the  Regiment  had 
been  advised  of  their  coming,  so  that  on  arriving  at  the  depot 
in  that  city  the  soldiers  were  accorded  quite  a  reception. 
Numerous  packages  containing  dainty  lunches  were  brought 
to  the  cars  by  the  visitors,  and  these  gifts  were  highly  prized. 
Officers  and  men  availed  themselves  of  the  brief  stay  in  the 
city  to  purchase  such  articles  as  were  needed  to  complete  their 
outfits,  or  to  write  hurried  letters  to  loved  ones  at  home.  The 
two  trains  wece  finally  consolidated,  three  engines  attached, 
and  at  half-past  nine  o'clock  in  the  evening  a  start  made  for 
Cincinnati.  There  were  eighteen  passenger  coaches  and  four 


42  HISTORY  or  THE  96-m  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

•or  five  baggage  cars,  the  latter  filled  with  mess  chests,  officers' 
horses  and  other  necessaries.  With  so  heavy  a  train  the  run 
was  a  slow  one.  The  trip  was  without  incident  or  accident  of 
•especial  note.  Lafayette,  Indiana,  was  reached  at  about  eight 
o'clock  next  morning,  and  Indianapolis  at  noon.  At  the  latter 
city  there  was  a  large  camp,  embracing  infantry,  cavalry  and 
artillery.  As  this  rendezvous  was  passed  lusty  cheers  were 
given  by  those  in  camp  and  responded  to  by  the  Regiment. 
At  every  station  where  the  train  stopped  the  citizens  came  out 
and  watched  the  soldiers  with  much  interest,  and  often  there 
was  a  waving  of  flags  and  a  cheer  from  the  patriotic  people. 
At  eleven  o'clock  on  Thursday  night,  October  9,  Cincinnati 
was  reached.  The  men  were  thoroughly  tired  with  their  long 
ride  in  the  crowded  cars  and  glad  of  the  order  to  "fall  in," 
for  they  were  at  least  sure  of  a  change,  if  not  of  a  rest.  Few 
had  slept  at  all  the  previous  night,  as  there  were  two  in  every 
seat,  and  not  all  were  disposed  to  be  entirely  quiet.  Some  had 
lain  down  in  the  aisles  and  dozed  for  an  hour  or  two,  but 
there  had  been  little  restful  sleep  since  leaving  Camp  Fuller. 
The  arrival  at  Cincinnati  was  apparently  unannounced,  for 
there  was  no  one  at  the  train  to  receive  the  Regiment  or  give 
orders  what  to  do  or  where  to  go.  The  men  marched  out 
upon  the  street,  and  as  soon  as  the  column  halted  stretched 
themselves  upon  the  sidewalks,  where  many  slept  a  little, 
although  the  autumn  air  was  cool  and  there  was  no  protection. 
At  last  the  officers'  horses  were  unloaded,  and  a  start  made 
for  headquarters.  There  another  delay  occurred,  and  then, 
definite  orders  having  been  received  and  a  guide  provided  by 
Gen.  Granger,  then  in  command  at  that  point,  the  march  was 
resumed.  The  guide  proved  to  be  no  other  than  the  father 
of  Major  J.  C.  Smith  of  this  Regiment,  who  was  at  that  time 
a  member  of  the  Second  Kentucky  and  on  duty  at  Gen. 
Granger's  headquarters.  He  piloted  the  Regiment  to  carnp, 
.and  remained  with  it  for  some  hours. 

Going  down  the  bank  to  the  long,  pontoon  bridge  that 
spanned  the  Ohio  river  orders  were  given  to  break  step,  so  as 
not  to  strain  the  frail,  floating  structure,  as  might  be  done 
should  all  continue  to  step  together.  The  river  was  wide,  and 


FIRST  EXPERIENCES  IN  DIXIE.  43 

this  bridge,  being  the  first  one  of  the  kind  ever  seen  by  a  great 
'majority  of  the  command,  attracted  close  attention,  and  it 
would  not  be  untrue  to  say  that  a  few,  at  least,  were  slightly 
timid  as  they  stepped  upon  it,  and  felt  relieved  when  solid 
ground  was  again  reached. 

As  the  column  passed  up  the  southern  bank  of  the  river  the 
soldiers  assumed  that,  notwithstanding  Kentucky's  alleged 
.neutrality,  they  were  in  Dixie,  and  despite  the  lateness  of  the 
hour  and  the  severe  fatigue  to  which  they  had  been  subjected 
they  made  the  night  air  ring  with  shouts  for  the  Union  and 
the  old  flag  beneath  whose  folds  they  marched.  Passing 
•through  a  portion  of  Covington  they  crossed  Licking  river  to 
Newport,  and,  with  an  occasional  brief  halt  for  rest,  made 
their  way  to  the  Two-Mile  House,  an  ancient  tavern  whose 
.name  indicates  its  distance  from  Newport.  The  entire  march 
did  not  exceed  five  miles,  but  as  the  roads  were  very  hilly  and 
terribly  dusty,  and  the  men  not  only  greatly  fatigued  but  gen- 
erally pretty  heavily  loaded,  it  seemed  much  longer,  and  all 
were  heartily  glad  when  the  head  of  the  column  filed  to  the 
.right  into  an  open  field,  and  word  was  passed  along  the  line 
that  this  was  to  be  their  camming  ground. 

One  incident  of  this  night  march  may  be  of  interest. 
Adjutant  Blodgett,  who  had  already  served  for  nearly  a  year 
with  the  37th  Illinois,  halted  beside  the  road,  and  in  reply  to 
some  remark  made  by  a  tired  soldier  as  the  column  passed, 
said:  "Boys,  you  are  only  just  beginning  to  die  for  your 
country."  There  were  many  longer  marches  made  by  the 
Regiment,  and  often  over  worse  roads  than  this  Kentucky 
turnpike,  but  for  many  months  there  were  none  more  fatiguing 
than  this  night  trip.  A  few  fell  out  by  the  way  and  did  not 
come  up  until  long  after  the  main  body  of  the  Regiment  had 
•halted. 

It  was  four  o'clock,  and  the  gray  of  morning  was  almost 
upon  them,  when  the  camp  was  reached.  The  lines  were 
speedily  formed,  guns  were  stacked  and  ranks  broken.  Officers 
.and  men  quickly  threw  aside  their  equipments,  and,  without 
.tents  or  other  protection  than  their  light  blankets,  sought 
.repose.  It  was  their  first  experience  in  Dixie,  their  first  night 


44  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

beneath  the  stars.  And  they  slept  soundly,  as  only  tired 
soldiers  can,  upon  the  Southern  sod,  dreaming,  perchance,  of 
homes  and  friends  from  whom  they  had  so  recently  parted,  or 
of  the  future  and  the  more  stirring  events  upon  which  they 
were  just  entering. 

The  rest  was  not  a  long  one,  for  in  two  hours  the  rattling 
drums  aroused  the  camp  and  orders  were  given  to  "fall  in  for 
roll-call,"  after  which  preparations  were  made  for  breakfast. 
The  meal  was  prepared  under  difficulties.  The  company- 
cooks  scrubbed  from  the  big  camp-kettles  a  portion  of  the  dust 
that  had  accumulated  on  the  march,  found  water  at  the  well, 
in  the  tavern  yard,  and  "  foraged  "  for  wood  in  the  neighbor- 
hood. Coffee,  hard-tack  and  bacon  constituted  the  bill  of  fare. 
To  the  epicure  this  would  not  have  been  a  dainty  repast,  but 
to  the  soldier  who  had  for  two  days  lived  principally  upon  this 
diet,  minus  the  coffee,  and  who  had  slept  but  little  for  two 
nights,  this  was  a  meal  over  which  thanks  might  be  returned, 
and  one  which  was  certainly  partaken  of  with  keen  relish. 

The  main  incidents  of  the  day  were  the  drawing  of  the- 
tents  and  the  naming  of  the  camp.  What  were  known  as 
44  wedge  tents"  were  provided  for  the  enlisted  men.  They 
were  small  and  not  so  numerous  but  that  all  were  crowded, 
six  men  being  placed  in  each.  Two  wall  tents  of  comfortable 
size  were  issued  to  the  officers  of  each  Company,  one  to  each 
of  the  field  officers  and  three  to  the  commissioned  and  non- 
commissioned staff  and  musicians.  The  tents  provided  for  the 
enlisted  men  were  not  what  were  expected,  but,  while  disap- 
pointed in  their  size  and  quality,  there  was  little  complaint, 
and  all  seemed  determined  to  make  the  best  of  them.  The 
work  of  putting  them  up,  although  promptly  begun,  was  not 
very  quickly  accomplished,  for  very  few  were  experienced  in, 
this  branch  of  soldiering.  Men  laughed  at  each  other's 
awkwardness,  but  upon  responding  to  the  suggestion  to  "try 
it  yourselves,  then,"  were  quickly  entangled,  and  found  the 
task  one  not  as  easy  as  it  looked.  Many  a  good  laugh  w as- 
had,  but  progress  was  made,  and  in  time  all  were  up.  Some- 
were  askew  or  out  of  line  and  had  to  be  reset,  but  it  was  a 
lesson  not  soon  forgotten,  and  the  experiences  of  that  day  were- 


THK  DANGER  THREATENING  CINCINNATI.  45 

often  alluded  to  in  after  months  when  the  putting  up  of  tenth 
had  come  to  be  so  much  of  a  science  that  in  ten  minutes  from 
the  time  the  wagons  containing  them  arrived  in  camp  all  would 
foe  in  place. 

"  Camp  Champion  "  was  the  name  given  to  this  temporary 
rendezvous,  the  intention  being  to  thus  honor  the  Colonel,  who 
was  even  then  winning  the  high  regard  of  his  men.  This 
camp  was  a  gently  sloping  but  dusty  field,  and  fairly  well 
•adapted  for  all  of  the  purposes  of  a  camp,  and  a  drill  and  a 
parade  ground.  There  were  numerous  and  rugged  hills  all 
about  it,  many  of  them  seamed  with  rifle-pits  or  surmounted 
with  huge  forts  or  heavy  earth-works,  in  which  were  cannon 
•of  varying  sizes.  Most  of  these  earth-works  and  forts  were 
•occupied  by  detachments  from  the  13th  Regulars,  which,  as  it 
transpired,  THE  NINETY-SIXTH  was  to  relieve.  There  was 
much  to  interest  the  men  who  had  come  from  the  prairies  of 
Northern  Illinois,  for  the  hills  were  more  steep  and.  numerous 
than  many  of  them  had  ever  seen  before.  The  vineyards 
.along  the  hill-sides,  the  heavy  forests  prostrate  in  front  of  the 
forts, — having  been  cut  to  give  the  artillery  a  wider  range 
when  it  was  believed  that  the  Confederates  had  Cincinnati  for 
their  destination,  only  a  few  weeks  before, — the  heavy  thirty 
#nd  sixty-pound  guns,  all  were  novelties  to  the  newly  arrived 
soldiers.  It  should  be  remembered  that  this  was  a  trying  time 
in  this  section.  The  Confederates  were  making  a  desperate 
•effort  to  force  the  National  troops  north  of  the  Ohio  river. 
But  three  weeks  before  had  occurred  the  disastrous  battle 
and  surrender  at  Mumfordsville,  Ky.,  and  on  the  very  day 
the  Regiment  left  Rockford  the  battle  of  Perryville  was 
fought,  but  about  one  hundred  miles  away.  Kirby  Smith,  with 
a  large  force  of  rebels,  had  recently  approached  within  a  few 
miles  of  this  very  point,  and  it  was  even  then  feared  by  many 
that  his  troops,  united  with  those  of  Gen.  Bragg,  would 
defeat  or,  possibly,  pass  the  flank  of  Gen.  Buell  and  make  a 
.rush  for  Cincinnati.  The  expense  incurred  in  the  construction 
of  these  earth-works  was  enormous,  Beechwood  Battery  alone 
ihaving  cost  about  $200,000,  it  was  said. 

An  incident  which  occurred  the  morning  after  the  arrival 


4:6  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

of  the  command  at  Camp  Champion  is  worthy  of  narration- 
here.  As  has  been  stated  before,  there  were  an  unusual  num- 
ber of  tall  men  in  the  Regiment.  On  the  morning  in  question, 
before  the  tents  arrived,  and  while  the  men  were  in  the  open 
field,  some  discussion  arose  as  to  the  comparative  height  of 
two  or  more  of  them,  and  a  wager  was  made.  Considerable 
talk  resulted,  and  finally  about  all  of  the  tall  men  in  the  com- 
mand were  brought  together.  The  wager  settled,  such  of  the 
crowd  as  were  convivially  inclined  marched  over  to  the 
tavern,  arriving  there  just  as  a  sleepy  bar-tender,  who  barely 
knew  that  a  new  regiment  had  arrived  during  the  night,  was 
preparing  for  his  day's  work.  As  the  crowd  entered  the  bar- 
room, the  taller  ones  ducking  their  heads  as  they  passed 
through  the  low  door-way,  the  bar-tender  eyed  them,  first  with 
astonishment,  then  with  trembling,  but  managed  to  gasp  out : 
"Where  did  you-uns  all  come  from?"  Being  told  that  they 
were  all  from  Northern  Illinois,  he  asked:  "Be  the  whole 
regiment  as  tall  as  you  uus?"  He  was  solemnly  assured  that 
this  was  only  a  fair  sample  of  the  command,  and  also  informed 
that  the  Minnesota  and  Wisconsin  troops  were  even  taller.  A 
further  suggestion  was  added  that  if  he  sympathized  with  the 
Confederacy  he  might  do  it  a  service  by  sending  word  to  Jeff 
Davis  of  what  the  rebels  might  expect  when  these  regiments 
of  giants  got  into  the  field.  The  bar-tender  was  awe-stricken, 
arid  tremblingly  set  out  the  drinks,  even  forgetting,  it  is  said, 
to  collect  his  pay. 

During  the  day  many  visited  the  forts  and  batteries, 
strolled  among  the  large  vineyards  in  the  neighborhood,  or 
visited  the  cemetery  and  entertained  themselves  by  reading 
the  quaint  inscriptions  on  the  tombstones.  After  the  first  day 
a  camp-guard  was  established,  the  line  closely  encircling  the 
grounds.  The  sentinels  were  each  given  a  beat,  and  required 
to  walk  back  and  forth  upon  it  after  the  style  of  the  Regular 
Army.  None  of  the  enlisted  men  were  allowed  to  go  in  or 
out  without  passes,  signed  by  the  Colonel,  unless  accompanied 
by  a  commissioned  officer.  Troops  farther  toward  the  front 
did  the  picket  duty.  The  sentinels  were  required  to  call  out 
the  hour  after  taps,  and  so,  at  regular  intervals  all  through 


DRAWING  Six-MuLE  TEAMS.  47 

the  night,  the  cry  would  be  taken  up  :  "Post  No.  1,  twelve- 
o'clock,  and  all  is  well  ;  Post  No.  2,  twelve  o'clock  and  all  is 
well," — and  so  on,  taking  up  the  different  hours  as  they  came. 
This  was  all  very  well  in  theory,  but  the  practice  was  aban- 
doned when  more  active  duties  came. 

The  Regiment  was  assigned  to  the  Second  Brigade,  Third 
Division,  Army  of  Kentucky,  Col.  P.  T.  Swayne,  of  the  99th 
Ohio,  being  placed  in  command  of  the  Brigade.  The  other 
Regiments  of  the  Brigade  were  the  92d  Illinois,  115th  Illinois- 
and  14th  Kentucky. 

On  Saturday,  October  11,  a  large  detail  of  men  was  sent  to 
Cincinnati  for  mules  and  wagons.  Their  experiences  were 
novel,  and,  at  times,  exciting.  The  mules  were  in  a  large 
corral.  Many  of  them  were  but  three  years  old  and  entirely- 
unbroken.  They  had  to  be  lassooed  and  drawn  up  to  a  post 
or  tree  by  main  force,  and  were  harnessed  with  much  diffi- 
cult}' 'and  not  a  little  danger.  Hitching  six  of  them  to  a  large 
army  wagon  was  not  an  easy  task.  The  animals  were  afraid 
of  the  wagons,  of  the  harnesses,  of  the  men  and  of  each  other. 
Usually  two  or  three  that  bore  harness  marks  or  gave  other 
evidence  of  being  at  least  partially  broken,  were  selected-  and 
put  into  each  team  ;  but  it  was  with  great  trouble  that  a  start 
was  made.  When  a  team  had  been  hitched  up  the  wagon 
wheels  were  locked  and  a  man  stationed  at  the  head  of  each 
mule.  Then  the  driver,  armed  with  a  rawhide  whip,  mounted 
the  near  wheel  mule,  and  grasped  the  single  line  leading  to- 
the  bit  of  the  near  leader.  With  most  of  the  men  this  was  an 
entirely  new  way  of  driving,  and  some  of  the  teamsters  were 
scarcely  less  awkward  than  their  mules.  By  dint  of  some 
daring  and  considerable  swearing  the  train  was  made  ready, 
and  the  procession  started.  There  were  some  thrilling  adven- 
tures on  the  way,  and  a  few  incipient  runaways,  but  no  serious 
accidents.  The  crossing  of  the  river  was  accomplished  with 
much  difficulty,  the  timid  mules  being  induced  to  step  upon 
the  pontoon  bridge  only  by  considerable  persuasion.  But  the 
trip  was  finally  made,  and  some  time  after  dark  the  motley 
procession  reached  the  camp.  The  teams  were  unhitched  and 
unharnessed  with  only  a  little  less  difficulty  than  had  attended 


48  HISTORY  OF  THE  96rra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

the  hitching  up.  The  mules  were  then  tied  to  the  wagons  and 
fed,  and  the  detail  dismissed.  The  men  comprising  that 
detail  were  a  tired  lot,  and  some  of  them  declared  that  they 
would  prefer  to  charge  a  battery  rather  than  to  repeat  the  day's 
experiences.  The  mules  were  a  wiry  set,  and  for  many  days 
thereafter  those  who  wanted  a  little  genuine  excitement  could 
.find  it  by  visiting  the  wagon  train  and  assisting  in  harnessing 
and  hooking  up  the  long-eared  but  exceedingly  useful  animals. 
•One  team  was  allowed  to  each  Company,  and  seven  teams  in 
addition  for  the  use  of  the  Regimental  officers,  and  the  trans- 
portation of  ammunition  and  rations.  Besides  these  there 
were  two  ambulances,  with  a  pair  of  horses  to  each. 

Companies  D,  I  and  K  were  detached  from  the  Regiment 
on  the  llth  and  sent  to  guard  forts  in  the  vicinity,  all  of  these 
•detachments  being  under  the  command  of  Major  Smith. 
Oompany  D  was  sent  to  Beechwood  Battery,  Company  I  to 
John's  Hill  Battery,  and  Company  K  to  Fort  Shaler.  A  few 
days  later  fifty  men  of  Company  B  were  sent  to  Fort  Mitchell. 
Several  of  the  Companies  had  their  first  experience  in  target 
shooting  on  the  llth. 

Sunday,  October  12,  was  spent  rather  quietly.  There 
was  Company  inspection  in  the  forenoon,  and  in  the  evening 
one  or  more  prayer  meetings  in  the  vicinity  of  the  camp.  An 
elegant  sword  was  presented  to  Colonel  Champion  by  the 
members  of  Company  E,  Captain  Black  making  the  presenta- 
tion address. 

October  13  the  Companies  took  up  their  regular  drill,  and 
•one  or  more  of  them  began  the  skirmish  drill.  On  the  14th 
there  was  a  sword  presentation  to  Sergeant  Major  Quinn,  and 
a  saddle  presentation  to  Colonel  Champion.  On  the  15th 
there  was  an  inspection  by  Major  Flint,  and,  while  the  Regi- 
ment was  on  dress  parade  in  the  early  evening,  Brig.  Gen. 
Absalom  Baird,  who  was  commanding  the  Division  to  which 
the  Regiment  was  attached,  rode  up  and  watched  the  proceed- 
ing, complimenting  both  officers  and  men  upon  their  soldierly 
bearing,  and  expressing  surprise  on  being  told  that  the  Regi- 
ment had  been  in  the  service  less  than  six  weeks.  Forty 


J.  C.  SMITH. 

LIEUTENANT  COLONEL  AND   BREVET   BRIGADIER  GENERAL. 


Hi* 


THE  FIRST  LONG  ROLL.  49 

rounds  of  ammunition  were  issued  to  each  man,  and  the  First 
Sergeants  had  a  light  sword  added  to  their  outfit. 

News  came  at  this  time  of  the  death,  from  typhoid  fever, 
of  Henry  W.  Ostrander,  of  Company  G.  He  was  taken  sick 
at  Camp  Fuller,  and  went  to  his  home  at  Rockland,  in  Lake 
County,  and  died  October  J2.  This  was  the  first  death  in  the 
Regiment. 

The  principal  incident  of  the  16th  was  an  alarm  at  night. 
The  "long  roll "  beat  at  about  eleven  o'clock.  The  Companies 
were  hastily  formed,  and  the  command  proceeded  to  the  parade 
ground.  There  was  some  excitement  and  not  a  little  mixing 
up  of  boots,  hats  and  equipments  in  the  haste  to  fall  in,  but 
the  line  was  formed  in  a  surprisingly  short  time  and  with  as 
little  confusion  as  was  to  be  expected.  The  alleged  cause  was 
the  tiring  upon  an  outpost  in  front  of  Fort  Shaler.  It  was  not 
so  accepted  by  the  citizens  and  civil  authorities  at  Covington 
and  Cincinnati,  however,  for  they  believed  it  to  be  a  mere 
ruse  on  the  part  of  the  Colonel  to  test  the  promptness  and 
•coolness  of  the  officers  and  men  of  his  Regiment.  It  hap- 
pened that  the  alarm  was  taken  up  by  other  camps  in  the 
neighborhood,  reaching  the  city  and  causing  intense  excite- 
ment there.  Few  knew  it  at  the  time,  but  it  afterward  leaked 
out  that  this  little  episode  came  near  costing  the  Regiment  its 
commander,  and  losing  to  the  army  the  splendid  services 
afterward  performed  by  the  gallant  Colonel  Champion.  The 
•civil  authorities  were  so  exercised  that  they  demanded  the 
head  of  the  officer  who  started  the  alarm,  and  were  pacified 
with  the  utmost  difficulty.  The  Regiment  was  kept  in  line  for 
about  an  hour,  and  then  sent  to  camp.  On  the  whole  it  was  a 
good  lesson,  for  the  men  afterward  made  it  a  rule  to  know 
where  their  boots  and  hats  were  when  they  retired  for  the 
night. 

About  this  time  some  of  the  troops  that  had  been  forced 
to  retreat  from  Cumberland  Gap  arrived  and  went  into  camp 
in  the  neighborhood.  They  were  a  tired,  ragged  and  foot- 
sore lot  of  men,  having  made  a  long  and  rapid  march. 

An  event  that  will  be  remembered  by  the  line  officers  of 
Company  C  happened  on  one  of  the  days  while  at  Camp 
4 


50  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

Champion.  A  fine  hog  was  missed  by  a  loyal  farmer,  and" 
the  presence  of  bristles  and  the  odor  of  fresh  pork  was  deemed 
sufficient  to  warrant  a  strong  suspicion  that  certain  members 
of  the  Color  Company  had  sought  to  vary  the  monotony  of 
army  rations.  The  hog  was  estimated  to  be  worth  $30,  an 
amount  that  the  officers  quietly  paid  ;  but  the  affair  leaked  out, 
and  for  a  time  the  boys  of  Company  C  were  the  butt  of 
numerous  jokes.  They  learned  one  important  lesson,  how- 
ever, which  was  that  when  it  was  impracticable  to  burn  or 
bury  hogs'  bristles,  they  should  at  least  take  them  into  the  street 
of  some  other  Company. 

On  one  occasion  a  detail  was  sent  out  to  cut  wood,  going 
several  miles  from  camp.  A  roadside  booth  attracted  them, 
and  finding  that  botli  beer  and  cider  could  be  bought,  some  of 
the  men  indulged  in  a  glass  or  two  of  their  favorite  beverage. 
That  night  two  of  the  men  were  terribly  sick,  with  every 
symptom  of  having  been  poisoned,  and  their  lives  were  saved 
only  by  the  most  strenuous  exertions  of  the  Surgeon  of  the 
Regiment.  Investigation  revealed  the  fact  that  these  two  men 
were  the  only  ones  who  had  drank  cider,  and  it  was  confi- 
dently believed  that  some  Rebel,  too  cowardly  to  fight,  had 
sought  their  lives.  A  scouting  party  visited  the  locality  at 
daylight,  but  the  man  who  sold  the  cider  could  not  be  found, 
although  the  booth  was  watched  for  several  days  and  nights. 
He  had  probably  gone  South,  or  concealed  himself  in  Cincin- 
nati to  await  the  removal  of  the  Regiment. 

On  Sunday,  October  19,  a  few  members  of  Company  K  were 
sent  out  in  front  of  Fort  Shaler  on  a  reconnoissance.  Finding 
a  percussion  shell,  but  supposing  it  to  be  an  ordinary  cannon 
ball,  they  were  examining  it,  when,  being  carelessly  dropped, 
it  exploded  with  terrible  effect,  wounding  five  of  the  Com- 
pany, some  of  them  quite  seriously,  and  fatally  injuring  a 
citizen  who  stood  by.  The  wife  of  the  citizen  was  also  seri 
ously  injured.  A  more  circumstantial  account  of  this  accident 
may  be  found  in  the  sketch  of  the  Company  in  another  part 
of  this  work. 

The  same  day  five  Companies  of  the  Regiment  were- 
ordered  to  guard  a  wagon  train  about  starting  for  Falmouth. 


THE  COMMAND  DIVIDED — THE  GRANTS'  VISITS.  51 

Ky.  They  were  Companies  A,  £,  F,  G  and  H,  and  were 
under  command  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Clarke.  These  Com- 
panies marched  to  Covington,  but,  as  the  train  was  not  ready, 
returned  to  Camp  Champion  for  the  night,  and  on  the  follow- 
ing day,  Monday,  October  20,  made  a  final  start,  having  in 
charge  one  hundred  or  more  wagons  loaded  with  supplies  for 
troops  in  that  region.  The  same  day  Company  K  returned 
to  camp  from  Fort  Shaler,  Company  C  taking  its  place. 

Wednesday,  October  22,  Companies  JB,  C,  D,  I  and  K 
marched  to  Covington,  and  on  reporting  at  headquarters  were 
directed  to  commodious  barracks  just  vacated  by  the  33d 
Indiana,  remaining  until  the  29th.  Detachments  were  left  at 
several  forts,  but  joined  the  command  during  the  week.  On 
the  24th  occurred  a  rain  to  partially  relieve  the  terrible  drouth 
that  had  prevailed  for  two  months  or  more,  and  on  the  night 
of  the  25th  there  was  a  snow-storm  which  was  quite  heavy,  con- 
sidering the  latitude  and  the  time  of  year,  some  three  or  four 
inches  remaining  on  the  ground  at  daylight,  but  all  disappear- 
ing within  a  few  hours.  There  was  some  brisk  snow-balling 
while  it  lasted,  the  men  enjoying  the  sport  with  keen  zest. 

During  the  stay  at  Covington  Barracks,  Jesse  Grant,  Esq., 
of  Cincinnati,  and  Master  Fred  Grant,  of  Galena,  the  father 
and  the  son  of  Gen.  Ulysses  S.  Grant,  called  once  or  twice, 
spending  some  hours  with  their  Jo  Daviess  county  acquaint- 
ances. Fred's  first  visit  was  made  alone.  A  boy,  mounted 
on  a  pony,  came  riding  up  to  the  gateway  leading  to  the 
grounds  surrounding  the  barracks.  The  entrance  was  guarded, 
and  the  soldier  on  duty  asked  the  visitor  for  his  pass.  The 
boy  replied  that  he  had  none,  whereupon  the  Sergeant  of  the 
Guard  was  called.  This  officer  chanced  to  be  Sergeant 
Thomas  J.  Smith,  of  Galena.  As  he  came  to  the  gate  he 
recognized  the  visitor,  and  remarked  :  "  Why.  that  is  a  son  of 
Gen.  Grant,  and  doesn't  need  a  pass.  Let  him  in."  The  boy 
was  rather  quiet  and  modest  than  otherwise,  although  quite 
a  hero  in  the  eyes  of  the  soldiers  owing  to  the  distinguished 
achievements  of  his  illustrious  sire. 


52  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  1. 


CHAPTER    IV. 


Five  Companies  Start  Southward — Hard  Pikes  vs.  Tender  Feet — March- 
ing and  Tenting  in  the  Snow — A  Muddy  Cut-Off — Loyal  Whites  and 
Enthusiastic  Blacks — Five  Companies  Sent  via  Williamsburg  and 
Georgetown  to  Lexington  —  Slaves  and  Slave-Hunters — Milling  for 
the  Military  —  A  Night's  Foraging  —  The  Regiment  Reunited  — 
Experiences  at  Lexington — Visits  to  Henry  Clay's  Monument — 
The  First  Death  in  Camp. 

MONDAY,  October  20,  Companies  A,  E,  F,  G  and  H  again 
took  up  the  line  of  march,  with  Falmouth  as  their  supposed 
destination.  They  were  under  command  of  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Isaac  L.  Clarke.  Lieutenant  Samuel  H.  Bayne,  ol  Company 
H,  was  assigned  as  acting  Adjutant,  and  Lieutenant  William 
Vincent,  of  Company  A,  as  acting  Quarter-Master.  First 
Assistant  Surgeon  Moses  Evans  accompanied  the  battalion  and 
cared  for  the  health  of  the  men.  This  was  not  to  be  a  march 
in  the  cars  or  on  boats,  but  on  foot,  the  men  carrying  well- 
filled  knapsacks,  haversacks  containing  from  one  to  three  days' 
rations,  canteens  of  water,  forty  rounds  of  ammunition, 
bayonets,  accoutrements  and  heavy  muskets.  Many  of  the 
officers  had  taken  trunks  with  them  to  Kentucky,  but  strict 
orders  were  issued  that  they  must  not  be  put  in  the  wagons, 
and,  as  there  was  no  other  method  of  transportation,  they  were 
sent  back  to  Cincinnati  and  stored,  most  of  them  being  subse- 
quently returned  by  express  to  Illinois,  although  a  few  were 
again  in  camp  in  Central  Kentucky.  Doubtless  some  of  them 
are  still  in  Cincinnati. 

A  start  was  made  about  eight  o'clock  A.  M.,  Companies 
A  and  F  taking  the  lead  of  the  train  as  an  advance  guard. 
Company  H  was  placed  near  the  center  of  the  train  and  Com- 
panies E  and  Gr  in  the  rear.  The  distance  traveled  that  day 
was  about  eleven  miles  over  the  Alexandria  turnpike.  This 
macadamized  road  was  excellent  so  far  as  the  wagons  were 


MARCHING  TOWARD  CENTRAL  KENTUCKY.  53 

concerned,  but  decidedly  hard  on  the  feet  of  the  men,  and,  as 
a  result,  many  were  very  sore  and  lame  when  the  final  halt 
was  made.  The  camp  that  night  was  in  the  fair  grounds  at 
Alexandria.  The  men  were  made  very  comfortable,  although 
the  water  at  this  place  was  not  agreeable  to  the  taste,  being 
taken  from  a  huge  cistern.  However,  it  was  an  improvement 
on  the  water  taken  from  ponds  at  other  points,  and  the  camp 
was  pleasantly  remembered. 

Tuesday,  October  21,  an  early  start  was  made,  the  order 
of  march  being  the  same  as  on  the  previous  day,  except  that 
the  position  of  the  Companies  was  changed.  The  distance 
traveled  was  fifteen  miles.  As  there  were  a  few  empty  wagons 
in  the  train  the  knapsacks  of  the  men  were  carried,  thus  reliev- 
ing them  greatly.  A  part  of  the  way  the  column  marched 
upon  the  dirt  road,  which  was  much  easier  for  the  sore  and 
tired  feet  than  the  pike  had  been.  About  four  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon  there  was  a  riffle  of  excitement  growing  out  of  the 
report  sent  to  the  commander  of  the  detachment  by  the 
advance  guard  that  several  horses  were  tied  in  a  ravine  a  little 
off  from  the  pike,  indicating  the  presence  of  rebel  cavalry  in 
the  vicinity.  Captain  Clark  and  about  a  dozen  men  of  Com- 
pany G  volunteered  to  reconnoitre.  Once  away  from  the 
column  and  finding  that  there  was  no  truth  in  the  report,  the 
Captain  concluded  to  indulge  his  inclination  to  roam  over  the 
country,  and  so  led  off'  on  a  long  detour.  After  a  tramp  of 
four  or  five  miles  the  party  returned  to  the  column  without 
having  found  either  horses  or  soldiers.  Their  trip  was  a  hard 
one,  and  they  were  pretty /well  fagged  out  when  they  returned 
to  the  train.  Many  of  the  farmers  along  the  route  through 
that  part  of  the  State  treated  the  soldiers  quite  liberally  with 
apples,  and  often  provided  meals  for  those  who  left  the 
column.  The  camp  that  night  was  on  Flour  Creek,  and  was 
a  very  comfortable  one. 

Wednesday,  October  22,  the  column  started  at  about  nine 
o'clock,  passing  over  a  very  hilly  and  stony  road  and  reaching 
Falmouth  about  noon,  camping  near  a  branch  of  the  Licking 
river  where  was  an  abundance  of  good  water.  On  the  march 
quite  a  percentage  of  the  men  were  employed  in  chaining  the 


54  HISTORY  OF  THE  96xH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

wheels  of  the  wagons,  so  that  the  train  might  safely  proceed 
down  the  long  and  steep  hills. 

At  Falmouth  the  wagons  were  unloaded,  and  the  men  gen- 
erally supposed  that  they  would  remain  in  camp  for  several 
days.  Such  proved  not  to  be  the  case,  however,  for  on 
Thursday  at  about  noon,  to  the  surprise  of  all,  the  wagons 
were  again  started  out  and  the  battalion  ordered  to  accompany 
them.  They  made  about  sixteen  miles,  camping  at  Robin- 
son's Station  near  the  railroad.  The  roads  were  quite  hilly, 
requiring  considerable  chaining  of  wagon  wheels,  and  this 
afternoon's  march  proved  a  very  severe  one. 

Friday,  October  24,  was  a  day  of  rest,  the  soldiers  improv- 
ing it  by  washing  their  clothing  and  cleaning  up  generally. 
Notwithstanding  that  strict  orders  had  been  issued  to  the  con- 
trary, there  was  considerable  foraging ;  but,  as  a  rule,  only 
known  secessionists  suffered.  About  100  men  were  at  work 
rebuilding  the  trestle  bridge  burned  by  the  rebel  Gen.  Morgan 
a  few  weeks  before.  During  the  day  the  wagons  were  again 
loaded,  and  on  Saturday,  October  25,  the  command  marched 
to  Cynthiana,  where  several  other  regiments  were  camped. 
The  day  was  an  unpleasant  one,  some  rain  falling,  and  after 
going  into  camp  a  corn-field  was  visited  and  a  large  amount 
of  fodder  appropriated,  the  men  spreading  it  on  the  bottoms 
of  their  tents  to  keep  them  oif  the  wet  ground.  In  the  even- 
ing it  began  to  grow  cold,  and  by  bedtime  snow  was  falling. 
In  the  morning  the  ground  was  covered  to  the  depth  of  nearly 
six  inches,  but  the  snow  had  piled  up  around  the  bottom  of  the 
tents,  keeping  out  the  wind,  and  the  men  slept  more  comfort- 
ably than  on  any  previous  night.  The  snow  rendered  the 
work  of  preparing  for  the  march  quite  slow,  and  it  was  ten 
o'clock  when  the  column  started  out  on  Sunday  morning.  On 
the  pike  arms  were  presented  to  the  19th  Michigan  and  115th 
Illinois  as  they  passed  to  take  the  advance,  the  battalion  then 
falling  in  the  rear  of  the  line.  Passing  through  Cynthiana 
the  column  had  proceeded  about  ten  miles  when  Gen.  Baird 
ordered  this  detachment  and  the  92d  Illinois  to  take  the  dirt 
road  to  Paris,  as  it  would  save  some  two  or  three  miles  in 
distance.  It  was  a  great  mistake,  for  the  snow  had  wet 


CAMPING  IN  THE  SNOW.  55 

up  the  clay  to  the  depth  of  two  or  three  inches,  making  it  ter- 
ribly sticky  and  unpleasant.  Not  unfrequently  the  men  lifted 
their  feet  from  their  shoes,  and  in  some  instances  were 
-obliged  to  march  barefoot  or  go  back  to  the  wagons  and  ride. 
A  soldier  wrote  :  "Every  time  we  lifted  our  feet  from  the  clay 
it  awaked.an  echo  not  unlike  the  sound  of  a  pop-gun."  The 
-entire  distance  traveled  that  day  was  sixteen  miles,  one-third 
of  which  had  been  over  this  clay  road.  The  day  was  cold  and 
unpleasant,  the  march  a  very  severe  one,  and  the  stragglers 
from  the  ranks,  owing  to  the  great  fatigue  caused  by  the 
muddy  roads,  were  more  numerous  than  on  any  previous  day. 
Arrived  in  camp  somewhat  late,  the  men  had  a  most  disagree- 
able task  before  them.  The  snow  still  lay  deep  upon  the 
ground,  and  they  were  obliged  to  clear  it  away  and  pitch  their 
tents.  They  did  not  then  know  as  well  as  they  learned  after- 
ward how  to  make  themselves  comfortable,  and  to  many  the 
night  was  a  most  cheerless  one.  However,  they  set  about 
imost  diligently  to  fix  up  their  temporary  quarters  and  prepare 
for  supper.  Huge  fires  were  built  in  front  of  the  tents  to  dry 
the  ground  ;  straw  was  procured  from  neighboring  planta- 
tions for  beds,  and  at  least  a  portion  of  the  command  passed 
the  evening  and  night  quite  pleasantly. 

Monday,  October  27,  a  start  was  made  at  nine  o'clock,  the 
expectation  being  that  the  evening  would  find  the  detachment 
in  Lexington,  but  the  column  only  marched  about  four  miles, 
going  into  camp  before  noon.  At  Paris,  which  was  passed 
•early  in  the  day,  there  was  a  profuse  display  of  flags,  indi- 
cating a  strong  Union  sentiment. 

Tuesday  morning,  October  28,  the  command  started  at 
seven  o'clock,  passing  through  a  beautiful  country.  The 
•column  halted  for  quite  a  time  in  the  city  of  Lexington  while 
waiting  to  be  assigned  to  camp.  The  citizens,  and  especially 
the  colored  people,  watched  them  with  much  interest,  coming 
to  talk  with  the  men,  and,  in  some  instances,  bringing  "hoe 
cake  "  and  other  edibles,  and  also  pails  of  water,  with  gourd 
•dippers,  which  they  passed  along  the  lines. 

Moving  to  the  outskirts  of  the  city  the  female  seminary  was 
passed,  and  the  young  lady  students  came  out,  waved  their 


56  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

handkerchiefs  and  hurrahed  for  the  Union.  It  was  interest- 
ing to  note  the  instant  change  that  came  over  the  soldiers  as- 
the  ladies  made  their  appearance.  The  martial  band  struck 
up  a  lively  air.  The  scattered  column  immediately  closed  to 
the  center  of  the  highway,  elbows  were  touched,  the  step  was 
taken,  the  limping  gait  of  those  whose  feet  had  been  blistered 
by  the  long  march  over  the  hard  pike  disappeared,  the  shoul- 
ders that  had  been  stooping  through  the  wear}7  miles  were 
quickly  straightened,  heads  were  thrown  back,  the  carelessly 
carried  muskets  were  brought  to  a  "right  shoulder  shift,"  and. 
everj'thing  in  the  army  regulations  strictly  obeyed,  unless  it 
be  that  all  eyes  were  not  directly  toward  the  front.  There  was 
an  inspiration  in  the  presence  and  approval  of  the  loyal  beauties- 
that  caused  all  to  forget  their  weariness  and  nerved  every  man 
to  do  his  best.  Could  the  battles  of  the  war  have  been  fought 
with  such  surroundings,  instead  of  in  gloomy  forests  or  amid 
tangled  swamps,  it  is  easy  to  believe  that  there  would  have 
been  no  cowards  ;  indeed,  it  is  probable  that  absolute  extinc- 
tion of  one  side  or  the  other  would  have  resulted.  The  column, 
kept  well  closed  up  until  a  halt  was  made  and  a  camp  ground 
selected  at  a  point  where  the  guide-board  read:  "George- 
town 10  Milles." 

Wednesday,  October  29,  the  camp  ground  was  changed  to  a 
point  about  one  and  a  half  miles  from  Lexington.  The  location, 
was  a  fine  one,  water  being  abundant  and  of  good  quality,  and 
only  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  distant  from  camp.  The  colored 
people  in  the  neighborhood  showed  great  joy  at  the  arrival  of 
Union  troops.  An  old  "aunty"  standing  by  the  roadside 
cried  out,  "O  Lor  bless  me,  I  wish  I  had  some  thing  to  gib 
em ;"  and  an  aged  colored  man  was  repeating,  as  rapidly  as 
he  could  speak  it,  ' '  Hurrah  for  de  Union !  Hurrah  for  de 
Union  ! "  and  once  in  a  while  sandwiching  the  remark,  "  The- 
Unioners  is  come."  There  was  a  large  camp  in  the  neighbor- 
hood, not  less  than  20,000  troops  being  stationed  near  by. 
The  men  assumed  that  they  were  to  make  this  a  permanent 
camp,  and  proceeded  to  construct  fire-places  in  their  tents  by 
digging  holes  in  the  ground  about  one  foot  square  and  eight 
inches  deep,  with  a  flue  leading  to  the  outside  for  the  smoke- 


-,.»J*  fiM 


NICKAMCK,    1863-4. 

ROBERT  A.  SMITH,  '  SAMUEL  H.  SMITH, 


RIGHT  GENERAL  GUIDE. 


LEFT  GENERAL  GUIDE. 


MRS.  J.  C.  SMITH. 


•«•«** 


THE  CAMP  AT  LEXINGTON.  5T 

to  pass  off.  A  few  sheet-iron  stoves  were  procured,  and  a 
number  of  brick  or  stone  fire-places  were  built.  The  regular 
rations  were  supplemented  with  corn-meal,  bought  by  the 
soldiers  at  the  rate  of  fifty  cents  per  bushel,  flour  at  three 
cents  a  pound  and  molasses  at  $1.40  per  gallon.  There  was 
often  a  surplus  of  coffee  and  rice,  which  was  sold  to  citizens 
or  exchanged  for  the  articles  mentioned.  Near  the  camp  was- 
a  large  grist  mill  and  jeans  factory.  From  these  the  rebels 
had  taken  some  $80,000  worth  of  goods,  only  a  few  weeks 
before,  compelling  the  owners  to  accept  Confederate  scrip  in 
payment.  The  factory  was  not  only  a  thing  of  interest  to  the- 
troops,  but  a  great  convenience,  for  the  soldiers  were  permitted 
to  take  warm  water  from  the  pipes  for  the  purpose  of  washing 
their  clothing,  a  privilege  which  they  availed  themselves  of 
with  alacrity. 

The  remaining  days,  until  the  arrival  of  the  detachment 
under  Colonel  Champion,  were  passed  without  incident  of 
especial  note.  The  camp  regulations  were  strict,  and  drilling 
was  vigorously  begun.  Colonel  Clarke  was  a  strict  discipli- 
narian and  disposed  to  see  that  all  orders  issued  for  the  gov- 
ernment of  troops  were  literally  obeyed.  He  had  been  a 
school-master  through  all  the  early  years  of  his  manhood,  and 
some  of  the  men  thought  him  too  strict.  This  criticism  came 
to  his  knowledge,  and  he  was  frank  to  talk  with  his  offi- 
cers and  such  of  his  men  as  he  knew  best  personally  about 
the  matter,  so  that  a  pretty  good  understanding  was  reached. 
Later  on,  officers  and  men  came  to  know  each  other  better, 
and  the  soldiers  learned  that  it  was  absolutely  necessary  in 
order  to  discipline  that  the  soldier  should  subject  himself  to 
the  officer.  This  much  can  certainly  be  said,  that  long  before 
his  death  those  who  had  been  disposed  to  criticise  him  came 
to  see  that  his  orders  were,  after  all,  best  for  the  men.  They 
learned  that  he  was  a  man  of  high  character  and  fixed  princi- 
ples, and  that  he  meant  to  do  just  what  was  right  and  honorable 
by  those  under  his  command,  and  by  the  citizens  near  the 
camp  or  on  the  line  of  march. 

It  is  now  necessary  to  turn  back  and  see  what  the  other 
five  Companies  of  the  .Regiment,  under  Colonel  Champion* 


-58  HISTORY  OF  THE  96™  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

had  been   doing  since  Colonel  Clarke's  command  left  Camp 
•Champion. 

On  Wednesday,  October  29,  at  a  little  before  nine  o'clock, 
•Companies  B,  C,  D,  I  and  K,  under  the  command  of  Colonel 
Champion,  left  their  comfortable  quarters  in  Covington  Bar- 
racks, where  a  week  had  been  so  pleasantly  spent,  and  started 
-on  the  trip  to  Lexington.  Already  the  radical  change  of  diet 
and  mode  of  life  was  beginning  to  tell  on  the  men,  and  each 
Company  left  a  half  dozen  or  more  of  their  number  in  the 
various  hospitals  in  the  neighborhood.  Marching  to  head- 
quarters, definite  orders  were  received,  and  the  column  passed 
out  through  Covington  and  near  Fort  Mitchell,  where  a  rest 
of  half  an  hour  was  taken.  Two  miles  further  on  there  was 
a  stop  for  dinner,  after  which  the  command  marched  to  the 
fair  grounds  near  Florence,  halting  about  half-past  three 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon  and  occupying  the  amphitheatre.  The 
distance  made  was  about  ten  miles,  and  the  trip  a  rather  leis- 
urely one.  There  was  plenty  of  wood  and  water,  and  the 
Battalion  had  a  delightful  camping  place. 

Thursday,  October  30,  the  column  started  about  7  A.  M., 
and  made  sixteen  miles,  passing  through  Walton  and  camping 
near  Crittenden  at  a  little  after  5  P.  M.,  in  an  open  field. 
Wood  and  water  were  scarce  and  had  to  be  carried  about  a 
mile.  The  march  was  through  a  beautiful  country  a  part  of 
the  way,  there  being  many  fine  plantations.  Many  of  the 
people  showed  their  loyalty  by  coming  out  and  waving  flags  or 
cheering.  At  other  places  they  stood  sullenly  and  silently, 
their  looks  indicating  a  displeasure  they  dared  not  voice.  It 
was  amusing  to  witness  the  actions  of  the  negroes  at  these 
•latter  places.  Keeping  partly  in  the  rear  of  the  buildings  so 
as  to  be  out  of  sight  of  their  masters,  they  would  swing  their 
hats  and  dance  or  otherwise  manifest  their  joy,  but  without 
daring  to  shout.  This  second  day's  march  was  quite  severe 
on  the  men,  and  many  were  lame  and  foot-sore  when  camp 
was  reached. 

Friday,  October  31,  the  column  started  at  8  A.  M.,  and 
passed  through  Crittenden,  Dry  Ridge  and  other  hamlets,  and 
•camped  near  Williamsburg,  making  about  twelve  miles.  At 


ARMY  RATIONS  SUPPLEMENTED  BY  FORAGING.  59 

this  latter  place  a  beautiful  young  lady,  dressed  in  a  costume 
made  up  of  the  stars  and  stripes,  came  out  to  cheer  the 
soldiers  on  their  way.  It  was  a  pretty  tableau,  and  heartily 
was  the  beautiful  and  loyal  lady  cheered  in  return.  There 
were  but  few  springs  along  the  route,  and  most  of  the  wells 
were  deep  but  dry.  At  some  points  details  were  sent  ahead 
and  teams  impressed  to  draw  to  the  roadside  barrels  of.  water 
taken  from  springs  or  ponds.  Some  of  the  men  quietly 
left  the  ranks  and  "drew"  sweet  potatoes  from  the  fields  or 
gardens  along  the  route.  There  was  a  suggestion  at  many 
points  of  the  poet's  dream  of  heaven,  when  he  said : 

"  Of  the  women  there  seemed  an  innumerable  throng, 
But  the  men  you  could  count  as  they  passed  along." 

.For  while  there  were  from  six  to  ten  women  at  about  every 
house  there  was  hardly  a  white  man  to  be  seen.  Just  at  night 
two  men,  believed  to  be  Confederate  soldiers  or  bushwhackers 
belonging  to  Morgan's  command,  were  captured  and  sent 
under  guard  to  the  Provost  Marshal  at  Williamsburg.  The 
regular  army  rations  were  somewhat  low,  but  there  was  a  good 
variety  of  fresh  meat  in  camp  next  morning,  and  a  few 
"secesh"  rails  were  burned  to  cook  it  with.  Water  was  not 
-only  very  scarce  but  very  muddy,  being  drawn  from  cattle 
ponds.  The  men  came  into  camp  in  much  better  condition 
than  on  the  previous  day. 

Saturday,  November  1,  the  command  started  at  7  A.  M., 
and  marched  seventeen  miles,  camping  near  Jones'  Tavern. 
The  day  was  quite  warm,  and  the  men  pretty  well  used  up 
when  a  final  halt  was  made.  An  incident  of  the  evening  was 
the  enlistment  of  the  two  deserters  from  the  rebel  army  men- 
tioned in  the  sketch  of  Company  C.  Many  criticised  the 
action,  but  the  officers  concluded  to  take  the  risk,  and  after 
•events  fully  vindicated  them. 

Sunday,  Novembers,  the  Battalion  broke  camp  at  7  A.  M., 
and  marched  six  miles,  camping  on  Eagle  Creek.  As  but  five 
days'  supplies  had  been  taken,  the  regular  rations  were  about 
•exhausted.  The  Quarter-Master  purchased  beef,  corn  and 
wheat  in  the  neighborhood,  and  a  mill  near  camp  was  set  in 
motion  by  some  of  the  men  in  charge  of  Sergeant  Schooley, 


60  HISTORY  OF  THE  96rrn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

an  experienced  miller,  Corporal  John  Lee  acting  as  engineer, 
and  by  evening  four  hundred  pounds  of  flour  and  a  like  amount 
of  corn  meal  had  been  ground  out  and  issued.  The  steam 
whistle  at  the  mill  was  sounded  repeatedly,  and  soon  all  of  the 
colored  people  of  the  neighborhood  and  of  Georgetown  vil- 
lage seemed  to  be  approaching  the  camp,  apparently  thinking 
that  the  whistle  proceeded  from  a  fleet  of  Lincoln  gunboats 
that  must  be  coming  up  the  diminutive  creek.  Many  of  the 
young  colored  men  desired  to  accompany  the  command,  and, 
as  a  natural  result,  more  or  less  trouble  ensued.  Most  of  the 
Generals  in  the  department  at  that  time  were  in  partial  sym- 
pathy with  the  "peculiar  institution,"  and  strict  orders  had 
been  given  requiring  officers  to  surrender  any  negroes  who 
might  be  found  in  the  camp  whenever  their  alleged  owners 
demanded  them.  The  fugitive  slave  laws  were  at  least  nomi- 
nally in  force,  and  commanders  of  regiments  who  refused  to 
obey  these  laws  not  unfrequently  found  themselves  the  princi- 
pals in  vexatious  law  suits.  Some  of  these  suits  were  not 
concluded  until  long  years  after  the  war  was  over,  occasioning 
considerable  personal  expense  and  trouble  to  those  involved. 
But  with  the  NINETY-SIXTH  Regiment  officers  there  was  never 
litigation,  Colonel  Champion  being  too  good  a  lawyer  to 
allow  himself  or  his  officers  to  be  involved  in  law  suits. 
Nearly  all  were  radically  opposed  to  slavery,  and  the  negro 
who  sought  refuge  in  the  camp  was  protected,  but  in  such  a 
manner  as  not  to  involve  any  one  in  a  legal  way.  Usually  a 
camp  guard  was  established  whenever  the  Regiment  went  into 
bivouac,  often,  as  it  seemed,  more  for  the  purpose  of  excluding 
citizens  from  the  camp  than  to  prevent  the  soldiers  from  going 
outside.  Not  unfrequently  citizens  would  come  to  the  guard 
line  and  ask,  or  even  demand,  to  be  admitted  to  headquarters, 
but  whenever  it  was  suspected  that  they  were  negro  hunting 
they  were  excluded  and  compelled  to  return  to  their  homes 
without  taking  the  negroes  who  had  sought  their  liberty.  A 
few  negroes  followed  the  command  from  Eagle  Creek,  most 
of  them  being  employed  as  cooks  for  the  officers. 

On  the  second,  learning  that  the  plantation  of  a  Confederate 
Major  was  but  two  miles  distant,  about  forty  men,  in  charge  of 


ADMINISTERING  THE  OATH  OF  AXLEGIANCE.  61 

•Lieutenant  Montgomery,  of  Company  D,  set  out  in  the  early 
-evening  on  a  foraging  expedition.  Arrived  at  the  house,  the 
soldiers  quietly  deployed  about  the  buildings,  while  the  Lieu- 
tenant and  a  half  dozen  men  who  had  brought  their  muskets 
with  them  rapped  at  the  front  door.  Some  ladies  came  to  the 
door,  and,  in  response  to  the  officer's  inquiry,  asserted  that 
there  were  no  men  in  the  house.  Unfortunately  for  the  truth 
of  this  assertion,  a  man  appeared  at  the  head  of  the  stairway 
just  at  that  moment  and  demanded  to  know  what  was  wanted. 
The  Lieutenant  asked  him  to  come  to  the  door,  which  he  did 
with  manifest  reluctance.  They  told  him  that  they  were 
a  detachment  from  the  command  encamped  on  Eagle  Creek, 
and  that,  being  short  of  rations,  they  had  come  for  a  few 
bushels  of  potatoes,  at  the  same  time  saying  that  if  he  was  a 
loyal  citizen  a  receipt  would  be  given  so  that  he  could  collect 
pay.  He  pretended  that  there  were  no  potatoes  on  the  planta- 
tion. It  happened,  however,  that  a  negro  who  had  previously 
been  interviewed,  and  who  accompanied  the  expedition  as  its 
pilot,  had  assured  them  that  in  a  field  adjoining  the  buildings 
were  numerous  "pits"  of  potatoes.  The  Lieutenant  asked 
the  man  to  remove  his  hat,  raise  his  right  hand  and  .repeat 
after  him  the  oath  of  allegiance,  which  he  did.  The  oath  was 
a  very  lengthy  one,  the  Lieutenant  injecting  numerous  excerpts 
from  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  Webster's  orations  and 
such  other  literature  as  he  could  call  to  mind,  in  apparent  good 
faith,  but  really  to  gain  time  for  the  boys  who  were  reconnoit- 
ering.  Before  he  was  half  through  there  was  a  loud  outcry 
•from  the  poultry,  and  the  citizen  was  becoming  very  anxious. 
As  soon  as  the  extended  oath  was  concluded  he  appealed  for 
protection,  and  begged  the  officer  not  to  allow  the  men  to  take 
his  poultry.  The  officer,  leaving  the  man  under  guard,  ran  to 
the  outbuildings,  and  in  loud  tones  demanded  that  the  forag- 
ing should  stop,  saying  that  they  had  come  for  potatoes,  not 
for  poultry  ;  but,  seizing  a  grain  bag,  called  in  an  undertone 
to  the  men  to  hand  him  some  chickens  and  turkeys,  which  he 
crammed  into  the  sack.  As  soon  as  the  noise  ceased  he  turned 
his  game  bag  over  to  some  of  the  men,  returned  to  the  citizen 
and  told  him  that  he  had  better  go  in  the  house  for  the  night, 


62  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

but  that,  having  taken  the  oath  of  allegiance,  he  could  come 
to  the  camp  next  morning,  bring  two  or  three  reputable  citi- 
zens of  known  loyalty  to  establish  his  identity  and  character, 
and  get  pay  for  his  potatoes.  The  citizen  quickly  made  his 
way  to  the  house,  but  never  came  to  camp  for  his  pay,  and 
inquiry  revealed  the  truthfulness  of  the  first  information  that 
the  entire  family  were  notorious  secessionists.  Meanwhile 
the  potato  field  had  been  visited  and  the  men  were  on  their 
way  to  camp.  A  soldier,  in  writing  of  the  affair,  said  :  "The 
men  from  Company  C  brought  in  thirty  chickens,  ten  turkeys, 
a  lot  of  ducks,  four  bushels  of  potatoes,  a  churn  full  of  syrup 
and  twenty  quarts  of  honey,  which,  considering  that  it  was  the 
only  Company  in  the  Regiment  that  ever  laid  claim  to  being 
especially  'good,'  must  be  considered  a  pretty  fair  showing." 
As  the  other  four  Companies  each  had  an  equal  number  of  men 
in  the  expedition,  it  can  be  judged  that  the  affair  was  a  pretty 
successful  one. 

It  may  be  mentioned  here  that  the  colored  man  who  acted 
as  pilot  was  James  Joyce,  who  remained  with  the  Regiment 
until  Nashville  was  reached,  and  then  went  North  with  Lieu- 
tenant A.  B.  Partridge,  living  in  Lake  county  until  his  death,, 
which  occurred  about  1875. 

Monday,  November  3,  the  Battalion  was  called  in  line 
early,  fired  off  their  guns  by  volley,  and  marched  fourteen 
miles,  camping  at  two  o'clock  p.  M.  on  Elkhorn  Creek,  near 
the  residence  of  ex-Gov.  Robinson.  The  village  of  George- 
town was  reached  early  in  the  day,  and  the  country  passed 
through  was  the  most  beautiful  portion  of  the  Blue  Grass 
Region.  Several  negroes  were  following  the  Regiment,  and 
at  Georgetown  citizens  undertook  to  stop  them,  but  failed  in 
their  efforts. 

Tuesday,  November  4,  reveille  sounded  at  half-past  four, 
the  column  filing  out  of  camp  at  six  A.  M.,  and  marching  to 
Lexington,  ten  miles,  arriving  about  eleven  o'clock  A.  M.  The 
other  five  Companies  came  out  to  meet  Colonel  Champion's 
command,  and  escort  it  to  camp. 

It  was  a  very  pleasant  meeting  when  the  two  battalions 
came  together  at  Lexington,  and  the  Regiment  was  again  con- 


TROUBLE  IN  THE  REGIMENTAL  KITCHEN.  6£ 

solidated.  For  many  days  the  boys  compared  experiences, 
and  related  to  each  other  the  incidents  that  had  happened 
during  their  two  weeks'  separation.  There  had  been  consid- 
erable irregularity  about  the  mails  up  to  this  time,  but  here 
the  accumulated  letters  were  received,  and  an  immense  mail 
distributed. 

The  Regiment  remained  at  Lexington  until  November  13. 
It  was  not  a  time  of  leisure,  but  rather  of  hard  work,  for  drill- 
ing was  pushed  with  great  vigor,  the  men  being  out  for  many 
hours  every  day  when  the  weather  would  permit,  either  in 
squads,  companies  or  as  a  regiment,  and  perhaps  at  no  other 
point  was  more  rapid  progress  made  in  acquiring  military 
knowledge.  The  weather  was  cold  much  of  the  time,  and  one 
or  two  light  snow-storms  occurred,  but  this  did  not  interfere 
very  materially  with  the  every  day  drill.  At  dress  parade  the 
men  were  required  to  wear  overcoats.  Rations  were  abun- 
dant, and  of  very  good  quality,  but  there  was  much  trouble 
concerning  the  matter  of  cooking  them.  Up  to  this  time  the 
plan  had  been  for  each  Company  to  keep  its  coffee,  beans, 
rice  and  some  other  articles  together,  and  men  were  detailed 
to  serve  as  Company  cooks.  There  were  usually  two  for  each 
Company.  Many  of  these  cooks  were  not  experts  in  their 
line,  and  much  of  the  cooking  was  simply  execrable.  Three 
times  out  of  four  the  beans  or  rice  would  be  burned.  The  big 
black  kettles  had  to  be  used  for  cooking  both  meat  and  coffee, 
and  often  there  was  a  film  of  grease  upon  the  top  of  the  kettle 
of  coffee,  the  sight  of  which  was  not  well  calculated  to  serve  as 
an  appetizer.  The  matter  was  discussed  by  officers  and  men, 
and  finally  permission  was  given  to  break  up  each  Company 
into  messes,  the  men  to  take  turns  in  cooking.  This  arrange- 
ment proved  more  satisfactory,  although  too  many  cooks 
spoiled  many  a  broth.  However,  a  few  developed  into  excel- 
lent cooks  in  every  Company,  and  when  the  Regiment  was 
in  camp  as  a  rule  it  fared  pretty  well.  During  the  stay  at 
Lexington  there  were  frequent  reviews  of  the  Brigade  and 
Division,  and  dress  parades  were  held  almost  every  evening, 
large  numbers  of  people  coining  out  from  the  city  to  witness 
the  evolutions  of  the  battalions. 


<t>±  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

There  were  few  in  the  Regiment,  and  probably  but  few  in 
the  army  then  encamped  in  the  neighborhood,  who  did  not 
visit  the  tomb  and  monument  of  the  great  statesman,  Henry 
Clay,  and  no  doubt  hundreds  of  soldiers  copied  the  inscription 
upon  the  coffin,  which  reads:  "I  can,  with  unshaken  con- 
fidence, appeal  to  the  Divine  Arbiter  for  the  truth  of  the 
declaration  that  I  have  been  influenced  by  no  impure  purpose  ; 
no  personal  motive  ;  have  sought  no  personal  aggrandizement, 
but  that  in  all  my  public  actions  I  have  had  a  sole  and  single 
•eye,  and  a  warm,  devoted  heart  directed  and  dedicated  to  what, 
in  my  best  judgment,  I  believed  to  be  the  true  interest  of  my 
country."  This  monument  is  55  feet  square  at  the  base  and 
considerably  more  than  100  feet  in  height,  and  is  surmounted 
by  a  statue  of  the  man  whose  memory  it  is  intended  to 
perpetuate. 

The  first  death  in  the  camp,  and  the  second  among  the 
members  of  the  Regiment,  occurred  at  Lexington, — George 
Bryan,  aged  ]  9  years,  and  a  member  of  Company  H,  dying 
from  typhoid  fever. 


ADDISON    B.    PARTRIDGE. 


FIRST   LIEUTENANT  COMPANY   C. 


FROM  LEXINGTON  TO  HARRODSBURG.  65 


CHAPTKR    V. 


Southward  to  Harrodsburg — Kentucky  River  Scenery — A  Halt  at  Shaker- 
town — The  Stay  at  Camp  Clarke — Visits  to  Perryville  Battle  Ground — 
Recovering  Federal  Property — Issuing  a  Newspaper — Marching  to 
Danville — In  Winter  Quarters  at  Camp  Baird — Occasional  Alarms  at 
Night — The  First  Sergeants  Lectured — Breaking  Camp  by  Fire-Light 
— The  Lebanon  March— A  Terrible  Rain  Storm— The  Night  at  "Camp 
Wet" — The  Return  to  Danville — Frequent  Deaths  Among  the  Sol- 
diers— A  Scouting  Expedition — Close  of  the  Year  1862. 

Thursday,  November  13,  the  Regiment  struck  its  tents, 
packed  its  knapsacks,  loaded  its  wagons,  left  its  fire-places 
and  straw  beds,  and  again  started  out  upon  the  march,  breaking 
camp  at  seven  o'clock  or  a  little  later,  and  taking  position  at 
the  rear  of  the  column.  It  was  a  beautiful  day,  and  the  road 
lay  through  an  attractive  and  highly  cultivated  region.  The 
distance  traveled  was  fourteen  or  fifteen  miles,  and  the  camp 
for  the  night  near  Nicholasville.  A  large  number  of  men  had 
to  be  left  at  Lexington,  owing  to  sickness,  and  others  were 
really  too  unwell  for  so  long  a  march,  although,  with  com- 
mendable pluck,  they  persisted  in  remaining  with  the  Regi- 
ment. As  a  consequence  the  ambulances  were  crowded  before 
the  day's  march  was  ended.  Field  and  staff  officers  walked  a 
considerable  part  of  the  time,  allowing  those  who  were  foot- 
sore or  unwell  to  ride  their  horses.  Some  of  these  officers 
carried  one  or  two  muskets  for  tired  members  of  the  command, 
a  favor  that  was  fully  appreciated.  The  camp  that  night  was 
in  a  pretty  grove  near  a  spring,  and  as  there  was  an  abund- 
ance of  straw  in  the  neighborhood  the  men  made  themselves 
very  comfortable.  Next  morning  the  column  passed  through 
Nicholasville.  making  their  start  at  eight  o'clock.  Toward 
noon,  on  nearing  the  Kentucky  river,  the  country  became  more 
broken.  The  pike  lay  along  a  deep  gorge  or  ravine,  descend- 
ing for  a  mile  or  more  until  the  river  bottom  was  reached. 
On  one  side  of  the  roadway,  at  a  point  where  the  column 
5 


66  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

halted,  the  rocks  rose  precipitately  to  a  great  height,  and  on 
the  other  side  was  a  deep  chasm,  down  which  the  waters  dashed 
themselves  into  a  spray  and  disappeared  beneath  the  over- 
hanging boulders.  Even  those  who  had  visited  the  Rocky 
Mountains  grew  enthusiastic  at  the  unexpected  scene,  and 
admitted  that  the  view  was  one  of  true  grandeur.  Great 
layers  of  rock  surmounted  each  other  to  the  height  of  hun- 
dreds of  feet,  and  here  and  there  little  white  cedars,  so  beau- 
tifully green,  cropped  out  from  the  crevices  in  the  rocks,  while 
all  about  icicles  were  pendant  from  the  vines,  greatly  enhanc- 
ing the  beauty  of  the  surroundings.  Fifty  feet  above  the 
road  a  horse  was  drinking  from  a  spring,  and  it  was  a  question 
with  many  as  to  how  he  reached  the  place  or  in  what  way  he 
was  to  leave  the  spot  without  falling. 

The  river  was  reached  at  noon,  and  the  command  went 
into  bivouac  until  its  turn  came  to  be  ferried  across  the  stream. 
There  were  two  boats,  each  of  which  would  accommodate 
about  one  company,  and  in  these  the  crossing  was  made  with- 
out mishap,  except  that  once  a  boat  ran  aground,  causing  a 
little  excitement  and  some  delay.  The  distance  traveled  that 
day  was  about  eight  miles,  and  the  camp  for  the  night  was 
made  at  Brooklyn,  on  the  river.  The  scene  from  the  camp 
was  a  most  beautiful  one,  and  will  not  pass  from  the  minds  of 
those  who  witnessed  it  until  memory  fails.  Looking  across 
the  river  the  tall  cliffs  rose  precipitately  for  hundreds  of  feet, 
giving  the  impression,  as  night  came  on,  of  a  vast  thunder 
cloud  rising  up  against  the  sky. 

Saturda}T,  November  15,  the  command  marched  ten  or 
twelve  miles,  halting  at  Harrodsburg.  The  first  few  miles 
lay  through  a  broken  country,  emerging  from  which  Shaker- 
town  was  reached.  This  village,  inhabited  by  the  sect  whose 
name  it  bears,  was  a  novelty.  The  houses  were  not  especially 
numerous,  but  all  were  large  and  substantial,  and  some  of 
them  bore  dates,  1811,  1814  and  later  years,  indicating  con- 
siderable antiquity.  The  apparel  of  both  men  and  women 
was  drab  or  gray  material,  made  up  in  the  plainest  manner 
possible.  The  women  all  wore  shaker  bonnets.  It  was  notice- 
able that  nearly  all  the  inhabitants  were  either  'quite  old  or 


VISITS  TO  THE  PERRYVILLE  BATTLE-FIELD.  67 

quite  young.  The  column  halted  for  a  time  in  the  village 
streets,  and  the  soldiers  talked  with  the  citizens,  the  latter 
answering  all  questions  freely,  it  was  learned  that  no  mar- 
riages were  allowed  among  the  people,  and  that  the  population 
of  the  village  was  kept  up  by  the  adoption  and  education  of 
orphan  children  from  all  parts  of  the  country.  Upon  arriving 
at  mature  years  these  wards  were  given  permission  to  go  else- 
where and  adopt  a  different  mode  of  life  if  they  saw  fit,  a 
privilege  of  which  nearly  all  availed  themselves,  scarcely  live 
per  cent,  consenting  to  remain  and  take  upon  themselves  the 
vows  of  celibacy.  These  people  took  no  part  in  the  stormy 
scenes  attending  the  rebellion,  being  opposed  to  war  on  prin- 
ciple, but  it  was  a  well  established  fact  that  all  of  them  were 
opposed  to  the  institution  of  slavery,  and  in  hearty  sympathy 
with  the  North.  A  few  weeks  before,  the  Rebel  forces  had 
levied  heavy  tribute  upon  them,  taking  considerable  live  stock, 
some  goods,  and,  it  was  even  said,  more  or  less  money. 

The  command  arrived  at  Harrodsburg  about  one  o'clock, 
and  camped  a  few  rods  from  a  large  hospital  filled  with  Rebels, 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Perryville.  This  being  the  first  lot 
of  uniformed  Rebels  with  which  the  Regiment  had  come  in 
contact,  there  was  much  curiosity  on  the  part  of  the  men  to 
see  and  converse  with  them.  Many  of  the  prisoners  were 
quite  defiant  and  saucy,  and  as  quick  to  enter  into  an  argu- 
ment on  behalf  of  "Southern  rights"  as  were  their  Yankee 
visitors.  There  were  about  1,500  Confederates  in  town,  most 
of  them  being  quartered  in  buildings  or  barracks. 

Perryville  was  about  ten  or  eleven  miles  from  Harrods- 
burg, and  not  only  many  public  buildings,  but  numerous  pri-- 
vate  residences  were  filled  with  the  sick  and  wounded  of  both 
armies,  left  there  immediately  following  the  battle  of  the 
8th  of  October.  Before  the  command  had  been  there  many 
hours,  men  starting  out  from  the  camps  found  muskets,  tents, 
saddles  and  other  articles  quite  numerous  among  the  citizens, 
some  of  them  being  secreted  and  others  openly  displayed  as 
relics.  This  coming  to  the  knowledge  of  the  officers,  detach- 
ments were  sent  out,  in  some  instances  remaining  for  a  day  or 
two,  and  gathering  up  large  quantities  of  camp  and  garrison 


68  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

equipage, — several  wagon  loads  of  muskets,  many  horses  and 
mules  and  a  few  tents  being  the  more  valuable  articles  recov- 
ered. On  these  expeditions  many  got  their  first  glimpse  of 
the  horrors  of  the  battle-field.  In  some  instances  the  dead 
remained  unburied,  and  at  many  places  the  rain  had  washed 
the  dirt  from  the  bodies  of  those  buried  in  the  shallow 
graves,  leaving  feet,  arms  and  heads  exposed  to  view.  There 
were  many  dead  horses  here  and  there  through  the  woods, 
and  the  stench  arising  from  their  decaying  carcasses  was  terri- 
bly sickening.  The  enemy  had  occupied  a  portion  of  the  battle 
ground  for  the  night,  and  had  made  an  attempt  at  burying 
their  dead,  but  the  work  was  not  very  thoroughly  done. 
Nearly  all  the  Union  dead  had  been  carefully  buried,  and  their 
graves  plainly  marked  with  wooden  head-boards. 

On  one  of  the  trips  to  Perryville  the  soldiers  encountered 
a  somewhat  unusual  experience.  When  five  miles  from  camp 
they  learned  of  a  shooting  affair  that  had  just  taken  place, 
and,  on  going  to  a  house  pointed  out  by  a  guide,  found  a 
woman  greatly  excited  because  of  threats  made  against  her 
life.  It  transpired  that  the  woman  had  shot  a  citizen,  and  the 
neighbors  were  threatening  revenge.  The  facts,  as  developed, 
were,  that  her  husband,  who  was  a  Union  man,  had  been 
engaged  to  run  a  grist-mill.  The  proprietor  of  the  mill  was  a 
Secessionist.  Some  controversy  had  previously  arisen,  and  was 
not  settled  at  once.  On  this  occasion  the  owner  of  the  mill 
had  ridden  to  the  house  on  horseback,  and  inquired  for  the 
miller.  Something  in  his  language  or  actions  convinced  the 
woman  that  his  mission  was  not  a  friendly  one,  and,  seizing  a 
gun,  she  ran  toward  the  mill  to  warn  her  husband.  The  man 
spurred  his  horse,  and  was  apparently  attempting  to  ride  over 
lier,  when  she  pluckily  turned  and  shot  him  dead.  The  case 
was  investigated  sufficiently  to  convince  the  officer  that  the 
statements  of  the  woman  were  true,  and  the  couple  were  given 
a  guard  to  accompany  them  to  a  place  of  safety.  This  was 
but  one  of  very  many  tragedies  among  citizens  growing  out  of 
those  troublous  times,  and  but  for  the  timely  arrival  of  the 
soldiers  it  is  probable  that  a  half  dozen  lives  might  have  been 
required  to  settle  the  existing  feud. 


INCIDENTS  OF  THE  STAY  AT  HABRODSBUKG.  69 

The  Regiment,  with  the  exception  of  Companies  C  and  I, 
remained  at  Harrodsburg  about  a  fortnight.  Sunday,  the  first 
day  in  this  camp,  there  was  inspection  in  the  forenoon  and 
dress  parade  in  the  evening.  During  the  afternoon  religious 
services  were  held  in  an  old  church,  Chaplain  Clendenning 
preaching  to  the  large  congregation,  composed  mainly  of  sol- 
diers. It  was  said  that  nearly  all  the  members  of  the  congre- 
gation who  formerly  worshipped  there  were  in  actual  sympathy 
with  the  rebellion.  The  church  had  been  cleared  of  its  pulpit 
and  a  portion  of  the  seats,  so  that  it  could  be  used  as  a  store- 
room by  the  army  quartermaster.  The  pulpit,  therefore,  had 
to  be  improvised,  and  it  was  somewhat  suggestive  when  the 
men  piled  up  boxes  of  ammunition  upon  which  the  Chaplain 
could  lay  his  Bible  and  unroll  his  manuscript. 

The  drought,  which  had  been  very  severe  all  through  this 
region,  having  been  interrupted  by  only  one  or  two  light 
showers  and  two  or  three  snow-storms,  was  now  thoroughly 
broken.  A  rain-storm  set  in  on  the  seventeenth,  which  pre- 
vailed for  many  hours,  and  was  supplemented  by  frequent 
heavy  showers  during  succeeding  days.  The  camp  became  a 
sea  of  mud,  and  the  surroundings  were  most  gloomy.  -  On 
one  occasion  a  citizen  came  into  camp,  and  on  his  invitation 
SL  member  of  Company  H  accompanied  him  to  the  village  and 
drank  a  glass  of  wine.  Soon  after  returning  to  camp  the 
soldier  became  alarmingly  ill,  and  it  was  believed  that  he 
had  been  poisoned.  The  surgeons  succeeded  with  much  diffi- 
culty in  saving  his  life.  One  day  a  couple  of  men  having  in 
charge  about  twenty  horses  passed  through  the  town,  going 
southward.  The  officers  became  suspicious  afterward  that  the 
horsemen  might  be  Rebels,  and  the  Colonel,  with  five  men, 
started  in  pursuit,  bringing  them  back  to  camp.  They  pro- 
tested their  loyalty  and  were  allowed  to  go  for  witnesses,  but 
never  came  back,  and  their  horses  were  turned  over  to  the 
Government  Quartermaster.  There  was  occasional  firing  on 
the  picket  lines  at  night,  but  no  casualties  occurred,  unless  it 
may  have  been  to  stray  porkers  or  poultry. 

On  the  eighteenth  Colonel  Swayne  was  relieved  from  the 
command  of  the  Brigade.  He  was  an  admirable  soldier, 


70  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  1. 

and  did  excellent  service,  but  was  not  at  this  time  very  popu- 
lar among  the  officers  of  the  command,  probably  more  because 
of  the  fact  that  his  own  regiment  was  not  in  the  Brigade  than 
for  any  other  reason.  He  was  succeeded  by  Col.  Cochran,  of 
the  Fourteenth  Kentucky. 

Thursday,  November  20,  Colonel  Champion  was  directed 
to  send  two  Companies  to  Danville,  ten  miles  distant.  Com- 
panies C  and  I  were  chosen,  and  on  reaching  their  destination 
were  assigned  to  quarters  in  the  Baptist  Church.  During  the 
following  week  or  more  they  were  given  pretty  heavy  duty, 
large  details  for  provost  guard  and  funeral  escorts  being 
required  daily.  There  were  many  sick  and  wounded  of  both 
armies  in  the  city,  and  to  preserve  order  among  the  convales- 
cents, prevent  escapes  of  Rebels  who  had  so  far  recovered  as- 
to  be  able  to  travel,  and  furnish  escorts  for  from  two  to  six 
funerals  daily,  would  have  kept  them  busy  ;  but  in  addition 
to  these  duties  they  were  obliged  to  scout  and  picket  outside 
the  city,  and  more  than  once  were  called  out,  expecting  an 
attack  from  Rebel  cavalry  hovering  in  the  vicinity. 

The  main  body  of  the  Regiment  was  kept  busy  at  Harrods- 
burg,  scouting,  doing  guard  duty  and  drilling.  The  Confed- 
erate prisoners  were  accustomed  to  watch  the  drill,  and  mani- 
fested much  interest,  heartily  applauding  any  especially  well 
executed  movement,  and  laughing  at  the  occasional  errors  of 
commanders  or  their  men.  One  night  there  was  some  excite- 
ment because  of  the  firing  of  two  shots  from  the  Rebel  hos- 
pitals, the  bullets  whistling  past  some  of  the  camp  guards. 
An  investigation  was  made,  but  no  arms  could  be  found  in  the 
hospitals. 

The  camp  at  Harrodsburg  was  known  as  Camp  Clarke,, 
being  named  in  honor  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Isaac  L.  Clarke. 
Captain  J.  P.  Black,  of  Company  E,  was  assigned  to  duty  as 
Provost  Marshal  of  the  post,  remaining  on  duty  in  that  capac- 
ity for  several  weeks. 

On  the  24th  the  resignation  of  Captain  Thomas  A.  Green, 
of  Company  F,  was  accepted,  and  he  returned  home.  First 
Lieutenant  Charles  E.  Rowan  succeeded  to  the  Captaincy  of 
the  Company,  Second  Lieutenant  Nelson  R.  Simms  was  pro- 


THE  REGIMENT  PUBLISHES  A  NEWSPAPER.  71 

moted  to  First  Lieutenant,  and  Sergeant  William  Dawson  to 
Second  Lieutenant.  This  was  the  first  change  among  the  com- 
missioned officers  after  the  organization  of  the  Regiment, 

On  the  25th  occurred  the  death,  in  hospital,  of  Hiram 
Hollister,  of  Company  B  ;  and  on  the  30th,  at  the  residence 
of  J.  W.  Card  well,  Esq.,  Frank  Fool,  of  Company  E,  died 
from  pneumonia.  The  latter  was  a  brother  of  Lieutenant 
Pool,  of  Company  A. 

During  the  stay  at  Harrodsburg  some  of  the  members  of 
the  Regiment  took  possession  of  the  office  of  The  Kentucky 
Press,  and  set  themselves  at  work  to  publish  a  newspaper, 
issuing  The  Soldier's  Letter.  It  was  a  five-column  paper,  and 
2,500  copies  were  issued.  Captain  George  Hicks,  of  Com- 
pany A,  had  editorial  charge  of  the  publication.  His  assist- 
ants were  Corporals  Christopher  H.  Berg,  of  Company  A, 
Edmund  S.  Stevens,  of  Company  1),  and  John  A.  Boothby, 
of  Company  H,  and  Privates  John  W.  Connor,  James  Ed- 
ward James  and  Anderson  S.  Allison,  all  of  Company  A. 
These  men  were  all  practical  printers.  The  paper  contained  a 
complete  Roster  of  the  Regiment,  a  sketch  of  the  organiza- 
tion, camp  experiences  and  marches  of  the  command  up  to 
that  time  ;  also  brief  biographies  of  the  field  oificers,  a  sketch 
of  Colonel  Daviess,  for  whom  Jo  Daviess  County  was  named, 
a  description  of  Harrodsburg,  several  patriotic  poems,  some 
humorous  communications,  several  illustrations, — including 
the  Williamsburg  lady  with  the  flag  wrapped  about  her, — 
more  or  less  local  news,  and  an  apology  because  the  paper 
was  not  larger  so  that  other  articles,  ready  for  the  press,  might 
be  given  to  the  world  through  its  columns.  The  issue  was 
speedily  exhausted,  the  boys  purchasing  the  paper -at  five 
cents  a  copy  to  send  to  their  friends  at  home.  In  Ib85  several 
members  of  the  Regiment  living  in  the  vicinity  of  Galena, 
111.,  issued  a  duplicate  edition,  and  numerous  copies  of  the 
original  and  the  duplicate  are  to  be  found  among  the  posses- 
sions of  the  soldiers  of  the  Regiment. 

Thursday,  November  27,  the  Regiment  was  ordered  to 
Danville,  but  in  view  of  the  fact  that  it  was  Thanksgiving  Day 
permission  was  given  to  defer  the  move  until  Friday.  Quite 


72  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

liberal  preparations  were  made  for  Thanksgiving,  and  nearly 
all  fared  sumptuously.  The  Ninety-second  Illinois  were  not 
as  fortunate,  being  compelled  to  inarch,  instead  of  celebrating 
the  day  in  camp. 

At  eight  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  Friday,  November  28, 
the  main  body  of  the  Regiment  took  its  leave  of  Harrodsburg 
and  marched  to  Danville,  ten  miles,  in  two  and  one-half  hours. 
Companies  A  and  E  were  left  on  duty  at  the  former  place  for 
a  short  time,  Captain  Hicks  being  in  command  of  the  post, 
and  Captain  Black  continuing  to  act  as  Provost  Marshal.  The 
next  day  Companies  C  and  I,  which  had  been  quartered  in  a 
church  at  Danville,  joined  the  Regiment  in  camp,  a  half  mile 
from  the  village.  About  fifty  men  were  left  in  the  hospital  at 
Harrodsburg,  quite  a  percentage  of  them  having  measles. 
Most  of  the  men  rejoined  the  Regiment  within  a  few  weeks. 
Danville  was  really  a  very  pretty  city  at  that  time,  having 
numerous  large  business  blocks,  churches  and  seminaries,  and 
was  a  stronghold  of  Union  sentiment. 

From  the  28th  of  November  until  the  26th  of  December 
the  Regiment  made  no  general  movement,  but  lay  in  what 
was  named  "Camp  Baird,"  in  honor  of  the  General  command- 
ing the  division.  Company  and  battalion  drill  was  kept  up 
with  as  much  regularity  as  the  weather  would  permit,  and 
inspections  and  dress  parades  were  frequent.  There  was  a 
snow  storm  early  in  December,  and  some  of  the  officers  impro- 
vised a  sleigh,  found  some  sleigh-bells  in  town,  and  enjoyed 
a  ride  about  the  camp  and  in  the  city.  Enlisted  men  con- 
tented themselves  with  snow-balling.  A  few  days  after  the 
arrival  at  Danville,  Colonel  Champion  called  the  men  together 
and  stated  his  wish  to  make  the  guard  details  lighter,  closing 
a  short  address  by  saying  that  if  they  would  promise  not  to 
leave  the  camp  without  permission  he  would  reduce  the  camp 
guard  from  64  to  27.  The  boys  quickly  agreed  to  it,  and  gave 
three  rousing  cheers  for  the  Colonel. 

The  shoddy  pants  before  alluded  to  had  not  been  replaced 
up  to  this  time,  except  in  a  few  cases  where  the  wearers  were 
exposing  too  much  of  their  anatomy,  but  on  the  eleventh  all 
who  needed  trousers  were  supplied.  There  was  much  atten- 


THE  WINTER  QUARTERS  AT  DANVILLE.  73 

tion  given  to  the  personal  appearance  of  the  command  all 
through  the  winter,  perhaps  all  the  more  because  of  the  fact 
that  a  number  of  ladies, — wives  and  mothers  of  the  soldiers.— 
visited  Camp  Baird,  some  of  them  remaining  several  weeks. 

There  was  keen  disappointment  when  news  came  of  the 
disaster  to  the  Union  forces  under  Gen.  Burnside  at  Freder- 
icksburg,  on  the  Rappahannock,  and  the  want  of  success  on 
the  part  of  the  expedition  under  Gen.  Sherman,  sent  against 
Yicksburg.  Up  to  this  time  hopes  had  been  entertained  that 
the  war  might  be  brought  to  an  honorable  close  within  a  few 
months  after  the  calling  out  of  the  600,000,  but  these  reverses 
•convinced  all,  or  nearly  all,  that  the  war  was  to  be  prolonged. 
All  eyes  were  now  turned  toward  the  Army  of  the  Cumber- 
land, then  mainly  in  the  vicinity  of  Nashville,  and  under  the 
command  of  Gen.  Rosecrans.  It  was  understood  that  they 
-would  soon  make  a  forward  movement,  and  there  were  strong 
hopes  that  with  them  it  would  be  victory  and  not  defeat. 

The  little  wedge  tents  were  used  up  to  the  18th  of  Decem- 
ber, at  which  time  Bell  tents  were  drawn,  five  or  six  being 
allowed  to  each  Company.  Prior  to  this,  Company  K  had 
obtained  some  large  Sibley  tents,  found  near  the  battle-field 
•of  Perry ville.  The  men  had  by  this  time  learned  to  make 
themselves  quite  comfortable  in  camp.  Walls  of  various  ma- 
terials, such  as  boards,  rails,  stone  and  brick,  were  built  to 
the  height  of  from  two  to  four  feet,  and  good  fire-places 
with  chimneys  were  constructed  in  nearly  all  of  the  tents. 
A  few  sheet-iron  stoves  were  used.  Sometimes  excavations 
two  or  three  feet  in  depth  were  made,  the  dirt  thrown  out 
being  used  to  bank  up  the  tents.  This  latter  arrangement 
was  deemed  unhealthy,  however,  and  was  discouraged  by  the 
officers  and  surgeons. 

The  large  tents  proved  very  pleasant  and  convenient. 
In  the  evening  each  one  was  a  most  cheerful  place.  Bright 
fires  blazed  in  the  improvised  fire-places,  and  bayonets,  stuck 
in  the  ground,  were  used  as  candlesticks.  From  the  center- 
poles  hung  the  accoutrements,  and  on  racks  built  for  the  pur- 
pose lay  the  shining  Enfield  muskets.  The  men,  lounging  on 
their  blankets  spread  upon  the  clean  straw,  told  stories,  pro- 


74  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

pounded  conundrums,  read,  sang,  or  played  cards,  checkers, 
or  chess,  as  their  humor  dictated,  until  tattoo  and  taps  sent 
them  to  bed.  Thousands  of  letters  were  written  and  received, 
and  the  arrival  of  the  mail  each  day  was  the  signal  for  a  gen- 
eral turnout  of  the  command.  Many  daily  papers  were  taken, 
and  the  soldiers,  during  that  winter  at  least,  knew  what  was 
going  on  throughout  the  country  almost  as  well  as  their  friends 
at  home.  In  the  evening  the  camp,  as  viewed  from  a  little 
distance,  was  a  pretty  scene.  The  tents,  standing  in  regular 
rows,  and  each  lit  up  from  within,  were  a  pleasant  study. 

Early  in  the  month  Lieutenant  C.  A.  Montgomery,  of 
Company  D,  was  detailed  on  the  staff  of  Col.  Cochran,  as 
Brigade  Commissary,  and  Lieutenant  George  W.  Pepoon,  of 
Company  K,  as  Aide  de  Camp. 

Almost  daily  details  were  sent  into  the  country,  often  for 
five  or  six  miles,  to  cut  wood,  which  was  hauled  to  camp  in 
army  wagons.  This  duty  was  quite  severe,  as  the  choppers 
were  required  to  walk  one  way,  and  sometimes  both  ways. 
A  heavy  picket  line  was  established  all  about  the  camp,  but  as 
there  was  no  large  force  of  Rebels  in  the  neighborhood  the 
reserve  posts  were  allowed  to  keep  up  good  fires,  although 
heavy  screens  of  evergreen  were  placed  in  front  of  them  so 
that  they  should  not  be  too  plainly  visible  from  points  outside 
the  lines.  On  a  few  occasions,  when  an  attack  was  appre- 
hended, these  fires  were  extinguished,  to  the  great  discomfort 
of  the  men,  the  long  winter  nights  passing  most  drearily. 

On  the  night  of  December  10  a  rumor  reached  camp  that 
a  portion  of  Morgan's  command  was  in  the  near  vicinity,  and 
Company  C  was  hastily  sent  down  town  to  guard  a  building 
where  ammunition  was  stored.  The  picket  lines  were  doubled 
and  every  preparation  made  to  give  the  noted  cavalryman  a 
warm  reception  should  he  see  fit  to  pay  the  camp  a  visit ;  but 
he  did  not  come,  and  next  day  all  was  quiet.  There  was 
frequent  firing  on  the  picket  lines  at  night,  cattle  and  horses 
wandering  near  the  outposts  being  frequently  mistaken  for 
cavalrymen  by  the  zealous  guards,  and  sometimes  even  trees 
and  stumps  being  tortured  into  imaginary  enemies.  Undoubt- 
edly more  or  less  of  this  shooting  was  purely  wanton,  the 


THE  KOUTINE  OF  DAILY  DUTIES.  75 

men  firing  their  guns  as  much  for  their  own  amusement  as 
because  they  thought  a  real  enemy  was  approaching.  It 
should  be  remembered,  however,  that  many  of  the  soldiers 
were  mere  boys,  from  sixteen  to  eighteen  years  of  age,  and  as 
it  was  known  that  there  were  numerous  bands  of  cavalry  in 
the  neighborhood,  it  is  hardly  to  be  wondered  at  that  in  the 
long  and  weary  watches  they  became  a  little  over-anxious  and 
imagined  any  object  they  might  see  outside  the  lines  a  scout 
or  spy  attempting  to  reach  the  camp.  As  a  rule,  one-third  of 
each  guard  detail  was  kept  on  outpost,  one-third  kept  awake 
and  under  arms  at  the  reserve  post,  and  one-third  allowed  to 
sleep  beside  the  fires. 

All  through  the  winter  the  camp  regulations  were  very 
strict,  no  one  being  allowed  to  pass  the  limits  of  the  camp 
without  written  permission.  Reveille  sounded  every  morning 
at  half-past  five  o'clock.  Roll-call  followed  immediately,, 
every  man  being  required  to  take  his  place  in  line  in  the  Com- 
pany street,  those  failing  to  respond  being  placed  on  extra 
duty.  Then  followed  preparations  for  breakfast,  after  which 
the  grounds  were  thoroughly  policed.  At  half-past  eight 
came  guard-mount,  a  part  of  the  detail  being  assigned  for 
picket  duty,  a  part  for  camp  guard,  and  a  part  for  provost 
duty  in  the  city.  These  latter  men  were  required  to  arrest  all 
citizens  and  soldiers  found  without  written  passes  in  the  day- 
time or  the  countersign  at  night.  At  half-past  nine  Company 
drill  was  begun,  continuing  from  one  to  two  hours.  In  the 
early  afternoon  there  was  Battalion  drill,  and  at  half-past  four 
came  Dress  parade.  At  half-past  seven  occurred  the  final 
roll-call,  and  at  eight  o'clock  came  taps,  which  was  the  signal 
for  all  lights  to  be  out.  After  a  time  the  First  Sergeants  be- 
came a  little  careless  as  to  the  manner  in  which  the  evening 
roll-call  was  responded  to.  It  was  not  that  they  meant  to  be 
willfully  negligent,  but  rather  because  of  their  real  kindness 
of  heart.  At  first  those  who  had  been  on  guard  the  night 
before  were  excused  from  coming  out  arid  forming  in  line  ;  then 
some  soldier  answered  to  the  name  of  another ;  a  stormy 
night  came,  and  the  Sergeants  made  the  usual  noise  in  the 
streets,  while  the  men  answered  from  the  tents  ;  next  night 


76  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

the  same  form  was  gone  through  with,  although  there  was  no 
storm.  A  week  passed  in  this  way,  but  one  evening  the  First 
Sergeants  were  summoned  to  Regimental  Headquarters. 
When  all  had  arrived  Colonel  Champion  made  a  little  speech, 
•which  ran  about  as  follows:  "I  understand  that  there  has 
''  been  some  deviation  from  the  prescribed  rule  in  the  matter 
4 'of  the  evening  roll-call.  I  have  only  this  to  say:  If  the 
•*'  present  First  Sergeants  are  unable  or  unwilling  to  obey  the 
•"  orders  heretofore  made,  I  have  no  doubt  that  I  shall  be  able 
"to  find  men  in  each  Company  who  can  and  will.  Good 
•"evening,  gentlemen." 

The  abrupt  termination  of  the  Colonel's  address  fairly 
•dazed  his  auditors,  but  it  was  not  many  seconds  until  all  had 
filed  out  of  the  tent  into  the  darkness,  each  feeling  very  much 
as  if  he  would  like  to  find  a  very  small  hole  somewhere  into 
which  he  could  crawl.  The  rolls  were  called  in  due  form 
from  that  time  until  active  campaigning  and  thinned  ranks 
rendered  it  unnecessary. 

Christmas  was  spent  quite  pleasantly  in  the  camp,  with 
ample  rations,  and  was  indeed  with  many  quite  a  merry  day. 
Just  after  the  evening  dress  parade,  orders  were  received  to 
march  at  daylight  next  morning.  The  men  who  were  thought 
to  be  unable  to  march  were  sent  to  the  hospitals  in  town, 
•extra  rations  were  issued,  and  everything  put  in  order  for  the 
start.  Between  three  and  four  o'clock  next  morning  reveille 
was  sounded.  Then  followed  breakfast,  after  which  the  tent 
stakes  were  all  drawn,  except  barely  enough  to  hold  the  can- 
vas houses  in  position,  and  at  a  given  signal  every  tent  went 
to  the  ground  and  was  rolled  up  and  placed  in  the  wagons. 
It  was  a  weird  sight  as  that  canvas  village  disappeared.  All 
about  were  blazing  camp-fires,  which  served  to  make  the  out- 
side darkness  more  intense.  The  huge  army  wagons  standing 
here  and  there,  the  men  moving  around  in  the  uncertain  light, 
the  braying  of  the  mules,  the  shouting  of  the  drivers,  the 
sounding  of  the  bugles,  the  rattling  of  the  drums,  the  merry 
faces  of  the  eager  soldiers,  as  they  piled  the  boxes  and  tables 
and  heaped  the  floors  of  the  tents  high  on  the  blazing  fires, 
•destroying  all  the  little  camp  conveniences — not  caring  to 


THE  MARCH  TO  LEBANON  AND  RETURN.  7T 

leave  them  for  the  enemy,  and  not  dreaming  that  they  would 
again  occupy  the  same  ground  within  thirty-six  hours — formed 
a  strange  spectacle,  and  one  not  easily  described. 

At  a  quarter  before  six  o'clock,  and  while  it  was  yet  quite- 
dark,  knapsacks  were  slung  and  the  men  filed  into  line  by 
Companies  and  marched  to  the  parade  grounds.  There  was  a 
little  delay,  but  at  half-past  six  the  column  moved  forward. 
All  were  eager  to  know  the  destination  of  the  Division,  but 
those  who  could  tell  would  not.  The  column,  embracing 
nearly  the  entire  Division,  moved  out  toward  Lebanon,  over 
a  good  macadamized  road.  The  weather  was  mild,  and  in  the 
early  morning  not  unpleasant.  About  nine  o'clock,  however, 
a  drenching  rain  set  in,  increasing  in  violence  and  making  the 
march  a  most  severe  one.  General  Granger  and  his  staff 
were  riding  at  the  head  of  the  column.  They  had  good,  fresh 
horses,  and  were  no  doubt  in  a  hurry  to  get  to  the  end  of  the 
march,  it  seemed  then  as  if  they  had  little  regard  for  the 
comfort  of  the  men,  for  through  that  drenching  rain,  when 
every  moment  made  overcoats  and  knapsacks  heavier,  they 
plodded  on  at  a  fast  walk,  for  miles  together,  without  giving 
them  an  opportunity  for  rest.  Rumor  had  it  that  Morgan 
was  in  the  front,  and  that  this  body  of  troops  was  to  reinforce 
the  garrison  at  Murnfordsville.  Plainly  there  was  great 
haste,  for  rarely  have  men  been  so  o  verm  arched.  It  was  as 
if  infantry  was  trying  to  keep  up  with  cavalry.  Through 
long  miles  the  men  cheered  and  sang  to  keep  up  their  spirits, 
but  as  their  loads  grew  heavier,  their  limbs  tired,  their  feet 
sore,  and  their  judgment  confirmed  their  impression  that  they 
were  being  imposed  upon,  many  of  them  became  moody  and 
marched  in  silence.  The  General  at  last  took  the  hint,  and 
made  several  stops.  At  half-past  two  or  three  o'clock,  the 
rain,  which  had  been  coming  in  torrents,  began  to  abate 
somewhat,  and  when,  at  four  o'clock,  after  traveling  fifteen  or 
sixteen  miles,  the  column  filed  to  the  right  into  a  muddy 
cornfield,  and  ft  was  announced  that  this  was  to  be  the  camp, 
it  had  entirely  ceased  for  the  time  being.  That  was  a  camp 
to  be  remembered.  At  every  step  the  men  sank  into  the 
ground  to  their  shoe-tops.  Strict  orders  were  issued  by  Gen. 


78  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

Granger  against  taking  the  rails  composing  the  fence  for  fuel, 
but  the  officers  commanding  the  Regiment  very  properly  told 
the  men  to  take  the  top  rails  and  that  they  would  be  responsi- 
ble. Fuel  was  actually  essential  to  the  comfort  of  the  troops 
after  such  a  march  and  in  such  a  camp-ground.  Gen.  Granger 
ordered  details  to  be  sent  out  to  chop  wood,  and  a  score  or 
more  of  tired  soldiers  followed  the  wagons  to  the  timber  and 
cut  and  loaded  wood  to  be  brought  to  camp.  They  worked 
hard  and  returned  late  with  their  green  fuel,  that  was  not  to 
be  burned,  for  the  "top  rails"  had  been  used  long  before  the 
wagons  arrived.  The  General  used  some  "cuss"  words  in 
his  discussion  of  the  Volunteer  officers,  but  evidently  con- 
cluded that  discretion  was  the  better  part  of  valor,  and  re- 
frained from  having  any  prolonged  contest  over  the  little 
matter  of  a  few  fence  rails.  A  stack  of  hay,  a  pile  of  straw,  a 
large  quantity  of  cornstalks,  and,  these  failing,  a  stack  of  oats, 
were  carried  into  the  tents  of  the  soldiers,  all  disappearing 
within  twenty  minutes.  In  this  way  the  men  kept  themselves 
out  of  the  mud,  and  it  was  really  surprising  to  see  how  com- 
fortable they  had  made  themselves  within  an  hour  after  their 
tents  were  up.  Hardly  was  the  camp  established  before  the 
rain  again  began  to  fall  in  torrents,  continuing  for  some  hours. 
At  ten  o'clock  in  the  evening  two  regiments  and  a  battery 
were  ordered  forward  to  Lebanon  without  baggage  and  in 
great  haste,  but  before  they  had  started  the  order  was  coun- 
termanded, and  they  returned  to  their  tents. 

In  the  morning  the  weather  was  colder.  There  was  an 
early  reveille  and  breakfast.  Plainly  the  commanding  officers 
were  uncertain  what  to  do,  for  there  was  much  marching  and 
countermarching,  but  within  an  hour  or  two  the  column  was 
headed  for  Danville  and  made  the  march  over  the  ground 
passed  by  them  the  day  before,  camping  at  four  o'clock  in 
the  afternoon  on  the  identical  grounds  they  had  vacated  so 
recently.  How  the  boys  wished  then  that  they  had  not  burned 
their  boxes  and  gun-racks  and  tables  and  tent*  floors  !  How- 
ever, they  made  the  best  of  the  situation,  and  fitted  up  their 
tents  in  good  order.  This  trip  was  very  severe  upon  the  men, 
and  following  it  many  were  sjck.  For  a  time  it  was  supposed 


Two  COMPANIES  SENT  TO  HICKMAN  BRIDGE.  7J> 

tluit  the  movement  was  intended  as  a  diversion  to  hold  the 
Rebel  force  in  Kentucky,  and  prevent  their  reinforcing  Gen. 
Bragg,  then  contending  with  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  at 
Stone's  River.  It  afterward  became  known  that  the  Rebel 
Gen.  Morgan  had  tapped  the  telegraph  wires  and  sent  bogus 
dispatches  to  Gen.  Granger,  hurrying  him  forward  to  Lebanon, 
himself  marching  off' toward  Kentucky  River  at  his  leisure, 
picking  up  more  or  less  horses  and  gathering  in  a  few  recruits. 
A  day  or  two  later  two  Regiments  of  the  Division  repeated 
this  march  to  Lebanon  and  return. 

Tuesday,  December  30,  Companies  B  and  I  were  sent  out 
on  a  scout  to  the  Kentucky  River,  a  battery  of  artillery  accom- 
panying them.  There  were  also  several  infantry  companies 
from  other  regiments,  their  destination  being  Hickman 
Bridge,  about  fifteen  miles  away.  They  had  a  most  disagree- 
able march  in  the  cold  rain  storm.  They  were  absent  from 
the  Regiment  for  some  days,  but  did  not  find  any  organized 
enemy.  On  the  night  of  December  31,  there  was  a  rumor  of 
trouble  on  the  picket  lines,  and  the  men  were  required  to 
sleep  under  arms  all  night.  Next  day  the  teams  were  kept 
harnessed  and  the  men  under  orders  to  be  ready  to  fall  in  at 
a  moment's  notice,  but  still  no  trouble  came. 

On  the  thirtieth  Captain  James  H.  Clark,  of  Company 
G,  resigned  and  returned  home,  whereupon  First  Lieutenant 
David  L.  James  was  made  Captain,  and  Second  Lieutenant 
Benj.  G.  Blowney  was  promoted  to  First  Lieutenant.  An 
election  was  held  for  Second  Lieutenant,  First  Sergeant  Hiram 
W.  Farns worth  and  Sergeant  James  O.  Havens  being  the 
principal  rivals.  The  latter  received  the  most  votes  and  en- 
tered upon  the  duties  of  the  position  ;  but  within  a  few  days, 
and  before  a  commission  had  been  issued,  a  contest  occurred 
in  Company  B  which  resulted  in  a  tie  vote,  whereupon  the 
vote  in  each  Company  was  disregarded,  and,  upon  the  recom- 
mendation of  the  Colonel,  the  Governor  of  the  State  issued 
commissions  to  the  next  in  rank,  and  First  Sergeant  Farns- 
worth  became  Second  Lieutenant,  Sergeant  Havens  being 
-appointed  First  Sergeant. 

Following   these   severe   winter   expeditions   many  were 


80  HISTORY  or  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

prostrated  by  sickness.  From  the  very  organization  of  the 
Regiment  there  had  been  frequent  cases  of  measles,  men  being 
left  sick  with  this  disease  at  almost  every  stopping  place. 
Mumps,  pneumonia  and  typhoid  fever  were  also  common,  and 
deaths  were  very  frequent. 

Those  dying  during  the  month  were,  Henry  H.  Swan,  of 
Company  C,  December  3 ;  John  Chope,  of  Company  D,  De- 
cember 8  ;  Richard  Wilton,  of  Company  D,  December  19 ;. 
Robert  Pollard,  of  Company  K,  December  19  ;  Terhan 
Shaffer,  of  Company  E,  December  29 ;  the  latter  at  Harrods- 
burg  ;  all  of  the  others  at  Danville.  In  several  instances  the 
parents  and  near  friends  of  sick  soldiers  came  to  attend  them, 
but  in  two  or  three  cases  arrived  too  late  to  find  their  loved 
ones  living.  In  most  cases  the  remains  were  taken  North  for 
burial.  It  was  an  invariable  custom  to  provide  a  military 
escort  to  the  grave  in  case  of  local  burial,  and  to  the  express 
office  when  the  bodies  were  sent  home.  Religious  services 
were  held,  and  a  quartet  or  choir  always  furnished  music- 
The  selection  most  frequently  sung  was  : 

OB,  WRAP  THE  FLAG  AROUND  ME,  BOYS. 

Oh,  wrap  the  flag  around  me,  boys, 

To  die  were  far  more  sweet 
With  Freedom's  starry  emblem,  boys, 

To  be  my  winding  sheet. 
In  life  I  loved  to  see  it  wave 

And  follow  where  it  led, 
And  now  my  eyes  grow  dim,  my  hands 

Would  clasp  its  last  bright  shred. 

CHORUS. — Then  wrap  the  flag  around  me,  boys, 

To  die  were  far  more  sweet 
With  Freedom's  starry  emblem,  boys, 
To  be  my  winding  sheet. 

Oh,  I  had  thought  to  greet  you,  boys, 

On  many  a  well-won  field, 
When  to  our  starry  banner,  boys, 

The  trait'rous  foe  should  yield. 
But  now,  alas  !  I  am  denied 

My  dearest  earthly  prayer  ; 
You'll  follow  and  you'll  meet  the  foe, 

But  I  shall  not  be  there. 


GEORGE    HICKS. 


MAJOR   AND   BREVET    COLONEL. 


r,' 


1  'On,  WRAP  THE  FLAG  AROUND  ME,  BOYS."  81 

But  though  my  body  moulder,  boys, 

My  spirit  will  be  free. 
And  every  comrade's  honor,  boys, 

Will  still  be  dear  to  me. 
There,  in  the  thick  and  bloody  fight, 

Ne'er  let  your  ardor  lag, 
For  I'll  be  there,  still  hov'ring  near, 

Above  the  dear  old  flag  ! 


82  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


The  Negro  Question  —  Waiting  for  News  from  Stone's  River  —  Drilling 
Resumed  —  Visitors  in  Camp  —  Pay-day  Arrives — Eleven  Deaths  in 
a  Single  Month  —  A  Heavy  Winter  Storm — Changes  Among  the 
Officers  —  An  Eighty-five  Mile  March  to  Louisville  —  Aboard  the 
Transports — The  Arrival  at  Fort  Donelson — The  Second  Battle  at 
that  Historic  Point — Up  the  Cumberland  to  Nashville. 

UP  to  the  close  of  the  year  1862  the  slavery  question  con- 
tinued to  be  a  fruitful  theme  of  discussion  ;  indeed,  for  some 
time  following  that  date  the  subject  was  the  occasion  of 
numerous  orders  by  both  the  civil  and  the  military  author- 
ities, and  a  fruitful  source  of  argument  with  both  citizens  and 
soldiers.  On  one  or  more  occasions  at  Danville  there  was  a 
public  sale  of  negroes,  which  was  quite  largely  attended  by 
soldiers.  Not  all  of  the  spectators  were  impressed  alike  by 
the  strange  spectacle  of  a  human  being  on  the  auction  block, 
although  to  the  majority  there  came  a  feeling  of  indignation 
that  was  not  attempted  to  be  concealed.  But  the  time  was  at 
hand  when  the  Emancipation  Proclamation  was  to  settle  some 
of  the  problems  of  the  war,  and  to  destroy  the  value  of  the 
negro  as  "property."  Meanwhile  there  were  more  or  less 
incidents  occurring  that  served  to  show  the  terrible  spirit  of 
the  hateful  institution.  On  one  occasion,  at  Danville,  Ky., 
Captain  Rewan  and  Sergeant  Lee,  of  Company  F,  went  to  the 
hotel  to  take  dinner.  The  Captain's  waiter,  or  servant,  a  col- 
ored man  whom  he  had  hired,  accompanied  them,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  carrying  some  supplies  back  to  camp,  and  waited  out- 
side while  they  ate  dinner.  On  returning  to  the  office  at  the 
close  of  the  meal  the  Captain  looked  in  vain  for  the  colored 
man.  The  office,  or  bar-room,  was  filled  with  citizens,  who 
seemed  rather  amused  than  otherwise  at  the  Captain's  in- 
quiries as  to  the  whereabouts  of  the  missing  "contraband." 
After  some  delay  the  Captain  drew  a  revolver  and  suggested 


How  CAPT.  ROWAN  RESCUED  A  COLORED  MAN.          83 

that  he  proposed  to  secure  the  information  requested  without 
delay.  Seeing  that  the  officer  meant  what  he  said,  some  of  the 
bystanders  vouchsafed  the  information  that  a  "nigger"  had 
been  seen  there,  but  as  he  did  not  seem  to  have  any  owner, 
and,  moreover,  as  that  office  was  intended  for  ' '  gentlemen " 
and  not  for  "niggers,"  the  intruder  had  been  treated  precisely 
as  a  stray  animal  would  be  at  the  North,  and  was  in  the 
"pound."  Rowan  was  a  resolute  fellow,  and  demanded  that 
the  "gentleman"  who  had  caused  the  servant's  imprisonment 
should  immediately  take  steps  looking  to  his  return  to  the 
hotel.  Very  little  attention  was  given  to  this  demand,  al- 
though it  was  evident  that  the  visitors  were  somewhat  troubled 
over  the  situation.  There  was  a  moment  of  painful  silence, 
which  was  broken  by  the  sound  of  a  scuffle  in  the  hall  leading 
from  the  dining  room.  The  guests  had  not  noticed  that  Ser- 
geant Lee,  a  powerfully  built  man,  several  inches  over  six  feet 
in  height,  and  as  strong  and  resolute  as  he  was  large,  had 
disappeared  from  the  scene,  until  the  Captain  bade  them  a 
pleasant  "good  day,"  and  passed  into  the  hall  and  out 
through  the  front  door.  In  a  moment  the  crowd  followed. 
Arriving  on  the  street  they  were  somewhat  taken  back  to  see 
Lee  and  the  Captain  walking  toward  camp  with  the  head- 
waiter  of  the  hotel  safely  in  their  clutches,  the  white  apron 
fluttering  in  the  wind,  and  the  bare-headed  servant  making  a 
feeble  show  of  resistance.  Instantly  the  hotel  man  started  in 
pursuit,  remonstrating  against  their  taking  his  most  valuable 
"nigger."  "Bring  back  my  servant  and  you  can  have  yours," 
was  Captain  Rowan's  reply.  It  did  not  take  long  for  the 
boniface  to  make  up  his  mind  that  he  could  not  trifle  with  his 
Yankee  guests,  and  an  exchange  was  speedily  arranged  and 
quickly  carried  out.  This  was  but  one  of  several  incidents 
that  had  amusing  features  in  them. 

In  a  certain  temporary  camp  in  Kentucky,  in  the  autumn 
of  1862,  a  couple  of  citizens  approached  two  soldiers  of  the 
Regiment,  and,  after  some  parleying,  made  an  offer  of  $100 
if  the  soldiers  would  deliver  two  colored  men  who  were  in  the 
camp  into  their  custody.  The  proposition  was,  that  at  a  given 
hour  the  negroes  should  be  brought  to  a  designated  spot  in  the 


84  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

woods  not  far  from  a  certain  spring.  The  soldiers  agreed  to- 
consider  the  matter  and  let  them  know.  Once  away  from  their 
tempters  the  boys  began  to  reason  concerning  the  matter. 
The  inducement  was  certainly  a  strong  one.  One  of  the  boys 
suggested  that,  as  pay-day  had  been  long  deferred,  it  would  be 
very  handy  just  then  to  be  able  to  send  $100  to  his  mother, 
who  really  needed  the  money,  and  remarked  that  the  negroes- 
would  have  no  trouble  in  running  away  again  if  they  cared 
much  for  their  freedom.  Still  they  were  a  little  loth  to  sur- 
render these  escaped  slaves  into  bondage,  and  had  some  com- 
punctions of  conscience.  But  they  reflected  that  it  was  not 
much  worse  for  them  to  force  the  citizens  into  a  contract  that 
might  be  advantageous  to  the  soldiers  than  it  had  been  for  the 
citizens  to  force  the  negroes  to  labor  through  long  years  with- 
out compensation.  As  the  result  of  their  deliberations  they 
concluded  to  demand  $200  of  the  citizens,  and  at  the  same 
time  secure  the  liberty  of  the  escaped  slaves.  In  accordance 
with  the  plan  formed,  they  took  two  comrades  into  the  secret, 
told  the  negroes  of  what  they  proposed  to  do,  and  notified  the 
citizens  that  for  $200  they  would  surrender  the  fugitives. 
This  proposition  was  accepted  and  the  plan  carried  out.  After 
the  $200  had  been  received  by  the  soldiers  the  citizens  started 
off  with  their  slaves,  the  latter  apparently  feeling  greatly  dis- 
tressed. They  had  gone  but  a  short  distance  when  the  soldiers 
who  had  been  taken  into  the  secret  suddenly  sprung  out  from  a 
clump  of  bushes,  confronted  the  citizens  with  a  pair  of  revolv- 
ers, demanded  that  they  raise  their  hands  and  stand  perfectly 
still,  and  called  to  the  colored  men  to  run  for  camp.  All  of 
the  orders  were  obeyed,  and  the  negroes,  in  accordance  with 
previously  arranged  plans,  left  that  part  of  the  country  in  the 
early  evening,  and  were  not  seen  again  until  the  Regiment  took 
up  its  line  of  march  the  next  morning  and  had  proceeded  for 
some  miles. 

The  writer  does  not  seek  to  justify  this  action,  but,  as  a 
faithful  historian,  can  hardly  omit  to  mention  the  circum- 
stance. 

New  Year's  Day,  1863,  was  bright  and  pleasant,  and  there 
was  considerable  jollity  in  camp.  Col.  Atkins,  of  the  92d 


PAY-DAY  AND  THE  PAYMASTER.  85 

Illinois,  was  serenaded  and  responded  with  a  pleasant  speech, 
which  was  listened  to  by  a  large  portion  of  his  own  command 
and  the  NINETY-SIXTH  Regiment.  At  this  time  there  were  a 
number  of  visitors  to  the  camp  from  both  Lake  and  Jo  Daviess 
counties,  several  ladies  among  the  number,  most  of  the  latter 
being  the  wives  of  officers.  On  the  third,  Companies  I  and 
B  came  in  from  their  Kentucky  River  scout.  From  that  time 
until  January  26  there  was  no  move  on  the  part  of  the  Regi- 
ment. There  was  considerable  drilling,  the  men  taking  up 
the  bayonet  exercise. 

It  was  the  understanding  that  pay-day  in  the  army  should 
come  once  in  two  months.  However  this  may  have  been 
the  paymaster  did  not  come  as  frequently  as  that.  He  had 
been  long  expected  and  once  had  arrived  in  camp,  but  as  it 
was  just  at  the  time  of  the  Lebanon  expedition  he  did  not 
remain  to  pay  off  the  troops,  going  to  another  camp,  and 
returning  to  Danville  January  15.  Pay-day  had  been  so  long 
deferred  that  it  was  hoped  and  expected  that  he  would  pay 
the  men  up  to  December  31.  The  Government  had  been 
very  heavily  taxed,  however,  and,  being  short  of  funds, 
instructed  the  paymasters  to  settle  up  all  accounts  to  October 
31,  1862.  Most  of  the  men  had  overdrawn  their  clothing 
accounts,  so  that  the  amount  received  by  the  privates  was 
generally  about  twenty  dollars, — a  very  small  sum  for  men 
with  families  at  home  dependent  in  any  considerable  measure 
upon  their  wages  for  support. 

There  'was  quite  a  heavy  storm  prevailing  throughout  a 
considerable  part  of  the  15th  and  16th  of  January, — a  severe 
rain  being  succeeded  by  sleet  and  snow.  The  trees  were 
coated  with  ice  for  several  days,  and  the  ground  thickly  cov- 
ered with  snow.  As  a  consequence  the  camp  was  left  in  bad 
condition,  and  there  was  but  little  drilling  during  the  remain- 
der of  the  stay  at  Danville. 

The  unfavorable  news  from  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  in 
December,  when  the  Union  forces  were  obliged  to  retire  from 
Fredericksburg  and  the  Rappahannock,  after  sustaining  a  loss 
not  compensated  for  in  direct  results,  had  been  a  great  disap- 
pointment to  all,  for  it  was  confidently  hoped  that  with  the 


86  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

heavy  reinforcements  that  had  been  sent  to  Gen.  Burnside 
from  the  troops  enlisted  during  the  summer  and  autumn,  that 
oft-baffled  army  would  be  able  to  overcome  all  obstacles  and 
make  its  way  to  Richmond.  The  disappointment  over,  all 
eyes  were  turned  toward  Gen.  Rosecrans  and  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland,  who  were  reported  to  have  moved  out  from 
Nashville  in  search  of  the  enemy,  determined  to  drive  him 
to  a  less  threatening  position  than  that  which  he  had  occu- 
pied for  some  months.  But  the  news  was  slow  in  comingy 
while  anxiety  deepened  as  the  days  went  by.  At  last  word 
came  that  the  advance  had  been  entirely  successful,  and  that 
the  advantages  gained  had  been  very  decided.  About  the 
same  time  the  report  gained  currency  that  the  armies  under 
Gens.  Grant  and  Sherman  had  captured  Vicksburg,  and  there 
was  great  rejoicing,  but  the  latter  report  proved  untrue. 

The  First  Sergeants  again  became  a  little  lax  in  their 
duties,  and  for  a  night  or  two  some  of  the  Companies  turned 
out  for  evening  roll-call  without  arms.  The  eyes  of  the 
officers  at  Regimental  Headquarters  were  open,  however,  and 
the  Orderlies  were  summoned  to  the  Adjutant's  tent,  and  that 
official  gave  those  who  had  violated  the  rule  of  the  camp  a 
little  time  for  reflection,  placing  them  under  arrest,  but  sub- 
sequently releasing  them  without  punishment.  Another  time 
they  were  given  a  lecture  upon  the  subject  of  reporting  their 
Companies  on  dress  parade  as  "all  present  or  accounted  for," 
when,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  more  or  less  of  those  who  should 
have  been  present  were  not  in  line.  However,  the  relations 
between  the  Adjutant  and  the  First  Sergeants  were  never 
strained  or  unpleasant,  but  the  latter  learned  that  they  must 
not  trifle  with  their  superior  officers  or  neglect  their  full  duties 
in  matters  of  this  kind. 

A  part  of  the  time  flour  was  issued  to  the  men  in  lieu  of 
bread,  but  the  results  were  not  entirely  satisfactory.  Some  of 
the  Companies  effected  an  exchange  with  a  local  bakery,  and 
were  fairly  pleased,  while  others  detailed  men  to  do  the 
baking.  Later  on  these  men  became  experts,  and  many  a 
brick  oven  was  constructed,  excellent ' '  soft  bread  "  being  made 
by  the  Company  cooks. 


FREQUENT  DEATHS. — RESIGNATIONS  AND  PROMOTIONS.     87 

Toward  the  close  of  the  stay  at  Camp  JBaird  the  weather 
was  so  cold  and  disagreeable,  and  the  camp  ground  became 
so  wet  and  muddy,  that  the  camp  guard  was  dispensed  with 
for  a  night  or  two.  The  men  were  obliged  to  remain  inside 
their  tents  and  keep  up  rousing  fires  in  order  to  have  any 
comfort.  Fortunately  the  mails,  which  had  been  missent  to 
Cairo  and  Memphis  for  some  weeks,  were  returned  about  this 
time,  and  as  a  result  almost  every  man  had  a  handful  of 
letters  and  a  bundle  of  papers  with  which  to  while  away  the 
otherwise  tedious  hours.  Cards  were  also  used  a  great  deal, 
and  an  occasional  game  of  "chuck-luck"  was  indulged  in, 
particularly  during  the  week  following  the  visit  of  the  pay- 
master. 

Sickness  continued  to  weaken  the  Regiment  all  through 
the  month,  and  deaths  among  members  of  the  command  were 
very  frequent.  Not  all  died  at  Danville,  for  a  few  had  been 
sent  to  hospital  elsewhere,  or  had  been  left  at  points  where  the 
Regiment  had  previously  camped.  James  M.  Beall,  of  Com- 
pany A ;  James  Brown,  Alfred  Collins  and  George  Rix,  of 
Company  B ;  Corporal  Edwin  A.  Bartles  and  Samuel  Clem- 
ents, of  Company  C  ;  William  Hubbard  and  Brainard  E. 
Strong,  of  Company  E  ;  Leroy  Demmon  and  Freeman  James, 
of  Company  G,  and  James  D.  Lester,  of  Company  K,  all  died 
in  January,  or  during  the  early  days  of  February.  The 
remains  of  nearly  all  were  taken  North  for  burial,  but  a  few 
were  interred  in  the  public  cemetery  at  Danville. 

Chaplain  Jonathan  M.  Clendenning  resigned  on  the  twen- 
ty-third, and  his  place  was  not  filled  for  several  weeks. 
Owing  to  the  protracted  illness  of  Surgeon  Charles  Martin 
and  Second  Assistant  Surgeon  Daniel  A.  Sheffield,  Captain 
David  Salisbury,  of  Company  B,  who  was  a  physician,  was 
detailed  to  assist  First  Assistant  Surgeon  Evans  in  the  care  of 
the  sick.  First  Lieutenant  Rollin  H.  Trumbull,  of  Company 
B,  resigned,  and  Second  Lieutenant  Allen  B.  Whitney  suc- 
ceeded to  the  place  thus  made  vacant.  An  election  was  ordered 
for  Second  Lieutenant,  which  resulted  in  a  tie  between  Cor- 
porals Wait  and  Folsom,  whereupon  the  Colonel  recommended 
to  Governor  Yates  that  First  Sergeant  Evangelist  J.  Gilmore 


88  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  1. 

be  commissioned,  which  was  done.  Colonel  Champion  was 
quite  ill  for  a  time,  and  took  up  quarters  in  town,  leaving  the 
Regiment  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Clarke. 
A  number  of  the  line  officers  were  also  sick,  and  took  up  quar- 
ters at  private  houses. 

Sunday,  January  25,  marching  orders  were  received,  the 
destination  being  Louisville,  Ky.  All  soldiers  not  able  to 
march  were  sent  to  the  hospitals  in  the  city,  and  the  usual 
preparations  made  for  breaking  camp.  Six  days'  rations  were 
issued,  a  considerable  part  of  the  provisions  being  loaded 
upon  the  wagons.  Many  were  the  regrets  at  leaving  Danville, 
for  during  the  two  months  in  which  the  Regiment  had  been 
camped  there  most  of  the  officers  and  a  few  of  the  enlisted 
men  had  formed  pleasant  acquaintances  among  the  loyal 
people  of  the  town. 

Monday,  Januarj^  26,  reveille  sounded  at  half-past  three 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  the  camp  speedily  became  full  of 
activity.  A  start  was  made  at  half-past  six,  the  column  pass- 
ing out  through  Danville  and  Harrodsburg,  the  latter  place 
being  passed  about  noon.  As  the  Division  was  to  march 
toward,  and  not  away  from,  its  base  of  supplies,  there  was  an 
abundance  of  transportation  for  all  baggage,  and  the  knap- 
sacks of  the  men  were  loaded  upon  the  wagons  belonging  to 
the  Brigade  supply  train.  This  was  a  great  relief  to  the  men, 
and  enabled  them  to  march  more  comfortably  and  more  rapidly 
than  they  otherwise  could  have  done.  It  was  understood  that 
Louisville  must  be  reached  by  Saturday  night,  and  as  the  dis- 
tance was  about  eighty-five  miles,  this  would  make  the  daily 
average  a  little  more  than  fourteen  miles.  The  time  was 
shortened,  however  ;  the  first  day's  march  being  about  seven- 
teen miles,  the  column  going  into  camp  at  a  little  after  two 
o'clock,  near  Salvisa.  The  day  was  thoroughly  disagreeable, 
a  rain-storm  prevailing  much  of  the  time,  and  lasting  through- 
out the  night,  turning  into  snow  next  day.  The  pikes  were 
in  good  condition,  so  that  the  mud  was  not  deep,  but  the  road 
was  wet  and  slippery,  and  covered  to  the  depth  of  an  inch  or 
two  with  a  limestone  paste  about  the  consistency  of  thin  mor- 
tar. The  camp  ground  for  the  night  seemed  to  have  been 


THE  MARCH  TO  LOUISVILLE.  89 

strangely  selected,  for,  in  a  region  full  of  meadows,  and  where 
the  ground  was  broken  so  as  to  admit  of  abundant  drainage, 
the  Regiment  was  halted  in  a  plowed  field  so  badly  drained 
that  water  was  standing  on  many  parts  of  the  ground.  For- 
tunately there  were  some  oat  stacks  near  at  hand,  which 
were  speedily  taken  into  the  tents,  and  the  men  were  able  to 
make  themselves  comfortable  beds. 

Tuesday,  January  27,  found  the  camp  early  astir,  and  at 
seven  o'clock  a  start  was  made.  The  teams  had  a  trying  time 
in  getting  from  the  camp  ground  to  the  pike,  and  large  details 
of  men  were  required  to  lift  upon  the  wheels,  or  unload  the 
wagons  that  were  hopelessly  stalled  in  the  mud.  This  occa- 
sioned some  delay,  but  once  fairly  started  the  march  was 
rapid,  and  by  three  o'clock  seventeen  miles  had  been  reeled 
off.  The  day  being  cold  and  snowy  a  ration  of  whisky  was 
issued  about  noon.  This  was  the  first  occurrence  of  this  kind 
in  the  Regiment's  experience.  That  night  there  was  consider- 
able forage  in  camp,  the  men  ascertaining  from  negroes  who 
of  the  residents  in  the  vicinity  were  disloyal,  and  then  levying 
contributions  from  the  poultry  houses  and  sweet  potato  bins. 

Wednesday,  January  28,  the  Second  Brigade  had  the 
advance,  the  14th  Kentucky  leading,  and  the  NINETY-SIXTH 
being  next.  The  Kentuckians  were  veterans,  and  had  made 
many  long  marches.  As  they  left  camp  in  the  morning  they 
declared  their  intention  of  leaving  their  Illinois  comrades 
long  before  night.  Taking  a  long,  swinging  gait  that  well 
befitted  the  immediate  posterity  of  Daniel  Boone,  they  counted 
oft  the  miles  so  rapidly  that  it  soon  began  to  tell  upon  their 
own  number,  for  the  stragglers  were  quite  as  numerous  from 
the  leading  regiment  as  from  the  one  immediately  following. 
The  grit  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  was  up,  and  they  crowded  hard 
upon  the  heels  of  their  leaders,  ever  and  anon  calling  to  them 
to  go  faster.  But  such  work  was  senseless,  and,  after  a  time, 
the  officers  used  their  authority  to  check  the  speed  somewhat, 
but  by  two  o'clock,  at  which  time  the  head  of  the  column  went 
into  camp,  a  distance  of  eighteen  miles  had  been  traveled. 
The  men  were  thoroughly  tired  and  heartily  glad  when  camp 
was  reached.  The  principal  towns  passed  during  the  day  were 


90  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

Hardinsville  and  Clayville.  During  the  march  whisky  was 
again  issued.  The  snow  had  fallen  to  a  depth  of  three  or 
four  inches,  and  it  was  necessary  to  scrape  it  from  the  ground 
before  the  tents  could  be  made  comfortable.  To  those  who 
were  strong  and  well  marching  in  the  mud  and  camping  in  the 
snow  was  hard  and  tiresome  enough,  although  many  were  in 
excellent  spirits  and  made  the  camp  merry  with  song  and 
shout ;  but  in  each  Company  were  a  few  who  were  weak  and 
ill,  and  for  such  these  experiences  were  very  trying. 

Thursday,  January  29,  the  Second  Brigade  was  at  the  rear 
of  the  column,  the  NINETY-SIXTH  leading  the  Brigade.  There 
was  no  foolish  racing,  but  a  leisurely  march  of  seventeen 
miles,  camp  being  reached  at  four  o'clock.  The  villages 
passed  were  Shelbyville  and  Boston,  the  former  the  reputed 
home  of  the  hero  of  "Uncle  Tom's  Cabin." 

Friday,  January  30,  the  NINETY-SIXTH  had  the  rear  of  the 
entire  column,  and  did  not  leave  camp  until  eight  o'clock. 
The  day  was  pleasant,  and  for  the  first  time  since  leaving 
Danville  the  command  had  the  sunshine  in  which  to  march. 
Middletown  was  passed  early  in  the  day,  and  the  outskirts  of 
Louisville  reached  at  three  o'clock,  where  a  halt  was  made  for 
the  night,  the  command  having  made  about  fifteen  miles. 
The  entire  trip  was  made  in  a  day  less  than  had  been  antici- 
pated. The  artillery  did  not  halt,  but  went  immediately  to 
the  boats.  The  14th  Kentucky  was  here  detached  from 
the  Brigade,  Col.  Cochran  being  assigned  to  an  independent 
command  in  his  own  State.  This  necessitated  a  change  of 
Brigade  Commanders,  and  Col.  Smith  D.  Atkins,  of  the  92d 
Illinois,  being  next  in  rank,  assumed  command.  Colonel 
Champion,  who  had  come  from  Danville  by  stage  and  rail, 
here  rejoined  the  Regiment.  Word  was  received  of  the  death, 
at  Danville,  of  Lieutenant  Montgomery,  of  Company  D,  who 
had  been  left  ill,  but  who  had  not  been  regarded  as  in  a  criti- 
cal condition  until  two  days  before  the  Regiment  started.  The 
announcement  caused  universal  sorrow,  for  he  had  from  the 
first  been  one  of  the  most  popular  officers  in  the  line.  In  his 
last  hours  he  was  attended  by  his  wife,  who  on  the  first  intel- 
ligence of  his  illness  .had  started  for  the  South.  The  vacancy 


THE  REGIMENT  EMBARKS  FOR  NASHVILLE.  91 

occasioned  by  the  death  of  Lieutenant  Montgomery  was  filled 
by  the  promotion  of  Lieutenant  Hastings;  First  Sergeant 
Theodore  F.  Clarkson  being  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant. 
Saturday,  January  31,  the  command  marched  some  three  or 
four  miles  to  the  landing  and  halted.  After  some  consultation 
the  Regiment  was  divided,  the  right  wing — Companies  A,  F, 
D,  I  and  C — going  upon  the  steamer  "R.  B.  Hamilton;"  and 
the  left  wing — Companies  H,  E,  K,  G  and  B — going  upon 
the  steamer  "Nashville."  Colonel  Champion  and  Adjutant 
Blodgett  accompanied  the  right  wing,  and  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Clarke  and  Major  Smith  the  left  wing.  Then  began  the  work 
of  loading  the  camp  equipage.  There  were  large  details  to  take 
the  wagons  to  pieces  and  stow  them  away,  together  with  the 
tents,  mess-chests,  extra  ammunition  and  rations,  in  the  holds 
and  upon  the  decks  of  the  vessels.  The  mules  and  horses 
were  placed  upon  the  lower  decks,  and  the  soldiers,  packed 
as  thickly  as  they  could  well  be,  occupied  such  space  as 
was  not  filled  with  baggage.  The  work  of  loading  required 
nearly  the  entire  day.  Fires  were  built  on  shore,  and  the  cooks 
spent  the  time  in  boiling  the  rations  of  meat,  it  being  under- 
stood that  there  would  be  little  or  no  opportunity  to  cook  any- 
thing but  coffee  on  the  trip.  How  tired  the  men  became  of 
"cooked  rations."  Everything  was  "boiled,"  usually  until 
overdone  or  scorched,  and  the  rations  became  terribly  dis- 
tasteful, especially  to  men  who  were  half  sick  or  homesick, — 
and  there  were  many  of  either  kind.  The  homesickness 
seemed  to  have  increased  as  the  troops  neared  "God's  coun- 
try, "  as  the  soldiers  were  ever  wont  to  call  the  region  north 
of  the  Ohio  River.  Those  who  were  seriously  unwell  were 
taken  to  hospitals  ;  others  were  allowed  in  the  cabin,  such 
staterooms  as  were  not  required  by  the  officers  being  assigned 
to  those  regarded  by  the  Surgeons  as  least  able  to  endure  the 
rigors  of  the  deck  passage.  So  great  was  the  discontent,  that 
in  every  regiment  in  the  Division  there  were  a  few  desertions. 
When  the  rolls  were  made  out,  February  1,  the  NINETY-SIXTH. 
was  ten  men  short,  that  number  having  left  between  Danville 
and  Louisville,  or  while  passing  Smithland  ;  several  others 
leaving  on  the  trip  a  few  days  later,  at  or  near  Fort  Donelson. 


92  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

Strict  orders  had  been  given  that  no  negroes  be  taken 
aboard  the  boats,  but  the  officers  assumed  that  they  had  a 
right  to  take  their  hired  employes,  regardless  of  color,  and  set 
them  at  work  to  help  in  carrying  the  baggage  aboard.  Once 
on  the  boat,  few  of  the  negroes  left,  and  those  who  did  were 
not  compelled  to,  but  acted  as  they  chose  in  the  matter. 
Other  regiments  had  a  great  deal  more  trouble  with  the 
negro  than  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  but  it  is  doubtful  if  many  regi- 
ments aided  more  slaves  in  escaping  from  bondage. 

During  Saturday  and  Sunday  all  the  troops  in  the  Divis- 
ion were  loaded  on  the  large  fleet  of  transports.  The  steam- 
ers took  on  coal,  filled  up  any  unoccupied  space  in  their  holds 
with  government  stores,  and  during  the  night  dropped  down 
the  Ohio  River  about  ten  miles,  and  tied  up  on  the  Indiana 
shore  until  morning,  when  a  large  amount  of  baled  hay  was 
taken  aboard,  the  bales  being  set  up  on  end  to  protect  the 
boilers  in  case  of  an  attack  from  the  shore.  The  pilot  houses 
were  protected  by  boiler  iron.  During  Monday  more  coal 
was  taken  on,  at  Cannelton,  Ind.  The  weather  at  this  time 
was  thoroughly  disagreeable,  rain  and  snow  alternating,  and 
the  wind  blowing  fiercely.  Those  who  had  been  assigned 
to  quarters  upon  the  upper  decks  found  their  positions  well 
nigh  unendurable  ;  indeed,  most  of  them  gave  up  trying  to 
keep  warm  there,  and  sought  refuge  in  the  holds  of  the 
steamers,  where  they  could  at  least  be  out  of  the  wind. 

On  Tuesday  Evansville  and  Shawneetown  were  passed, 
.and  early  in  the  afternoon  the  mouth  of  the  Cumberland 
River  was  reached.  Up  to  the  time  of  leaving  Louisville 
there  had  been  much  speculation  as  to  the  destination  of  the 
-command,  some  thinking  that  the  Division  was  to  be  sent  to 
reinforce  Gen.  Grant  or  Gen.  Sherman,  then  operating  on  the 
Mississippi,  and  others  firm  in  the  opinion  that  Nashville  and 
the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  were  to  receive  this  substantial 
reinforcement.  But  at  Smithland  all  doubt  was  set  aside.  It 
had  been  announced  that  the  boats  would  tie  up  for  the  night 
at  the  last-named  point ;  but  the  sullen  sound  of  distant  can- 
non could  be  heard,  and  they  kept  on  through  the  night  up 
the  Cumberland,  for  word  had  been  received  that  the  enemy, 


INCIDENTS  OF  THE  TRIP  UP  THE  CUMBERLAND.  93 

in  large  force,  was  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Donelson.  Only 
meager  particulars  could  be  learned,  for  the  wires  were  cut 
almost  as  soon  as  they  had  begun  their  report,  and  refused 
to  give  up  the  story  of  the  unequal  contest.  All  through  the 
long  night  the  fleet  kept  on  its  way  up  the  river.  The  tiring  had 
ceased,  but  there  was  considerable  apprehension  as  to  the  fate 
of  the  Union  troops.  At  the  first  dawning  of  the  morning 
there  were  many  on  deck,  watching  the  precipitous  bluffs  that 
formed  the  river  bank.  The  wind  was  still  cold  and  bleak, 
but  at  many  points  these  bluffs  were  so  high  and  the  river  so 
narrow  that  there  was  some  protection  from  the  chilling  blasts. 
Those  so  fortunate  as  to  have  money  treated  themselves  to  a 
good  "square  "meal  in  the  cabin  at  occasional  intervals  on 
the  trip,  but  the  great  majority  were  obliged  to  content  them- 
selves with  cold  boiled  meat,  hard  bread  and  coffee.  On  -the 
morning  of  the  third,  James  Shay,  of  Company  E,  was  mis- 
sing. As  there  had  been  a  number  of  desertions,  he  was 
supposed  to  have  left  the  boat  voluntarily,  but  those  who 
knew  him  best  felt  certain  that  he  was  not  a  man  who  would 
desert,  and  there  can  be  little  doubt  that,  unobserved,  he  fell 
overboard  during  the  night  and  met  death  by  drowning. 

Wednesday,  February  4,  as  the  boats  steamed  up  the  river 
many  bales  of  hay  were  noticed  floating  about.  A  mule 
jumped  overboard  from  one  of  the  boats  and  swam  to  the 
shore,  his  struggles  in  the  water  being  watched  with  keen 
interest.  The  soldiers  concluded  that  he  must  be  a  "  deserter. " 
The  men  were  kept  ready  for  a  fight,  standing  at  arms  ail 
day.  It  was  expected  that  the  boats  would  be  fired  on  from 
the  shore,  as  it  was  known  that  Wheeler's  Cavalry  had  started 
out  with  the  intention  of  cutting  off  the  fleet  and  preventing 
its  passage  to  Nashville,  if  possible.  The  landing  at  Dover, 
a  little  above  Fort  Donelson,  was  made  at  about  four  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon.  Before  this  point  was  reached  there  was 
considerable  anxiety  as  to  the  outcome  of  the  engagement  of 
the  day  before.  The  cannon  had  been  heard  plainly  at  Smith- 
land,  and  as  it  was  known  that  Wheeler  had  a  heavy  force, 
while  there  was  but  a  single  regiment  at  Fort  Donelson,  it 
was  feared  that  this  point  might  be  found  in  possession  of  the 


"94  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

enemy.  Proper  caution  was  observed,  however,  a  portion  of 
the  92d  Illinois  being  landed  from  one  of  the  advance  boats, 
and  moved  forward  until  a  house  was  reached  and  reliable 
information  obtained  to  the  effect  that  Gen.  Wheeler  had  been 
badly  defeated,  and  that  Fort  Donelson  was  still  in  possession 
of  the  Federals.  This  fact  ascertained,  the  fleet  moved  on, 
and  tied  up  at  the  landing  near  which,  just  a  year  before,  the 
first  substantial  victory  of  the  war  had  been  achieved  by  the 
Union  forces.  The  soldiers  scrambled  from  the  boats  as  soon 
as  the  gang  planks  were  lowered,  to  learn  the  news  and  ascer- 
tain how  the  troops  had  fared  in  the  battle  of  Tuesday.  The 
particulars  of  that  second  battle  of  Fort  Donelson  are  matters 
of  history.  Nine  Companies  of  the  83d  Illinois,  numbering 
about  650  men,  under  the  admirable  leadership  of  Col. 
Harding,  and  assisted  by  a  single  battery  of  artillery  and  a 
32-pound  rifled  siege  gun,  successfully  held  in  check  8,000 
cavalry  and  mounted  infantry  under  Gens.  Wheeler  and 
Forrest.  Going  out  for  quite  a  distance  they  harrassed  them 
with  a  deadly  skirmish  fire  all  the  afternoon  and  until  half-past 
eight  o'clock  in  the  evening,  falling  back  from  time  to  time  as 
necessity  compelled.  The  ground  all  about  Dover  was  strewn 
with  the  dead,  and  all  of  the  houses  were  filled  with  the 
wounded.  It  is  a  fact  that  the  Federals  killed  and  wounded 
more  of  the  enemy  than  it  carried  muskets,  about  200  dead 
being  buried  by  them,  and  several  hundred  wounded  falling 
into  their  hands.  The  loss  of  the  83d  Illinois  was  13  killed 
and  51  wounded.  The  13th  Wisconsin,  which  had  been 
stationed  at  Fort  Henry,  twelve  miles  distant,  had  marched 
over  to  Fort  Donelson,  and  many  of  them  were  gathered  near 
the  landing  to  watch  the  boats  as  they  arrived.  Of  a  sudden 
there  was  a  glad  cry  of  joy  from  one  of  the  boats,  and  Franc 
Milheiser,  of  Company  C,  was  seen  rushing  to  the  shore, 
where  he  seized  a  sturdy  soldier  from  the  13th,  hugging  him 
and  manifesting  every  feeling  of  delight.  Nor  did  the  soldier 
seem  averse  to  this  unusual  treatment,  for,  while  less  demon- 
strative, he  was  none  the  less  pleased,  and  when  Franc  began 
the  work  of  introducing  him  to  the  officers  and  his  particular 
friends  as  "mein  boy,"  all  felt  to  rejoice  with  them  at  the 


THE  SECOND  BATTLE  AT  FOKT  DONELSON.  95 

pleasure  afforded  by  this  entirely  unexpected  meeting  of  father 
and  son. 

Large  details  were  at  work  gathering  fcup  the  dead  and 
wounded,  or  digging  long  trenches  in  which  to  bury  the  brave 
but  misguided  men  who  yielded  up  their  lives  in  the  hard- 
fought  battle.  During  the  night  following  the  engagement 
the  air  was  bitter  cold,  and  snow  fell  to  quite  a  depth,  so  that 
the  wounded  left  upon  the  field  suffered  greatly.  Many  of  the 
dead  were  found  frozen  to  the  ground.  Dead  or  disabled 
horses,  in  large  numbers,  were  found  all  through  the  woods, 
and  it  was  evident  that  the  enemy  had  been  severely  punished. 
Especially  brilliant  does  this  feat  of  the  Union  arms  appear 
when  it  is  remembered  how  great  was  the  disparity  in  num- 
bers, the  attacking  force  outnumbering  those  .assailed  at  least 
ten  to  one,  and  the  battle  being  fought  almost  wholly  outside 
the  intrenchments.  Just  at  the  last,  one  or  more  gunboats 
came  up  and  aided  the  defenders,  but  even  before  their  arri- 
val the  enemy  had  been  well  whipped  and  were  in  retreat. 

The  last  of  the  fleet  did  not  arrive  at  the  Fort  until  Friday. 
This  gave  those  curiously  disposed  an  opportunity  to  visit  the 
scene  of  Grant's  memorable  battle  of  February,  1862 ;  it 
being  announced  that  the  enemy  had  retreated,  so  that  it  was 
entirely  safe  to  do  so,  many  took  long  walks  over  the  entire 
field,  bringing  back  to  the  boats  numerous  mementoes  of  the 
"battle.  There  were  still  many  marks  of  the  terrible  contest, 
arms,  accoutrements,  haversacks  and  other  articles,  rendered 
useless  in  the  conflict  or  thrown  off  by  wounded  men,  lying 
here  and  there  all  about  the  large  area  over  which  the  waves 
of  battle  had  swept,  with  fragments  of  tents  and  blankets, 
and  an  occasional  bit  of  faded  blue,  where  some  desperately 
wounded  Union  soldier  had  torn  off  a  portion  of  his  clothing 
that  the  blood  might  be  staunched. 

Friday,  February  6,  at  a  little  before  noon,  the  boats 
sounded  the  call  for  all  to  come  on  board,  and  by  the  middle 
of  the  afternoon  all  were  steaming  up  the  river  in  the  direc- 
tion of  Nashville.  The  boats  were  lashed,  two  and  two,  those 
on  which  were  the  two  wings  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  being  side 
by  side.  There  were  seven  gunboats  and  more  than  thirty 


96  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

transports  in  the  fleet.  The  gunboats  were  distributed  through 
the  fleet,  two  being  in  the  lead,  two  in  the  rear,  and  the  others 
near  the  center.  Occasionally  they  shelled  the  timber  along 
the  shore  to  drive  out  any  force  that  might  attempt  to  inter- 
cept them  ;  but  there  was  no  response  to  their  noisy  saluta- 
tions, and  the  long  line  passed  on  in  safety  and  in  triumph. 

There  were  a  few  exciting  episodes,  as  when  the  "Hamil- 
ton," crowded  suddenly  forward  by  her  consort,  struck  the 
flagship  "Prioress,"  on  which  was  Gen.  Baird  and  staff',  with 
such  force  as  to  cause  some  damage  to  either  craft.  Not  all 
of  these  captains  had  volunteered  their  services  or  the  use  of 
their  vessels  for  this  trip,  and  not  all  were  loyal  to  the  Gov- 
ernment. Among  those  known'  to  be  positively  disloyal  was 
the  Captain  of  the  ' '  Nashville, "  and  it  was  believed  that  this 
collision  was  not  only  intentional  on  his  part,  but  far  less  seri- 
ous than  he  had  meant  to  have  it.  On  the  earty  part  of  the 
trip  it  came  to  the  knowledge  of  Colonel  Clarke  that  there 
was  serious  discontent  on  the  part  of  the  men  of  his  com- 
mand, and  an  effort  making  to  induce  a  large  number  of  them 
to  desert  when  the  boat  should  touch  some  point  on  the  Illi- 
nois shore.  Satisfied  that  the  captain  of  the  boat  was  aiding 
in  the  work  of  fomenting  the  discord,  he  quietly  stationed 
some  armed  men  near  the  pilot  house,  giving  them  positive 
orders  to  shoot  the  pilot  and  the  captain  should  they  see  any- 
thing to  indicate  an  attempt  to  land  the  boat  except  where 
others  in  the  fleet  were  stopping,  or  should  they  fail  to  follow 
closely  the  lead  of  the  vessel  in  its  front.  After  this  collision 
with  the  "Prioress"  the  guard  was  renewed,  and  the  captain 
given  to  understand  that  his  life  was  not  held  in  high  estima- 
tion by  the  military  authorities.  It  would  seem  that  he  should 
have  been  held  to  an  account  for  his  actions,  but  it  is  doubtful 
if  a  case  could  have  been  made  against  him. 

It  was  a  splendid  sight  as  that  magnificent  fleet  of  steam- 
ers, like  some  triumphal  procession,  moved  steadily  forward 
up  the  winding  Cumberland.  Regimental  colors  were  un- 
furled, and  when  the  weather  was  not  too  cold  the  decks  were 
fairly  blue  with  officers  and  soldiers.  All  through  the  night 
of  the  sixth,  and  until  five  o'clock  on  the  afternoon  of  the 


E.   A.   BLODGETT, 


ADJUTANT. 


1863]  THE  ARRIVAL  AT  NASHVILLE.  97 

seventh,  the  stately,  floating  column  proceeded  on  its  way, 
finally  reaching  Nashville  at  the  hour  named,  the  troops  hav- 
ing traveled  nearly  550  miles  upon  the  steamers. 

The  forenoon  of  Sunday,  February  8,  was  occupied  in 
unloading  the  boats  and  putting  the  wagons  together.  In  the 
afternoon  the  NINETY-SIXTH  marched  out  past  Fort  Negley, 
and  went  into  camp  near  what  was  called  Fort  Jackson,  some 
three  or  four  miles  from  Nashville,  at  the  left  of  the  railroad 
and  the  Franklin  Pike,  but  a  short  distance  from  where, 
almost  two  years  later,  they  were  to  make  one  of  the  most 
brilliant  and  successful  charges  of  the  war. 


98  HlSTOKY  OF  THE  96TH  E-EGIMENT,   ILL.   V.   I. 


CHAPTER    VII. 


The  Irrepressible  Conflict  with  Greybacks — A  Half  Dozen  Promotions — 
Policing  the  Camp  Grounds — A  Brigade  Dress  Parade — Resolutions 
Adopted  by  the  Regiment — The  Sound  of  Cannon — The  Movement 
to  Franklin — Disaster  to  Coburn's  Brigade — The  Duck  River  Cam- 
paign— Frequent  Alarms,  and  Fighting  Near  at  Hand — Ten  Days  at 
Brentwood — Heavy  Fatigue  and  Guard  Duty — A  Man  in  Company 
F  Killed  on  the  Picket  Line — The  Paymaster  in  Camp— Shelter  Tents 
Received — How  the  Month  of  May  Passed — The  Nine  Months'  Fever. 

AT  Nashville  began  the  fight  with  that  pestiferous  little 
insect  known  among  military  men  as  the  "greyback."  True, 
a  few  had  made  his  acquaintance  before,  but  his  presence  had 
not  been  general  until  the  Regiment  left  the  boats  and  reached 
the  old  camp  grounds  near  the  city.  From  that  time  forward, 
whatever  else  the  command  may  have  been  short  of,  there 
was  seldom  a  time  when  it  was  not  abundantly  supplied  with 
this  very  numerous  and  exceedingly  industrious  camp  fol- 
lower. It  was  one  of  the  serious  annoyances  of  army  life, 
and  no  amount  of  care  on  the  part  of  the  soldier  could  long 
rid  him  of  the  pest.  The  very  ground  seemed  to  be  alive  with 
them,  particularly  if  it  was  a  region  that  had  been  previously 
occupied  by  either  army,  and  the  boiling  of  the  clothing  and 
the  most  diligent  and  unwearied  "  skirmishing  "  on  the  part  of 
the  soldier  served  at  best  only  to  keep  them  in  check,  without 
exterminating  them  ;  for  two  or  three  nights  and  days  of  active 
service,  in  which  the  clothing  could  not  be  removed,  gave 
ample  assurance  that  the  pest  was  still  there.  Nor  were  the 
officers  exempt  from  the  attentions  of  this  unwearied  worker, 
for  they,  too,  shared  the  annoyance  of  the  bite  and  the  pleas- 
ure that  came  from  scratching,  and  were  also  subjected  to  the 
necessity  of  an  occasional  "skirmish,"  as  the  work  of  hunt- 
ing through  the  seams  of  the  soldier's  nether  garments  was 
called. 


1863]  ANSWERING  THE  SICK  CALL.  99 

The  long  trip  upon  the  river  had  served  to  cause  more  or 
less  sickness,  cases  of  jaundice  being  especially  frequent. 
Not  a  few  were  compelled  to  go  to  the  hospitals  direct  from 
the  boats,  and  others  within  a  few  days  after  the  march  to 
camp.  The  cold,  disagreeable  weather  which  had  prevailed 
throughout  the  trip  gave  way  to  a  few  warm,  pleasant  days, 
not  unlike  what  might  have  been  expected  two  months  later. 
Advantage  was  taken  of  this  to  put  the  camp  in  prime  condi- 
tion, a  large  area  being  policed.  It  was  interesting  to  watch 
the  process  of  cleaning  up  a  camp  ground.  The  men  were 
sent  to  the  woods  for  brush  with  which  to  make  their  brooms, 
these  being  constructed  by  tying  bushes  together.  Then  a 
long  line  of  soldiers  would  sweep  off  the  ground  in  their  front, 
clearing  up  the  entire  camp  from  the  line  of  the  cooks'  fires 
to  the  color-line,  and  often  for  a  considerable  distance  beyond. 
The  NINETY-SIXTH  had  by  this  time  learned  to  take  pride  in 
having  its  grounds  neat,  and  although  a  few  always  grumbled, 
most  of  the  men  did  their  work  cheerfully  and  well. 

Drilling  was  at  once  resumed,  and  the  camp  presented  an 
animated  scene  whenever  the  weather  would  permit  of  the 
maneuvering  of  troops  with  comfort  to  officers  and  men. 
About  this  time  occurred  several  changes  among  the  officers. 
Surgeon  Charles  Martin  and  Second  Assistant  Surgeon  Daniel 
A.  Sheffield,  who  had  been  absent  from  the  Regiment  for  a 
few  weeks  because  of  ill  health,  both  resigned,  leaving  the 
service  February  6.  Their  places  were  not  filled  for  some 
time,  the  work  of  caring  for  the  sick  falling  almost  wholly 
upon  First  Assistant  Surgeon  Moses  Evans.  His  duties  for 
some  weeks  were  very  arduous,  for  the  daily  sick  call  was 
responded  to  by  a  large  number  of  men,  variously  afflicted. 
It  was  a  pitiable  sight  to  see  a  half  dozen  or  more  from  each 
Company  dragging  themselves  up  to  the  Surgeon's  tent  each 
morning,  many  of  them  thin  and  haggard,  some  suffering 
from  dysentery,  others  coughing  violently,  and  still  others  yel- 
low from  malaria.  Perhaps  at  no  other  time  in  the  history  of 
the  command,  excepting  at  the  time  of  or  immediately  follow- 
ing a  battle,  was  there  so  much  required  of  the  Surgeon. 


100  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  1. 

The  changes  among  the  line  officers  in  February  were 
three.  Second  Lieutenant  Reuben  L.  Root,  of  Company  H, 
resigned  on  the  sixth,  and  was  succeeded  by  First  Sergeant 
Joseph  L.  Pierce.  First  Lieutenant  Addison  B.  Partridge,  of 
Company  C,  resigned  on  the  sixteenth,  and  was  succeeded  by 
Second  Lieutenant  William  M.  Loughlin,  First  Sergeant  Chas. 
W.  Earle  being  promoted  to  Second  Lieutenant.  Captain 
David  Salisbury,  of  Company  B,  resigned  on  the  seventeenth. 
First  Lieutenant  Allen  B.  Whitney  was  made  Captain,  Second 
Lieutenant  Evangelist  J.  Gilmore  was  promoted  to  First 
Lieutenant,  and  First  Sergeant  George  H.  Burnett  to  Second 
Lieutenant.  All  of  these  newly  promoted  officers  entered 
upon  their  duties  at  once,  although  none  of  them  were  mus- 
tered until  April  4. 

The  14th  Kentucky  having  been  left  in  Louisville,  the  84th 
Indiana  and  the  40th  Ohio  were  assigned  to  the  Brigade,  Col. 
Atkins  still  remaining  the  senior  Colonel  and  retaining  com- 
mand. On  the  seventeenth  the  Brigade  was  ordered  to  move 
to  Franklin,  but  before  the  hour  of  starting  the  order  was 
countermanded.  A  few  days  later  Col.  Coburn's  Brigade 
made  the  march.  February  25  the  camp  was  moved  about  a 
half  mile  toward  Nashville,  and  three  days  later  it  was  again 
moved  a  short  distance,  to  a  beautiful  piece  of  ground  owned 
by  Mrs.  Governor  Aaron  Y.  Brown.  A  mass  meeting  was 
held  in  Nashville  on  the  twenty-third,  speeches  of  the  most 
enthusiastically  loyal  character  being  made  by  Parson  Brown- 
low  and  others.  Many  from  the  Regiment  attended,  and 
returned  greatly  pleased  with  the  stirring  addresses  to  which 
they  had  listened.  This  meeting  was  intended  as  a  celebra- 
tion of  Washington's  Birthday,  having  been  postponed  for  a 
day  because  of  the  fact  that  the  twenty-second  came  on  Sun- 
day. The  artillery  about  Nashville  did  not  wait  for  Monday, 
but  tired  a  salute  on  Sunday  in  honor  of  "The  Father  of  his 
Country." 

Sunday,  March  1,  there  was  a  grand  dress  parade,  the  five 
Regiments  composing  the  Brigade  participating,  and  Col. 
Atkins,  the  Brigade  commander,  receiving  the  salutes  and 


1863]  PATRIOTIC  RESOLUTIONS  ADOPTED.  101 

afterward  making  a  patriotic  speech.     The  NINETY-SIXTH  occu- 
pied the  left  of  the  line. 

Monday,  March  2,  was  in  some  respects  a  memorable  day. 
As  before  stated,  the  Emancipation  Proclamation,  issued  two 
months  before,  had  been  the  cause  of  much  discussion  among 
the  officers  and  men.  In  many  of  the  Regiments,  and  parti- 
cularly in  those  from  the  State  of  Kentucky,  there  had  been 
great  dissatisfaction,  and  desertions  were  quite  frequent. 
Those  who  were  opposed  to  the  Proclamation  were  often  loud 
in  their  denunciation  of  the  President,  and  active  in  their 
attempts  to  produce  and  extend  dissatisfaction  among  such  of 
their  comrades  as  they  could  influence.  There  was  danger 
that  this  continuous  agitation  and  these  expressions  of  dis- 
content would,  in  time,  have  an  unfavorable  influence  upon 
the  men,  and  that,  even  though  they  did  not  induce  still 
further  desertions,  they  would  at  all  events  discourage  and  dis- 
hearten those  who  had  not  well-founded  opinions  upon  the 
question  of  slavery.  To  meet  this  growing  discontent  a  meet- 
ing of  the  Field,  Staff  and  Line  Officers  of  the  Brigade  was 
held  at  Brigade  Headquarters  at  nine  o'clock  A.  M.,  Col.  Smith 
D.  Atkins,  of  the  92d  Illinois,  being  called  to  the  chair,  and 
Adjt.  I.  C.  Lawver  acting  as  Secretary.  After  some  discussion 
a  committee  was  appointed  to  draft  resolutions  expressive  of 
the  sentiments  of  those  present.  The  committee  retired,  and, 
after  considering  the  subject  carefully,  presented  the  follow- 
ing preamble  and  resolutions  : 

WHEREAS,  We,  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  this  command,  have,  in 
common  with  our  comrades  in  arms,  cheerfully  periled  our  lives  and  every 
earthly  interest,  to  save  to  ourselves  and  to  our  posterity  a  country  and 
a  government,  the  same  which,  in  historic  times,  were  bought  with  blood, 
and  established  by  that  quality  of  wisdom  which,  though  human,  seems 
divine ;  and, 

WHEREAS,  A  number  of  intriguing  demagogues  at  home  have 
recently,  by  word  and  act,  sought  to  create  disaffection  among  us,  block 
the  wheels  of  wise  legislation,  excite  discontent  in  the  public  mind,  and, 
in  every  way,  to  baffle  all  earnest  efforts  to  conquer  the  rebels  ;  therefore, 

Resolved,  That  we  hold  in  utter  detestation  that  clique  of  miscreants 
in  the  loyal  States,  who,  under  the  garb  of  assumed  loyalty,  use  the 
stolen  revenue  of  arch  treason  to  excite  petty  treason  in  their  own  com- 
munities ;  who  have  no  censures  save  for  the  officers  of  our  government ; 
no  complaints,  save  that  energetic  measures  are  employed  to  crush  the 


102  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

rebellion ;  no  aspirations,  save  to  embarrass  our  Executive  and  Legisla- 
tive Departments,  and  engender  mutinies  in  our  armies  ;  and  no  hopes, 
save  for  an  ignoble  peace  and  the  substantial  triumphs  of  the  rebels  ; 
that  we  regard  them  as  enemies  of  our  country  and  mankind,  who,  to 
accomplish  their  hellish  purposes,  would  not  hesitate  to  blot  forever  from 
the  hopes  of  man  the  cherished  thought  of  self-government  ;  and  that 
they  merit  the  scorn  of  all  loyal  citizens  and  true-hearted  soldiers,  com- 
bining, as  they  do,  the  deep  guilt  of  the  traitor  with  the  essential  mean- 
ness of  the  coward. 

Resolved,  That,  despite  the  frenzied  efforts  of  our  foes  before  us,  and 
the  despicable  intrigues  of  our  other  foes  behind  us,  we  will  abate  not 
one  jot  of  faith  or  hope  ;  but,  believing  the  maintenance  of  our  govern- 
ment is  worth  all  the  cost  expended  in  its  establishment,  we  emphatically 
assure  all  traitors  at  home,  that  not  until  we  have  undergone  a  seven 
years'  struggle  (if  need  be)  will  we  cease  this  contest,  and  not  until  we 
have  experienced  such  sufferings  as  were  bravely  endured  at  Valley 
Forge  will  we  begin  to  murmur.  By  all  the  sacrifices  already  made  and 
hardships  endured  by  us  ;  by  all  the  sufferings  of  our  comrades  in  hospi- 
tal and  camp  ;  by  all  the  precious  blood  which  has  encrimsoned  our  east- 
ern and  western  waters ;  by  all  the  hearths  made  desolate,  and  heart-strings 
rent  asunder,  because  of  this  wicked  rebellion,  we  do  solemnly  pledge 
our  honor  as  Americans  and  soldiers  to  see  this  contest  through  to  a  suc- 
cessful issue,  or  yield  up  our  lives  a  willing  sacrifice  to  our  country's  weal. 

Resolved,  That  we  are  utterly  opposed  to  any  armistice  or  cessation 
of  hostilities  until  our  glorious  flag  of  thirty-four  stars  waves  triumph- 
antly from  the  dome  of  every  capitol  in  our  land. 

Resolved,  That  we  fully  and  unequivocally  indorse  the  policy  of  our 
civil  rulers,  in  using  all  necessary  means  to  strike  decisive  blows  at  the 
unholy  rebellion,  and  to  bring  the  war  to  a  speedy,  sure  and  glorious  ter- 
mination, so  that  traitors  in  the  South  may  meet  with  deserved  punish- 
ment, and  damnable  traitors  in  the  North  may  be  brought  to  a  terrible 
justice,  "  that  hemp  be  not  created  in  vain." 

Resolved,  That  to  the  loyal  millions  who  encourage  us  in  our  efforts, 
who  sympathize  with  us  in  our  hardships,  and  who  rejoice  with  us  in  the 
success  of  our  armies,  we  tender  such  heartfelt  gratitude  as  soldiers, 
facing  a  hostile  foe,  only  can  feel. 

Resolved,  That  to  Governor  Todd,  of  Ohio  ;  Governor  Morton,  of 
Indiana ;  and  Governor  Yates,  of  Illinois,  we  extend  our  hearty  thanks 
for  their  ceaseless  labors  in  behalf  of  the  soldiers  from  their  respective 
States. 

That  evening,  at  dress  parade,  the  NINETY-SIXTH  was 
formed  in  a  hollow  square,  and  the  resolutions  were  presented 
by  Captain  Hicks,  of  Company  A.  The  captain  was  a  good  elo- 
cutionist, and  read  them  admirably,  awakening  intense  enthu- 
siasm in  the  ranks.  As  soon  as  the  reading  was  concluded, 
Colonel  Champion  delivered  a  brief  but  earnest  address,  and 


1863]  THE  SOUND  OF  CANNON.  103 

then  called  out:  "As  many  of  the  soldiers  of  the  NINETY- 
SIXTH  ILLINOIS  as  indorse  the  resolutions  just  read,  will  mani- 
fest it  by  saying  '  aye.' '  The  ayes  were  numerous  and  enthu- 
siastic, but,  strange  to  say,  not  universal.  In  an  instant  the 
Colonel  commanded:  "Sergeants,  take  your  Companies  to 
quarters."  The  officers  were  kept  together  for  a  few  moments 
and  then  went  to  their  tents.  That  night,  in  every  tent,  there 
was  a  long  discussion  of  the  resolutions.  In  the  light  of  after 
events  it  is  difficult  to  comprehend  how  it  was  that  any  Union 
soldier  should  think  for  a  moment  of  opposing  them,  but  the 
fact  remains  that  there  was  most  strenuous  objections  on  the 
part  of  a  few,  quite  a  percentage,  even  of  the  members  of  the 
Illinois  Regiments,  not  favoring  the  absolute  emancipation  of 
the  slaves.  Colonel  Champion  caused  to  be  forwarded  to  the 
Chicago  papers,  and  also  to  the  papers  in  Lake  and  Jo  Daviess 
Counties,  copies  of  the  resolutions,  and  stated  that  they  were 
adopted  by  the  NINETY-SIXTH  Regiment  "  without  a  dissenting 
voice."  This  was  literally  true,  but  the  Colonel  afterward 
•declared  that  he  dared  not  put  the  negative  for  fear  the  nays 
would  be  so  numerous  as  not  to  look  well  for  a  Regiment 
from  the  State  which  was  President  Lincoln's  home.  All  of 
the  Regiments  in  the  Brigade  adopted  the  resolutions,  but  not 
all  "without  a  dissenting  voice." 

Tuesday,  March  3,  the  command  was  notified  to  be  ready 
to  march  at  a  moment's  notice,  as  the  Brigade  under  Col. 
Coburn  had  moved  out  from  Franklin,  and  was  likely  to  have 
a  fight.  There  was  Company  and  Battalion  drill,  but  the  men 
were  kept  close  at  hand  and  ready  to  move  if  called  upon. 

Next  day  there  was  a  wild  report  in  camp  to  the  effect  that 
Gen.  Grant  and  Gen.  Sherman  had  just  been  terribly  beaten 
in  the  vicinity  of  Vicksburg,  with  a  loss  of  20,000  men. 
Fortunately  this  report  proved  entirely  untrue. 

Thursday,  March  5,  the  south  wind  wafted  to  the  camp 
the  sound  of  distant  cannon.  The  troops  were  busy  at  their 
•drill,  but  the  ominous  sounds  sent  them  back  to  camp,  where 
they  awaited  orders.  Their  conversation  was  in  a  little  lower 
tones  than  usual,  and  there  was  somewhat  less  of  levity  in 
the  camp  than  was  the  custom.  About  two  o'clock  in  the 


104  HISTORY  OF  THE  96rra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

afternoon  Col.  Atkins  galloped  over  to  the  camp,  exchanged 
a  few  words  with  Colonel  Champion,  and  then  rode  away. 
Soon  after  his  brief  call  orders  were  given  to  prepare  to  move 
to  Franklin  immediately.  Tents  were  struck  and  loaded  upon 
the  wagons,  the  sick  sent  to  the  city,  and  the  column  marched 
to  the  railroad  in  front  of  the  camp. 

In  a  little  while  a  train  arrived  and  took  on  board  the  84th 
Indiana,  and  the  92d  and  115th  Illinois  Regiments.  The 
NINETY-SIXTH  remained  in  bivouac  until  about  ten  o'clock  in 
the  evening,  and  then,  together  with  the  40th  Ohio,  clambered 
into  the  freight  cars.  The  men  were  crowded  as  thickly 
together  as  possible,  all  being  obliged  to  stand.  As  a  conse- 
quence they  could  get  little  rest  during  the  four  or  five  hours 
required  to  make  the  eighteen  miles.  A  few  took  "deck 
passage,"  riding  on  top  of  the  cars.  The  road  was  none  of 
the  best,  the  train  was  heavily  loaded  and  the  locomotive 
was  so  worn-out  that  it  was  frequently  stalled,  hardly  mak- 
ing a  single  grade  in  the  run  without  stopping,  backing 
down  and  having  a  long  wait  for  steam.  A  heavy  rain-storm 
set  in  early  in  the  night,  and  when,  between  two  and  three 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  a  final  stop  was  made,  and  the  tired 
troops  alighted  from  the  cars  in  a  cornfield,  the  ground  was 
thoroughly  soaked,  although  the  storm  had  abated  somewhat. 
The  tents  and  all  of  the  camp  equipage  had  been  left  at  Nash- 
ville, so  that  the  men  had  no  protection.  Some  threw  them- 
selves upon  the  ground,  wrapping  their  blankets  about  them, 
and  getting  such  sleep  as  was  induced  by  sheer  exhaustion. 
Others  stood  around  the  camp  fires,  waiting  for  the  morning 
and  wondering  what  it  would  bring.  All  agreed  that  the 
probabilities  pointed  to  an  early  engagement.  Up  to  this 
time  there  had  been  only  surmises  as  to  how  the  battle  of  the 
day  before  had  gone,  but  in  the  morning  the  worst  fears  of  all 
were  realized,  for  it  was  learned  from  the  men  remaining  at 
Franklin  that  nearly  the  entire  Brigade  sent  out  on  the  recon- 
noissance  toward  Spring  Hill  had  been  made  prisoners  by  the 
•enemy.  The  advance  made  by  this  Brigade  -had  been  ordered 
by  Gen.  Rosecrans,  through  Gen.  Gilbert — the  latter  being  in 
command  at  Franklin, — the  intention  being  that  they  should 


1863]  AN  UNFORTUNATE  ADVANCE.  105 

march  direct  to  Spring  Hill,  and  then  move  to  the  left  to  meet 
a  force  that  had  been  sent  out  from  Murfreesboro.  It  had 
been  supposed  that  Spring  Hill  was  occupied  merely  as  a 
picket  post,  and  that  the  main  body  of  Rebels  was  at  Colum- 
bia. Col.  Coburn's  surprise  was  therefore  great  when, 
about  three  miles  out,  he  met  a  large  force  of  the  enemy 
inarching  toward  Franklin.  Deploying  his  troops  he  moved 
forward,  the  cavalry  falling  back  in  his  front.  He  soon 
became  satisfied  that  his  force  was  greatly  outnumbered, 
and  so  informed  Gen.  Gilbert.  Receiving  orders  to  continue 
the  forward  movement  he  advanced  for  some  distance,  and 
then  went  into  camp  for  the  night,  at  the  same  time  sending 
word  that  he  believed  his  position  a  critical  one,  and  urging 
that  reinforcements  be  sent  him.  He  was  peremptorily 
ordered  to  advance,  however,  and  did  move  forward  next 
morning,  only  to  find  a  large  force  upon  his  front  and  flanks. 
Again  he  sent  word  to  Gen.  Gilbert  that  it  was  sheer  despera- 
tion to  assume  the  offensive  with  his  single  Brigade  ;  but 
the  order  to  advance  was  repeated,  with  the  intimation  that 
to  do  otherwise  would  be  to  show  that  he  was  a  coward. 
Cut  to  the  quick  by  the  taunt,  Col.  Coburn  moved  forward  to 
Thompson's  Station,  and  made  a  gallant  fight,  but  was  soon 
hemmed  in  on  every  side,  and,  after  some  ineffectual  attempts 
to  cut  his  way  out,  concluded  that  it  was  inhuman  to  further 
sacrifice  the  brave  men  under  his  charge,  and  surrendered, 
first  exhausting  his  limited  supply  of  ammunition.  His  cav- 
alry, a  battery  of  artillery,  and  his  train  and  train  guards 
retreated  in  time,  and  reached  Franklin  in  safety ;  but  about 
two-thirds  of  the  22d  Wisconsin,  eight  companies  of  the  19th 
Michigan,  and  all  of  the  33d  and  85th  Indiana, — 1,800  or  2,000 
in  all, — were  captured.  After  events  fully  confirmed  Col. 
Coburn's  belief  that  there  were  15,000  rebels  in  the  army  with 
which  he  had  been  contending  with  his  force  of  perhaps  2,500 
men.  The  prisoners  were  sent  to  Richmond  and  paroled, 
returning  to  Tennessee  in  June  following. 

At  the  time  of  the  arrival  of  the  Brigade  to  which  the 
NINETY-SIXTH  belonged  there  were  in  Franklin  only  Gen.  Gil- 
bert's Division,  a  few  cavalry,  one  battery,  a  small  number  of 


106  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

stragglers,  some  sick  and  wounded  men,  and  a  remnant  of  the 
22d  Wisconsin,  which  had  effected  their  escape  from  the  enemy 
just  before  the  surrender  by  Col.  Coburn.  The  tents,  con- 
taining much  of  the  baggage  of  the  captured  Regiments,  were 
still  standing  and  looked  lonesome  and  deserted  enough. 

The  NINETY-SIXTH,  with  the  other  Regiments  of  the  Bri- 
gade, stood  about  in  the  mud  and  rain  during  all  of  Friday  ; 
but  just  at  dusk  the  wagons  arrived  from  Nashville,  tents  were 
pitched,  and  the  night  was  passed  in  a  semi-comfortable  way. 
The  camp  was  located  near  the  railroad  track,  on  the  north 
side  of  the  river,  and  a  half  mile  distant  from  the  village. 
The  surroundings  were  pleasant,  and  as  this  region  figures 
quite  extensively  in  the  Regiment's  history,  it  should  be  briefly 
described.  To  the  rear,  looking  in  the  direction  of  Nashville, 
the  country  was  broken,  high  points  being  numerous.  The 
most  conspicuous  of  these  was  Roper's  Knob,  a  bold  peak 
used  as  a  station  by  the  Federal  Signal  Corps.  This  was  a 
half  mile  or  more  from  camp.  Just  to  the  left  of  camp  the 
railroad  wound  through  a  deep  cut,  emerging  from  this  depres- 
sion a  short  distance  below.  The  pike  leading  to  Nashville 
was  a  short  distance  to  the  right.  To  the  front  and  left,  on 
the  north  bank  of  the  river,  was  the  beginning  of  what  after- 
ward became  a  formidable  earthwork,  known  as  Fort  Granger. 
On  the  south  bank  of  the  river  was  clustered  the  pleasant 
village  of  Franklin.  From  the  village,  roads  or  pikes  led  in 
various  directions,  and  from  the  height  on  which  the  camp  was 
located  a  fair  view  of  the  open  fields  beyond  the  village  could 
be  had.  Near  the  camp  were  a  few  large  houses,  mostly  of 
brick.  There  were  heavy  bodies  of  timber  in  all  directions, 
but  generally  at  quite  a  distance  from  the  camp.  On  the  open 
fields,  stretching  to  the  southward  from  the  village  and  in 
plain  view  from  this  camp,  was  to  be  fought,  long  months 
afterward,  one  of  the  most  desperate  battles  of  the  war,  and 
in  that  battle  the  Regiment  was  to  have  a  part ;  but  this  was 
not  to  be  until  it  had  marched  and  fought,  again  and  again, 
far  to  the  southward. 

Saturday,  March  7,  it  was  confidently  expected  that  an 
advance  would  be  made,  and  throughout  the  forenoon  the 


1863]  Two  MEN  MADE  PRISONERS.  107 

troops  held  themselves  in  readiness  to  leave  camp  at  a 
moment's  notice.  The  wind  blew  a  gale  all  day.  Extra 
.ammunition  was  issued,  and  the  arms  of  the  men  were  in- 
spected to  make  sure  that  all  were  in  fighting  trim.  During 
the  afternoon,  it  having  become  apparent  that  there  would  be 
no  forward  movement  that  day,  several  members  of  the  Regi- 
ment asked  and  obtained  permission  to  visit  Roper's  Knob. 
Two  of  them, — James  Pimley  and  Patrick  Conway,  both  of 
Company  F, — went  from  the  Knob  to  a  house  near  by  to 
procure  some  butter,  and  were  captured  by  a  squad  of  the 
enemy's  cavalry  that  chanced  to  be  scouting  in  the  neighbor- 
hood. They  were  the  first  members  of  the  Regiment  cap- 
tured. Both  were  exchanged,  and  returned  in  time  to  take 
part  in  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  where  Pimley  was  killed 
and  Conway  seriously  wounded.  For  a  more  circumstantial 
account  of  their  experiences  reference  is  made  to  the  chapter 
on  "Prisons  and  Prisoners  of  War,"  in  another  part  of  this 
volume.  During  Sunday  the  troops  sent  out  from  Murfrees- 
boro,  under  the  command  of  Gen.  Sheridan,  and  which  it  had 
been  expected  Col.  Co  burn's  Brigade  would  meet  at  or  near 
Rally  Hill,  made  a  detour  and  reached  Franklin.  Other  forces 
arrived  from  Nashville,  and  by  Sunday  night  some  15,000 
troops,  including  quite  a  force  of  cavalry,  had  been  concen- 
trated. Every  day  the  cavalry  reconnoitered  in  various  direc- 
tions, making  sure  that  the  enemy  had  not  again  moved  to- 
ward or  past  Franklin. 

Monday,  March  9,  the  little  army  moved  southward,  the 
main  body  upon  the  Columbia  pike.  Every  man  had  three 
days'  rations  in  his  haversack,  and  twenty  rounds  of  ammu- 
nition in  his  pockets  in  addition  to  the  forty  rounds  in  his 
cartridge-box.  Tents  were  struck  and  loaded  upon  the  wagons, 
but  the  wagons  did  not  follow.  The  cavalry  led  the  column, 
and  maneuvered  on  the  flanks.  The  enemy's  cavalry  was 
encountered  a  few  miles  out,  but  fell  back  without  serious 
resistance,  although  at  times  the  skirmishing  was  lively,  and 
-occasionally  the  artillery  was  called  into  use.  It  was  a  strange 
spectacle  to  watch  the  movements  of  the  advance  troops. 
Deployed  in  line  of  battle  on  either  side  of  the  pike,  they 


108  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.I. 

stretched  away  across  the  fields.  As  fences  were  approached! 
one  man  in  four  would  dismount,  run  forward  and  throw  back 
the  rails  from  every  other  corner,  so  that  the  horses  could 
pass  without  breaking  the  line  for  more  than  a  few  seconds. 
The  work  of  throwing  down  a  fence  required  but  a  moment, 
often  a  mile  or  more  being  made  ready  for  the  passage  of  the 
line  of  battle  in  as  little  time  as  would  be  required  to  throw 
open  an  ordinary  gate.  When  a  stone  wall  was  encountered 
there  was  a  little  longer  delay,  and  the  gaps  would  be  less 
frequent,  but  in  a  very  few  moments  the  wall  would  be  made 
easy  of  passage,  and  the  labor  of  the  wall-layers  for  long 
months  would  be  undone. 

Near  Thompson's  Station  and  Spring  Hill  there  were  many 
marks  of  the  disastrous  battle  of  the  fourth.  Most  of  the 
white  men  had  apparently  followed  the  army  southward,  for, 
except  in  rare  instances,  only  women  and  negroes  occupied 
the  houses  along  the  line  of  march.  Gen.  Sheridan's  Division 
led  the  advance  of  the  infantry  forces  the  greater  part  of  the 
day,  but  toward  night  Gen.  Granger's  command  moved  to  the 
front,  passing  Sheridan's  troops  in  bivouac.  That  night  the 
Regiment,  with  other  troops,  camped  in  an  open  field  in  front 
of  a  large  farm  house,  having  marched  a  dozen  miles.  Upon 
the  arrival  of  the  command  there  was  a  board  fence  upon  one- 
side  of  the  pike  and  a  rail  fence  upon  the  other,  but  in  half 
an  hour  not  a  vestige  of  these  remained,  except  here  and  there 
a  fence  post  that  had  been  set  so  deep  that  it  could  not  easily 
,be  pulled  out.  The  troops  being  without  tents,  the  fencing 
was  used  to  provide  shelter  and  fuel  for  the  night.  All  felt 
that  they  were  in  an  enemy's  country,  and  that  there  should 
no  longer  be  any  restraint  in  the  confiscation  of  property  when 
the  comfort  and  well-being  of  the  soldiers  was  under  consid- 
eration. The  region  was  rich  in  supplies,  and  the  troops 
fared  sumptuously, — fresh  pork,  bacon,  potatoes,  poultry,, 
tobacco  and  honey  being  secured  in  liberal  amounts.  The 
day  had  been  pleasant,  but  before  midnight  a  drenching  rain 
set  in,  making  it  most  uncomfortable  for  the  soldiers. 

Tuesday,   March    10,   the   cavalry  again   took   the   lead, 
beginning   to   skirmish  with   the  enemy  almost   as   soon    as 


18C3]  IN  SIGHT  OF  REBEL  CAMP  FIRES.  109 

they  left  camp.  A  few  shells  came  over  from  the  front, 
bursting  near  the  Regiment, — the  first  that  had  ever  been 
fired  at  the  command.  The  advance  was  cautions,  the  infan- 
try moving  forward  well  to  the  front,  advancing  two  or  three 
times  and  then  halting,  as  if  there  was  an  expectation  that 
the  enemy  would  resist  the  attack,  and  perhaps  assume  the 
offensive.  After  a  time  the  cavalry  moved  more  rapidly,  and 
the  firing  receded.  About  noon  the  order  "forward "was 
given  to  the  infantry,  and  a  very  rapid  march  of  six  or  eight 
miles  was  made,  the  column  occasionally  breaking  into  a 
double  quick.  Then  came  a  brief  halt,  and  later  a  further 
advance  of  a  half  mile  was  ordered.  All  day  the  artillery, 
which  accompanied  the  cavalry,  shelled  the  woods  in  front, 
and  a  lively  skirmish  fire  was  kept  up,  but  with  few  casualties. 
At  six  o'clock  the  troops  went  into  bivouac  in  the  woods,  in 
close  proximity  to  the  enemy,  the  pickets  exchanging  shots 
and  the  camp  fires  of  either  army  being  plainly  visible  to  the 
other.  It  was  the  nearest  approach  to  the  enemy  that  the 
Regiment  had  yet  made,  and  all  felt  that  a  battle  was  immi- 
nent. The  rain,  which  had  been  falling  moderately  through- 
out the  day,  increased  as  night  came  on,  but  ceased  at  ten 
o'clock,  the  weather  turning  severely  cold.  The  troops  hav- 
ing been  subjected  to  so  much  exposure  and  fatigue,  and  the 
night  being  so  unpleasant,  the  usual  detail  for  picket  was 
omitted  and  an  entire  Company  sent  out  for  four  hours,  when 
a  fresh  Company  was  called  up  and  sent  to  relieve  them.  It 
is  to  be  feared  that  had  army  regulations  been  strictly  en- 
forced, and  every  man  found  asleep  on  his  post  that  night 
been  given  the  full  sentence  of  the  law,  there  would  have 
been  several  executions  during  the  days  immediately  succeed- 
ing, for  certain  it  is  that  there  were  some  who  could  not,  or 
did  not,  keep  awake.  This  is  not  to  be  wondered  at  when  it 
is  remembered  that  the  command  had  been  given  little  oppor- 
tunity to  sleep  the  previous  night,  and  that  many  had  slept  but 
little  since  leaving  Nashville,  five  days  before. 

Wednesday,  March  11,  the  cavalry  and  artillery  engaged 
the  enemy,  and  quite  a  lively  skirmish  took  place  at  one  of 
the  crossings  of  Duck  River  and  at  Rutherford  Creek.  The 


110  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

water  was  so  high  that  the  formidable  streams  could  not  be 
crossed,  and  as  it  was  not  practicable  to  bridge  them,  no 
further  advance  was  attempted.  A  few  prisoners  were  taken 
and  a  few  of  the  cavalry  were  killed  or  wounded.  Exagger- 
ated reports  as  to  the  losses  and  gains  came  from  the  troopers 
at  the  front,  but  the  day  passed  without  any  general  move- 
ment of  the  infantry  forces. 

Thursday,  March  12,  the  entire  command  marched  back 
to  Franklin,  Gen.  Sheridan's  Division  taking  the  lead.  While 
there  was  plainly  no  cause  for  hurrying,  yet  Sheridan's  vet- 
erans led  off  at  a  rapid  pace,  evidently  undertaking  to  show 
Granger's  troops  how  to  march.  The  entire  distance  of  about 
twenty  or  twenty-two  miles  was  traveled  in  seven  and  one- 
half  hours,  the  camp  ground  at  Franklin  being  reached  at  four 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  It  was  a  very  severe  and  unneces- 
sarily rapid  march,  many  of  the  men  falling  out  from  sheer 
exhaustion, —  those  from  Sheridan's  Division  being  quite  as 
numerous  as  in  the  command  that  followed  them.  Subse- 
quently the  report  was  current  that  two  Division  commanders 
had  made  a  wager  of  a  basket  of  champagne  as  to  the  ability 
of  their  commands  to  march ;  if  so,  it  was  a  most  heartless 
undertaking,  for  quite  a  number  of  the  men  were  entirely 
used  up  by  this  experience.  Next  day  Gen.  Sheridan's  Divis- 
ion resumed  their  march,  making  a  leisurely  trip  to  Murfrees- 
boro.  Thus  ended  what  has  gone  into  history  as  the  Duck 
River  campaign. 

March  13  and  14  were  given  to  resting,  and  clearing  up 
the  camp  grounds,  although  on  the  latter  day  there  was  an 
inspection  of  all  the  troops  by  Gen.  Granger,  Gens.  Gilbert, 
Baird  and  Smith  being  with  him.  The  men  were  ordered  to 
keep  three  days'  cooked  rations  in  their  haversacks,  and  to  be 
ready  to  move  at  a  moment's  notice,  it  apparently  being 
expected  that  the  enemy  would  make  an  attack  on  Franklin 
and  attempt  to  drive  our  forces  back  to  Nashville. 

Sunday,  March  15,  eighty  men  were  detailed  from  the 
NINETY-SIXTH  to  work  on  the  fort,  and  on  the  twentieth  one 
hundred  men  were  called  for.  On  the  twenty-second  the 
entire  Regiment  was  on  picket  duty  across  the  river,  going 


1863]  A  NIGHT  MARCH  TO  BRENTWOOD.  Ill 

out  at  daylight  and  remaining  for  twenty-four  hours,  the  line 
of  the  Regiment  entirely  surrounding  the  village,  and  both 
flanks  resting  on  the  river.  There  was  some  excitement 
through  the  night,  and  a  little  picket  tiring.  Only  a  night  or 
two  before  a  Captain  from  one  of  the  other  Regiments  was 
killed  by  a  Rebel  scout,  and  the  knowledge  of  this  served  to 
keep  the  soldiers  unusually  vigilant.  Matters  remained  quiet 
until  the  twenty-fifth,  at  which  time  there  was  a  report  of 
trouble  in  the  rear,  and  skirmishing  was  going  on  all  around 
the  lines,  the  Rebel  cavalry  approaching  so  near  as  to  ex- 
change shots  with  the  pickets,  and  threatening  to  attack  the 
post.  It  soon  transpired  that  the  remnant  of  the  22d  Wis- 
consin and  two  Companies  of  the  19th  Michigan,  which  had 
been  guarding  a  bridge  at  Brentwood,  about  midway  between 
Nashville  and  Franklin — and  which  were  the  real  objects  of 
attack — had  found  themselves  surrounded  by  a  large  infantry 
force  at  daylight  in  the  morning,  and  were  compelled  to  sur- 
render. The  NINETY-SIXTH,  as  well  as  the  other  troops  in 
camp  at  Franklin,  were  kept  in  line  until  nine  o'clock  in  the 
evening,  but  the  commander  did  not  attempt  to  make  any 
aggressive  movement. 

On  the  twenty-seventh  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  with  the  92d 
Illinois  Infantry,  6th  Kentucky  Cavalry  and  9th  Ohio  Battery 
left  Franklin  at  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  and  marched 
back  to  Brentwood  in  a  pouring  rain  storm.  The  distance 
traveled  was  about  nine  miles,  a  halt  being  made  at  half-past 
ten.  The  night  was  terribly  dark,  the  roads  muddy,  and  the 
men  pretty  thoroughly  tired  with  their  long  walk.  A  deep 
and  rapid  stream  had  to  be  forded  on  the  way.  When  the 
wagons  finally  came  up  and  were  unloaded  there  was  much 
trouble  experienced  in  erecting  the  tents,  as  the  camp  ground 
was  on  a  stony  hillside,  and  the  rain  was  pouring  down  in 
torrents.  The  underlying  rocks  prevented  the  driving  of 
tent  stakes,  but  all  were  put  up  after  a  fashion,  and,  a  few 
rails  being  secured,  most  of  the  men  spent  the  balance  of  the 
night  in  an  upright  position,  the  rails  being  laid  down  and 
the  knapsacks  placed  upon  them  and  thus  kept  out  of  the  wet. 
Sometimes  the  soldiers,  sitting  upon  their  knapsacks,  would 


1 12  HISTORY  or  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

sleep  so  soundly  as  to  lose  all  consciousness,  and  fall  over 
into  the  mud  and  water.  Often  streams  of  water  poured 
through  the  tents,  and  the  night  was  a  thoroughly  disagreeable 
one.  The  next  morning  the  soldiers  spent  an  hour  or  two  in 
looking  over  the  partially  burned  camps  of  the  captured 
troops,  reading  their  letters,  looking  at  photographs,  and 
speculating  as  to  how  the  ''accident"  happened.  During  the 
forenoon  the  entire  command  went  into  camp  near  the  rail- 
road bridge,  the  infantry  beginning  the  work  of  fortifying  its 
position,  while  the  cavalry  reconnoitered  the  surrounding 
country.  Major  J.  C.  Smith,  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  laid  out  a 
line  of  earthworks  capable  of  accommodating  the  two  regi- 
ments of  infantry.  The  trench  was  in  a  zig-zag  shape,  about 
six  feet  wide,  and  so  deep  that  the  men  would  be  protected 
while  loading.  There  was  a  bench  on  either  side  for  them  to 
stand  upon  while  firing,  the  works  having  the  advantage  of 
facing  either  way.  The  timber  and  orchards  in  the  immediate 
front  were  cut,  and  heavy  timbers,  rolled  upon  skids,  served 
as  head-logs,  under  which  the  men  could  place  their  muskets  if 
called  upon  to  fire  from  their  position.  In  front  of  the  works 
an  abatis  was  constructed  from  the  limbs  of  the  trees.  The 
branches  were  sharpened,  and  hooked  stakes  driven  into  the 
ground  to  hold  down  the  limbs.  These  earthworks  ran  along 
the  crest  of  a  hill  and  commanded  the  country  for  quite  a  dis- 
tance in  every  direction.  The  men  worked  zealously  in  con- 
structing them,  and  a  few  negroes  in  the  neighborhood  were 
compelled  to  assist.  There  was  at  least  one  white  citizen  called 
upon  to  do  a  couple  of  days'  work  in  the  trenches.  He  was 
a  resident  physician,  who  had  the  audacity  to  ask  for  a  pass  to 
go  in  and  out  of  the  lines,  by  day  or  night,  but  who  declined 
to  take  the  iron-clad  oath  to  give  no  information  to  the  enemy 
under  penalty  of  death,  or  to  swear  that  he  was  and  would 
remain  a  loyal  citizen.  The  Doctor  did  not  really  enjoy 
working  side  b}r  side  with  his  own  negroes  at  hard,  manual 
labor,  and  at  the  end  of  two  days  was  so  thoroughly  used  up 
that  Major  Smith  relieved  him.  Although  a  little  careful, 
owing  to  the  disaster  that  had  happened  to  Coburn's  troops, 
the  men  made  more  or  less  excursions  into  the  country,  and 


'•       ' 


1863]  PIECING  OUT  ARMY  RATIONS.  113 

more  than  one  citizen  was  doubtless  surprised  on  attempting 
to  niilk  his  cows  in  the  morning  to  find  that  he  had  been 
anticipated  by  the  Yankees.  There  was  considerable  foraging 
in  the  neighborhood,  and  the  boys  were  quick  to  possess  them- 
selves of  anything  that  came  in  their  way,  provided  only  that 
there  was  no  safeguard  about  the  place,  being  certain  that  the 
military  authorities  had  sifted  out  the  truly  loyal  people  and 
given  them  ample  protection.  A  mill  in  the  neighborhood 
was  set  in  operation,  and  quite  an  amount  of  meal  ground  out 
and  issued  to  the  men,  thus  adding  to  the  variety  of  their 
rations.  There  was  more  or  less  suffering  from  scurvy,  owing 
to  a  lack  of  vegetables,  which  was  partially  relieved  through 
the  efforts  of  the  officers,  who  made  an  urgent  request  for 
potatoes,  cabbage,  and  other  edibles  in  this  line.  Here,  as  at 
many  other  points  during  the  early  part  of  the  Regiment's 
service,  and  while  the  command  was  in  easy  communication 
with  the  North,  many  boxes,  filled  at  the  homes  of  the 
soldiers  with  butter,  fruit  and  other  things  not  on  the  list  of 
army  rations,  came  by  express,  bringing  good  cheer  and  add- 
ing to  the  happiness  and  health  of  all.  The  picket  duty  of 
the  command  was  very  heavy  at  Brentwood,  two  or  three 
Companies  being  called  for  every  twenty-four  hours,  besides 
daily  details  for  camp  guard.  On  one  occasion,  when  an 
attack  was  apprehended,  all  of  the  camp  kettles  and  mess- 
pans  were  filled  with  water  and  taken  to  the  rifle-pits,  so  that 
the  troops  should  not  suffer  from  thirst  in  the  event  of  a  siege 
of  a  day  or  two, 

An  incident  of  the  stay  at  Brentwood  was  the  dressing 
up  of  an  ancient  donkey  that  had  wandered  through  the 
camp.  The  boys  arrayed  the  animal  in  military  clothing, 
using  cast-off  garments,  tied  on  his  head  a  hat  decorated  with 
an  ample  amount  of  brass  and  feathers,  and  put  on  either 
shoulder  a  large  shoulder-strap.  Thus  arrayed,  the  animal 
went  here  and  there  about  the  camp,  braying  out  his  protesta- 
tions against  this  unusual  treatment.  The  officers  and  men 
enjoyed  the  sport,  the  former  assuming  that  at  all  events  it 
must  be  some  one  higher  in  authority  than  themselves  whom 
the  soldiers  were  trying  to  "take  off." 
8 


114  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'fH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

On  Sunday,  April  5,  the  new  Chaplain  of  the  Regiment,, 
Rev.  Horace  G.  Woodworth,  who  had  been  mustered  in 
March  22,  and  had  just  reached  the  command,  preached  an 
able  sermon.  He  was  a  man  of  fine  ability,  and  was  very 
entertaining.  His  sermons  were  of  a  character  to  inspire 
the  men  to  patriotic  action  and  honorable  living.  About  the 
same  time  Dr.  Byron  G.  Pierce  came  to  the  Regiment  and 
entered  upon  his  duties  as  Surgeon,  to  which  position  he  had 
been  commissioned.  There  was  considerable  excitement  in 
camp  on  the  fifth,  as  an  attack  was  expected,  the  Rebel  cav- 
alry being  in  the  neighborhood.  They  evidently  found  the 
force  too  wide  awake,  and  concluded  to  retire  without  even 
attempting  to  take  the  command  prisoners. 

Here  twenty  men  from  the  Regiment  were  detached,  under 
Lieutenant  William  M.  Loughlin,  of  Company  C,  and  entered 
an  organization  known  as  the  Pioneer  Corps,  being  subse- 
quently transferred  to  the  1st  Regiment  of  United  States  Vet- 
eran Yolunteer  Engineers.  In  a  subsequent  chapter  will  be 
found  a  detailed  statement  as  to  their  organization  and  work. 

On  the  8th  of  April  a  Division  of  Infantry,  under  Gen. 
Morgan,  arrived  from  Nashville,  and  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  with 
the  other  portions  of  Baird's  Division,  marched  back  to 
Franklin,  leaving  Brentwood  at  five  o'clock  and  reaching 
Franklin  at  eight  p.  M.  The  ninth  was  spent  in  fixing  up  the 
very  dirty  camp-ground,  nearly  the  entire  day  being  con- 
sumed. The  Regiment  was  usually  called  at  four  o'clock  in 
the  morning,  as  were  all  the  troops  at  Franklin, —  then  num- 
bering about  5,000  infantry  and  2, TOO  cavalry, — and  stood  to- 
arms  until  after  daylight.  Indeed,  throughout  the  entire  stay 
at  Franklin  this  was  the  rule,  the  men  being  obliged  to  stand 
in  line, — or  engage  in  drilling  if  they  preferred, — for  at  least  an 
hour  before  daylight  every  morning,  and  occasionally  reveille 
sounded  as  early  as  three  o'clock.  The  weather  was  often  damp 
and  the  mornings  almost  always  foggy,  so  that  this  duty  was 
very  severe.  There  was  a  great  deal  of  complaint  about  it 
at  the  time,  although  there  is  little  doubt  that  those  morning 
drills  at  Franklin  added  materially  to  the  efficiency  of  the 
command  in  after  months. 


1863]  A  FIGHT  AT  FRANKLIN.  115 

Friday,  April  10,  at  about  noon,  firing  was  heard  on  the 
picket  lines  in  front  of  town,  and  in  an  instant  all  was  excite- 
ment at  the  camp.  With  hardly  a  moment's  delay  the  line 
was  formed,  and  the  Regiment  ready  for  service  whenever 
needed.  Artillery  at  the  fort  began  throwing  shells  to  a  point 
far  beyond  the  picket  line,  quickly  getting  range  and  doing 
considerable  execution.  This  was  responded  to  for  a  time, 
the  flashing  of  the  rebel  guns  being  distinctly  visible  from  camp, 
and  a  few  of  their  shot  striking  just  outside  of  the  fort.  The 
Rebels,  under  Gen.  Van  Dorn,  charged  directly  upon  the 
picket  lines,  most  of  their  forces  being  upon  the  Lewisburg 
pike,  just  south  of  the  village.  The  40th  Ohio  was  on  picket 
that  day,  and  gave  the  saucy  troopers  a  hot  salute  as  they 
came  up,  checking  their  advance,  but  only  for  a  few  moments, 
for  soon  the  cavalry  charged  again,  this  time  riding  past  the 
picket  line  and  directly  into  town.  Some  of  the  more  reck- 
less riders  made  their  way  almost  to  the  pontoon  bridge,  and 
one  or  two  were  shot  close  to  the  river  and  only  a  few  rods 
from  the  fort.  The  main  force  halted  in  the  village,  where 
they  were  harrassed  by  the  40th  boys  and  the  patrol  guards, 
who  took  shelter  in  houses  and  kept  up  a  continuous  firing 
upon  the  disorganized  raiders.  Soon  Gen.  Van  Dorn  seemed 
to  become  convinced  that  the  force  upon  the  north  side  of  the 
river  was  one  with  which  he  did  not  care  to  cope,  and  accord- 
ingly he  ordered  the  recall  sounded,  his  forces  galloping 
southward  as  rapidly  as  they  had  entered  town,  the  Union 
pickets  giving  them  a  parting  salute  as  they  rode  away,  which 
brought  a  number  of  them  to  the  ground.  The  advance  had 
been  made  with  a  large  force,  and  apparently  with  a  good 
deal  of  determination,  and  as  the  force  at  Franklin  was  not 
large,  it  is  difficult  to  understand  why  the  attack  was  so  readily 
abandoned.  At  this  very  time  Gen.  Stanley,  with  a  large  force 
of  cavajry,  was  moving  from  Murfreesboro  toward  Spring  Hill, 
and  it  may  have  been  that  Gen.  Van  Dorn  thought  to  make  a 
dash  upon  Franklin  for  the  purpose  of  capturing  the  regiment  on 
outpost  duty,  and  diverting  the  Union  forces  from  their  south- 
ward trip.  It  seemed  a  useless  sacrifice  of  life  to  go  so  far 
with  a  movement  and  then  abandon  it.  Just  what  the  Rebel 


116  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

loss  was  cannot  be  told,  but  nineteen  of  their  dead  and  quite  a 
number  of  their  wounded  were  left  in  and  around  the  village, 
and  it  was  known  that  several  wagons  or  ambulances  were 
driven  close  up  to  the  outposts  and  filled  with  those  who  had 
been  disabled.  The  40th  made  a  gallant  fight,  and  lost  six 
killed  or  mortally  wounded,  a  few  injured  and  ten  captured. 

The  fighting  lasted  until  two  o'clock.  Col.  Atkins'  Bri- 
gade, the  NINETY-SIXTH  leading,  marched  out  across  the  river 
at  four  o'clock,  following  the  retreating  forces  some  four  or 
five  miles.  Men  and  horses  lay  where  they  had  fallen  as  the 
column  filed  out  through  town  and  past  the  picket  lines.  A 
short  distance  out  an  advance  guard  was  thrown  forward,  and 
a  little  later  four  Companies  of  the  Regiment  were  deployed 
as  skirmishers,  but  the  enemy  did  not  resist  the  advance, 
although  there  was  some  skirmish  firing  on  the  part  of  the 
troops  directly  at  the  left  of  the  Regiment.  Just  at  dusk  the 
Brigade  halted,  in  line  of  battle,  along  a  stone  wall,  only  a 
short  distance  from  where  a  heavy  force  of  the  enemy  had 
made  a  stand  upon  a  line  of  hills  that  lay  at  right  angles  to 
the  pike,  remaining  in  that  position  until  about  ten  o'clock 
p.  M.,  when  they  returned  to  Franklin,  reaching  camp  about 
midnight. 

On  the  eleventh  the  cavalry  moved  out  to  the  front  and 
engaged  the  enemy,  the  sound  of  firearms  being  heard  in 
camp  a  considerable  part  of  the  day.  Their  expedition  was 
fairly  successful,  quite  a  number  of  prisoners  being  taken 
without  serious  loss  to  the  Union  forces. 

Sunday,  April  12,  Chaplain  Woodworth  again  preached. 
Everything  was  quiet  at  the  front,  and  the  usual  dress  parade 
was  had  in  the  evening.  All  of  the  time  during  the  stay  at 
Franklin  heavy  guard  details  were  required  to  picket  the  rear 
of  the  little  army,  but  south  of  the  river  the  picketing  was 
done  by  regiments  and  not  by  details. 

Tuesday,  April  14,  the  Regiment  was  on  picket  on  the 
south  side  of  the  river,  having  its  headquarters  at  the  cotton 
press,  which  afterward  became  historic  ;  the  line  being  formed 
at  the  very  point  where,  a  year  and  a  half  later,  Hood's  forces 
charged  with  such  dash  and  courage  against  the  lines  of  the 


1863]  A  MAN  KILLED  ION  PICKET.  117 

4th  and  23d  Corps,  only  to  be  beaten  back  so  terribly  defeated 
as  to  be  of  little  further  service  to  the  Confederacy.  It  was 
anything  but  agreeable  weather,  as  rain  fell  much  of  the  time 
throughout  the  day  and  night.  During  the  day  everything 
was  quiet  on  .the  line,  but  at  night  there  was  more  or  less 
firing,  and  James  M.  Scott,  of  Company  F,  was  killed.  The 
advance  line,  under  the  order  of  their  commanding  officer, 
fell  back  a  short  distance,  and  the  relief  post  was  aroused, 
but  no  further  trouble  occurred  during  the  night.  Next  night 
a  rebel  was  shot,  close  to  the  spot  where  Scott  fell,  by  a  mem- 
ber of  the  .Regiment  that  relieved  the  NINETY-SIXTH  on  the 
morning  of  the  sixteenth.  He  was  crawling  up  to  the  lines, 
probably  intending  to  kill  another  Yankee. 

"Wednesday,  April  15,  the  Regiment  returned  to  camp 
and  spent  the  day  in  resting  and  cleaning  up.  On  the  six- 
teenth the  remains  of  Scott  were  buried  with  military  honors. 
He  was  but  twenty,  and  had  always  been  a  favorite  in  the 
Regiment.  The  funeral  was  an  impressive  one,  the  entire 
command  attending  the  services.  In  the  afternoon  there  was 
battalion  drill. 

Friday,  April  17,  Maj.  Terrell  visited  the  camp  and  gave 
the  men  four  months'  pay  each.  His  visit  was  most  welcome, 
for  the  officers  and  soldiers  had  long  been  short  of  funds. 
The  first  questions  with  most  of  the  men  after  receiving  their 
pay,  were,  "What  shall  I  do  with  it  ?  How  shall  I  send  it 
home  ?  How  much  of  it  can  I  spare  ?  As  a  rule,  $40  or 
more  of  the  $52  received  by  the  privates  was  sent  home 
through  the  State  Agent,  an  officer  appointed  by  the  Governor 
to  look  after  the  Illinois  troops.  At  that  time  the  express 
companies  would  make  no  guaranty  of  safe  delivery,  as  on  a 
portion  of  the  route  northward  they  considered  the  risk  too 
great.  Many  had  sutlers'  bills  to  pay,  and  a  few  retained  a 
little  change  to  invest  in  chuck-luck  and  draw-poker.  During 
the  day  there  were  rumors  of  an  attack  by  the  Rebels,  but 
quiet  was  maintained. 

The  next  week  was  spent  rather  quietly,  although  almost 
every  day  heavy  details  were  made  for  work  on  the  fortifica- 
tions. Friday,  April  24,  the  Regiment  was  again  on  picket 


118  HISTORY  OF  THE  9$TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

across  the  river,  having  a  quiet  time.  On  the  twenty-sixth 
Captain  J.  P.  Black,  of  Company  E,  resigned.  First  Lieutenant 
William  F.  Taylor  was  promoted  to  Captain,  Second  Lieutenant 
Halsey  H.  Richardson  to  First  Lieutenant,  and  First  Sergeant 
Sidney  B.  Funk  to  Second  Lieutenant.  Two  days  later  First 
Lieutenant  Samuel  H.  Bayne,  of  Company  H,  resigned,  and 
was  succeeded  by  Second  Lieutenant  Joseph  L.  Pierce  ;  First 
Sergeant  George  F.  Barnes  being  promoted  to  Second  Lieu- 
tenant. 

Monday,  April  27,  the  Regiment  was  detailed  for  wood- 
chopping  and  started  for  Brigade  Headquarters,  when  there 
was  an  alarm,  and  the  order  was  given  to  countermarch  and 
prepare  for  a  fight.  They  immediately  marched  to  town, 
crossing  the  river  on  the  pontoon  bridge,  but  were  at  once 
directed  to  countermarch  and  again  started  for  camp.  On 
the  way  they  were  a  second  time  ordered  to  the  front,  this 
time  crossing  the  river  on  the  railroad  bridge  and  taking  up 
position  near  the  depot,  where  they  remained  in  line  for  an 
hour  or  more.  Meanwhile  the  cavalry,  under  Col.  Watkins, 
which  had  been  out  on  a  surprise  visit  to  some  Rebel  camps, 
sent  word  that  all  was  going  well,  and  the  NINETY-SIXTH  was 
ordered  to  return  to  camp  and  proceed  with  its  woodchopping. 
Later  in  the  day  the  cavalry  returned  with  123  prisoners,  300 
horses  and  mules,  eight  wagons,  and  a  complete  camp  outfit 
for  quite  a  force,  the  expedition  having  been  remarkably 
successful. 

The  experience  of  the  Regiment  in  the  woods  that  day 
was  an  interesting  one.  The  column,  when  it  left  its  position 
near  the  depot,  passed  out  near  its  camp  and  up  over  the  side 
of  Roper's  Knob,  halting  on  the  plantation  of  a  man  whose 
family  was  living  quietly  under  the  protection  of  the  old  Flag 
while  he  was  serving  as  an  officer  in  Bragg's  army  at  the 
front.  On  the  plantation  was  a  beautiful  forest  or  park  of 
some  forty  or  fifty  acres,  embracing  a  great  variety  of  timber, 
including  oak,  elm,  ash,  hickory,  cottonwood,  maple,  beech, 
and  probably  other  kinds.  The  trees  had  been  nicely  trimmed, 
there  being  hardly  a  branch  lower  than  twenty  feet  from  the 
ground  ;  but  the  Rebel  forces  had  been  threatening  to  make 


1863]  SHELTER  TENTS  RECEIVED.  119 

a  dash  upon  the  camp  from  the  direction  of  this  timber,  and 
the  commander  had  determined  to  make  that  plantation  im- 
passable for  cavalry.  The  Regiment,  probably  numbering 
600  men,  received  about  one-half  that  number  of  axes,  and 
were  accordingly  counted  off  in  two  reliefs.  Then  began  the 
work  of  destruction,  300  axemen  raining  heavy  blows  upon 
these  beautiful  trees.  Usually  two  men  worked  on  the  same 
tree,  and  it  was  a  musical  chorus  as  the  sharp  and  heavy 
axes  rained  their  rapid  blows  upon  the  doomed  forest.  In 
ten  minutes  there  was  a  crash ;  then  another  and  another,  until 
they  came  in  such  rapidity  that  the  sound  of  falling  timber 
was  almost  continuous.  This  was  kept  up  all  through  the 
forenoon  and  until  the  middle  of  the  afternoon,  special  pains 
being  taken  to  fell  the  trees  in  such  a  way  that  their  tops 
should  interlace  and  cross  each  other.  When  one  relief  had 
worked  an  hour  the  other  relief  would  be  called  up  and  go  to 
take  its  place.  It  really  seemed  almost  too  bad  to  destroy 
this  beautiful  park,  but  the  fact  that  its  owner  was  a  Rebel, 
and  that  cutting  the  timber  would  protect  one  side  of  the 
camp  from  attack,  entirely  reconciled  a  great  majority  of  the 
men  to  the  destruction  of  the  beautiful  forest.  By  four  or 
five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  there  were  hardly  a  dozen  trees 
standing,  the  few  remaining  being  in  a  position  where  they 
could  not  be  readily  reached,  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  tops 
of  other  trees  had  fallen  all  around  them.  Not  an  accident 
occurred  that  was  at  all  serious,  although  there  were  some 
narrow  escapes  from  falling  trees. 

Wednesday,  April  29,  the  Regiment  received  shelter  tents, 
and  turned  over  to  the  Quartermaster  the  large  Bell  tents 
drawn  at  Danville.  There  was  much  feeling  among  the  men 
regarding  the  matter,  as  they  were  strongly  prejudiced  against 
the  shelter  tents,  or,  as  they  were  then  called,  the  "dog 
tents"  or  "pup  tents";  but  the  order  had  been  received, 
and  most  of  the  other  regiments  about  Franklin  had  already 
made  the  change.  Orders  were  given  to  strike  the  Bell  tents, 
but  no  sooner  were  they  down  than  a  tremendous  rain  storm 
set  in.  There  had  been  little  preparation  for  the  change,  and 
as  a  result  the  men  were  obliged  to  pack  up  their  things. 


120  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

Most  of  them  put  on  their  ponchos  and  endeavored  to  pro- 
tect their  earthly  effects  until  such  time  as  the  rain  should 
cease,  and  they  be  permitted  to  go  to  the  timber,  some  dis- 
tance from  the  camp,  and  secure  tent  poles.  Showers  were 
frequent  all  day,  but  in  the  intervals  between  them  the  tents 
were  erected,  and  the  men  made  themselves  at  home.  During 
the  afternoon  Gen.  Granger  came  riding  along  near  the  color 
line.  In  an  instant  the  men  began  to  disappear,  much  as  prairie 
dogs  on  the  western  plains  dive  into  their  holes  when  a  trav- 
eler approaches,  while  all  along  the  line  there  came  the  great- 
est possible  variety  of  barking,  whining  and  yelping  that  can 
be  imagined.  The  probable  intention,  so  far  as  there  was  any 
plan  in  it,  was  to  impress  the  General  with  the  fact  that  they 
knew  that  these  were  ' '  dog  tents. "  The  General  looked  indig- 
nant but  said  nothing.  In  a  very  short  time,  however,  the  men 
were  more  than  reconciled  to  the  change,  and  at  no  time  in 
their  after  experience  would  they  have  voluntarily  given  up 
these  shelter  tents  for  any  others  ever  made.  Perhaps"  these 
tents  should  be  described  at  this  point.  To  each  man  was 
given  a  piece  of  cotton  cloth,  five  feet  six  inches  square.  The 
edges  were  made  double,  by  a  strip  three  or  four  inches  wide 
being  sewed  across  them.  At  each  of  the  two  lower  corners 
a  loop  of  rope  was  fastened  so  that  stakes  might  be  driven 
through  them  into  the  ground.  At  the  upper  edge  there  was  a 
row  of  buttons  and  button  holes.  Two  men  would  button  their 
pieces  of  tent  together,  drive  a  pair  of  stakes  four  and  a  half 
feet  in  length  into  the  ground,  lay  a  pole  six  feet  long  across 
the  top  of  the  stakes,  and  over  these  place  their  tent,  fasten- 
ing the  lower  corners  to  the  ground  with  tent  pins.  There 
being  no  protection  at  the  ends  they  were  certainly  very 
thoroughly  ventilated,  but  they  were  easily  put  up,  and  at  the 
end  of  a  march  there  was  no  waiting  for  the  wagons  to  come 
up  before  the  men  could  be  provided  with  shelter.  In  case  of  a 
storm  they  were  easily  shifted  so  that  the  rain  could  not  sift  in 
on  the  sides,  or,  if  it  was  impracticable  to  change  the  position 
of  the  tents,  then  a  poncho  could  be  fastened  on  the  windward 
side.  Usually,  where  there  was  a  probability  of  remaining  in 
camp  for  more  than  a  day,  four  men  would  join  together  and 


C.  W.  POMEROY, 

COMPANY   K. 

(Copied  from  a  war-time  photograph.) 


1863]  SURPLUS  TEAMS  SENT  TO  NASHVILLE.  121 

put  up  their  tents  so  that  they  would  lap  each  other.  As  the 
days  grew  longer  and  the  weather  became  hotter  the  men 
erected  shades  above  these  tents.  Crotches  were  set  in  the 
ground  and  poles  laid  across  them,  evergreens  or  the  limbs  of 
other  trees  being  cut  and  placed  over  them.  In  this  way  the 
camp  was  protected  from  the  direct  rays  of  the  sun,  and  the 
quarters  made  not  only  very  comfortable  but  really  very  pleas- 
ant to  look  upon. 

Thursday,  April  30,  was  a  day  set  apart  by  President  Lincoln 
for  fasting  and  prayer  throughout  the  nation.  The  command- 
ing General  issued  an  order  directing  that  the  day  should  be 
observed  ;  as  a  consequence  there  was  no  formal  drill,  but,  in 
the  forenoon,  it  being  the  last  day  of  the  month,  there  was 
muster  and  inspection.  In  the  afternoon  the  Chaplain 
preached  an  excellent  sermon.  Toward  evening  the  other 
Division  was  called  in  line,  and  started  out  toward  the  front, 
the  cavalry,  under  Col.  Campbell,  accompanying  them.  There 
was  expectation  of  the  capture  of  a  rebel  camp,  but  next  day 
the  troops  returned  without  having  accomplished  all  that  was 
intended,  although  they  had  taken  part  in  a  lively  engagement 
and  routed  the  enemy,  capturing  a  few  prisoners.  Rumor  had 
it  that  a  citizen  had  notified  the  camp  that  the  Yankees  were 
coming,  just  in  time  to  prevent  a  surprise  and  capture. 

As  the  men  were  to  carry  their  own  tents  from  this  time 
forward,  there  was  no  longer  need  of  so  many  Regimental 
wagons.  Accordingly  orders  were  issued  to  turn  over  to  the 
Quartermaster  at  Nashville  all  surplus  teams,  leaving  four  to 
each  Regiment.  Friday,  May  1,  the  extra  teams  and  wagons 
of  all  the  troops  at  Franklin  were  given  in  charge  of  Lieu- 
tenant Burnett,  of  Company  B,  who,  with  a  large  detail  of 
guards,  escorted  them  to  the  rear.  As  they  neared  Brentwood 
the  enemy's  cavalry  were  seen  hovering  on  the  flank,  watch- 
ing an  opportunity  to  rush  in  and  capture  or  destroy  the  train. 
The  troops  at  Brentwood  were  notified  and  came  to  the  rescue, 
so  that  no  trouble  resulted,  although  for  a  time  the  danger 
was  imminent.  They  went  into  park  at  Brentwood,  and  next 
day  proceeded  to  Nashville,  where  a  delay  of  some  days 


122  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

occurred  before  the  receipt  of  the  busy  Quartermaster  could 
be  obtained.  The  detail  then  returned  to  Franklin  by  rail. 

Monday,  May  4,  the  Regiment  was  again  on  picket. 
During  the  day  the  artillerymen  were  practicing  with  their 
.guns  from  the  fort,  firing  directly  over  the  picket  line.  One 
shell  burst  close  to  the  line,  the  fuse  probably  having  been  cut 
too  short,  but  no  harm  was  done.  All  was  quiet  through  the 
night  and  until  toward  morning,  when  there  was  a  little  firing 
by  the  cavalry  videttes  in  front. 

There  had  been  considerable  scurvy  in  the  Regiment  from 
the  time  of  leaving  Danville,  but  potatoes  and  other  vegeta- 
bles had  been  issued,  and  the  command  was  now  in  much 
better  health.  There  was  but  little  drilling  except  before  day- 
light in  the  morning,  but  almost  every  day  there  were  heavy 
details  at  work  upon  the  fort  or  at  Roper's  Knob,  or  in  cut- 
ting timber  in  the  neighborhood,  so  that  the  men  received 
sufficient  exercise,  and  were  really  in  good  health. 

Newspapers  could  be  had  at  ten  cents  each.  Those  from 
Nashville  were  usually  received  the  day  on  which  they  were 
published  ;  those  from  Louisville  the  day  after  their  issue  from 
the  press ;  while  those  from  Cincinnati  and  Chicago  were  from 
two  to  four  days  old.  As  both  money  and  time  were  plenty 
these  papers  found  ready  sale,  particularly  during  the  early 
days  of  the  month,  when  all  eyes  were  turned  toward  the 
army  of  the  Potomac,  as  it  again  essayed  to  take  Richmond. 
Great  was  the  disappointment  when  news  came  that  Fighting 
Joe  Hooker  had  met  with  disaster  at  Chancellorsville,  and  his 
army  had  again  been  withdrawn  toward  "Washington. 

On  the  sixth  the  Regiment  was  detailed  for  wood  chop- 
ping, and  cut  down  a  large  amount  of  timber  in  rear  of  Roper's 
Knob.  The  day  was  rainy  and  unpleasant,  and  the  work  any- 
thing but  agreeable.  The  season  had  now  so  far  advanced  that 
the  trees  were  almost  in  full  foliage,  and  small  grain  was 
approaching  maturity.  The  river  was  so  near  to  camp  that 
the  men  could  bathe  with  little  trouble,  and  for  an  hour  just 
at  dusk  daily  there  was  a  lively  scene  not  far  from  camp,  many 
taking  their  first  lessons  in  swimming,  and  enjoying  the  sport 
with  keen  zest. 


1863]  How  TO  MAKE  "SLAP-JACKS."  123 

Rations  were  fairly  abundant,  and  there  was  a  great  improve- 
ment in  the  methods  of  cooking  them.  A  brick  oven  was 
constructed  by  every  Company,  and  much  of  the  beef  issued 
was  nicely  roasted,  instead  of  being  boiled.  Flour  was  issued 
and  "soft  bread"  baked,  the  cooks  using  peach  leaves  in 
place  of  hops,  and  finding  them  a  very  good  substitute.  Bis 
cuit,  pancakes  and  even  cookies  were  indulged  in.  The  fol- 
lowing recipe  for  making  pancakes — or  "slapjacks,"  as  they 
were  called — is  copied  from  an  old  letter  of  one  of  the  Publi- 
cation Committee  of  this  work  :  "To  one  quart  of  water  add 
one  teaspoouful  of  salaratus  (bought  from  the  sutler  at  35 
cents  a  pound),  three  tablespoonsful  of  vinegar,  and  stir  to  a 
thick  paste  with  flour ;  then  salt  to  taste.  It  makes  them  bet- 
ter to  let  them  stand  over  night  before  cooking."  The  rations 
issued  consisted  of  salt  pork,  bacon,  fresh  beef,  hardtack,  flour, 
beans,  dried  peas,  coifee,  sugar,  candles,  vinegar,  rice,  salt, 
pepper,  and  sometimes  black  tea,  molasses  and  potatoes.  On 
the  march  or  in  active  campaigning  many  of  these  articles 
were  omitted,  but  the  hardtack,  salt  meat  and  coffee  could 
generally  be  expected  once  in  three  days,  that  being  the  usual 
period  for  which  rations  were  issued. 

During  the  month  Dr.  Frederick  W.  Byers,  who  had  been 
commissioned  Second  Assistant  Surgeon,  joined  the  Regi- 
ment, thus  making  full  the  medical  staff  of  the  command. 
•Second  Lieutenant  Hiram  W.  Farnsworth,  of  Company  G, 
resigned,  and  was  succeeded  by  First  Sergeant  James  O. 
Havens. 

On  the  twenty-seventh  the  resignation  of  Captain  Alexan- 
der Burnett,  of  Company  H,  was  accepted,  First  Lieutenant 
Joseph  L.  Pierce  being  promoted  to  the  place  made  vacant ; 
Second  Lieutenant  George  F.  Barnes  being  commissioned 
First  Lieutenant,  and  First  Sergeant  Charles  H.  Yates  being 
promoted  to  Second  Lieutenant.  This  made  an  entire  change 
of  the  commissioned  officers  in  that  Company  within  a  period 
of  less  than  four  months. 

On  the  eighth  Colonel  Champion  returned  from  an  absence 
of  some  weeks,  having  been  home  on  sick  leave.  During 
the  tenth  the  Chaplain  did  double  duty,  preaching  two  ser- 


124  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

mons,  a  somewhat  unusual  undertaking  for  an  army  Chaplain. 
On  the  eleventh  there  was  an  inspection  and  grand  review  of 
the  troops.  On  the  twelfth  the  Regiment  was  wood  chopping, 
and  a  large  amount  of  work  was  done.  On  the  fifteenth 
drill  was  taken  up  with  a  little  more  regularity.  On  the  six- 
teenth the  Regiment  was  on  picket  again  across  the  river,  but 
all  was  quiet.  On  the  nineteenth  occurred  the  first  full- 
fledged  Brigade  drill,  the  troops  having  to  march  about  two 
miles  to  find  a  piece  of  level  ground  on  which  they  could 
maneuver,  and  all  be  in  sight  of  their  commander.  On  the 
twentieth  there  was  a  very  strict  inspection  of  the  camp  and 
of  the  arms  of  the  men,  and  the  same  day  three  regiments,, 
including  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  had  target  practice.  On  the 
twenty-first  there  was  a  Division  drill,  under  Gen.  Bairdy 
which  occupied  the  greater  part  of  the  afternoon. 

Sunday,  May  24,  the  usual  religious  services  were  held  in 
camp,  and  in  the  evening  there  was  a  Brigade  dress  parade. 
On  the  twenty-sixth  the  Regiment  was  again  on  picket  on  the 
south  side  of  the  river,  and  had  a  quiet  time.  On  the  follow- 
ing night  there  was  some  excitement  on  the  line,  and  the 
Regiment  was  called  at  three  o'clock,  expecting  an  attack 
which  did  not  materialize.  The  weather  for  the  last  half  of 
the  month  was  dry  and  pleasant,  although  quite  warm  at  times, 
the  camp  becoming  very  dusty.  On  the  twenty-ninth  occurred 
a  heavy  rain,  which  laid  the  dust  and  purified  the  air  some- 
what. Sunday,  May  31,  there  were  religious  services,  and 
following  this  quite  an  excitement  because  of  a  report  that  the 
Regiment  was  to  move. 

About  the  time  the  command  first  moved  to  Tennessee 
occurred  what  came  to  be  known  as  the  "nine  months  fever."" 
In  calling  out  the  troops  the  year  before,  President  Lincoln 
had  stated  that  300,000,  or  one-half  of  all  asked  for,  would  be 
accepted  for  nine  months,  and  several  of  the  Eastern  States 
filled  their  quotas  with  men  recruited  for  that  period.  It  was 
held  by  many  that  it  would  be  entirely  unfair  to  require  Illinois 
to  continue  men  in  service  for  a  longer  period  than  did  the 
Eastern  States.  Of  course  every  man  in  the  Regiment  was 
enlisted  with  the  distinct  understanding  that  he  should  remain 


1863]  THE  NINE  MONTHS  FEVER.  125 

for  three  years  should  his  services  be  required  for  that  period, 
but  with  each  obligation  was  coupled  the  phrase  "unless 
sooner  discharged,"  and  many  saw  in  those  three  words  the 
loop  hole  by  which  they  were  to  be  permitted  to  return  home 
simultaneously  with  the  nine  months'  troops  at  the  East.  Not 
a  few  came  to  believe  that  they  were  really  to  be  sent  home. 
There  were  mischievous  men  in  every  Company  who  would 
assume  that  such  was  the  case,  and  argue  it  by  the  hour, 
knowing  all  the  time  that  their  arguments  had  no  real  foun- 
dation. Some  of  these  men  would  report,  with  apparent  can- 
dor, that  when  on  guard  at  Brigade  Headquarters,  and  while 
near  Col.  Atkins'  tent,  they  had  heard  some  discussion  of  the 
subject,  and  were  sure  the  officers  believed  that  they  were 
going  home.  Next  day  they  would  report  that  Colonel  Cham- 
pion had  been  overheard  to  say  that  there  was  good  reason  to 
believe  in  the  nine  months'  theory.  On  the  whole  the  discus- 
sion was  most  unfortunate,  for  many  a  man  grew  homesick  as 
he  heard  the  oft-told  tale,  and  conceived  the  idea  that  the 
authorities  were  doing  him  an  injustice  in  retaining  him  in 
the  service  beyond  nine  months.  Not  until  the  nine  months 
had  fully  passed  did  the  last  ray  of  hope  depart  from  a  few  in 
almost  every  Illinois  Regiment  organized  under  the  calls  of 
1862. 

During  the  period  covered  by  this  chapter  Death  was  still 
busy  in  the  ranks,  taking  off  one  and  another  of  the  command. 
A  majority  of  the  deaths  occurred  in  the  hospitals  in  and  about 
Nashville,  but  some  at  Danville  and  others  at  points  further 
north.  Those  dying  were  :  Robert  Neal  and  Josiah  Beall, 
of  Company  A  ;  John  J.  Price,  of  Company  B  ;  Caleb  E. 
Colgrove  and  Henry  Schnell,  of  Company  C  ;  Corporal  John 
Sluman  and  Miles  Jones,  of  Company  D  ;  Joseph  E.  Fletcher, 
James  Gunn,  Thomas  Keyes,  John  Sage  and  Albert  Demure, 
of  Company  E  ;  Daniel  Goble,  W.  Irving  Edgerton,  William 
Sturges,  Corporal  Chauncey  Wakefield  and  Corporal  Henry 
Trefz,  of  Company  F  ;  Asel  Hawkins,  of  Company  G  ;  J.  P. 
Davis  and  William  Conley,  of  Company  H ;  John  Ben- 
nett, John  Williams,  Humphrey  Leslie  and  Corporal  G.  W. 
Roberts,  of  Company  I. 


126  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 


VIII. 


The  Summer  of  1863— The  March  to  Triune— Lightening  the  Knapsacks — 
Partial  Reorganization  of  the  Corps — The  Paymaster  and  the  Enemy 
Arrive  Simultaneously — Again  Under  Fire  but  at  Long  Range — 
Skedaddle  of  the  Sutler's  Clerks — Punishment  of  Sleepy  Sentinels — 
The  Tullahoma  Campaign — A  Succession  of  Rainy  Days — Again 
Under  Fire — Guarding  Prisoners  to  the  Rear — The  Advance  to  Shelby- 
ville — The  March  to  Wartrace — Close  of  the  Brief  Campaign — Good 
News  from  Vicksburg  and  Gettysburg — A  Day  of  Thanksgiving. 

THE  spring  of  1863  had  passed,  summer  had  come,  and 
quiet  still  reigned  along  the  lines  in  Middle  Tennessee.  True, 
there  were  almost  daily  engagements  at  some  point,  but  they 
were  on  the  part  of  small  forces,  and  their  results  had  little 
significance.  The  main  body  of  the  army  had  made  no  gene- 
ral movement  for  a  period  of  nearly  five  months.  Apparently 
Gen.  Rosecrans  and  Gen.  Bragg  were  each  waiting  for  the 
other  to  take  the  offensive.  The  Confederate  forces  were 
mainly  north  of  Duck  River,  their  infantry  being  at  Shelby- 
ville  and  Wartrace,  covering  Tullahoma,  which  had  been 
heavily  fortified,  and  was  their  headquarters  and  main  base  of 
supplies.  Their  cavalry  was  on  either  flank,  with  headquarters 
at  McMinnville  on  their  right,  and  Spring  Hill  and  Columbia 
on  their  left.  The  main  body  of  Gen.  Rosecrans'  army  was. 
at  Murfreesboro,  but  there  were  considerable  forces  of  both 
infantry  and  cavalry  at  Franklin  and  Triune,  and  a  large 
body  of  cavalry  at  the  left  of  Murfreesboro. 

The  authorities  at  Washington,  growing  impatient  as  the 
weeks  went  by,  began  to  demand  that  an  advance  be  made, 
and  that  the  war  be  carried  into  Alabama  and  Georgia.  Gen. 
Rosecrans  insisted  that  his  force  was  entirely  too  small ;  that 
he  was  especially  deficient  in  cavalry,  and  that  the  roads  were 
likely  to  be  so  bad  that  supplies  could  not  be  drawn  by  wagons- 
to  a  point  much  in  advance  of  that  then  occupied  by  his  army. 
The  controversy  was  mainly  between  Gen.  Halleck  and  Gen.. 


1863]  THE  MARCH  TO  TRIUNE.  127 

Rosecrans,  and  became  very  acrimonious.  Some  additional 
cavalry  was  provided,  and  a  forward  movement  ordered  on 
the  one  hand  and  promised  on  the  other.  The  work  of  con- 
centrating the  army  began  on  the  first  of  June. 

Tuesday,  June  2,  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  with  most  of  the  other 
troops  comprising  Gen.  Granger's  command,  in  accordance 
with  orders  received  the  night  before,  was  called  in  line  at 
about  three  o'clock  in  the  morning,  standing  to  arms  until 
daylight,  when  ranks  were  broken  and  preparations  made  for 
the  march.  The  men  were  in  high  spirits  at  the  prospect  of  a. 
forward  movement.  The  weather  having  become  so  warm 
that  it  was  desirable  to  be  rid  of  all  surplus  clothing  and 
baggage,  overcoats  were  rolled  up,  and,  with  all  other 
articles  not  regarded  as  absolutely  necessary  to  comfort  in 
a  hot  weather  campaign,  packed  in  boxes  and  barrels  and 
shipped  by  the  soldiers  to  their  Illinois  homes.  By  sunrise 
tents  were  down,  knapsacks  were  packed  and  the  men  ready 
to  move.  A  long  wait  occurred,  however,  as  Gen.  Granger 
and  his  staff  were  not  ready,  and  it  was  seven  or  eight  o'clock 
before  the  column  finally  moved  out  across  the  fields,  intend- 
ing to'  take  the  wagon  road  leading  to  Triune. 

Thus  the  cool  morning  hours  were  idled  away,  and  the 
command  compelled  to  make  its  march  in  the  heat  of  the  day. 
Whether  for  the  purpose  of  deceiving  the  enemy  or  because  the 
guide  made  a  mistake  in  the  road  is  not  quite  certain,  but  the 
column  was  led  out  of  its  way  several  miles.  The  weather 
was  sultry,  and  the  roads  extremely  muddy,  so  that  the  march 
was  one  of  great  severity,  and  many  were  the  stragglers  from 
the  ranks  as  the  day  wore  on.  As  already  stated,  the  men 
had  previously  packed  up  and  sent  away  all  of  the  clothing 
that  they  deemed  superfluous.  Long  before  noon,  however, 
many  of  them  concluded  that  they  still  had  clothing  to 
spare,  and  as  the  column  halted  for  a  brief  rest  knapsacks  were 
thrown  open,  and  out  came  extra  shirts,  letters,  books  and 
many  other  articles,  to  lighten  the  heavy  loads.  A  few  had 
undertaken  to  carry  two  blankets,  but  it  is  doubtful  if  there 
was  a  man  in  the  Regiment  who  had  more  than  one  when  he 
reached  camp  at  night,  while  many  had  thrown  away  the  only 


128  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

woolen  blanket  with  which  they  started.  The  distance  trav- 
eled was  nearly  twenty  miles,  and  the  final  halt  made  only  a 
short  distance  from  Triune  at  about  five  o'clock  in  the  after- 
noon. One  of  the  other  Brigades,  which  started  about  the 
same  time  as  the  Second  Brigade,  and  took  the  direct  road, 
reached  Triune  at  noon,  having  traveled  but  about  twelve 
miles.  The  country  passed  was  rather  pleasant,  the  trees 
being  in  full  leaf,  the  crops  thriving  and  the  occasional  fields 
of  wheat  nicely  headed  out.  All  day  there  was  some 
firing  in  the  rear,  and  it  afterward  transpired  that  the  enemy 
had  made  a  reconnoissance  of  the  position  upon  the  moving 
out  of  Gen.  Granger's  command,  for  the  evident  purpose  of 
ascertaining  how  large  a  force  was  left  at  Franklin. 

On  the  third  all  was  quiet,  the  men  taking  a  much  needed 
rest,  and  discussing  the  rumor  which  spread  through  camp  to 
the  effect  that  the  command  was  to  move  to  the  front  the  fol- 
lowing day.  The  commonly  accepted  theory  was  that  Gen. 
Bragg,  commanding  the  enemy  in  their  immediate  front,  had 
been  weakening  his  army  for  the  purpose  of  reenforcing  Gen. 
Pemberton,  then  at  Yicksburg,  and  that  Gen.  Rosecrans  was 
about  to  assume  the  offensive. 

Here  there  was  a  partial  reorganization  of  the  Corps,  the 
Brigade  of  which  the  NINETY-SIXTH  was  a  part  becoming  the 
First  Brigade  of  the  First  Division  of  the  Reserve  Corps,  but 
still  retaining  the  same  Commanders. 

There  was  a  large  force  at  Triune,  but  just  how  large  few 
except  the  commander  knew  until  Thursday,  June  4,  when, 
there  having  been  a  critical  inspection  of  cartridge  boxes  and 
knapsacks  in  the  forenoon,  the  entire  command  was  called  out 
for  a  grand  review,  by  Gen.  Granger,  in  the  afternoon.  In 
this  review,  between  twenty  and  thirty  Regiments  of  infantry 
and  a  half  dozen  or  more  batteries  of  artillery  participated. 
It  was  much  the  largest  and  most  imposing  review  in  which 
the  Regiment  had  taken  part,  but  quite  as  tedious  as  it  was 
interesting. 

The  same  afternoon  the  Rebels  made  a  very  vigorous 
reconnoissance  in  the  neighborhood  of  Franklin,  attacking 
the  force  there  with  the  evident  intention  of  capturing  Fort 


JOSEPH   L.  PIERCE, 


CAPTAIN,    COMPANY    H. 


'^TI7.'**TV  v 


1863]  A  FIRE  NEAR  CAMP.  J29 

Granger  and  giving  the  army  serious  trouble  on  its  right. 
The  cavalry  at  Triune  was  hurried  off  across  the  country  in 
the  direction  of  the  heavy  firing,  but  their  services  were  not 
needed,  as  the  force  at  Franklin  proved  sufficient  to  hold  the 
place  and  severely  punish  their  unwelcome  visitors.  The 
firing  continued  into  the  night  and  was  renewed  next  morn- 
ing, being  kept  up  until  nearly  noon,  when  the  enemy  retired. 

Friday,  June  5,  the  Regiment  moved  a  short  distance  and 
went  into  camp  in  a  field  on  the  left  of  the  Shelbyville  pike. 
The  spot  chosen  was  very  pleasant,  with  an  abundance  of 
good  water  in  the  near  vicinity.  It  seemed  as  if  there  was  a 
fatality  hanging  over  the  Regiment,  for  here,  as  on  most 
previous  occasions,  the  changing  of  the  camp  ground  was 
attended  by  a  severe  rain  storm,  which  prevailed  a  greater 
part  of  the  night  following. 

Saturday,  June  6,  battalion  drill  was  resumed,  and  every- 
thing indicated  that  the  command  would  remain  in  camp  for 
some  time.  Rifle  pits  were  thrown  up  in  the  neighborhood, 
and  a  force  of  cavalry  was  sent  out  to  reconnoiter  the  front. 
In  the  evening  a  large  barn  connected  with  the  beautiful  resi- 
dence in  front  of  the  camp,  and  which  was  the  property  of  a 
noted  secessionist,  was  discovered  to  be  on  fire.  The  house 
near  by  was  said  to  have  cost  $50,000,  and  the  barn  corre 
sponded  well  with  the  residence.  There  was  no  fire  apparatus 
handy,  and,  strange  as  it  may  seem,  the  men,  knowing  the 
character  of  the  owner  of  the  property,  manifested  but  little 
sorrow  while  the  flames  were  lighting  up  the  camp.  Whether 
true  or  not,  it  was  believed  at  the  time  that  a  few  nights  before 
the  owner  of  this  property  had  shot  and  killed  a  Union  picket 
on  duty  in  the  garden  adjoining  the  buildings.  The  day  the 
army  moved  forward  the  residence  was  destroyed  by  fire. 

Sunday,  June  7,  there  was  more  or  less  skirmishing  on  the 
part  of  the  cavalry  a  short  distance  in  the  front,  but  no  infantry 
firing.  There  were  some  very  nice  gardens  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  the  little  village  of  Triune,  and  some  of  the  soldiers 
discovered  that  new  potatoes  were  large  enough  to  cook.  Un- 
fortunately, however,  there  were  not  enough  to  go  around, 
9 


130  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

and  those  who  could  not  secure  new  potatoes  had  to  content 
themselves  with  digging  up  and  cooking  some  seed  potatoes 
that  had  just  been  planted  and  had  not  yet  sprouted. 

Monday  was  passed  quietly  with  the  usual  drill.  Tuesday, 
June  9,  just  as  the  Regiment  was  preparing  for  battalion  drill, 
there  was  a  sound  of  skirmishing  in  the  front,  and  orders 
were  given  to  remain  in  camp,  prepared  to  move  at  a  moment's 
notice.  There  was  no  serious  fighting,  however,  and  that 
afternoon  and  the  next  day  all  was  quiet. 

Thursday,  June  11,  Maj.  Terrill  began  the  work  of  paying 
off  the  Regiment.  Companies  A  and  B  had  already  received 
their  money,  and  Captain  Pollock,  of  Company  C,  had  called 
his  men  in  line  and  had  just  got  his  pay,  but  before  any  of 
his  men  had  been  called  to  the  Paymaster's  table  brisk  skir- 
mishing again  began,  and  the  Regiment  was  ordered  into  line. 
Musketry  firing  was  quite  brisk,  and  distant  only  about  half  a 
mile.  The  Paymaster  left  rather  abruptly,  and  the  Regiment 
fell  in  almost  instantly,  Company  A  being  sent  to  the  front 
as  skirmishers.  The  line  had  but  just  been  formed  when 
shells  from  the  enemy's  batteries  came  whistling  overhead. 
The  men  were  directed  to  strike  tents,  and  their  knapsacks 
were  sent  to  the  rear  of  a  line  of  breastworks  a  short  distance 
from  camp.  A  section  of  Miller's  Chicago  Battery  took  posi- 
tion at  the  front  and  right  of  the  Regiment,  on  a  little  emi- 
nence just  in  the  edge  of  a  grove.  There  was  an  open  field 
about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  wide  at  the  front,  on  the  opposite 
side  of  which  was  another  stretch  of  timber.  The  Rebels 
planted  two  guns  on  the  pike,  just  at  the  edge  of  this  timber, 
and  a  brisk  artillery  duel  began.  The  first  shots  from  the 
front  seemed  to  be  directed  at  Col.  Atkins  and  staff,  who  were 
in  plain  view  upon  their  horses.  The  Brigade  commander 
and  his  escort  very  wisely  retired  a  short  distance,  where  they 
could  not  be  so  distinctly  seen.  The  Third  Brigade  of  the 
First  Division  occupied  a  position  just  to  the  right  of  the 
pike.  A  rebel  shell  passed  over  the  tent  of  the  regimental 
sutler,  Mr.  E.  H.  Mason,  so  frightening  the  clerks  in  charge 
that  they  left  for  safer  quarters,  whereupon  some  of  the  sol- 
diers concluded  to  invoice  the  goods.  Mr.  Mason  was  absent 


1863]  THE  SKIRMISH  AT  TRIUNE.  131 

at  the  time,  having  gone  North  for  supplies.  Whatever  the 
stock  on  hand  was  in  the  morning,  that  evening  the  amount 
was  very  trifling,  most  of  it  having  been  appropriated  by  the 
soldiers.  As  the  clerks  ran  to  the  rear  they  kept  directly  in 
range  of  the  battery,  and  the  shells  struck  very  close  to  them 
more  than  once.  Indeed,  they  were  in  much  greater  danger 
than  they  would  have  been  had  they  remained  at  their  posts. 
Both  of  them  were  thoroughly  ashamed  of  their  conduct,  and 
shortly  afterward  left  for  Illinois,  concluding  that  if  non-com- 
batants were  to  be  the  targets  for  rebel  batteries  they  would 
leave  the  front.  The  money  drawer  of  the  sutler  was  undis- 
turbed, but  the  eatables  were  disposed  of  in  very  short  order. 
One  of  the  rebel  shells  struck  a  loaded  wagon  immediately 
in  the  rear  of  the  line,  and  another  tore  up  the  ground  just 
in  front  of  the  infantry,  on  the  right  of  the  pike,  but  without 
inflicting  any  casualties.  This  firing  became  so  annoying  that 
another  section  of  Miller's  battery  was  brought  up  and  soon 
succeeded  in  silencing  the  enemy's  guns.  Meanwhile  the 
skirmishers  were  making  a  stubborn  fight,  and  the  sound  of 
their  firing  became  almost  continuous.  At  one  time  there 
were  indications  that  the  enemy  was  intending  to  make  a 
general  charge,  but  whatever  the  plans  of  Gen.  Forrest  may 
have  been,  he  wisely  concluded  to  withdraw  without  an  assault. 
Had  he  charged  across  the  open  field  he  would  have  encoun- 
tered a  deep  gully,  impassable  for  horses,  and  his  losses 
would  certainly  have  been  heavy.  After  several  hours  of 
vigorous  skirmishing  the  enemy  retired.  Although  the 
NINETY-SIXTH  was  in  line  for  six  hours  and  under  fire  a  con- 
siderable part  of  the  time,  it  sustained  no  loss.  Those  who 
had  been  on  the  skirmish  line,  and  so  fortunate  as  to  have  the 
opportunity  to  exchange  shots  with  the  enemy,  were  looked 
upon  by  their  less  exposed  comrades  with  a  feeling  almost 
approaching  envy.  The  shells  passed  close  to  the  line,  arid 
the  position  through  the  long  hours  had  been  anything  but  a 
pleasant  one.  With  rare  exceptions  the  men  were  cool,  and 
acted  in  a  becoming  manner.  One  man  foolishly  ran  to  the 
rear  a  short  distance  and  clambered  into  a  sink  that  had  been 
newly  dug,  and  commenced  to  pray  in  a  loud  tone  ;  but  the 


132  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'ra  KEGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

\ 

taunts  of  his  companions  soon  brought  him  to  the  front 
again.  The  newspapers  reported  the  loss  of  the  Rebels 
at  about  one  hundred,  while  the  Union  loss  was  one 
Lieutenant  and  two  or  three  men  killed  and  a  few  slightly 
wounded.  About  one  hundred  head  of  horses  and  mules, 
grazing  in  an  open  field  near  the  skirmish  line,  were  stam- 
peded, and  most  of  them  deserted  to  the  enemy.  The  Union 
cavalry  moved  out  to  the  front  and  engaged  the  enemy,  fol- 
lowing them  as  they  retreated  southward  for  a  distance  of  five 
miles,  returning  in  the  evening  with  a  few  prisoners.  This 
was  even  nearer  to  a  battle  than  the  Franklin  experience,  and 
the  boys  began  to  feel  quite  like  veterans. 

Friday,  June  12,  the  Paymaster  "resumed  operations  at 
the  old  stand,"  and  the  boys  were  each  given  two  months' 
pay.  On  Saturday  a  Brigade  of  infantry  and  quite  a  heavy 
force  of  cavalry  under  Gen.  Steedman  marched  southward 
toward  Shelby ville.  The  same  afternoon,  while  Col.  Atkins' 
command  was  out  for  Brigade  drill  in  a  large  clover  field 
in  front  of  the  line,  brisk  firing  was  heard  at  the  front,  and 
the  troops  were  ordered  to  the  support  of  Gen.  Steedman, 
marching  very  rapidly  for  nearly  four  miles,  when  the  recon- 
noiteriug  party  was  found  retiring  leisurely,  the  Rebels  skir- 
mishing with  its  rear  guard.  The  column  then  moved  back 
to  camp,  reaching  there  at  dusk.  At  about  eleven  o'clock  the 
same  evening  they  were  again  called  out,  with  the  order  to 
put  two  days'  rations  in  their  haversacks,  fill  their  canteens, 
roll  up  their  blankets,  and  be  ready  to  march  at  a  moment's 
notice,  it  being  reported  that  the  Rebels  had  followed  the 
troops  back  to  camp  and  were  preparing  for  a  night  attack. 
There  was  no  further  disturbance,  although  the  men  were 
kept  in  waiting  until  daylight  next  morning.  The  night  was 
cool,  and  the  unprotected  troops  had  little  or  no  sleep. 

Sunday,  June  14,  there  was  morning  inspection,  and  in 
the  ^orenoon  religious  services  were  held,  three  Regiments 
joi  "d  having  an  interesting  time.  In  the  afternoon 

there  arge  prayer  meeting.  The  troops  were  ordered 

to  keep  constantly  on  hand  two  days'  cooked  rations,  and 
every  soldier  was  required  to  have  twenty  rounds  of  ammu- 


1863]  CHAPLAIN  WOODWORTH  RESIGNS.  133 

nition  in  his  pockets  besides  the  forty  rounds  in  his  cartridge 
box.  Cooked  rations  meant  cold  rations,  and  not  unfrequently 
spoiled  rations,  for  the  weather  was  hot  and  the  meat  would 
not  keep.  The  men  were  at  considerable  inconvenience  in 
this  regard  for  a  week  or  two.  There  was  a  very  heavy  rain 
storm  in  the  evening. 

Monday,  June  15,  the  Regiment  made  a  general  business 
of  putting  up  nice  shades,  or  awnings,  over  their  shelter 
tents,  occupying  most  of  the  time  when  not  on  drill.  Up  to 
this  time  nearly  all  had  worn  the  heavy  dress  coats  first 
provided,  but  the  weather  being  very  warm,  light  blouses, 
made  from  dark  blue  flannel,  were  issued.  The  dress  coats 
were  retained,  however,  and  used  on  dress  parade  for  a  few 
days  ;  but  when  the  first  march  occurred  most  of  them  were 
left  in  camp,  to  be  gathered  up  and  worn  by  the  negroes  of 
the  neighborhood,  or  were  thrown  out  beside  the  road  after 
carrying  them  a  few  miles,  and  until  the  shoulders  of  the 
soldiers  began  to  be  tired  and  demanded  the  lightening  of 
their  loads.  A  rebel  lieutenant  and  private  came  to  -the 
lines  one  day  and  gave  themselves  up,  being  tired  of  the  war. 
They  represented  the  Confederates  as  so  discouraged  that 
they  were  about  ready  to  give  up  the  contest,  and  claimed 
that  the  majority  of  the  members  of  the  companies  to  which 
they  belonged  desired  to  desert.  About  this  time  Chaplain 
Woodworth  resigned  his  commission  and  returned  home, 
much  to  the  regret  of  the  majority  of  the  command,  for  he 
had  always  been  quite  popular  among  the  men.  He  was  sub- 
sequently recommissioned,  at  the  earnest  request  of  many  of 
the  command,  but  did  not  again  come  to  the  Regiment.  The 
remainder  of  the  week  was  without  notable  incident.  The 
weather  was  excessively  hot  much  of  the  time  during  every 
day,  and  occasional  showers  and  an  exceptionally  heavy  rain 
storm  visited  the  camp  in  the  afternoon  of  the  eighteenth. 
Col.  Atkins  had  his  command  out  for  Brigade  drill  quite  fre- 
quently, and  the  various  movements  were  admirably  i"1  .ade. 
There  was  more  or  less  trouble  in  some  of  the  Re£$r  ,;nts 
about  men  being  found  asleep  upon  their  posts,  and  in' one  of 
the  Regiments  of  the  Brigade  several  of  the  men  were  tried 


134  HISTOKY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

and  sentenced.  In  some  instances  their  pay  was  declared 
forfeited  and  they  were  sent  to  military  prison  to  be  confined 
at  hard  labor  ;  in  other  cases  they  were  compelled  to  stand 
upon  a  barrel  for  two  hours  in  the  forenoon  and  the  same 
length  of  time  each  afternoon  for  ten  days  ;  while  still  others 
were  compelled  to  drag  a  ball  and  chain  or  a  heavy  fence  rail 
up  and  down  in  front  of  the  tent  of  their  commander  for  a 
couple  of  hours  daily.  Be  it  said  to  the  credit  of  the  men 
and  officers,  there  was  never  any  trouble  in  the  NINETY-SIXTH 
about  sleeping  on  post.  Undoubtedly  it  sometimes  happened 
that  some  soldier,  fatigued  with  an  unusual  march,  the  great 
amount  of  night  service  demanded,  or  the  arduous  duties 
required  of  him  in  camp,  may  have  dozed  upon  the  picket 
post ;  but  such  cases  were  rare,  and  when  discovered  the  officer 
in  charge  usually  deemed  his  own  reprimand  and  warning  a 
sufficient  punishment,  and  never  reported  the  facts  to  higher 
authority. 

Tuesday,  June  23,  the  Regiment  had  been  called  out  at 
the  usual  very  early  hour,  and  was  standing  in  line,  when  an 
Aide  rode  up  and  notified  the  Colonel  to  have  his  command 
ready  to  march  at  seven  o'clbck.  Everything  was  in  readi- 
ness at  the  hour  named,  but  the  wagon  trains  were  in  the 
way  and  the  column  made  but  little  progress  until  the  fore- 
noon was  well  advanced.  The  direction  taken  was  toward 
Murfreesboro,  and  the  camp,  which  was  made  about  ten 
o'clock  at  night,  was  within  five  miles  of  that  city,  near  a 
small  place  called  Salem.  The  distance  traveled  was  about 
fourteen  miles,  and  the  march  a  very  tedious  one,  a  portion 
of  the  route  being  through  a  dense  cedar  forest.  A  dozen  or 
more  of  the  wagons  broke  down,  and  a  small  guard  of  men 
was  left  to  watch  them.  Next  morning  a  body  of  rebel  cav- 
alry discovered  the  wagons  and  made  a  dash,  as  if  intending 
to  take  them,  but  as  soon  as  they  saw  the  infantry,  wheeled 
their  horses  about  and  "skedaddled,"  followed  by  a  few  bul- 
lets fired  at  long  range. 

Gen.  Rosecrans'  plans  were  now  complete,  and  his  army 
was  well  consolidated,  Murfreesboro  and  Salem  being  near 
together,  and  the  main  body  of  troops  being  at  and  between 


1863]  THE  TULLAHOMA  CAMPAIGN.  135 

these  points.  Knowing  how  strong  were  the  entrenchments 
of  the  enemy  he  determined  to  attempt  to  flank  Shelbyville 
on  the  east  and  force  the  enemy  to  the  alternative  of  a  battle 
away  from  his  earthworks  or  a  retreat  from  his  established 
lines.  To  the  Reserve  Corps  and  Mitchell's  Division  of 
cavalry  was  assigned  the  work  of  making  a  vigorous  push 
toward  Shelbyville,  and  deceiving  the  enemy  into  the  belief 
that  the  main  army  was  on  that  road,  intending  to  attempt  to 
take  the  place  by  direct  assault.  The  movement  was  success- 
ful, the  forces  keeping  up  a  vigorous  and  noisy  demonstration 
as  far  to  the  right  as  Unionville,  and  concealing  the  real  plan, 
until  the  main  body  of  the  infantry,  under  Gen.  Rosecrans' 
personal  supervision,  had  made  considerable  advance  toward 
Manchester.  It  was  the  intention  to  force  a  battle,  if  possible, 
north  of  the  Cumberland  Mountains,  but  the  terrible  rain- 
storms which  prevailed  almost  continuously  from  the  very 
inception  of  the  campaign  prevented  rapid  movements,  and 
allowed  Gen.  Bragg  to  make  his  choice  between  a  fight  and  a 
retreat,  and  he  withdrew  to  the  Tennessee  River. 

The  general  movement  of  the  Union  army  began  on  the 
morning  of  Wednesday,  June  24.  The  camps  were  aroused 
at  an  early  hour,  and  the  men  stood  to  arms  until  their  hasty 
breakfasts  were  prepared,  and  partook  of  the  meal  with 
accoutrements  strapped  about  them.  In  the  camp  of  the 
NINETY-SIXTH,  as  soon  as  breakfast  was  over,  the  tents  were 
taken  down,  and  the  men  set  about  the  camp  ground  on  their 
knapsacks  or  on  old  logs  awaiting  orders.  At  seven  o'clock 
it  began  to  rain.  It  was  not  one  of  your  gentle  semi-pleasant 
showers,  that  is  rather  enjoyable  than  otherwise,  but  a  fierce 
and  prolonged  deluge.  The  very  flood-gates  of  heaven  seemed 
to  be  opened,  and  the  torrents  poured  down  upon  the  devoted 
heads  of  the  thousands  of  soldiers  in  the  Army  of  the  Cum- 
berland who  had  just  started  upon  their  active  campaign.  It 
was  nearly  noon  when  the  column  on  the  right  finally  moved. 
The  direction  taken  was  not  toward  Murfreesboro,  but  at  first 
directly  south  along  the  pike  leading  to  Middleton,  and  thence 
easterly,  across  the  fields,  to  the  Murfreesboro  and  Shelbyville 
pike.  All  through  that  dreary  afternoon  the  men  plodded 


136  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

slowly  onward  through  the  mud,  the  sound  of  cannon  at  the 
front,  in  the  vicinity  of  Middleton,  giving  them  the  idea  that 
they  would  shortly  be  engaged  with  the  enemy,  although  the 
firing  receded  as  they  advanced.  Stone  River  was  forded, 
but  the  water  was  not  so  deep  as  to  give  serious  trouble, 
although  all  got  their  feet  wet.  It  was  one  o'clock  at  night 
when  the  Regiment  bivouacked  near  Walnut  Church,  on  the 
Shelby ville  .pike.  There  it  was  learned  that  Willich's  Brigade 
had  taken  Liberty  Gap,  and  that  Wilder's  Brigade  had 
taken  Hoover's  Gap.  The  distance  traveled  by  the  Regi- 
ment was  only  about  seven  miles,  although  the  column  had 
been  on  the  road  for  fully  twelve  hours.  The  skirmishing  at 
the  front,  and  the  delay  caused  by  the  miring  or  breaking 
down  of  the  heavy  army  wagons  made  the  trip  a  very  tedious 
one.  The  rain  had  ceased  falling  during  the  evening,  and 
most  of  the  men  lay  down  without  putting  up  their  tents. 
Before  daylight  it  was  again  raining,  but  a  large  part  of  them 
were  so  tired  as  to  sleep  soundly,  and  when  they  woke 
in  the  morning  many  found  themselves  laying  in  an  inch  or 
two  of  water. 

Thursday,  June  25,  the  column  started  out  early,  but  only 
marched  a  mile  or  two,  taking  a  position  near  the  pike,  and 
waiting  the  result  of  the  contest  at  the  front.  The  roar  of 
artillery  was  continuous  a  greater  part  of  the  day.  Orders 
came  that  all  knapsacks  should  be  loaded  into  such  of  the 
wagons  as  had  been  previously  emptied  by  the  distribution  of 
rations,  and  sent  back  to  Murfreesboro.  Most  of  the  men 
retained  their  woolen  blankets,  but  a  few  kept  only  their 
ponchos.  It  was  thought  that  there  would  be  a  battle  right 
away,  and  the  soldiers  were  generally  glad  to  avail  themselves 
of  the  opportunity  to  lighten  their  loads.  The  NINETY-SIXTH 
stood  in  line  for  an  hour  or  two  on  the  pike,  and  then  relieved 
the  115th  Illinois  on  the  picket  line,  but  did  not  have  any 
skirmishing  with  the  enemy,  as  the  Union  cavalry,  still  fur- 
ther at  the  front,  kept  them  at  a  safe  distance.  Picket  duty 
was  continued  all  the  next  day,  the  other  Regiments  of  the 
Brigade  moving  to  the  front.  The  headquarters  of  the  Regi- 
ment was  at  the  very  house  where  Vallandigham,  the.  notori- 


1863J  A  CHURCH  FOR  A  KITCHEN.  137 

ous  southern  sympathizer  from  Ohio,  had  been,  by  order  of 
the  President  and  the  War  Department,  turned  over  to  the 
tender  mercies  of  his  Southern  brothers,  only  a  few  days, 
before.  The  occupant  of  the  house  said  that  Yallandigham 
declared  his  belief  that  he  would  be  elected  as  the  next  Gov- 
ernor of  his  State,  notwithstanding  his  enforced  absence  ;  a 
prediction  that  did  not  come  true,  as  he  was  beaten  by  more 
than  one  hundred  thousand  majority.  There  were  in  the 
neighborhood  a  large  number  of  long,  lank,  lean  hogs  running 
about  the  woods,  and,  being  out  of  pork,  the  boys  made  sad 
havoc  among  them.  One  sentinel  said  that  fifty  dead  hogs 
passed  the  post  where  he  was  standing  in  a  single  day.  Black- 
berries were  quite  plenty  in  the  neighborhood,  so  that  the 
living  of  the  men  was  quite  good.  It  may  have  seemed  like 
sacrilege,  but  the  church  was  turned  into  a  grand  cooking 
house,  and  the  incense  of  frying  pork  filled  the  atmosphere. 

On  Friday  the  right  of  the  army  kept  substantially  the 
same  position,  the  Regiment  still  doing  picket  duty,  and 
listening  to  the  reports  of  cannon  and  small  arms  a  few 
miles  southward. 

Saturday,  June  27,  there  was  a  forward  movement  toward 
Shelby ville,  but  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  together  with  the  5th  Iowa 
cavalry,  was  left  to  guard  a  wagon  train.  A  very  heavy 
column  of  troops  passed  the  position  occupied  by  the  Regi- 
ment, requiring  between  three  and  four  hours  to  file  by. 
It  was  said  that  there  were  seventeen  regiments  of  cavalry, 
seven  of  infantry  and  two  batteries  of  artillery.  After  they 
had  filed  past,  the  Regiment  moved  back  a  mile  to  a  point 
where  the  wagon  train  was  in  park.  Companies  B,  G  and  K 
were  on  picket  that  night.  At  about  ten  o'clock  in  the  even- 
ing a  courier  brought  word  that  Gen.  Wheeler,  with  a  large 
force  of  Rebel  cavalry,  was  hovering  in  the  near  vicinity  and 
contemplating  a  night  attack  upon  the  supply  train.  The  Regi- 
ment was  called  out  and  remained  in  line  for  about  two  hours 
and  a  half.  There  was  a  little  firing  on  the  skirmish  line,  but 
nothing  serious  occurred.  It  was  afterward  learned  that  the 
position  of  the  Regiment  was  critical  at  that  time,  as  the 
enemy  were  about  to  attempt  the  capture  of  the  train  when 


138  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

they  were  called  off  to  assume  defensive  operations  at  another 
point. 

Saturday,  June  28,  the  train  remained  in  the  same  position, 
and  the  Regiment  was  held  in  readiness  to  march  at  any 
moment,  but  it  was  not  until  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon 
that  any  movement  occurred.  At  that  hour,  the  other  Regi- 
ments of  the  Brigade  came  marching  back  from  Shelbyville, 
•distant  some  eight  miles,  having  in  charge  4-89  prisoners, 
taken  at  that  place  the  day  before  by  the  Union  cavalry. 
They  represented  a  half  dozen  different  regiments.  The 
charge  upon  the  Confederate  force  had  been  led  by  the  3d 
Tennessee  cavalry,  many  of  whom  had  their  homes  in  the 
neighborhood.  Much  of  the  fighting  took  place  right  in  the 
village.  Shelbyville  was  quite  a  strong  Union  centre,  and 
the  citizens,  who  still  loved  the  old  flag,  and  who  had  suffered 
through  the  long  months  the  persecutions  of  their  enemies 
and  the  enemies  of  their  country,  came  out  to  greet  the  Federal 
troopers  as  they  dashed  through  the  town,  often  bringing  flags 
with  them  that  they  had  kept  securely  through  the  months 
when  the  Rebel  forces  were  among  them.  The  charge  was  a 
most  gallant  one,  and  sabres  were  freely  used.  Perhaps  at 
no  other  time  during  the  war  did  the  Regiment  see  so  many 
men  who  had  been  cut  with  sabres  in  a  cavalry  charge  as  on 
this  occasion.  Besides  the  prisoners  taken,  a  large  number  of 
the  enemy  were  killed  in  the  charge  or  drowned  in  attempting 
to  swim  Duck  River,  the  number  thus  losing  their  lives 
approximating  two  hundred.  Quite  an  amount  of  artillery 
was  also  captured- 

The  Rebel  prisoners  were  halted  near  the  wagon  train, 
and  rations  issued  to  them,  Capt.  Espy,  of  the  115th  Illinois, 
who  was  then  the  acting  Commissary  on  the  Staff  of  the  Brigade 
Commander,  even  prepared  hot  coffee  for  them,  and  gave  them 
an  abundance  of  hard  bread  and  bacon.  There  were  among 
the  prisoners  a  Colonel,  a  Lieutenant  Colonel,  a  Major,  an 
Adjutant  and  about  thirty-five  line  officers.  At  four  o'clock 
p.  M.  the  NINETY-SIXTH  took  the  prisoners  in  charge,  and 
escorted  them  back  to  Murfreesboro.  The  prisoners  seemed 
quite  happy  and  jolly,  and  were  apparently  familiar  with  the 


1863]         ESCORTING  PRISONERS  TO  MURFREESBORO.  139 

ground  over  which  they  were  passing.  At  one  place  a  lady 
came  out  and  shook  hands  with  some  of  them,  one  of  the 
prisoners  remarking:  "I  have  stood  guard  here  many  a 
time,  and  while  I  would  go  into  the  house  and  eat,  on  the 
invitation  of  the  lady,  she  would  come  out  and  stand  guard  for 
me  until  my  meal  was  finished."  At  another  place  a  matron 
with  two  or  three  blooming  daughters  came  out  to  the  road 
side  and  threw  kisses  to  the  prisoners,  expressing  the  hope 
that  they  wouldn't  be  gone  long.  The  old  lady  expressed  the 
wish  that  all  the  negroes  might  be  killed,  and  that  all  the  white 
boys,  north  and  south,  might  be  saved.  The  trip  was  a  very 
tedious  one.  The  prisoners  were  all  cavalrymen,  unused  to 
marching,  and  many  of  them  became  very  foot-sore.  There 
were  several  ambulances  in  the  rear  of  the  column,  and  those 
who  gave  out  were  permitted  to  ride.  The  members  of  the 
NINETY-SIXTH  marched,  with  guns  loaded  and  bayonets  fixed, 
along  the  edge  of  the  pike,  the  prisoners  traveling  in  the  cen- 
tre. The  distance  traveled  was  not  more  than  ten  miles,  but 
Murfreesboro  was  not  reached  until  after  ten  o'clock,  and 
both  the  guards  and  their  prisoners  were  thoroughly  tired. 
The  prisoners  were  turned  over  to  Gen.  Yan  Cleve,  and 
at  a  little  before  midnight  the  Regiment  bivouacked  in  an 
open  field  or  yard,  hoping  to  have  a  quiet  night's  sleep. 
Hardly  had  they  got  comfortably  settled  and  fairly  asleep 
before  the  rain  came  pouring  down  in  torrents.  There  was  a 
scramble  on  the  part  of  the  majority,  and  under  the  lead  of 
Major  Smith,  who  had  been  reconnoitreing  the  locality,  those 
who  were  first  roused  made  their  way  to  a  large  warehouse. 
This  building  consisted  principally  of  a  roof,  and  was  piled 
full  of  boxes  of  hard  bread.  The  men  crawled  to  the  top  of 
the  vast  pile  of  boxes  and  slept  close  under  the  roof.  Many 
of  the  Regiment  were  so  worn  out,  however,  with  their  long 
nights  on  picket  and  the  hard  marching  in  the  rain  and  mud 
that  they  were  not  awakened  by  the  storm,  although  it  was 
raining  hard,  until  the  water  was  standing  all  about  them,  and 
they  were  thoroughly  soaked.  A  few  even  slept  through  until 
morning,  but  before  daylight  nearly  all  were  in  the  ware- 
house. 


140  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

Sunday,  June  29,  the  Regiment  moved  to  the  baggage 
train  and  drew  rations,  and  at  ten  o'clock  set  out  from  Mur- 
freesboro  for  the  front  again,  first  strapping  on  their  knap- 
sacks, parted  with  four  days  before.  About  a  mile  out  a 
Company  of  Federals  were  met,  having  in  charge  thirty  or 
forty  prisoners,  and  about  five  miles  out  another  Company 
with  about  an  equal  number.  Following  this  latter  squad 
were  three  pieces  of  captured  artillery  and  a  lot  of  captured 
horses.  Arrived  at  the  camp  from  which  the  Regiment  had 
started  the  day  before,  it  was  hoped  and  expected  that  a  halt 
would  be  made  and  the  troops  given  an  opportunity  of  secur- 
ing some  much  needed  rest,  but  it  was  found  that  orders  were 
awaiting  the  arrival  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  for  the  Brigade  to 
immediately  march  on,  which  it  did,  finally  camping  at  eight 
o'clock  in  the  evening  eighteen  miles  south  of  Murfreesboro 
and  about  nine  miles  from  Shelbyville.  This  was  about  the 
first  night  since  leaving  Triune  that  it  did  not  rain,  and  the 
Regiment  enjoyed  a  good  night's  sleep.  It  should  be  stated, 
however,  that  there  had  been  heavy  showers  during  the  pre- 
ceding afternoon.  The  members  of  the  Regiment  appreciated 
this  season  of  quiet,  for  all  were  greatly  fatigued  with  their 
long  march,  and  worn  out  by  the  severe  night  duty  imposed 
on  them. 

Monday,  June  30,  the  Brigade  started  at  seven  o'clock  in 
the  morning  and  marched  about  seven  miles.  On  the  road 
Guy's  Gap  was  passed.  There  was  a  strong  line  of  fortifica- 
tions, and  the  trees  and  fences  bore  marks  of  the  sharp  fight- 
ing on  the  part  of  the  cavalry.  Shelbyville  was  reached, 
and  a  camp  made  on  the  ground  which  but  two  or  three  days 
before  had  been  occupied  by  a  large  force  of  the  enemy. 

On  Tuesday,  July  1,  word  having  been  passed  through  the 
line  that  the  Brigade  was  to  remain  at  Shelbyville,  the  men 
set  about  fixing  up  the  camp  in  good,  comfortable  shape. 
After  an  hour  or  two  of  hard  work  the  assembly  was  sounded 
and  they  were  called  in  line,  marched  to  the  other  side  of 
the  town  and  camped  near  Duck  River.  The  distance  trav- 
eled was  not  more  than  a  mile  or  two,  but  the  weather  was  of 
that  peculiar,  sultry  character,  occasionally  encountered  in 


18C3]  FROM  SHELBY VILLE  TO  WARTRACE.  141 

warm  latitudes,  which  is  thoroughly  enervating  and  depressing, 
and  the  men  suffered  greatly  before  they  had  completed  the 
march  and  the  erection  of  their  tents. 

Wednesday,  July  2,  the  Kegiinent  was  permitted  to  lie 
idle  and  enjoyed  a  good  rest.  They  explored  the  town  and 
examined  the  fortifications,  finding  numerous  forts  and  a  very 
heavy  line  of  breastworks  extending  partially  around  the 
pleasant  village,  either  flank  being  protected  by  the  river. 
Many  refugees  came  into  town,  most  of  them  being  men  who 
were  known  to  sympathize  with  the  Union,  and  who  had  been 
forced  to  leave  their  homes  during  the  period  when  that 
region  was  occupied  by  the  Confederates.  Many  and  hearty 
were  the  greetings  as  families  came  together  for  the  first  time 
in  long  months.  Quite  a  number  of  the  Tennessee  cavalry 
had  enlisted  from  Shelbyville,  and  when  they  charged  the 
Rebels  on  the  Friday  previous,  one  of  them  shot  a  man  as  he 
was  riding  past  his  own  house.  Some  of  the  men  left  the 
ranks  for  a  moment  and  rode  up  to  their  homes,  kissed  their 
wives  or  parents,  or  children,  as  the  case  might  be,  and  then 
rode  off  again  into  the  battle.  Fortunately  the  casualties  were 
not  very  numerous,  and  most  of  these  men  were  permitted  to 
remain  at  their  homes  for  a  day  or  two. 

Major  J.  C.  Smith  was  here  assigned  to  duty  as  Provost 
Marshal,  on  the  staff  of  General  Baird,  with  headquarters  at 
Wartrace,  which  were  subsequently  transferred  to  Shelbyville, 
.and  then  to  Murfreesboro,  where  he  remained  until  the  for- 
ward movement  of  the  Division,  in  September. 

Thursday,  July  3,  the  Regiment  marched  to  Wartrace,  a 
distance  of  about  eight  miles.  Rain  fell  in  torrents  at  times, 
and  every  little  creek  and  stream  was  swollen  to  unwonted 
size.  As  a  consequence  the  soldiers  were  often  compelled  to 
wade  in  water  two  or  three  feet  deep,  and  once  at  least  they 
forded  a  stream  waist  deep,  being  obliged  to  take  off  their 
accoutrements  and  carry  them  on  their  bayonets.  When  it 
rained  the  hardest  the  troops  seemed  the  happiest,  shouting 
.and  singing  and  making  merry,  even  though  the  surroundings 
were  hardly  such  as  to  make  it  easy  to  account  for  such  hilar- 
ity. However,  all  were  in  high  spirits  at  the  news  of  the 


142  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

capture  of  Tullahoma,  and  rejoiced  at  the  substantial  progress 
made  by  the  army.  Strange  as  it  may  seem,  most  of  them 
regarded  the  rain  as  rather  favorable  to  campaigning,  as  it 
served  to  cool  the  air,  which  otherwise  would  have  been  intol- 
erably hot.  At  times,  on  this  short  march  from  Shelbyville, 
the  sun  came  out  and  the  weather  was  oppressive  in  its  sultri- 
ness. Wartrace  was  a  little  station  on  the  Nashville  &  Chat- 
tanooga Railroad,  and  not  an  important  point  except  that 
there  were  two  or  three  railroad  bridges  to  be  guarded  in  the 
neighborhood.  Camp  was  reached  early  in  the  afternoon, 
and  all  set  at  work  to  make  themselves  comfortable.  The 
ground  selected  was  a  little  to  the  east  of  the  village,  and  had 
formerly  been  occupied  as  a  camping  ground  by  the  enemy. 
It  was  filthy  in  the  extreme,  and  much  labor  was  required  to- 
put  it  in  order.  • 

This  campaign  of  less  than  a  fortnight  had  been  a  remark- 
ably successful  one.  The  enemy  had  been  forced  to  abandon 
its  strong  line  of  fortifications  and  retire  to  the  mountains, 
yielding  a  country  of  vast  size,  much  of  which  abounded  in 
supplies  useful  to  the  troops  that  occupied  it.  The  strategy 
of  Gen.  Rosecrans  had  been  of  a  high  order.  With  a  loss  of 
less  than  six  hundred  men,  and  in  a  country  naturally  rich  in 
defense,  he  had  outflanked  and  forced  backward  from  their 
chosen  lines  an  enemy  almost,  if  not  quite,  equal  to  his  own, 
and  would  have  gained  still  further  advantages  had  not  the 
streams  been  so  swollen  as  to  make  rapid  pursuit  impossible. 
Tullahoma  was  occupied  by  the  Union  forces  June  30.  Some 
of  the  troops  were  at  once  pushed  out  toward  the  moun- 
tains, and  the  cavalry  penetrated  to  the  Tennessee  River, 
behind  which  Bragg' s  main  army  retreated.  The  two  armies 
at  this  time  occupied  almost  the  same  relative  positions  and 
the  identical  territory  held  by  them  exactly  a  year  before, 
when  the  Confederate  invasion  of  Kentucky  was  planned  and 
the  race  for  the  Ohio  River  began  between  the  forces  led 
respectively  by  Gens.  Buell  and  Bragg.  During  the  month 
that  followed  the  main  body  of  the  infantry  of  the  Army  of 
the  Cumberland  was  comparatively  idle,  camping  in  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Dechard  and  Winchester.  The  cavalry  was  active, 


1863]  FOURTH  OF  JULY  IN  CAMP. 

however,  and  kept  the  line  of  the  Tennessee  River  patrolled. 
Work  was  also  begun  on  the  railroad,  so  that  the  supplies- 
should  not  have  to  be  brought  through  on  wagons. 

The  NINETY-SIXTH  now  came  to  know  that  being  in  the 
Reserve  Corps  meant  that  they  were  to  be  stationed  at  various 
points  along  the  railroad  guarding  bridges,  wagon  trains  and 
prisoners.  The  Reserve  Corps  was  widely  scattered  from  the 
neighborhood  of  Fort  Donelson  to  Duck  River, — a  Brigade, 
a  Regiment  or  a  Company  in  a  place,  according  as  its  import- 
ance demanded.  For  the  time  being  the  First  Brigade  of  the 
First  Division,  to  which  the  NINETY-SIXTH  belonged,  remained 
at  Wartrace. 

Saturday,  July  4 — a  memorable  day  at  Vicksburg  and 
Gettysburg — the  Regiment  lay  idly  in  camp.  Tired  with, 
their  long  march  in  the  mud  and  rain,  most  of  them  slept  a 
considerable  part  of  the  day,  and  there  was  no  attempt  at 
anything  like  a  celebration  except  that  Capt.  Hicks  and  Col. 
Atkins,  with  a  few  invited  guests,  had  a  banquet,  with  after- 
dinner  speeches.  There  were  very  heavy  guard  details  from 
the  Regiment,  a  line  of  pickets  extending  around  the  camp, 
and  quite  a  distance  out,  in  all  directions.  Blackberries  were 
abundant,  and  the  men  feasted  on  this  luscious  fruit. 

Sunday,  July  5,  there  was  preaching  in  the  camp.  The 
blackberry  crop  inside  the  picket  line  being  about  exhausted, 
permits  were  given  to  a  few  men  in  every  Company  to  go  out- 
side the  lines  in  search  of  fruit.  New  potatoes  and  apples- 
were  found  in  the  neighborhood  and  supplemented  the  army 
rations.  The  men  had  learned  the  art  of  soldiering  pretty 
well,  and  as  soon  as  they  arrived  in  camp,  if  there  was  a, 
prospect  of  remaining  longer  than  for  a  single  day,  would  set 
about  constructing  bunks,  raising  them  above  ground  by 
means  of  posts  or  crotchets.  For  the  construction  of  these 
bunks,  barns,  abandoned  houses  or  board  fences  were  used, 
and  if  the  supply  gave  out  small  poles  would  be  substituted. 
On  these  would  be  laid  a  few  bundles  of  corn  blades,  or  some 
cedar  boughs,  straw  or  leaves.  Sometimes  the  officers  inter- 
fered, in  the  endeavor  to  prevent  the  destruction  of  buildings, 
but  in  such  cases  the  first  dark  night  the  building  was  pretty 


144  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

sure  to  disappear.  In  this  way  the  men  made  themselves 
comfortable,  and  the  beds  were  dry  and  well  ventilated. 

Monday,  July  6,  there  were  heavy  details  from  the  Regi- 
ment for  the  purpose  of  chopping  wood.  Now,  chopping 
wood  at  any  time  is  not  especially  easy  work,  but  take  it  in 
Middle  Tennessee,  on  a  hot  July  day,  and  the  average  Ameri- 
can soldier  rather  rebels  against  this  class  of  labor,  and 
regards  it  as  almost  drudgery.  It  was  explained,  however, 
that  it  was  absolutely  necessary  to  procure  fuel  for  the  loco- 
motives to  be  used  on  the  railroads.  At  this  announcement 
there  was  an  entire  change  of  sentiment,  and  the  work  was 
cheerfully  performed.  The  amount  of  wood  cut  by  any  one 
man  was  not  large,  but  in  a  few  days  there  was  a  goodly  pile 
at  every  station.  For  the  first  time  in  months  the  men  were 
allowed  to  remain  in  bed  until  sunrise,  a  privilege  that  they 
appreciated  after  the  long  period  of  three  and  four  o'clock 
reveilles. 

At  this  time  the  92d  Illinois  was  sent  to  a  point  on  Duck 
River,  about  seven  miles  toward  the  front,  to  build  a  wagon 
bridge.  Col.  Wilder's  Brigade  of  mounted  infantry,  then 
camped  at  Wartrace,  furnished  an  escort,  the  Colonel  himself 
accompanying  the  expedition.  Col.  Atkins,  of  the  92d,  had 
been  commander  of  the  Brigade  for  about  six  months,  and  it 
was  well  understood  that  there  was  anything  but  a  cordial 
feeling  existing  between  him  and  Gen.  Granger,  the  com- 
mander of  the  Reserve  Corps.  On  the  return  of  that  Regi- 
ment, toward  the  close  of  the  week,  announcement  was  made 
that  the  92d  and  NINETY-SIXTH,  which  had  been  together 
almost  constantly  from  their  organization,  must  part  company, 
the  former  having  been  assigned  to  Col.  Wilder's  Brigade. 
Word  passed  through  the  camp  immediately,  and  within  an 
hour  every  Regiment  in  the  Brigade  was  clamoring  for  horses 
and  a  transfer.  Not  that  the  dissatisfaction  regarding  Gen. 
Granger  was  so  universal,  but  the  men  of  a  sudden  seemed 
to  be  seized  with  the  idea  that  it  would  be  a  fine  thing  to  march 
on  horseback  and  go  to  the  front,  rather  than  to  tramp  around 
on  foot,  chop  wood  for  the  railroad,  and  be  on  picket  about 
every  second  or  third  night. 


GEORGE  W.  PEPOON, 

FIRST   LIEUTENANT,  COMPANY   K. 


f  V-' 


1863]  GOOD  NEWS  RECEIVED.  145 

The  "nine  months'  fever"  had,  of  course,  been  dropped, 
but  for  some  weeks  there  was  an  almost  equal  rage  in  the  camp, 
the  new  disease  being  the  "cavalry  fever."  Only  the  92d 
received  the  coveted  transfer,  however,  and  it  was  with  great 
difficulty  that  they  succeeded  in  procuring  horses  and  saddles. 

Tuesday,  July  7,  there  was  great  excitement  throughout 
the  day,  dispatches  having  been  received  from  the  Secretary 
of  War,  Hon.  Edwin  M.  Stanton,  announcing  that  Vicksburg 
had  surrendered  to  the  army  under  Gen.  Grant,  and  that  the 
Union  forces  under  Gen.  Meade  had  won  a  great  victory  at 
Gettysburg.  The  successful  advance  of  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland  had  made  them  all  hopeful,  and  now  that  such 
good  news  was  received  from  other  departments  there  was  the 
wildest  joy.  These  dispatches  were  read  to  each  Regiment, 
and  the  remainder  of  the  day  was  spent  in  a  grand  informal 
celebration. 

Wednesday,  July  8,  the  officers  concluded  that,  as  the 
men  were  feeling  so  elated  over  the  recent  victories,  they 
would  not  object  to  resuming  the  routine  of  camp  duties, 
which  had  been  in  a  measure  omitted  since  leaving  Triune. 
Accordingly  there  was  a  dress  parade  in  the  early  evening,  and 
orders  for  a  resumption  of  drill  next  day.  The  bridges  between 
Murfreesboro  and  Tullahoma  having  been  repaired  or  rebuilt, 
a  locomotive,  with  a  baggage  car  or  caboose  attached,  passed 
southward  through  Wartrace,  and  was  the  signal  for  hearty 
cheering.  Next  day  it  returned  with  about  three  hundred 
prisoners,  captured  by  Gen.  Rosecrans'  command  a  few  days 
before.  Additional  dispatches  were  received  confirming  the 
good  news  of  Tuesday.  It  was  stated  in  the  dispatches 
that  Gen.  Meade  had  captured  35,000  prisoners;  that  Gen. 
Lee's  army  was  hemmed  in  along  the  Potomac,  his  pontoons 
being  swept  away  by  the  high  water,  and  that  his  capture  was 
inevitable.  Word  was  also  received  that  Gen.  Prentiss  had 
captured  a  large  number  of  prisoners  at  Helena.  These  dis- 
patches were  read  to  the  Regiments,  and  were  the  signal  for 
the  most  vociferous  cheering,  but  unfortunately  their  state- 
ments were  not  fully  verified  by  the  facts. 
10 


14:6  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

Frida}7,  July  10,  the  first  passenger  train  from  the  North 
passed  through  the  camp,  bringing  a  large  letter  mail  and  the 
Nashville  daily  papers.  As  there  had  been  great  irregularity 
about  the  mails  for  nearly  a  month,  all  were  eager  for  papers, 
and  the  newsboys  were  able  to  sell,  at  almost  any  price  they 
chose  to  ask,  all  that  they  could  carry.  Fifteen  cents  was  the 
price  usually  obtained. 

The  diary  for  the  following  month  would  be  rather  monot- 
onous than  otherwise.  The  weather  continued  warm,  with 
frequent  rains,  and  guard  duty  was  very  heavy.  On  the 
fifteenth  there  was  a  visit  from  the  Brigade  Inspector,  and 
the  same  day  a  large  amount  of  clothing  was  issued  to  the 
Regiment.  From  the  arrival  at  Wartrace  there  had  been  a 
great  amount  of  sickness  in  the  camp,  the  cases  puzzling 
the  surgeons  of  the  Regiment,  as  they  were  unable  to  define 
the  cause.  At  times  almost  one-half  of  the  command  was 
unfit  for  duty,  nearly  all  suffering  from  dysentery.  It  hap- 
pened about  this  time  that  a  physician,  who  was  a  resident 
of  the  neighborhood,  but  who  had  long  been  a  refugee  be- 
cause of  his  Union  sentiments,  returned  from  his  wander- 
ings. Coming  to  the  camp  he  reported  to  the  officers  that  the 
spring  from  which  they  were  obtaining  water  was  regarded  by 
the  inhabitants  as  a  poisoned  spring,  and  he  stated  that  not 
less  than  400  Rebels  had  died  from  the  effects  of  using  it. 
Whether  the  report  was  strictly  true  or  not,  it  was  deemed 
best  to  move  the  camp  about  one-fourth  of  a  mile  to  a  field 
near  which  was  another  spring.  The  first  camp  was  behind  a 
range  of  hills  where  the  sun  did  not  reach  until  nine  o'clock 
or  later,  and  was  consequently  somewhat  damp.  Certain  it  is 
that  the  health  of  the  men  very  materially  improved  as  soon 
as  its  location  was  changed. 

Word  reached  the  Regiment  about  this  time  that  Corporal 
Worthy  S.  Taylor,  of  Company  D,  had  been  killed  in  action 
near  Camp  Denison,  Ohio,  July  14.  He  had  been  sick  in 
hospital  for  some  time,  but  having  partially  recovered  was 
called  out,  with  other  convalescents,  to  repel  the  Rebel  raiders 
then  sweeping  through  Southern  Ohio  under  the  lead  of  the 
notorious  Gen.  John  H.  Morgan,  and  met  his  death  at  the 


1863]  A  CHANGE  OF  COMMANDERS.  147 

hands  of  the  enemy,  far  away  from  the  comrades  with  whom 
he  had  enlisted. 

July  21,  the  Regiment  received  two  months'  pay,  Maj. 
Williams  being  the  Paymaster.  This  closed  all  accounts  to 
the  first  of  the  month,  and  made  money  very  plenty  in  camp, 
although  large  amounts  were  sent  home.  The  same  day  Col- 
onel Champion  took  command  of  the  Brigade,  Col.  Atkins 
having  gone  to  the  front  with  Col.  Wilder.  In  a  few  days 
Gen.  Walter  C.  Whittaker  relieved  Colonel  Champion,  the 
latter  returning  to  the  command  of  the  Regiment.  About  the 
same  time  Gen.  James  B.  Steedman  succeeded  to  the  com- 
mand of  the  Division,  relieving  Gen.  Baird,  who  went  home 
on  sick  leave,  subsequently  returning  and  taking  a  command 
at  the  front. 

On  the  twenty-seventh  there  was  a  grand  review  of  the 
Brigade  by  Gen.  Whittaker,  who  expressed  himself  as  de- 
lighted with  his  new  command,  and  was  especially  profuse  in 
praise  of  the  NINETY -SIXTH. 

On  the  twenty-sixth  Jacob  Harwick,  of  Company  F,  died 
in  hospital  at  Nashville.  On  the  twenty-eighth  Hamden 
Huntington,  of  Company  C,  died  in  the  regimental  hospital. 
Huntingtou  was  a  mere  lad,  but  seventeen  years  of  age,  but 
of  quiet  yet  happy  demeanor,  and  had  greatly  endeared  him- 
self to  his  comrades.  At  the  earnest  request  of  his  brother, 
Sergeant  Huntington,  his  remains  were  enclosed  in  a  metallic 
casket  and  taken  home  to  Lake  County  for  interment.  On 
the  thirtieth  William  D.  Sells,  of  Company  D,  died  in  the 
same  hospital.  He  left  a  family  at  home  to  enter  the  service. 
A  pretty  spot  near  the  camp  was  chosen  for  his  grave. 

Captain  Black,  who  formerly  commanded  Company  E,  but 
who  had  resigned  some  months  before,  visited  the  Regiment. 
During  all  this  long  stay  at  Wartrace  there  was  more  or  less 
excitement  regarding  threatened  raids  on  the  part  of  the 
enemy,  and  heavy  guard  details  were  kept  at  each  of  the  rail- 
road bridges  along  the  line.  Occasionally  a  scouting  or  forag- 
ing party  would  go  out,  and  once  or  twice  they  encountered 
Rebels,  but  no  serious  collisions  occurred. 

August  3,  Gen.  Rosecrans  and  staff  spent  part  of  the  day  at 


148  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  "V.  I. 

Wartrace,  inspecting  the  troops  and  looking  over  the  ground, 
and  in  the  afternoon  having  a  grand  review.  As  the  General 
rode  along  the  line  he  made  many  remarks  that  were  quite 
amusing.  Referring  to  Lieutenant  Colonel  Clarke,  who  was 
quite  portly,  he  remarked  :  ' '  There  is  a  Colonel  who  doesn't 
live  on  salt  pork  altogether."  Pointing  to  a  very  short  Cor- 
poral in  Company E,  he  said:  "That  Corporal  ought  to  be 
fed  on  soup  a  while  to  see  if  he  wouldn't  grow."  To  others 
he  made  similar  remarks,  keeping  the  line  in  excellent  humor. 
He  declared  that  he  could  tell,  by  the  looks  of  the  men,  what 
kind  of  cooks  they  had.  On  the  whole  his  visit  created  a  very 
favorable  impression.  A  conspicuous  figure  on  his  staff  was 
Brig.  Gen.  James  A.  Garfield,  then  his  Chief  of  Staff,  and 
afterward  President  of  the  United  States.  Gen.  Garfield's 
reception  by  the  40th  Ohio,  of  the  First  Brigade,  which  had 
been  in  his  command  in  Eastern  Kentucky  in  1862,  was  espe- 
cially cordial.  For  a  time  there  had  been  but  little  drilling, 
but  now  strict  orders  were  issued  to  resume  battalion  drill. 
The  weather  was  hot,  and  the  drilling  was  consequently  done 
early  in  the  morning,  being  kept  up  for  a  week  or  more. 

Thursday,  August  6,  occurred  a  special  Thanksgiving  day, 
under  a  proclamation  from  President  Lincoln,  the  recent  vic- 
tories of  the  Union  army  being  deemed  such  as  to  call  for 
especial  thanksgiving  on  the  part  of  the  people,  both  citizens 
and  soldiers.  The  day  was  observed  by  abstinence  from  drill, 
and  also  by  formal  religious  services,  which  were  participated 
in  by  large  delegations  from  each  of  the  Regiments  encamped 
at  Wartrace. 


1863]  A  NEW  CAMPAIGN  INAUGURATED.  149 


CHAPTER  IX. 


The  Chattanooga  Campaign — The  Difficulties  and  Delays  Attending  its 
Inauguration  —  Conditions  Named  but  not  Complied  with  —  Gen. 
Bragg  Outwitted  and  Outflanked — The  "Gateway  of  the  South" 
Opened  with  Unexpected  Ease — The  Part  Taken  by  the  Reserve 
Corps  in  the  Campaign — The  March  to  Estill  Springs — Scouting 
Experiences — An  Anniversary  Celebrated  by  a  Portion  of  the  Com- 
mand—  Forward — Climbing  the  Cumberland  Mountains — A  Brief 
Halt  at  Bridgeport — A  Forced  March  over  Lookout  Mountain  to 
Rossville — The  Conflict  at  Hand — Preparing  for  the  Sacrifice. 

THE  student  of  military  science  will  find  few  more  interest- 
ing chapters  in  all  the  world's  history  than  those  which  give 
the  particulars  of  the  brilliant  movement  by  which  Gen.  Bragg 
was  forced  to  abandon  the  line  of  the  Tennessee  River.  Be- 
hind this  line  he  had  retired  at  the  close  of  the  brief  but 
spirited  campaign  which  ended  in  the  abandonment  of  Tulla- 
homa  by  the  Confederates  and  its  occupancy  by  Gen.  Rose- 
crans'  command.  That  movement  was  begun  in  August,  and 
in  less  than  one  month  the  stars  and  stripes  were  waving  over 
Chattanooga.  Prior  to  its  inception  there  was  a  spirited  and 
almost  bitter  correspondence  between  Gen.  Halleck  and  the 
commander  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland.  Gen.  Rosecrans 
insisted  that  he  must  have  a  larger  cavalry  force  ;  that  he 
must  wait  for  the  ripening  of  the  corn,  unless  larger  provision 
should  be  made  for  a  supply  of  forage  than  there  had  been  up 
to  that  time  ;  that  he  must  wait  for  the  completion  of  the  rail- 
road to  the  Tennessee  River,  and  that  a  movement  must  be 
made  by  other  forces  on  his  right  and  left  Hanks,  in  order  that  a 
diversion  might  be  created  in  his  favor,  and  even  though  troops 
might  not  be  drawn  from  his  front,  at  least  that  the  enemy  in 
East  Tennessee  and  Northern  Mississippi  might  be  kept 
diverted  and  occupied  so  that  they  could  not  go  to  the  support 
and  assistance  of  Gen.  Bragg.  A  portion  only  of  these 
demands  were  complied  with.  •  Before  the  close  of  July  the 


150  HISTORY  or  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

railroad  was  rebuilt  and  trains  were  running  to  Bridgeport, 
Alabama.  Meanwhile  the  corn  was  approaching  maturity, 
and  some  gains  were  made  in  accumulating  provisions  at  Nash- 
ville, Murfreesboro  and  points  nearer  the  front.  On  the  fifth 
of  August  imperative  orders  were  given  from  Washington  for 
the  army  to  advance.  Gen.  Rosecrans,  claiming  that  he  was 
the  better  judge  as  to  when  a  movement  should  be  made, 
delayed  the  advance  for  some  days.  Despairing  of  the  asked 
for  diversion  on  the  part  of  other  commands  he  sent  a  portion 
of  his  cavalry  to  Huntsville,  on  the  right,  with  instructions  to 
move  along  the  Memphis  and  Charleston  Railroad,  protecting 
it  so  far  as  possible,  and  guarding  the  line  of  the  Tennessee 
River  from  Whitesburg  to  Bridgeport.  After  a  time  Gen. 
Burnside  moved  into  East  Tennessee,  but  succeeded  in  hold- 
ing only  a  small  force  of  the  enemy  in  that  region. 

These  preliminaries  attended  to,  an  active  and  brilliant 
campaign  was  inaugurated.  August  16,  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland  was  on  the  move,  the  main  body — which  had 
been  in  camp  in  the  vicinity  of  Winchester  and  Dechard— 
climbed  the  Cumberland  Mountains,  and  was  soon  feeling  for 
the  enemy,  whose  main  force  was  at  Chattanooga.  With 
numerous  ranges  of  mountains  and  the  mighty  Tennessee  to 
protect  his  rear  and  flanks,  Gen.  Bragg  deemed  himself  secure, 
and  fancied  it  impossible  that  Gen.  Rosecrans  should  ever 
drive  him  from  his  seemingly  impregnable  position.  Indeed, 
he  had  promised  the  Confederate  authorities  that,  if  given 
certain  reinforcements,  he  would  soon  take  the  offensive  and 
drive  the  Federal  forces  from  Tennessee.  At  this  time  began 
the  brilliant  strategy  which  was  to  disconcert  the  over-confi- 
dent Confederate  leader  and  compel  him  to  quit  his  strong- 
hold without  a  battle.  Moving  a  considerable  force  of  cavalry 
and  infantry  into  the  Sequatchie  valley,  Gen.  Rosecrans  made 
a  bold  push,  as  if  intending  to  force  a  crossing  of  the  river  in 
the  near  vicinity  of  Chattanooga  and  attempt  to  take  the  city 
by  direct  assault.  So  bold  and  aggressive  were  the  troops, 
and  so  skillfully  were  they  maneuvered,  that  Gen.  Bragg  seems 
to  have  believed  that  the  entire  Federal  army  was  concentrated 
in  that  immediate  vicinity.  Meanwhile  the  greater  part  of  it 


1863]  FORWARD  TO  ESTILL  SPRINGS.  151 

had  moved,  by  various  routes,  to  Stevenson  and  Bridgeport, 
where  the  long  pontoon  trains  were  gathering  behind  the  hills, 
and  on  the  fourth  of  September  had  laid  bridges  and  was  cross- 
ing, undisturbed,  and  making  its  way  toward  the  railroads 
in  rear  of  Chattanooga.  The  demonstrations  against  the 
doomed  city  were  continued,  and  it  was  at  least  a  day  or  two 
after  the  main  army  was  south  of  the  river  before  Gen.  Bragg 
became  fully  aware  that  it  was  not  Chattanooga,  but  the  com- 
munications leading  to  it,  that  were  in  danger.  The  Federal 
army  was  now  moving  in  three  columns  from  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Stevenson  and  Bridgeport ;  one,  under  Gen.  Critten- 
den,  going  directly  toward  Chattanooga,  as  if  intending  to 
cross  the  point  of  Lookout  Mountain  ;  a  second,  under  Gen. 
Thomas,  moving  over  the  mountain  to  the  right  and  penetrat- 
ing nearly  to  La  Fayette  ;  while  the  third,  under  Gen.  McCook, 
bearing  still  further  to  the  right,  marched  to  Valley  Head,  a 
portion  of  the  force  even  reaching  Alpine.  The  cavalry 
pushed  still  farther,  raiding  the  country  to  the  Coosa  and 
Oostenaula  Rivers.  Early  on  the  morning  of  the  eighth  the 
enemy  evacuated  Chattanooga  and  retreated  southward.  Gen. 
Rosecrans  seems  to  have  been  convinced  that  Gen.  Bragg 
would  continue  his  march  southward,  and  make  a  stand  only 
when  another  strong  defensive  line  was  reached.  He  there- 
fore directed  that  a  vigorous  pursuit  be  made  with  the  view  of 
striking  Bragg  in  flank,  and,  if  possible,  battering  his  army  to 
pieces  outside  of  any  fortifications.  But  this  was  not  to  be 
accomplished.  The  advancing  columns  soon  found  their  way 
opposed  by  a  defiant  enemy,  and  Gen.  Rosecrans  learned, 
almost  too  late,  that  the  army  of  Gen.  Bragg  had  been  largely 
reinforced  and  was  turning  at  bay,  not  only,  prepared  to  defend 
itself  but  also  to  assume  the  offensive. 

While  these  movements  were  being  planned  and  carried 
forward,  the  NINETY-SIXTH  had  been  bearing  a  less  conspicu- 
ous, but  no  less  essential  part.  It  was  at  first  continued  in 
the  work  of  guarding  the  long  and  slender  line  of  communi- 
cations, over  which  must  come  the  provisions  of  the  large 
army  operating  at  the  front.  Even  before  the  campaign  was 
inaugurated  the  Regiment  was  ordered  forward  from  War- 


152  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  1. 

trace.  The  movements  of  the  main  army  having  been  thus 
briefly  outlined,  it  is  now  in  order  to  take  up  the  narrative  of 
the  doings  of  the  command  of  which  this  work  is  a  history. 

Wednesday,  August  12,  without  previous  warning,  the 
Regiment  was  ordered  to  strike  tents  and  be  ready  to  march. 
Soon  afterward  the  113th  Ohio  and  the  98th  Ohio,  which  had 
been  stationed  at  Shelbyville,  marched  into  camp,  and  at 
three  o'clock  the  same  afternoon  the  NINETY-SIXTH  started 
southward,  marching  five  miles  and  going  into  bivouac. 

Thursday,  August  13,  reveille  sounded  very  early,  and  at 
daylight  the  Regiment  was  on  the  move.  The  road  lay  through 
a  deep  ravine,  or  creek  bottom,  and  the  unbridged  stream  was 
crossed  a  dozen  times  or  more  before  Tullahoma  was  reached. 
A  halt  was  made  at  this  place  about  10  o'clock  A.  M.,  a  dis- 
tance of  nine  miles  having  been  traveled.  At  two  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon  the  march  was  resumed,  the  column  traveling 
through  a  more  level  country,  making  about  eight  or  nine 
miles,  and  camping  on  the  bank  of  Elk  River,  near  Estill 
Springs,  in  the  early  evening.  The  40th  Ohio  was  left  on 
duty  at  Tullahoma.  From  August  13  until  September  7,  the 
Regiment  remained  at  Estill  Springs.  Life  there  was  too 
monotonous  to  call  for  a  daily  diary.  The  First  Division  of 
the  Reserve  Corps  was  now  strung  along  the  railroad  from 
Murfreesboro  to  Elk  River,  the  NINETY-SIXTH  being  the 
nearest  to  the  front.  At  this  point  the  1st  Michigan  Engineer 
Regiment  was  at  work  getting  out  timber  for  railroad  bridges. 
A  negro  regiment  was  being  organized  on  the  south  bank  of 
the  river,  recruits  coming  from  the  neighboring  plantations. 

August  16  the  115th  Illinois  was  sent  back  to  some  station 
in  the  rear,  and  a  few  days  later  the  84th  Indiana  followed. 
About  one -third  of  the  Regiment  were  on  picket  duty  all  the 
time.  The  weather  being  hot  and  the  flies  very  abundant, 
there  was  but  little  opportunity  for  sleep  in  the  daytime,  so 
that  the  men  were  kept  pretty  well  tired  out.  Heavy  details  for 
various  duties  were  called  for  every  few  days.  Once  a  large 
number  of  men  were  sent  to  Tullahoma  to  guard  a  wagon 
train,  and  later  a  still  larger  force  was  sent  to  Stevenson  for 
a  like  purpose.  The  men  composing  these  details  had  severe 


18G3J  SCOUTING  EXPERIENCES.  153 

duties  to  perform,  the  marches  being  long  and  disagreeable. 
Almost  daily  a  considerable  number  of  prisoners  were  seen  to 
pass  toward  the  rear  on  the  cars,  giving  assurance  that  matters 
were  going  well  at  the  front.  Toward  the  close  of  the  month 
the  weather,  which  up  to  this  time  had  been  very  sultry, 
became  quite  cool,  —  the  nights  almost  cold.  Camp  was 
moved  a  short  distance  on  the  twenty-third,  the  new  grounds 
being  admirably  located  near  the  bank  of  the  river. 

August  26,  pursuant  to  orders  received  before  leaving 
Wartrace,  a  number  of  non-commissioned  officers  went  to 
Stevenson,  Alabama,  by  train,  for.  the  purpose  of  being  ex- 
amined with  reference  to  their  fitness  to  receive  commissions 
in  negro  regiments,  then  forming  in  that  Department,  and  a 
few  weeks  afterward  four  or  five  commissions  came  to  the 
Regiment  for  those  who  had  passed  the  most  satisfactory 
examinations. 

August  28  a  scouting  party  of  between  thirty  and  forty 
men  went  out  some  twenty  miles,  under  command  of  Captain 
Taylor,  of  Company  E.  They  were  all  mounted,  their  horses 
having  been  picked  up  in  the  vicinity  of  camp.  At  about  one 
o'clock  A.  M.,  while  passing  through  some  timber,  they  sur- 
prised and  captured  two  prisoners  and  three  horses.  One  of 
the  prisoners  proved  to  be  a  noted  bushwhacker  named 
Weaver,  and  the  other  a  man  less  famous  but  not  less  infam- 
ous. Further  on  three  additional  prisoners  were  taken,  but 
all  of  them  claimed  to  be,  and  probably  were,  deserters  from 
the  Confederate  army,  trying  to  get  to  their  homes  in  the  rear 
of  the  Federal  lines.  Ail  were  sent  to  Nashville  under  guard. 

Two  days  later  another  scouting  party  was  sent  out  to 
investigate  rumors  that  a  Rebel  regiment  was  being  organized 
in  an  adjoining  county.  Their  investigation  did  not  confirm 
the  truth  of  the  rumors.  The  officer  in  charge  was  consider- 
ably chagrined,  a  few  days  later,  to  learn  that  a  noted  rebel 
had  escaped  his  clutches  by  the  very  means  subsequently 
adopted  by  his  notorious  leader, —  Jeff  Davis.  While  the 
scouting  party  were  at  a  house,  where  were  a  number  of 
women,  an  elderly  person,  dressed  in  female  attire,  including 
a  huge  sunbonnet,  and  carrying  a  young  child,  said  that  she 


15-i  HISTORY  or  THE  96-rn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

must  go  home.  The  Lieutenant  was  as  polite  as  he  was 
brave,  and  called  a  soldier  to  hold  the  horse  and  assist  the 
supposed  woman  to  mount,  while  he  held  the  baby,  passing 
up  his  charge  when  she  was  safely  in  the  saddle.  A  day  or 
two  later  it  was  learned  that  it  was  not  a  woman,  but  a  man, 
whom  Lieutenant  Richardson  had  so  gallantly  assisted,  and 
his  explanation  that  the  night  was  dark  and  the  light  in  the 
house  extremely  dim,  did  not  save  him  from  considerable 
chaffing  on  the  part  of  his  brother  officers.  Two  or  three 
times  it  was  reported  that  Forrest  was  in  the  near  vicinity 
with  a  large  force  of  cavalry,  and  that  the  bridge  at  Estill 
Springs  was  to  be  burned  by  him  if  he  could  possibly  gain 
access  to  it.  As  a  consequence  the  pickets  were  kept  con- 
stantly anxious  and  vigilant,  and  there  was  no  sleeping  on  the 
outposts. 

Saturday,  September  5,  was  the  first  anniversary  of  the 
muster-in  of  the  Regiment.  Company  A  celebrated  the  event 
by  a  grand  dinner,  provided  by  their  officers,  and  had  an 
exceedingly  jolly  time.  Other  Companies  observed  the  day 
with  less  formality,  but  the  cash  receipts  of  the  sutler  were 
considerably  larger  than  on  ordinary  days. 

Sunday,  September  6,  there  were  again  rumors  of  a  move, 
and  all  the  men  unable  to  march  were  sent  back  to  Tullahoma 
by  train.  There  were  a  large  number  from  each  Company, 
for  the  hot  weather  and  the  almost  constant  guard  duty,  sup- 
plemented by  green  peaches,  unripe  vegetables  and  bad  cook- 
ing had  put  many  men  on  the  sick  list,  and  there  had  been 
several  deaths  in  the  command.  Charles  Jennings,  of  Com- 
pany K,  died  August  20  ;  John  Yaughn,  of  Company  G, 
August  22  ;  James  Bottom,  of  Company  B,  August  23  ;  Isaac 
Addudle,  of  Company  H,  August  31 ;  and  John  Baker,  of 
Company  G,  September  6.  All  of  these  deaths  occurred  at 
Estill  Springs,  in  camp  or  at  the  regimental  hospital,  and 
the  effect  upon  the  survivors  was  by  no  means  favorable.  In 
addition  to  these  Corporal  James  O'Connell,  of  Company  B, 
died  at  Nashville,  August  24,  and  a  little  later  Wm.  Trudgian, 
of  Company  F,  died  at  Tullahoma. 

Monday,  September  7 — the  day  before  the  Union  advance 


1863]  CROSSING  THE  CUMBERLAND  MOUNTAINS.  155 

occupied  Chattanooga — orders  were  received  for  the  Regiment 
to  proceed  to  the  front.  For  the  first  time  in  some  weeks  drill 
had  been  resumed,  but  while  the  companies  were  out  the 
order  came,  the  assembly  sounded,  and  by  half  past  eleven 
o'clock  the  Regiment  had  broken  camp  and  was  filing  out 
toward  the  south.  Not  far  in  advance  were  the  low  ranges  of 
the  Cumberland  Mountains,  and  the  men  knew  that  their  road 
was  to  be  a  hard  one,  for  it  lay  directly  over  these  ranges. 
The  distance  traveled  that  day  was  about  ten  miles ;  Dechard 
was  passed  on  the  way  and  the  camp  being  made  about  dark, 
at  Cowan  Station.  The  weather,  was  exceedingly  warm. 
Several  other  Regiments  joined  the  column  on  the  march, 
coming  up  from  the  rear. 

Tuesday,  September  8,  reveille  sounded  at  half  past  two 
o'clock.  By  four  o'clock  the  column  was  on  the  road,  and 
immediately  commenced  the  ascent  of  the  mountain,  crossing 
over  the  tunnel  and  past  Tantallon,  camping  near  Ander- 
son. The  distance  traveled  was  said  to  be  fifteen  miles, 
but  the  men  declared  that  this  must  have  been  measured  by 
the  railroad,  and  that  the  wagon  road  was  not  much,  if  any, 
less  than  twenty  miles.  The  climb  was  a  very  severe  one,  and 
all  were  greatly  fatigued  with  the  long,  hard  day's  journey. 

Wednesday,  September  9,  reveille  was  heard  sounding  at 
half  past  two  o'clock,  and  again  at  four  o'clock  the  column 
filed  out  upon  the  wagon  road  and  pushed  rapidly  southward. 
Anderson  was  passed  early  in  the  morning,  and  the  camp  was 
made  soon  after  noon  at  a  point  about  a  mile  distant  from 
Stevenson.  The  weather  was  hot  and  the  road  terribly 
dusty — so  dusty  in  fact  that  it  was  almost  impossible  to  recog- 
nize the  men  or  the  officers.  Through  the  narrow,  wooded 
roads  the  column  filed  mile  after  mile,  the  stifling  dust,  created 
by  the  numerous  trains  that  for  a  fortnight  had  been  pushing 
back  and  forth  over  the  wagon  roads,  rising  in  such  clouds 
that  at  times  it  was  impossible  to  see  more  than  a  few  rods. 
The  men  were  fairly  choked,  and  as  they  toiled  on,  their  sweaty 
faces  became  as  black  as  the  negroes  at  the  occasional  houses 
by  the  roadside.  On  portions  of  the  route  water  was  very 
scarce.  At  one  time,  after  a  very  long  interval,  a  magnificent 


156  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

spring  gushed  out  from  the  mountain  side,  and  the  thirsty 
men  gathered  about  it  as  eagerly  as  ever  cattle  rushed  to  a 
watering  place,  hundreds  crowding  around  and  almost  pushing 
their  associates  into  the  water  in  their  haste  to  procure  the 
precious  fluid. 

To  many  of  the  command  this  was  a  first  experience  in  the 
mountains,  and  the  ever  changing  panorama  as  the  column 
passed  along  the  tortuous  roadway  was  most  pleasing.  The 
year  had  grown  prematurely  old,  and  the  forests  were  taking 
on  their  autumnal  hues.  As  the  clouds  of  dust  were  wafted 
to  one  side  so  that  the  outlines  of  the  wooded  mountains  could 
be  seen,  there  were  few  so  weary  that  they  did  not  share  in  the 
enjoyment  afforded  by  the  magnificent  view. 

Thursday,  September  10,  the  Brigade  marched  from 
Stevenson,  starting  at  six  o'clock  in  the  morning  and  camping 
near  Bridgeport  about  one  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  All  were 
thoroughly  tired  out  with  their  four  days'  march  through  the 
dust  and  over  the  mountains,  and  many  of  them  extremely 
foot  sore.  In  the  distance,  less  than  half  a  mile  from  camp, 
could  be  seen  the  waters  of  the  Tennessee  River.  Hardly 
had  guns  been  stacked  and  knapsacks  unslung  when  the  entire 
command,  embracing  almost  every  man  in  every  Regiment  in 
the  column,  started  for  the  river.  All  seemed  to  forget  their 
blistered  feet  in  their  eagerness  to  wash  off  the  dust  and  dirt 
accumulated  on  the  march.  It  was  a  spectacle  to  be  remem- 
bered, when  that  two  or  three  thousand  men,  hurriedly  strip- 
ping off  their  clothing,  sprung  into  the  waters  of  the  Tennessee. 
It  must  be  left  to  the  imagination  to  picture  the  scene,  for 
words  cannot  describe  it.  A  half  hour  later,  refreshed  and 
revived  by  their  plunge  in  the  water,  they  made  their  way 
back  to  camp,  near  the  ruins  of  the  bridge,  and  prepared  their 
dinner,  after  which  they  rested  for  the  day. 

Friday,  September  1 1,  was  spent  quietly  in  camp.  Some 
strong  earthworks  were  observed  in  the  neighborhood,  and 
the  point  was  deemed  an  important  one  by  the  military  authori- 
ties. There  was  an  island  in  the  river  on  which  the  piers  of 
the  large  railroad  bridge  were  still  standing,  although  the 
bridge  itself  had  been  burned  when  the  Rebels  retreated  south- 


1863]  SOUTH  OF  THE  TENNESSEE.  157 

ward  a  few  days  before.  The  command  was  again  moving  to 
the  front,  and  an  occasional  artillery  salute  could  be  heard, 
indicating  that  active  operations  were  going  on  not  far  from 
Chattanooga. 

Saturday,  September  12,  the  Kegirnent  marched  at  seven 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  moving  directly  across  the  river,  and 
going  into  camp  upon  the  southern  bank.  The  men  were 
directed  to  fix  up  the  camp  nicely  and  given  some  assurance 
that  they  would  remain  at  that  point  for  a  time.  Accordingly 
the  grounds  were  carefully  policed,  and  large  quantities  of 
straight  pine  poles,  with  which  the  region  abounded,  were  cut 
for  the  construction  of  bunks.  After  some  hours  had  been 
spent  in  hard  work  of  this  character,  they  were  notified  c 
send  back  all  their  extra  baggage,  as  they  would  be  required 
to  go  directly  to  the  front.  The  camp  and  garrison  equipage, 
including  tents,  knapsacks,  blankets  and  mess-chests,  were 
packed  up  and  sent  to  Stevenson,  Captain  Pollock,  of  Com- 
pany C,  being  detailed  to  accompany  and  take  charge  of  them. 
Quite  a  number  of  men,  who  were  unfit  for  the  long  march, 
were  sent  back  with  him.  A  few  came  up  from  the  rear  to 
take  their  places,  keeping  the  number  of  the  Regiment  up  to 
nearly  500  men. 

Sunday  morning,  September  13,  between  six  and  seven 
o'clock,  the  column  filed  out  in  the  direction  of  Chattanooga. 
The  Regiment  was  near  the  rear  of  the  column,  and  as  there 
were  several  hundred  wagons  ahead  of  them  loaded  with 
twelve  days'  rations  and  a  large  amount  of  ammunition  for 
the  command,  progress  was  very  slow.  Shellmound  was 
passed  early  in  the  day,  the  column  halting  for  a  time  near 
the  entrance  to  the  famous  Nick-a-Jack  Cave,  from  whose 
rocky  depths  a  mammoth  spring  poured  out  its  cooling  waters. 
Some  extensive  saltpetre  works,  from  which  the  Rebels  had 
obtained  large  quantities  of  material  for  gunpowder,  were  near 
by  and  attracted  much  attention.  A  large  squad  of  prisoners, 
on  their  way  to  Bridgeport  under  guard,  were  met  during  the 
afternoon. 

All  day  the  scenery  along  the  line  of  march  increased  in 
grandeur,  and  as  night  approached  was  truly  magnificent. 


158  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

Sand  and  Lookout  Mountains  were  bold  peaks,  and  loomed 
up  as  if  near  at  hand.  Whiteside  was  reached  just  at  dark 
and  the  tired  troops  went  into  bivouac,  having  marched  about 
fifteen  miles.  But  their  rest  was  not  to  be  a  long  one,  for  at 
eleven  o'clock  the  sleepers  were  aroused  and  ordered  to 
resume  the  march.  That  night  trip,  over  the  rugged  moun- 
tain road,  was  one  to  be  remembered.  Great  boulders  lay  in 
the  roadway,  and  frequent  ledges  of  rock  cropped  out  to  make 
the  path  uneven.  Through  the  long  hours  the  column  toiled 
wearily  onward,  up  and  down,  over  the  hills  and  through  the 
narrow  valleys,  hindered  by  the  artillery  and  wagon  trains 
in  front,  and  yet  not  allowed  to  tarry  more  than  a  few 
moments  at  any  point  for  rest.  Men  fell  asleep  as  they 
marched  along,  and,  stumbling  over  the  rocks  and  ledges, 
partially  fell,  while  ever  and  anon  a  musket  would  drop  from 
the  unconscious  hands  and  go  rattling  down  the  stony  ravines. 
Some  sank  down  from  exhaustion  and  declared  they  could 
not  go  another  step.  Others,  chafed  and  blistered,  fell  to  the 
rear  of  the  column,  but  still  kept  on.  Shoes  wore  through, 
and  many  were  the  feet  whose  every  step  left  on  the  rocks  a 
trace  of  blood.  Through  the  uncertain  light  the  outline  of 
Lookout  could  be  dimly  traced  against  the  sky.  The  linea 
were  shortened  as  the  hours,  wore  away,  for  many  could  not 
bear  the  strain  of  continuous  marching  over  the  rugged  roads 
and  fell  to  the  rear.  At  last  the  gray  of  morning  came,  but 
still  the  silent,  sullen  column,  like  a  huge  serpent,  wound  its 
way  along.  Then  came  daylight,  and  as  sleepiness  disap- 
peared with  the  darkness,  the  men  grew  more  cheerful  and 
ventured  to  talk  again.  At  sunrise  the  wearied  column  halted, 
and  the  soldiers  set  about  preparing  coffee  and  toasting  meat 
over  the  quickly  kindled  bivouac  fires.  They  were  rather 
jolly  than  otherwise,  for  their  spirits  rose  as  they  partook  of  the 
exhilarating  coffee  and  the  satisfying  hard-tack.  The  pluckier 
stragglers  came  up  in  goodly  numbers  and  resumed  their 
places,  but  the  lines  were  by  no  means  full  when  the  bugle 
sounded  the  order  to  move  on. 

The  halt  had  been  made  at  the  base  of  Lookout,  and  the 
long  climb  over  the  nose  of  the  mountain  was  at  once  begun. 


1863]  IN  SIGHT  or  CHATTANOOGA.  159* 

Stiffened  and  sore,  the  troops  made  slow  progress,  and  the 
forenoon  was  well  advanced  when  the  highest  point  of  the 
wagon  road  was  reached.  The  scene  which  there  opened  out 
was  one  of  beauty.  Chattanooga  was  in  the  distance.  The- 
broad  Tennessee  seemed  like  a  silver  ribbon  winding  in  and 
out  among  the  timbered  hills  which  lined  its  banks.  Missionary 
Ridge  lay  at  the  front,  and  seemed  hardly  more  than  a  rifle- 
shot away.  Beyond  this  were  the  fields  and  forests  where 
the  main  bodies  of  the  two  armies  were  soon  to  be  engaged 
in  the  first  mighty  struggle  which  was  to  make  that  region 
famous,  and  in  which  so  many  of  the  tired  feet  then  toiling 
across  the  mountain  should  halt  forever  at  the  bugle  call 
of  death.  To  the  left,  and  near  at  hand,  were  alternately 
deep,  ragged  chasms  and  huge  ledges,  and  just  beyond,  where 
a  glance  would  say  a  boy  might  throw  a  stone,  was  Moccasin 
Point,  where  a  remnant  of  the  Regiment  were  to  shortly  watcli 
for  showers  of  iron  from  the  mountain  sides.  To  the  right, 
across  acres  where  the  crops  had  been  naught  but  rocks,  and 
these  ungathered  through  all  the  centuries  of  the  past,  loomed 
up  the  palisades,  crowned  by  the  crest  of  that  soon  to  be  his- 
toric mountain.  None  knew  it  then,  but  over  these  rocks, 
and  up  against  those  palisades,  the  Regiment,  in  a  brief  two 
months,  was  to  make  its  way,  in  the  flame  and  smoke  of 
battle. 

The  halt  on  Lookout's  side  was  not  a  long  one,  for  soon- 
the  bugles  sounded  again  and  the  column  wound  down  into 
Lookout  Valley,  and  across  the  intervening  plain  to  Mission- 
ary Ridge.  It  had  been  supposed  that  the  march  would  be 
directed  toward  Chattanooga,  but  instead  the  line  passed  on  to 
the  southeast,  leaving  the  city  to  the  left,  and  camping  a  little 
before  noon  at  Rossville  Gap,  four  miles  away.  All  through 
the  afternoon  and  until  the  evening  was  well  advanced,  the 
tired  stragglers  came  limping  in.  The  trip  had  been  an 
exceedingly  tedious  one,  not  alone  because  of  the  natural 
difficulties  of  the  route,  but  also  because  of  the  annoying  delays 
occasioned  by  the  heavy  wagon  train  accompanying  the  com- 
mand, and  in  whose  rear  the  Regiment,  with  other  portions  of 
the  command,  had  been  obliged  to  travel. 


160  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  If 

There  were  now  at  Rossville  three  batteries  of  artillery 
and  fourteen  regiments  of  infantry.  Most  of  these  were 
troops  that  had  never  been  under  fire,  except  at  long 
range.  As  for  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  it  had  been  gathering 
strength  through  all  the  months  for  the  mighty  conflict  of 
arms  that  was  now  so  near.  It  had  listened  to  distant  artillery 
in  Kentucky  ;  it  had  seen  a  nearer  view  of  war  at  the  second 
Fort  Donelson ;  it  had  been  in  the  outer  margin  of  the  fray  at 
Franklin  ;  it  had  been  closer  to  the  front  at  Triune,  where  for 
many  hours  it  lay  under  an  annoying  artillery  fire,  and  where 
the  bullets  pattered  along  its  line  ;  it  had  heard  the  roar  of 
shot  and  shell  at  Guy's  Gap  and  Shelbyville  ;  it  had  taken 
part  in  frequent  scouting  expeditions  and  picket  forays  where 
there  was  enough  of  danger  to  try  the  nerves  of  its  members, 
but  it  had  never  been  in  heavy  battle.  During  the  year  excel- 
lent discipline  had  been  maintained,  and  the  men  had  been 
getting  ready.  Now  it  was  to  know — and  that  right  speedily — 
of  what  material  it  was  composed,  and  whether  it  should  do 
honor  to  the  hopes  of  those  who  had  sent  it  forth  to  battle. 
Chickamauga  was  less  than  a  week  distant. 


SW^^A, 


._  PwafcR,,;. 

^b-   .-^-:,       ^ 


ROSS    HOUSE. 


Heaili|uarters  of  the  Brigade,  at  Rossville,  Oa.,  just  prior  to  and  on  the  morning  following 
the  Hattle  of  Chickamaiiga. 


1863]  CHICKAMAUGA.  161 


CHAPTER    X. 


Chickamauga— Preparations  for  the  Impending  Battle— Collecting  the 
Scattered  Forces— The  Enemy  not  in  Retreat— Bragg's  Lost  Oppor- 
tunity— The  Lines  Forming  Along  Chickamauga  Creek — A  Recon- 
noissance  f  rom  Rossville  —  Under  Fire  with  Unloaded  Guns — Cold 
Nights  in  Line  of  Battle — Saturday's  Battle — The  Fighting  Renewed 
on  Sunday — The  Reserves  to  the  Rescue — The  March  to  the  Right — 
Three  Desperate  Charges — Repulsing  the  Enemy — Desperate  Fight- 
ing and  Terrific  Losses— Both  Armies  Baffled — Again  at  Rossville — 
The  Long  Casualty  List — Companies  C  and  H  Captured — Arrival  at 
Moccasin  Point— Official  Reports — The  New  York  Tribune  Letter. 

CHICKAMAUGA  !  Though  long  years  have  passed  since  that 
name  was  hurled  into  history  from  the  smoking  throats  of  a 
hundred  cannon  and  a  hundred  thousand  muskets,  yet  the 
hand  trembles  and  the  pen  falters  as  the  word  is  written.  It 
is  a  theme  too  vast  to  be  fully  discussed  in  a  work  like  this. 
It  was  a  battle  of  tremendous  proportions  and  fraught  with 
mighty  import.  It  extended  over  miles  of  territory,  through 
fields  and  woods  embracing  thousands  of  acres.  It  occupied 
two  full  days,  beside  the  preliminary  skirmishes  attending 
it.  The  nature  of  the  ground  occupied  by  the  opposing 
armies  was  such  that  often  but  little  could  be  seen  by  the 
General  officers, — and  much  less  by  line  officers  or  enlisted 
men, —  except  of  their  immediate  surroundings.  Divisions, 
brigades,  even  regiments,  at  times  became  detached  and  had 
engagements  that  seemed  wholly  their  own,  for  the  heavy 
timber  on  many  parts  of  the  battle-field  so  covered  and  con- 
cealed them  that  movements  could  neither  be  seen  nor  antici- 
pated ;  and  they  fought,  independently  and  alone,  giving  and 
taking  terrific  blows,  often  without  support,  and  until  exhausted 
and  out  of  ammunition.  Commanders  have  discussed  and 
grown  angry  over  it,  disagreeing  widely  as  to  their  locations 
and  the  work  accomplished  by  their  commands.  They  all 
agree,  however,  that  it  was  a  desperate  battle,  and  the  soldiers 
11 


162  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  whenever  they  meet  to  talk 
over  their  experiences, —  as  old  soldiers  will, —  almost  invaria- 
bly end  up  with  Chickamauga. 

The  movements  of  the  main  armies,  in  the  campaign  by 
which  Gen.  Rosecrans  wrested  Chattanooga  from  the  enemy, 
have  been  briefly  outlined  in  the  preceding  chapter, — the 
events  there  alluded  to  occupying  until  about  September  10, 
Before  taking  up  the  narrative  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  in  con- 
nection with  the  battle,  it  will  be  proper  to  describe,  briefly, 
the  movements  of  the  three  main  columns  of  the  Federal 
army,  and  also  of  Gen.  Bragg' s  forces,  during  the  week  that 
intervened  between  the  date  named  and  the  opening  of  the 
mighty  struggle. 

Drawing  his  forces  back  twenty-five  or  thirty  miles,  to 
the  neighborhood  of  La  Fayette,  Gen.  Bragg  repeated  the 
appeals  for  reinforcements, — made  to  the  Confederate  author- 
ities when  he  first  discovered  Gen.  Rosecrans'  strategy, — 
promising,  if  certain  troops  were  sent  to  him,  to  retake  Chat- 
tanooga, and  drive  the  Federals  northward  into  or  across  the 
Tennessee  River.  The  troops  were  sent, — two  divisions  from 
Mississippi,  Gen.  Buckner's  command  from  East  Tennessee, 
Gen,  Longstreet's  Corps  from  Virginia,  and  several  thousand 
of  the  Georgia  Militia  ;  and  thus  was  concentrated,  before  the- 
opening  of  the  battle,  a  force  much  superior  in  point  of  num- 
bers to  that  commanded  by  Gen.  Rosecrans. 

Hardly  had  the  Federal  commander  formulated  his  plans 
for  pursuit  when  evidences  began  to  multiply  that  the  enemy, 
instead  of  being  in  retreat  toward  Rome,  as  had  been  sup- 
posed, was  concentrating  between  La  Fayette  and  Lee  & 
Gordon's  Mills.  This  fact  was  not  definitely  ascertained  until 
dispositions  for  pursuit  had  been  made  and  the  advance  had 
been  well  begun.  Crittenden's  Corps,  after  crossing  Lookout 
Mountain  into  Chattanooga,  had  moved  on  Ringgold,  driving 
the  enemy  from  that  place  and  pushing  southward,  the  cavalry 
going  beyond  Tunnel  Hill,  and  a  portion  of  the  infantry 
nearly  to  that  point.  Those  farthest  to  the  left  soon  became 
aware  that  they  were  actually  in  the  rear  of  the  right  wing  of 
the  main  body  of  the  Confederates,  and  in  great  danger.  As 


1863]  CHICKAMAUGA.  163 

soon  as  practicable  they  were  withdrawn,  returning  to  the 
neighborhood  of  Kinggold,  and  then, — two  Brigades  having 
been  previously  sent  to  cover  the  roads  leading  into  Chatta- 
nooga from  the  southward, — moving  more  directly  toward  La 
Fayette.  In  this  latter  movement  they  encountered  unex- 
pected opposition,  and  were  obliged  to  move  by  the  right 
flank,  finally  joining  the  two  Brigades  mentioned  near  Lee 
&  Gordon's  Mills.  From  this  point  reconnoitreing  parties 
were  sent  in  various  directions,,  the  one  going  toward  La 
Fayette  encountering  two  corps  of  the  enemy,  under  Gen.  Polk, 
moving  to  the  attack  of  Crittenden's  position.  This  recon- 
noitreing party  made  a  vigorous  and  noisy  resistance,  which 
so  disconcerted  the  enemy  that  they  abandoned  their  advance 
movement  and  assumed  the  defensive,  supposing  that  they 
had  been  mistaken  in  believing  Gen.  Rosecrans'  army  still 
divided.  Within  a  day  or  two, — a  portion  of  the  Reserve 
Corps  having  reached  Rossville  and  being  within  supporting 
distance, — a  part  of  Gen.  Crittenden's  force  was  sent  to  the 
right  to  cover  the  road  leading  to  Chattanooga  through  the 
valley  to  the  east  of  Lookout. 

While  the  movements  just  described  were  in  progress, 
Gen.  Thomas,  in  command  of  the  centre  column,  attempted 
to  pass  through  Dug  Gap,  but,  finding  it  occupied  by  a  large 
force  of  the  enemy,  withdrew  his  lines,  and  by  a  dextrous 
movement  avoided  a  general  engagement  and  reached  a  posi- 
tion more  suitable  for  defense.  He  had  a  lively  skirmish  at 
McLemore's  Cove,  however,  but  was  not  so  involved  but  that 
he  was  able  to  fall  back  without  a  battle.  Owing  to  the  dis- 
tance to  be  traveled  and  the  rugged  and  tortuous  roads  in  the 
rear  of  the  Union  forces,  much  difficulty  was  experienced  in 
communicating  with  Gen.  McCook,  who,  from  his  position  at 
Alpine,  had  also  found  that  the  enemy  was  preparing  for 
battle.  On  the  thirteenth,  pursuant  to  orders  received  the 
night  before,  Gen.  McCook  began  the  movement  to  his  left 
which  was  to  concentrate  the  Union  forces.  The  march  was 
a  most  toilsome  one,  the  column  being  encumbered  with 
considerable  artillery  and  heavy  wagon  trains,  which  were 
moved  with  difficulty,  owing  to  the  mountainous  roads. 


164  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

The  enemy  controlled  the  direct  roads,  and  the  troops  and 
trains  had  to  cross  and  recross  the  mountain  before  effect- 
ing a  junction  with  Gen.  Thomas.  The  march  was  made 
almost  continuous,  fires  being  kindled  at  night  to  light  up  the 
road  at  the  more  difficult  points  and  allow  the  teams  to  con- 
tinue on  their  course.  On  the  seventeenth  the  three  Corps 
were  within  supporting  distance  of  each  other.  For  nearly  a 
week  the  situation  had  been  critical  in  the  extreme.  Gen. 
Bragg  had  it  in  his  power  during  all  of  that  time  to  strike 
any  one  of  the  three  Corps  with  his  entire  army  without  fear 
that  either  of  the  others  would  reach  the  column  attacked 
until  a  battle  could  be  fought.  It  is  matter  of  history  that  he 
more  than  once  gave  positive  orders  to  his  subordinates  to 
make  the  attack  ;  but  some  unexpected  move  of  the  Federal 
forces,  or  some  division  of  counsels  on  the  part  of  his  corps 
or  division  commanders,  cost  the  Confederates  their  opportu- 
nity, and  delayed  a  battle  that  was  to  be  desperate  enough, 
even  after  the  Union  forces  were  united. 

Having  failed  to  take  advantage  of  the  opportunities  offered 
during  this  long  period  in  which  the  Federal  forces  had  been 
separated,  General  Bragg  changed  his  plans,  and  decided  that 
the  battle  must  be  nearer  Chattanooga.  General  Rosecrans' 
army  was  mainly  to  the  right  and  rear  of  Lee  &  Gordon's 
Mills,  and  not  yet  well  in  hand.  The  Confederate  leader 
now  began  moving  his  forces  by  the  right  flank,  in  order  to 
make  easy  connection  with  such  of  his  reinforcements  as  had 
not  yet  arrived  and  must  make  the  march  from  the  railroad, 
intending  to  strike  the  left  flank  of  General  Rosecrans'  com- 
mand, and  interpose  his  own  army  between  them  and  Chatta- 
nooga. But  here  again  divided  counsels,  a  slight  delay  in  the 
arrival  of  Longstreet's  Corps,  and  the  positive  timidity  on  the 
part  of  his  immediate  subordinates  conspired  to  cost  Bragg 
another  golden  opportunity  ;  for  the  attack,  positively  ordered 
on  Thursday  evening  to  be  made  the  following  morning,  was 
deferred  until  Saturday,  the  nineteenth.  The  dust,  which  had 
so  stifled  the  Union  troops  in  their  long  marches,  now  came 
to  their  assistance,  for  it  rose  in  great  clouds  off  to  the  east, 
betraving  the  movements  of  the  Confederates,  and  thus  en- 


1863]  CHICKAMAUGA.  165 

abling  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  to  meet  this  unexpected 
change  of  plan.  The  Union  forces  were  moved  to  the  left  as 
rapidly  as  possible,  but  as  the  enemy  was  pressing  in  the 
vicinity  of  Crawfish  Springs,  the  utmost  caution  had  to  be 
observed,  and  the  movements  were  made  at  some  disadvan- 
tage. Then,  too,  the  distance  was  considerable,  and  the  route 
lay  through  tangles  of  forest  and  along  narrow  and  difficult 
roads,  so  that  the  close  of  Friday  found  the  Union  lines  but 
partially  formed,  while  many  of  the  troops  were  still  some 
miles  from  the  position  chosen  for  defense,  and  must  march 
long  hours  in  the  darkness  before  they  could  be  assigned  to 
positions  and  given  opportunity  to  catch  a  little  sleep  before 
the  battle  of  the  morrow.  Indeed,  large  portions  of  the  army 
were  in  motion  throughout  the  entire  night,  while  others  were 
thrown  into  bivouac  because  of  the  impracticability  of  moving 
them  over  the  fields  in  the  darkness,  and  resumed  the  march 
at  daylight  of  Saturday  morning ;  those  farthest  to  the  right 
not  closing  up  on  the  main  army  until  the  afternoon  was  well 
advanced,  and  then,  after  a  double-quick  of  some  miles,  going 
immediately  into  action.  The  lines  of  the  main  army,  as 
formed  during  Friday  and  the  early  part  of  Saturday,  were  on 
the  west  bank  of  Chickamauga  Creek,  and  extended  from 
Lee  &  Gordon's  Mills  to  Reed's  Bridge,  a  distance  of  about 
five  miles.  A  portion  of  McCook's  Corps  was  still  farther  to 
the  right,  occupying  a  position  near  Crawfish  Springs,  so  that 
the  extreme  right  and  left  wings  were  almost  twelve  miles 
apart.  The  several  bridges  and  fords  along  the  stream 
were  guarded  by  cavalry,  with  infantry  in  support.  Three  or 
four  miles  in  rear  of  the  line  was  Missionary  Ridge,  an  irregu- 
lar range  of  hills,  parallel  with  the  general  line  of  battle,  and 
so  steep  and  high  that  it  would  almost  pass  for  a  range  of 
mountains  in  a  country  less  rough  than  Northern  Georgia. 
Through  this  Ridge  were  but  two  roads  over  which  wagons  or 
artillery  could  pass.  One  led  through  Rossville  Gap  on  the 
left  of  the  main  army  ;  the  other  through  McFarland's  Gap, 
nearly  in  rear  of  the  left  centre. 

Having  described  how  the  main  armies  were  ranged  on 


166  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

either  bank  of  Chickamauga  Creek,  it  will  be  in  order  to  again 
take  up  the  narrative  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH. 

The  previous  chapter  left  the  Regiment  at  Rossville,  four 
miles  distant  from  Chattanooga,  and  nearly  eight  miles  from 
Lee  &  Gordon's  Mills.  There  were  with  Gen.  Gordon 
Granger,  at  Rossville,  the  First  Brigade  of  the  First  Division 
of  the  Reserve  Corps, — to  'which  Brigade  the  NINETY-SIXTH 
belonged, — under  the  command  of  Gen.  Walter  C.  Whit- 
taker  ;  the  Second  Brigade  of  the  same  Division,  under 
the  command  of  Col.  J.  G.  Mitchell,  and  which  had  marched 
from  the  neighborhood  of  Wartrace  and  Shelbyville  ;  the 
Second  Brigade  of  the  Second  Division  of  the  same  Corps, 
commanded  by  Col.  Daniel  McCook,  which  had  marched  from 
the  neighborhood  of  Columbia ;  the  89th  Ohio,  of  the  Four- 
teenth Corps,  which  had  marched  from  Tracy  City  ;  and  the 
22d  Michigan,  of  the  Second  Division  of  the  Rserve  Corps, 
which,  having  been  on  provost  duty  at  Nashville,  had  been 
brought  to  Bridgeport  by  rail  and  marched  from  there  with 
the  rest  of  the  command.  Few  who  were  on  that  march  will 
fail  to  remember  the  appearance  of  this  last  named  Regiment. 
Their  ranks  were  full,  their  clothing  new  and  tidy,  and  many 
of  them  wore  white  shirts  and  paper  collars.  There  was  some 
good-natured  chaffing  on  the  part  of  the  troops  that  had  been 
in  more  active  field  duty,  but  these  men  showed  themselves 
admirable  soldiers,  and  those  who  survived  the  battle  were 
ever  afterward  held  as  worthy  to  be  called  brothers  by  their 
veteran  comrades.  Although  the  Corps  Commander  was 
present,  it  is  understood  that  all  of  the  orders  sent  to 
to  the  command  were  addressed  to  Gen.  J.  B.  Steedman,  who 
was  the  commander  of  the  First  Division,  and  to  whom  the 
Brigade  of  Col.  McCook  and  the  two  detached  Regiments  had 
been  assigned.  This  was  all  of  the  troops  that  could  be  spared 
from  the  rear  to  assist  the  main  army  at  the  front.  It  was  a 
paltry  number,  a  beggarly  reinforcement  compared  with  the 
scores  of  regiments  that  had  been  sent  at  the  call  of  the  Rebel 
Commander,  but  enough,  thank  God,  to  save  the  day.  They 
did  not  know  their  peril — perhaps  it  was  better  that  they  did 
not. 


1863]  CHICKAMAUGA.  167 

From  the  fourteenth  to  the  seventeenth  these  troops  lay 
idly  in  their  camps,  resting  from  the  long  march.  Rossville 
Gap  was  well  picketed,  and  a  lighter  line  of  guards  was  put 
out  along  the  valley  and  toward  Chattanooga.  Gen.  Gordon 
Granger,  the  commander  of  the  Corps,  exercised  his  authority 
by  causing  a  number  of  foragers,  who  had  been  outside  the 
picket  lines,  to  be  arrested  by  his  guards  and  tied  up  by  the 
thumbs  near  his  headquarters.  Instantly  there  was  "music" 
in  the  camp.  Captain  Hicks  and  other  officers  from  the 
NINETY-SIXTH  walked  deliberately  to  the  line  and  demanded 
the  release  of  their  men.  A  crowd  of  soldiers  gathered  near 
by,  and  officers  from  other  regiments  imitated  the  example 
set  by  Captain  Hicks  and  his  associates.  Gen.  Granger  was 
profane,  and  made  terrible  threats,  but  the  murmur  that  ran 
through  the  crowd  indicated  that  he  could  not  misuse  intelli- 
gent volunteers  in  an  active  campaign,  and  he  slunk  away  into 
his  tent,  damning  everybody.  Shortly  afterward,  upon  the 
demand  of  Gen.  Steedman,  the  Commander  of  the  Division, 
all  were  released  and  quiet  restored.  It  was  better  so,  for  the 
feeling  among  the  soldiers  was  so  intense  that  nightfall  would 
have  seen  a  raid  upon  headquarters  and  the  release  of  the 
foragers,  even  though  it  might  have  inaugurated  a  tragedy. 

Thursday,  September  17,  the  Second  Brigade  and  the  22d 
Michigan  and  89th  Ohio,  all  under  Gen.  Steedman,  leaving 
Rossville  at  three  o'clock  A.  M.,  went  out  on  the  Ringgold  road 
some  twelve  or  fourteen  miles,  driving  a  light  force  for  the 
last  half  mile  or  so.  From  the  high  ground  overlooking  the 
village  of  Ringgold  they  could  plainly  see  large  forces  of  the 
enemy,  on  the  march  and  in  bivouac.  The  temptation  to  give 
them  a  surprise  was  too  strong  to  be  resisted,  and  a  section  of 
the  battery  was  taken  to  the  ridge  and  begun  a  vigorous  shell- 
ing of  the  camps.  This  was  soon  responded  to  ;  but  the  pur- 
pose of  the  expedition  was  to  reconnoitre  and  not  to  fight,  and 
as  the  clouds  of  dust  indicated  that  the  enemy  was  moving  to 
the  right  and  left  of  their  little  force,  as  though  intending 
to  surround  and  capture  it,  they  withdrew,  the  rear  guard 
skirmishing  as  they  fell  back.  At  nightfall  they  formed  their 
lines  on  either  side  of  the  road,  not  far  from  Greysville, 


168  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

and  went  into  bivouac.  At  eleven  o'clock  the  enemy  opened 
upon  them  with  a  gun  which  had  been  placed  in  position  near 
their  picket  lines.  Ordering  the  men  to  maintain  silence  and 
extinguish  their  fires,  Gen.  Steedman  awaited  an  attack,  but 
the  enemy  soon  ceased  firing  and  withdrew. 

Next  morning  they  resumed  the  march,  retiring  leisurely 
to  Rossville,  and  going  into  their  former  camp  at  a  little  past 
noon.  Gen.  Steedman  at  once  communicated  with  Gen. 
Rosecrans,  giving  the  latter  the  startling  information  that 
Longstreet's  Corps  had  arrived  to  reinforce  the  Rebel  army, 
as  learned  from  prisoners  taken  on  the  reconnoissance.  He 
also  gave  assurance  that  the  Rebels  were  concentrating  near 
the  left  of  the  main  Union  force.  These  facts,  coupled  with 
others  gleaned  from  citizens  and  scouts,  determined  Gen. 
Rosecrans  to  move  his  army  still  farther  to  the  left.  He  also 
ordered  Gen.  Steedman  to  move  a  portion  of  his  troops  to  the 
front.  At  four  o'clock  that  (Friday)  afternoon  Gen.  Whittaker's 
and  Col.McCook's  Brigades  were  called  in  line,  the  understand- 
ing being  that  they  were  to  go  out  on  a  reconnoissance  similar 
to  that  made  by  other  portions  of  the  Division  the  day  before. 
There  was  little  to  do  by  way  of  preparation,  as  the  baggage 
had  been  parted  with  at  Bridgeport  some  days  before,  and  the 
column  soon  filed  out  through  the  Gap.  A  few  of  the  sick, 
those  who  had  been  worn  out  by  the  march,  and  some  who 
had  worn  out  their  shoes  in  crossing  the  mountains,  and  were 
consequently  barefoot,  were  left  in  camp.  A  detail  from  the 
NINETY-SIXTH,  consisting  of  about  thirty  men,  had  been  sent 
to  guard  a  wagon  train  that  morning,  and  were  not  relieved, 
but  remained  on  duty  for  three  days,  joining  the  Regiment 
only  after  the  succeeding  battle  had  been  fought.  Company 
A  was  on  picket  duty  on  the  side  of  Missionary  Ridge,  &nd 
did  not  go  out  with  the  command. 

The  NINETY-SIXTH  was  given  the  head  of  the  column, 
Gen.  Whittaker  and  Staff  riding  just  in  front.  Contrary  to 
custom  no  advance  guard  was  thrown  forward.  Strict  orders- 
had  been  issued  that  all  guns  should  be  kept  unloaded  in  camp, 
and,  as  no  instructions  had  been  given  to  load,  every  musket 
was  empty.  The  column  filed  out  through  Rossville  Gap> 


18C3]  CHICKAMAUGA.  16J» 

taking  the  right  hand,  or  La  Fayette,  road  for  a  mile  or  more, 
and  halted.  There  was  a  brief  consultation  at  the  front,  and 
then  the  Regiment  was  countermarched  and  crossed  over  to 
the  Ringgold  Road,  by  which  Gen.  Steedman  had  returned 
from  his  expedition  four  hours  earlier.  Col.  McCook's  Bri- 
gade kept  on  by  the  direct  road,  however,  going  nearly  to 
Reed's  Bridge. 

The  First  Brigade  marched  forward  at  a  good,  swinging 
gait,  not  apprehending  any  danger,  and  chatting  merrily  as 
they  passed  along.  Two  or  three  miles  out  a  soldier  ran  to  the 
door  of  a  house  near  the  road,  and  conversed  for  a  few 
moments  with  a  woman,  whom  he  found  greatly  agitated. 
She  repeated,  over  and  over :  "  There's  going  to  be  a  battle  ;"" 
"there's  going  to  be  a  battle,"  and  stated  that  a  "critter- 
back  company  "  followed  the  Yankees  as  they  retired  to  Ross- 
ville,  and  turned  back  near  her  house.  The  soldier  reported 
what  he  had  heard,  and  word  was  sent  to  Gen.  Whittaker,  but 
no  attention  was  paid  to  the  matter,  and  the  somewhat  rapid 
march  continued. 

It  is  understood  that  the  original  intention  was  that  Whit- 
taker's  Brigade  should  march  out  five  miles  to  Red  House 
Bridge,  on  the  Ringgold  Road,  and  McCook's  Brigade  to  Reed'& 
Bridge  ;  but  events  transpired  which  prevented  either  destina- 
tion being  reached.  Whittaker's  Brigade  had  lost  some  time 
in  the  march  and  counter-march  upon  the  La  Fayette  Road, 
and  it  was  after  five  o'clock  when  they  filed  past  McAifee's 
Church  and  entered  the  heavy  timber  which  lined  either  side 
of  the  roadway.  Here  a  little  stream — best  known  as  the 
Little  Chickamauga,  but  down  on  the  maps  as  Spring  Creek — - 
was  encountered.  It  was,  perhaps,  twenty  or  thirty  feet  wide 
in  the  highway  and  unbridged,  except  that  a  fallen  tree  just  at 
the  right  of  the  road,  in  some  bushes,  served  the  purpose  of 
a  foot  bridge.  Gen.  Whittaker,  followed  by  his  Staff,  rode 
into  the  stream  and  gave  his  horse  the  reins  that  the  animal 
might  drink  ;  the  men  broke  to  the  right  in  some  disorder, 
looking  for  points  where  they  might  cross  without  wetting 
their  feet.  The  right  Company  had  just  commenced  crossing: 
on  the  log,  when,  like  lightning  from  a  clear  sky,  the  sharp- 


170  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra:  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

crack  of  a  rifle  rang  out,  and  a  bullet  whizzed  past  the  General's 
head,  'apparently  barely  missing  its  mark.  A  second  bullet 
•came  an  instant  later,  striking  the  rolled  up  blanket  and  pon- 
cho of  a  drummer  boy — Thomas  Reynolds — with  such  force 
as  to  penetrate  it  and  throw  him  backward  into  the  arms  of  a 
comrade,  but  fortunately  giving  him  no  greater  injury  than  a 
severe  bruise  on  the  breast  and  shoulder.  Instantly  the  men 
on  the  log  dropped  back  to  the  shelter  of  the  bushes,  and 
those  who  had  scattered  to  the  right  fell  into  line.  A  glance 
at  the  front  revealed  a  little  column  of  smoke  in  the  bushes 
just  at  the  left  of  the  road,  and  it  was  evident  that  a  Rebel 
sentinel,  stationed  to  give  warning  of  the  approach  of  any 
forces,  had  been  cooking  his  coffee,  unaware  of  the  nearness 
of  his  opponents  until  the  splashing  of  the  water  attracted  his 
attention.  It  was  the  work  of  but  a  moment  for  him  to  seize 
his  carbine  and  fire  the  shots  that  had  startled  the  command. 
Instantly  Gen.  Whittaker  shouted  out  his  commands  to  deploy 
a  Company  as  skirmishers,  and  Colonel  Champion  called, 
"Attention  ! "  and  gave  the  command  to  load  at  will.  Another 
shot  or  two  was  heard,  but  the  bullets  did  no  harm.  There 
was  a  moment's  delay,  owing  to  the  absence  of  Company  A — 
which  would  most  naturally  have  been  sent  to  the  skirmish 
line — and  then  Companies  D  and  F  were  deployed,  the  latter 
going  to  the  right.  Upon  the  order  of  Captain  Blodgett, 
commanding  Company  D,  his  men  faced  to  the  left  and  began 
to  deploy.  The  first  man  to  start  to  cross  the  road  was  Cor- 
poral Elisha  Haggart,  but  the  moment  he  emerged  from  the 
bushes  he  fell,  his  brain  pierced  by  a  bullet.  Five  minutes 
later  Captain  Blodgett  had  caught  a  bullet  in  his  shoulder,  but 
•did  not  at  once  go  back,  although  the  wound  was  painful. 
The  40th  Ohio  moved  to  the  left  of  the  road,  and  in  line  with 
the  NINETY-SIXTH,  also  throwing  out  two  companies  of  skir- 
mishers. The  fire  of  the  enemy  was  quickly  replied  to,  the 
skirmishers  moving  gallantly  forward  for  a  half  mile  or  more, 
the  main  body  of  the  two  regiments  following  closely  in  line 
of  battle.  The  bullets  cut  wickedly  through  and  over  the 
line,  and  Robert  C.  Allison,  of  Company  E,  received  a  wound 
from  which  he  died  a  few  days  later.  The  18th  Ohio  Battery, 


1863]  CHICKAMAUGA.  171 

which  was  with  the  Brigade,  took  position  in  rear  and  began 
firing,  bringing  a  speedy  response  from  a  Rebel  battery  posted 
in  the  timber  just  beyond  an  open  field,  to  the  edge  of  which 
the  skirmishers  had  advanced.  Pickets  were  thrown  on  the 
fianks,  and  as  night  was  now  closing  in  the  lines  halted, 
although  the  firing  continued  for  a  time.  The  men  lay  in 
line  all  through  that  chilly  night,  without  removing  their 
accoutrements,  every  one  clutching  his  rifle  and  thinking  of 
the  morrow.  Few  had  any  but  rubber  blankets  ;  no  fires  could 
be  built ;  even  the  solace  of  a  cup  of  hot  coffee  was  denied 
them.  How  the  teeth  chattered  as  the  long  hours  rolled  slowly 
by  !  It  seems  almost  incredible  in  that  latitude,  and  at  that 
time  of  year,  but  old  letters  and  diaries  assert  that  there  was  a 
heavy  frost  on  that  and  the  following  night.  Certain  it  is  that 
the  cold  was  sufficient  to  cause  intense  suffering,  and  forbid 
sleep  to  the  unprotected  soldiers.  At  intervals  of  an  hour  or 
two  the  men  on  the  skirmish  line  were  visited  by  the  officers 
in  charge,  and  one  of  the  latter  declares  that  he  found  some 
of  them  holding  their  bayonets  in  their  mouths  to  prevent 
•their  teeth  chattering  together  so  loudly  as  to  attract  the  atten- 
tion of  the  enemy.  Every  sound  from  the  front  was  listened 
to  with  the  closest  attention,  but  no  movement  was  discovered, 
and  it  is  probable  that  the  Rebels  were  shivering  with  the  cold 
much  as  were  the  Yankees  in  their  front. 

Col.  McCook's  Brigade,  which  had  gone  toward  Reed's 
Bridge,  had  an  experience  similar  to  that  of  Gen.  Whittaker's 
command,  encountering  the  enemy  and  having  a  lively  skir- 
mish. Most  writers  assert  that  McCook  reached  and  burned 
the  bridge,  but  such  was  not  the  case.  The  cavalry  had 
undertaken  to  destroy  the  bridge  an  hour  or  two  before,  but 
•only  succeeded  in  tearing  up  a  few  planks  when  they  were 
driven  off,  and  the  enemy  had  crossed  in  large  force  before 
the  infantry  reached  the  vicinity.  Next  morning  McCook 
withdrew,  under  orders  from  his  superiors,  and  covered  the 
roads  leading  toward  Rossville,  remaining  within  supporting 
distance  of  Whittaker  on  his  left  and  Brannan  on  his  right. 

The  morning  of  Saturday,  September  19,  was  at  hand, 
but  'ere  its  first  glimmer  had  lightened  up  the  east,  word  was 


172  HISTORY  or  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

passed  from  man  to  man  to  move  to  the  road.  Silent! yy 
hardly  a  bayonet  or  a  cup  rattling  to  give  the  slightest  sound, 
the  crouching  soldiers  passed  through  the  forest  to  the  road- 
way, and  marched  back  a  mile  or  more,  to  a  field  near  Mc- 
Affee's  Church.  The  march  had  stirred  the  blood  and  aroused 
the  troops  so  that  they  were  more  like  themselves.  Fires 
were  kindled,  and  hot  coffee, — added  to  the  relief  afforded  by 
the  removal  from  the  close  proximity  to  the  enemy, — made 
all  quite  jolly  again.  Breakfast  over,  the  line  shifted  position 
once  or  twice,  and  was  then  moved  slightly  to  the  front,  the 
Regiment  being  placed  upon  a  ridge  at  the  left  of  the  road,  a 
position  which  it  occupied  for  the  following  twenty-four  hours. 
During  the  day  the  Rebels  advanced  upon  the  new  line,  but. 
at  the  right  of  the  road,  and  while  there  was  heavy  skirmish- 
ing on  the  part  of  the  other  Regiments  of  the  Brigade,  and 
numerous  casualties,  the  tide  of  battle  did  not  cross  the  road. 
Two  or  three  times  the  enemy  sought  to  drive  the  forces  from 
this  position,  but  in  vain.  The  Rebel  artillery  fired  over  the- 
hill  held  by  the  Regiment  occasionally,  and  overshot  bullets 
hummed  across  the  field.  A  heavy  skirmish  line  was  main- 
tained on  the  front  and  flank  all  day  and  throughout  the 
night.  Early  in  the  day  Company  A  came  up  from  Rossville, 
and  took  its  place  in  line.  The  Second  Brigade  and  the  two 
detached  Regiments  also  came  up  and  took  position  near  by. 
Gen.  Granger  and  Gen.  Steedman  spent  a  great  part  of  the 
day  in  the  immediate  vicinity.  During  the  afternoon  Captain 
Charles  E.  Rowan,  of  Company  F,  who  was  at  the  time  serv- 
ing on  the  staff  of  Gen.  Whittaker,  was  sent  with  orders  to- 
one  of  the  Regiments  near  the  right  of  the  Brigade.  He  had 
left  them  but  a  few  moments  before,  but  during  his  absence 
they  had  retired  to  a  more  favorable  position,  and  the  Rebels- 
having  advanced,  he  galloped  directly  into  the  enemy's  lines, 
when,  being  confronted  by  half  a  hundred  muskets,  from  all. 
directions,  he  surrendered.  This  was  the  only  loss  to  the 
NINETY-SIXTH  on  Saturday. 

While  the  day  had  been  by  no  means  uneventful  at  the- 
extreme  left  of  the  army,  farther  to  the  right  a  terrible  con- 
flict had  been  raging,  the  noise  of  which  soon  reached  the- 


1863]  CHICKAMAUGA.  173 

Reserve  Corps  and  added  to  their  anxiety,  and  the  nightfall 
shutting  in  was  most  welcome  to  them,  as  well  as  to  the  tired 
troops  of  the  main  army.  From  those  who  had  come  up  to 
the  Regiment  from  Rossville  only  meagre  particulars  could 
be  gathered,  but  it  was  reported  that  large  numbers  of  wounded 
had  passed  that  point  all  through  the  afternoon  on  their  way 
toward  Chattanooga,  and  that  the  valley  was  filled  with  wagon 
trains,  sent  back  from  the  front. 

The  history  of  that  eventful  Saturday  can  be  but  briefly 
described.  Gen.  Rosecrans,  in  forming  his  line  of  battle  on 
the  west  bank  of  Chickamauga  Creek,  had  expected  that  the 
stream  would  serve  an  admirable  purpose  for  defensive  opera- 
tions. With  this  expectation  he  had  ordered  that  every  bridge 
and  ford  should  be  securely  guarded  by  cavalry,  with  infantry 
in  support,  and  that  the  strongest  possible  resistance  should 
be  offered  to  the  passage  of  the  enemy.  But  it  transpired, 
early  on  Saturday,  that  the  stream  was  not  a  formidable 
barrier.  Indeed,  on  Friday  evening,  While  Col.  McCook's* 
Brigade  of  the  Reserve  Corps  was  marching  to  Reed's  Bridge, 
the  cavalry  posted  there  had  been  driven  back,  and  a  large 
force  of  the  enemy  had  crossed  before  dark.  Col.  McCook 
believed  it  to  be  but  a  single  Brigade,  and  so  reported  ;  but 
when,  at  about  ten  o'clock  Saturday  morning,  Gen.  Brannan 
attempted  to  move  his  Division  to  the  bridge  and  capture  it, 
he  found  himself  confronted  by  a  force  greatly  outnumber- 
ing his  own.  Simultaneously  with  his  advance  the  enemy 
were  moving  to  the  assault,  and  the  two  forces  met  and  began 
.a  terrible  struggle  for  the  mastery.  Speedily  the  roar  of  battle 
ran  to  the  southward,  as  division  after  division  of  the  Rebel 
army  took  up  the  charge.  The  order  of  Gen.  Bragg  had  been 
for  a  series  of  charges,  beginning  on  his  extreme  right,  each 
Division  to  move  as  rapidly  as  it  should  appear  that  the  Union 
lines  withstood  the  contest  at  their  right,  until  some  weak 
point  should  be  found  and  penetrated.  Such  a  point  was 
found,  but  farther  to  the  southward  and  later  in  the  day.  As  the 

*  The  reader  should  not  confuse  Col.  Daniel  McCook  with  Gen.  A.  McD.  McCook. 
The  former  commanded  a  Brigade  In  the  Reserve  Corps,  and  the  latter  was  the  com- 
mander of  the  Twenty-first  Army  Corps. 


174  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

terrible  roar  of  musketry  gave  evidence  that  the  contest  was  to- 
be  a  full-fledged  battle,  and  that  the  plan  of  the  Rebel  leader 
was  to  break  back  the  Union  left  if  possible,  troops  were 
hurried  from  the  right  centre  and  thrown  into  the  maelstrom 
where  Brannan's  Division,  and  subsequently  Baird's  and 
Johnson's  Divisions,  were  striving,  with  desperate  courage, 
to  withstand  the  terrific  efforts  of  the  enemy.  Some  ground 
was  lost,  and  a  half  dozen  pieces  of  artillery  had  to  be  aban- 
doned ;  but  the  left  was  by  no  means  routed,  and  the  losses  of 
the  brave  battalions  in  gray  that  had  opened  the  battle  were- 
such  as  to  render  them  cautious  in  their  subsequent  advances. 
Gen.  Rosecrans  soon  ordered  that  portion  of  Gen.  McCook's 
Corps  that  had  been  left  in  the  neighborhood  of  Crawfish 
Springs  to  move  toward  the  left,  closing  up  on  the  forces  at 
Lee  &  Gordon's  Mills.  This  movement  was  not  begun  until, 
afternoon,  and  when  the  tide  of  battle  had  swung  far  toward 
the  Union  right.  The  assaulting  columns  found  more  than  one 
weak  place  in  the  Union  lines  before  the  right  had  been  reached, 
but  the  Brigades  and  Divisions  in  reserve  had  been  able  to- 
move  into  the  breaks  in  the  lines,  and  but  little  ground  was  lost 
along  the  centre.  Near  the  Mills  the  Union  forces  were  driven, 
backward,  before  the  arrival  of  the  troops  from  Crawfish 
Springs,  and  these  latter,  after  a  long  double-quick,  and  under 
the  order,  ' '  On  the  right,  by  files,  into  line  ! "  went  at  once 
into  action  ;  in  a  few  cases  the  right  of  a  regiment  being  act- 
ively firing  and  moving  to  the  front  before  the  left  had  come 
into  line.  Some  disorder  resulted,  but  a  gallant  defense  was 
made,  and  the  right  wing,  although  borne  backward  some- 
what, met  no  serious  disaster.  Night  closed  with  no  great 
advantage  gained  by  the  Confederates  and  no  serious  loss,  so 
far  as  position  was  concerned,  to  the  Union  forces.*  True, 
the  losses  had  been  heavy,  and  both  the  right  and  left  were 
forced  to  yield  ground,  but  the  lines  had  been  fairly  main- 
tained, and  the  situation  at  dark  was  not  critical.  Nearly 

*  Gen.  Hood,  who  commanded  the  right  of  the  Rebel  army  on  Saturday,  in  his  work 
entitled  "  Advance  and  Retreat,"  says  that  a  majority  of  the  Confederate  corps  com- 
manders, at  their  council  that  evening,  were  rather  dispirited  than  otherwise  at  the 
result  of  Saturday's  battle,  and  by  no  means  a  unit  in  favor  of  renewing  the  contest 
on  Sunday. 


1863]  CHICKAMAUGA.  175 

every  Regiment  of  the  Fourteenth,  Twentieth  and  Twenty- 
first  Corps  had  been  engaged,  and  most  of  them  had  sustained 
heavy  losses,  but  all  had  maintained  their  organizations,  and 
were  ready  for  the  conflict  that  all  knew  must  be  renewed  on 
the  morrow. 

The  soldiers  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  occupying  the  extreme 
left  of  the  infantry  forces  of  that  great  army,  shared  in  the 
general  anxiety  as  to  the  result  of  the  contest,  and — it  is  but 
the  truth  to  say  it — were  almost  disappointed  that  they  had 
borne  so  inconspicuous  a  part  in  the  battle.  They  did  not 
know  as  well  as  did  the  troops  at  the  right,  that  the  conflict 
was  only  well  begun.  There  was  an  expression,  common 
enough  in  those  days,  but  which,  in  the  lapse  of  years,  may 
have  in  a  measure  lost  its  significance,  that  to  the  old  soldier 
who  reads  these  pages  will  exactly  describe  their  condition  : 
They  were  "spoiling  for  a  fight."  Half  in  hopes  that  they 
might  be  spared  the  dangers  of  the  battle,  and  half  in  fear 
lest  they  might  not  share  in  its  honors,  they  saw  darkness 
settle  down  upon  the  fields  and  forests.  Then  they  sought 
such  comfort  as  might  be  secured.  They  were  still  blanket- 
less,  but  they  had  been  provided  with  hot  coffee  and  were  in 
much  better  condition  for  securing  rest  than  on  the  previous 
night.  Large  details  were  upon  the  picket  lines,  and  were 
compelled  to  remain  in  position,  unrelieved,  all  through  the 
chilly  hours,  for  it  was  deemed  imprudent  to  attempt  to  change 
guards  in  the  face  of  an  active  and  vigilant  enemy.  To  these 
sentinels  the  night  was  one  of  much  suffering.  On  the  main 
line,  however,  the  soldiers  gathered  up  the  leaves,  or  picked 
pine  boughs  from  the  young  timber  covering  the  ridge,  and 
"made  up  their  beds."  A  dozen  would  lay  down  close 
together  with  the  command  "by  the  right  flank  spoon  !  "  and 
three  or  four  ponchos  covered  the  squad.  For  a  time  every- 
thing was  all  right,  but  after  a  little  the  outside  ones  began  to 
freeze  out,  and  by  midnight  all  were  up.  Small  fires  were 
kindled  in  a  ravine  in  rear  of  the  line,  and  there  they  sat 
through  the  lonely  hours  and  tried  to  keep  warm.  Before 
daylight  breakfast  was  eaten,  and  the  men  were  ready  for 
their  work.  A  few  had  been  made  ill  by  the  two  nights' 


176  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.I. 

exposure  and  were  sent  back  to  Rossville,  while  a  few  others 
came  up,  so  that  419  men  and  officers  were  in  line.  Early  in 
the  day  Gen.  Steedman,  accompanied  by  Major  Smith  of  his 
Staff,  and  followed  by  a  few  orderlies,  rode  out  upon  the  open 
ground  near  the  skirmish  line  to  look  over  the  situation, 
and  soon  drew  the  fire  of  the  enemy's  pickets.  The  shots 
were  at  widely  separated  points,  and  experience  and  soldierly 
instinct  told  the  commander  that  the  force  in  front  must  be  a 
light  one,  merely  held  there  as  a  party  of  observation,  or  to 
detain  the  force  in  their  front  and  keep  up  a  show  of  battle. 
Riding  leisurely  back  to  the  high  ground  near  the  main  line, 
Gen.  Steedman  expressed  this  belief  to  Major  Smith.  Pres- 
ently Gen.  Granger  and  a  portion  of  his  Staff  rode  up.  The 
usual  morning  salutations  were  passed,  and  other  conversa- 
tion followed.  As  the  morning  wore  away,  the  sounds  of 
battle  at  the  southward  were  wafted  to  them,  indicating  a 
renewal  of  the  conflict  of  the  main  armies.  The  roar  deepened, 
and  both  musketry  and  artillery  could  be  plainly  heard.  They 
listened  for  a  time  and  then  Gen.  Granger  said:  "Steed- 
man, they  are  pushing  our  forces  ;  we  are  needed  badly  over 
there,  and  are  not  needed  here.  I  can't  order  you  to  go  ; 
you  are  ordered  here  by  the  General  commanding  the  army." 
Gen.  Steedman  replied  :  "I  know  we  are  needed  over  there, 
and  if  satisfied  there  is  no  considerable  force  in  our  front  I'll 
take  the  responsibility  and  go."  A  little  later  clouds  of  dust 
off  to  the  southeast  indicated  that  the  enemy  had  left  the 
Ringgold  road  and  were  pushing  down  toward  the  main  army, 
when  Gen.  Granger  again  spoke:  "Do  you  see  that  cloud 
of  dust?  That  shows  where  they  are."  "Yes,"  said  Gen. 
Steedman,  "they  are  going  where  the  fight  is  thickest,  and 
I'll  go  too. "  Gen.  Granger  interposed  :  ' '  It's  a  fearful 
thing,  General,  to  disregard  orders  and  abandon  a  position  in 
the  face  of  an  enemy."  "I  know  it  is,"  said  Gen.  Steedman, 
"but  everything  is  changed  since  we  were  ordered  here.  I'll 
take  the  responsibility  and  go."  Meanwhile  staff  officers 
and  orderlies  had  been  sent  to  the  right  to  ask  that  the  com- 
mand be  relieved  from  the  irksome  duty  of  guarding  a  wagon 
road  on  which  there  was  no  enemy.  One  of  these  orderlies 


;¥  it 


1863]  CHICKAMAUGA.  177 

was  William  M.  Perry,  of  Company  I,  and  his  experience 
was  a  thrilling  one.  With  a  comrade  he  galloped  along,  only 
to  find,  at  a  sudden  turn,  that  the  road  was  full  of  Rebel 
infantry.  Putting  spurs  to  their  horses  they  galloped  through 
the  crowd,  Perry  escaping,  although  his  horse  was  wounded, 
but  his  companion  falling,  doubtless  killed.  The  survivor 
reached  the  main  army,  but  the  General  to  whom  he  reported 
would  not  ask  him  to  return.  It  is  probable  that  still  others 
were  captured  or  killed  in  the  attempt  to  reach  Gen.  Rose- 
crans,  as  none  came  back  to  the  left. 

Meanwhile  a  reconnoissance  in  force  had  been  ordered  by 
Gen.  Steedman,  and  the  lines  were  advanced  for  a  half  mile 
or  more,  but  without  developing  any  considerable  force  of  the 
enemy.  It  was  a  splendid  sight  as  those  battalions  moved 
across  the  fields  in  line  of  battle  on  that  beautiful  Sabbath 
morning,  their  colors  kissed  by  the  breezes  and  their  muskets 
gleaming  in  the  bright  September  sun.  The  troops,  having 
been  in  reserve,  were  under  strict  discipline,  exceptionally 
well  drilled,  and  their  swords  and  muskets  all  as  bright  and 
clean  as  though  they  were  moving  out  for  an  inspection  instead 
of  for  a  battle.  Moving  back  to  the  lines,  they  still  waited 
while  the  battle  sounds  came,  wafted  from  the  southward. 
Would  the  orders  to  move  never  come  ?  Was  the  battle  to  be 
fought  to  its  close,  and  the  Reserve  Corps  to  have  in  it  no  part 
save  the  insignificant  one  already  played  ? 

It  was  at  this  time  that  the  final  conversation  between 
Gen.  Granger  and  Gen.  Steedman,  alluded  to  above,  occurred, 
and  staff  officers  rode  along  the  line  with  orders  to  move. 
Col.  McCook's  Brigade  was  ordered  to  remain  on  the  line, 
while  Gen.  Whittaker's  and  Col.  Mitchell's  Brigades,  at  a 
little  past  eleven  o'clock,  filed  out  from  the  position  at 
McAffee's  Church,  and,  with  the  sound  of  battle  for  a  guide, 
moved  southward.  The  22d  Michigan  and  the  89th  Ohio  had 
been  assigned  to  Gen.  Whittaker's  Brigade,  so  that  the  column 
comprised  ten  regiments  of  infantry  and  two  batteries  of 
artillery.  Again  the  NINETY-SIXTH  was  given  the  lead,  the 
three  right  Companies,  alternately,  taking  the  front  and  left 
flank  in  line  as  skirmishers.  There  were  frequent  corn  fields 
12 


178  HISTORY  or  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  1. 

and  occasional  open  meadows,  but  the  greater  part  of  the 
country  was  heavily  timbered.  The  march  was  a  rapid  one. 
A  wooded  road  was  followed  for  a  time,  and  then  the  fields 
were  taken,  until  the  La  Fayette  road  was  reached.  This 
highway  was  followed  for  quite  a  distance,  and  until  the 
enemy's  cavalry  was  seen  in  front,  when  the  fields  were  again 
resorted  to,  and  the  troops  moved  in  a  more  compact  mass,  in 
order  that  they  might  the  better  resist  a  cavalry  attack.  The 
din  of  battle  was  growing  louder.  Cartridge  boxes,  muskets, 
knapsacks  and  other  abandoned  articles  were  seen.  An  occa- 
sional straggler  or  wounded  man  was  encountered,  who  told 
pitiful  stories,  and  claimed  to  be  about  the  only  survivors  of 
their  respective  commands.  Deflecting  to  the  right  to  avoid  the 
cavalry  now  appearing  in  force,  they  found  themselves  still 
with  the  enemy  between  them  and  the  Union  line  of  battle. 
The  commanding  officer  now  sent  a  staff  officer  with  orders  to 
Col.  McCook  to  move  his  Brigade  from  the  Ringgold  road  to- 
the  La  Fayette  road,  and  cover  and  protect  this  line  of  retreat 
to  Rossville.  Then  a  hollow  square  was  formed,  and  in  this  way, 
with  .Rebel  cavalry  hanging  on  front  and  flank,  the  two  Bri- 
gades moved  on.  But  valuable  time  was  being  consumed,  and 
when  the  enemy  sought  the  cover  of  the  woods  the  formation 
was  changed.  Soon  the  hospital,  near  a  spring,  and  which 
had  been  used  by  the  left  wing  of  the  Union  forces,  wa& 
reached.  It  had  fallen  into  Rebel  hands  two  or  three  hours- 
before,  and  a  number  of  Rebel  soldiers  were  guarding  it. 
These  were  surprised  and  captured,  and  such  as  were  under 
arms  were  sent  to  the  right  and  rear,  across  Missionary  Ridge, 
under  charge  of  Sergeant  Berg,  of  Company  A,  three  or  four 
guards  accompanying  him.  Through  the  trees  near  the  hos- 
pital the  soldiers  caught  glimpses  of  a  long  row  of  Union 
dead,  and  thus  had  additional  evidence  of  the  bloody  work 
going  on  near  by.  Passing  to  the  right  of  this  hospital  they 
hurried  along,  and,  making  their  way  through  a  terrible  snarl 
of  tangled  vines,  emerged  into  an  open  field,  across  which  they 
passed  on  the  double-quick.  A  Rebel  battery  galloped  into- 
the  field  at  the  left  and  unlimbered  its  guns,  not  more  than 
three  or  four  hundred  yards  away.  The  soldiers  saw  the  puffs 


1863]  CHICKAMAUGA.  179 

of  smoke  and  heard  the  hiss  of  the  shells,  like  the  sound  of 
a  rocket  as  it  leaves  the  pyrotechnic  stand,  a  hundred  times 
intensified.  Section  after  section  unlimbered  and  joined  in 
the  terrible  work,  until  the  air  seemed  full  of  iron  and  the 
ground  was  seamed  and  furrowed.  It  was  a  fitting  introduc- 
tion to  the  still  more  terrible  scenes  through  which  the  com- 
mand was  soon  to  pass.  Strange  to  say,  only  a  few  were 
hurt.  A  shell  burst  above  Company  D,  and  Lieutenant  Theo- 
dore F.  Clarkson  fell,  terribly  wounded  in  the  head,  John 
Swindells  had  a  hand  shattered,  Alza  M.  Stewart  was  badly 
wounded  in  the  leg,  Edmund  S.  Stevens  was  seriously 
bruised  on  the  leg,  and  Corporal  O.  V.  Young  had  a  heel  con- 
siderably cut.  The  two  last  mentioned  remained  with  the 
command,  but  the  others  were  taken  to  the  right  and  rear. 
Some  not  mentioned  were  struck  by  flying  fragments  of  the 
shell,  but  none  seriously  hurt. 

The  regiments  following  also  sustained  some  loss.  But 
through  it  all  the  troops  kept  straight  forward,  never  furling 
their  banners  nor  deflecting  from  their  course.  The  command- 
ers knew  that  here  was  not  the  place  where  they  were  most 
needed,  and  hurried  forward.  The  air  was  full  of  smoke,  the 
fences  and  fields  burning  in  many  places  and  adding  to  the 
more  sulphurous  smoke  from  the  burning  powder.  Wounded 
men  were  frequently  met,  and  dead  bodies  lay  here  and  there, 
giving  evidence  that  the  ground  over  which  the  columns  were 
passing  had  been  the  scene  of  a  hot  contest.  After  crossing 
this  field,  they  bore  still  farther  to  the  west,  and  succeeded 
in  passing  the  Rebel  right  without  encountering  serious  oppo- 
sition. 

They  had  traveled  almost  continuously  for  two  hours, 
fully  one-half  of  the  time  at  a  double-quick.  The  distance, 
if  measured  in  a  direct  line,  would  not  have  exceeded  five 
miles, — possibly  it  was  not  more  than  four, — but  they  had 
resisted  the  several  times  repeated  attempts  of  the  enemy  to 
engage  them,  although  suffering  themselves  to  be  somewhat 
delayed.  At  last  they  had  reached  and  passed  Gen.  Thomas' 
lines.  Halting  near  the  burning  out-buildings,  of  the  Snod- 
grass  farm,  where  Gen.  Thomas  had  his  headquarters,  they 


180  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

rested  for  a  moment.  Near  by  were  two  or  three  other  Gen- 
eral officers  with  their  Staffs,  and  the  field  seemed  full  of 
couriers,  stragglers  and  wounded  men. 

The  arrival  was  most  timely.  Until  eleven  o'clock  the 
principal  fighting  had  been  on  Thomas'  left,  not  far  from  the 
ground  over  which  the  Reserves  had  passed,  and  the  enemy 
had  again  and  again  assaulted  the  lines  with  the  view  of 
turning  the  Union  left,  and  thus  cutting  off  retreat  from 
the  gaps  through  Missionary  Ridge.  They  had  not  fully 
accomplished  their  purpose,  but  had  gained  repeated  slight 
advantages.  Gen.  Rosecrans  had  fully  appreciated  the  situa- 
tion of  affairs,  and,  anticipating  exactly  the  movement  that 
Gen.  Bragg  would  make,  had  shortened  his  lines  somewhat, 
during  Saturday  night,  retiring  both  his  flanks  and  arranging 
to  have  supports  thrown  from  his  right  to  his  left,  as  needed. 
The  Corps  had  not  been  formed  in  regular  order,  and  the  con- 
tinuous shifting  of  troops  to  the  left  during  Saturday  had 
seemingly  disarranged  the  army  ;  the  order  of  formation  Sun- 
day morning  being  Baird's  Division  of  Thomas'  Corps  on  the 
left,  then  Johnson's  Division  of  McCook's  Corps,  Palmer's 
Division  of  Crittenden's  Corps,  and  Reynolds'  and  Brannan's 
Divisions  of  Thomas'  Corps,  in  succession.  Still  farther  to 
the  right  were  Sheridan's  and  Davis'  Divisions  of  McCook's 
Corps,  and  to  their  rear,  in  support,  Wood's  and  Van  Cleve's 
Divisions  of  Crittenden's  Corps.  Some  of  the  cavalry  and 
mounted  infantry  regiments  were  sandwiched  between  the 
Divisions  near  the  right.  Gen.  Negley's  Division  was  in 
reserve,  with  orders  to  move  to  the  extreme  left,  at  the  time 
the  battle  opened.  Light  breastworks  covered  a  portion  of 
the  lines,  but  none  were  as  formidable  as  would  have  been 
constructed  a  year  later. 

Gen.  Bragg,  having  reorganized  his  lines  and  received 
numerous  reinforcements,  ordered  Gen.  Polk,  commanding 
his  right  wing,  to  attack  heavily  at  daylight.  Fortunately 
for  the  Union  cause,  delays  occurred,  the  enemy  making  no 
general  assault  until  after  nine  o'clock.  But  even  at  that 
hour  Gen.  Negley  had  not  reached  Baird's  left,  and  when  the 
charge  was  made  the  line  of  gray  overlapped  the  Federals, 


1863]  CHICKAMAUGA.  181 

and  Beatty's  Brigade  of  Van  Cleve's  Division,  which  had 
been  hastily  thrown  out  to  meet  the  movement,  was  swept 
backward  in  disorder.  It  was  on  the  grounds  passed  over  by 
the  Reserves  on  their  way  to  Thomas,  that  this  opening  engage- 
ment of  the  morning  had  occurred.  The  advantages  gained 
by  the  Rebel  forces  at  this  point  were  not  important,  and  they 
withdrew, —  having  been  repulsed  in  Baird's  front, —  after 
sustaining  heavy  losses.  A  second  assault  resulted  as  did  the 
first.  Following  these  sanguinary  struggles,  and  deceived  by 
the  quiet  on  his  right  into  the  belief  that  Gen.  Bragg  was 
massing  his  troops  for  a  still  further  effort  to  turn  the  left, 
Gen.  Rosecrans  had  ordered  a  large  body  of  troops  from  his 
right  centre  to  go  to  Thomas'  support,  the  others  to  close  up 
the  gaps  thus  made.  Just  at  this  critical  moment,  the  enemy, 
apparently  despairing  of  turning  the  Union  left,  were  moving 
forward,  under  cover  of  the  hills  and  woods,  to  assault  the 
Federal  right.  Coming  in  large  force  and  catching  the  right 
wing  in  the  midst  of  these  movements,  they  had  forced  the 
greater  part  of  Sheridan's  and  Davis'  Divisions  of  McCook's 
Corps,  Yan  Cleve's  and  a  portion  of  Wood's  Division  of 
Crittenden's  Corps,  and  the  cavalry  and  some  artillery  and 
trains  to  the  rear  and  right  in  much  disorder,  and  with  heavy 
losses  in  artillery  and  prisoners.  Gen.  Rosecrans  and  two  of 
his  Corps  Commanders — McCook  and  Crittenden — had  been 
caught  in  the  confusion  which  ensued,  and  made  their  way 
across  Missionary  Ridge  to  the  Crawfish  Spring  Road,  going 
thence  by  way  of  Rossville  to  Chattanooga.  There  is  a  con- 
flict of  testimony  as  to  the  hour  at  which  this  disastrous  break 
occurred,  but  it  was  probably  not  long  after  eleven  o'clock,  or 
almost  at  the  moment  that  the  Reserves  left  McAffee's  Church. 
Nor  is  it  entirely  clear  as  to  who  was  responsible  for  the 
irregular  movement  by  which  the  gap  was  opened  and  the 
opportunity  given  for  the  Rebel  columns  to  pierce  the  right 
centre.  The  rapid  driving  of  a  battery  of  artillery  that  had 
been  forced  to  retreat  from  an  advanced  position,  and  which 
struck  a  division  as  it  was  marching  to  the  left,  breaking  the 
column,  throwing  it  into  disorder  and  injuring  many  men, 
doubtless  played  an  important  part.  At  all  events  the  army  was 


182  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  KEGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

cut  in  twain,  and  Gen.  Brannan's  Division  occupied  the  right 
of  that  portion  of  the  line  which  still  remained  firm.  Owing 
to  intervening  hills  and  woods,  Gen.  Thomas,  who  was  now 
the  only  Corps  commander  on  the  field,  was  not  aware  of 
the  extent  of  the  disaster  on  his  right.  He  did  not  know 
that  his  Commander  had  left  the  field  and  that  the  Rebels  had 
gained,  with  but  little  fighting,  on  his  right,  what  they  had 
failed  to  accomplish,  with  heavy  slaughter,  on  his  left.  Gen. 
Brannan  soon  became  aware  that  he  was  flanked,  and  drew 
back  his  right  to  a  position  favorable  for  defense,  and  threw 
up  a  light  barricade. 

Gen.  Longstreet,  after  his  exultant  troops  had  pierced  the 
Union  lines,  pushed  his  advantage  for  a  time,  but  dared  not 
wholly  pass  the  new  Union  right  without  reorganizing  his 
forces.  He  therefore  halted  and  formed  his  troops  in  a  suc- 
cession of  strong  lines  of  battle,  meanwhile  consulting  with 
Gen.  Bragg  and  caring  for  his  prisoners  and  the  numerous  can- 
non that  had  fallen  into  his  hands.  He  then  determined 
to  again  strike  the  Union  right  a  terrific  blow  and  seek  to 
shatter  it  by  force  of  numbers.  But  the  Rebel  assaults  were 
repulsed,  and  other  tactics  made  necessary.  A  show  of  fight- 
ing was  kept  up  along  the  ridges  where  the  Federals  were 
posted,  while  the  main  portion  of  Longstreet's  force  was 
pushed  northward,  confidently  expecting  to  reach  and  pass 
the  rear  of  Gen.  Thomas,  and  surround  and  capture  the  well- 
nigh  exhausted  forces  still  remaining  on  the  field.  Almost 
two  hours  had  passed  since  the  disaster  on  the  right.  It  had 
been  improved  by  the  Confederates,  and  they  were  now  ready 
for  the  movement  which  was  to  encircle  the  broken  bat- 
talions still  fighting  under  the  Old  Flag.  The  situation  was 
growing  critical.  The  Federal  forces  occupied  an  irregular 
half  circle,  either  flank  being  a  little  west  of  the  Lafayette 
and  Rossville  road.  There  were  portions  of  seven  Divisions, 
but  all  had  been  heavily  engaged  and  sustained  severe  losses. 
They  were  irregularly  grouped,  and  the  commanders  were 
disconcerted  by  the  movement  of  Rebels  to  their  right  and 
rear,  from  which  direction,  if  at  all,  reinforcements  rather  than 
an  enemy  had  been  expected.  To  add  to  the  anxiety  the 


1863]  CHICK  AMAUGA.  183 

•cartridge  boxes  of  Thomas'  men  were  well-nigh  empty,  and  the 
ammunition  train  had  disappeared,  some  unauthorized  person 
having  ordered  it  to  Kossville,  as  was  afterward  learned. 

Gen.  Longstreet  was  now  moving  his  heavy  lines  of 
infantry  to  some  ridges,  from  which  he  could  compel  the  Fede- 
ral forces  to  form  a  final  "square"  where  they  must  exhaust 
themselves  with  defensive  operations  or  cut  their  way  out  at  a 
frightful  cost  of  life.  At  one  o'clock  his  methodical  move- 
ments were  well  advanced.  With  his  forces  well  in  hand, 
he  was  preparing  to  swing  in  his  Division,  like  a  ponderous 
.gate,  and  completely  envelope  Gen.  Thomas'  army.  A  half 
hour  more  and  the  movement  would  be  complete. 

It  was  just  at  this  critical  juncture  that  help  arrived.  Gen. 
Thomas  had  observed  a  cloud  of  dust  off  to  the  left,  and  was 
alternating  'twixt  hope  and  fear,  thinking,  until  a  staff  officer, 
sent  for  the  purpose,  brought  him  other  word,  that  the  chances 
were  that  it  was  Rebel  and  not  Union  reinforcements.  It 
was  just  at  this  supreme  moment  in  the  battle,  and  while  the 
enemy  was  preparing  to  take  advantage  of  the  favorable  posi- 
tions they  hard  obtained  with  unexpected  ease,  that  the 
Reserves  arrived,  hot,  dusty  and  fatigued  with  the  long  march 
at  double-quick.  There  was  a  hurried  consultation  between 
the  Generals  and  their  Staff  Officers,  a  brief  inquiry  as  to  the 
number  and  condition  of  the  reinforcements,  and  then  the 
First  Brigade  was  faced  toward  the  right  centre  of  the  semi- 
circle with  orders  to  move  to  the  support  of  Gen.  Wood  and 
fill  a  gap  in  the  lines.  Before  the  proposed  forward  move- 
ment had  begun  the  heavy  masses  of  the  enemy  on  the  right 
became  visible,  and  the  commander  knew — what  he  had 
but  guessed  before — that  his  right  was  gone,  and  that  a  great 
•danger  was  confronting  him  from  an  unexpected  direction. 
Instantly  the  order  to  move  to  Wood's  support  was  counter- 
manded. The  battalions  were  faced  and  filed  to  the  right, 
moved  across  an  open  field  into  the  woods  and  halted. 
The  NINETY-SIXTH  still  had  the  lead,  and  a  company  of  skir- 
mishers preceded  it.  On  the  way  the  Division  Commander 
and  his  Staff,  who  realized  something  of  the  work  before  them, 
were  discussing  the  situation,  when  Capt.  Moe,  then  A.  A.  G. 


184  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'rn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

to  Gen.  Steedman,  said,  in  substance:  "There  are  often 
disputes  as  to  the  time  when  important  military  events  occur, 
and  as  this  is  likely  to  be  an  important  event,  gentlemen,  just 
remember  that  it  is  now  ten  minutes  past  one  o'clock." 

After  a  short  march  the  column  was  commanded  to  halt 
and  come  to  a  front.  The  NINETY-SIXTH  thus  formed  the 
extreme  right  of  the  line.  Directly  at  its  left  and  separated 
from  it  by  a  brief  interval  was  the  115th  Illinois,  and  at  their 
left  the  22d  Michigan.  A  second  line  was  formed,  the  40th 
Ohio  being  directly  in  rear  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  and  the  84th 
Indiana  and  89th  Ohio  at  the  left  of  the  40th.  On  a  ridge  at 
the  front  several  Rebel  skirmishers  were  seen,  who  fired  a  few 
shots  and  then  ran  back.  But  they  had  fired  to  some  purposer 
for  there  was  a  dull  thud  as  a  bullet  struck  a  man  in  the  Regi- 
ment just  in  rear  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  and  a  sickening  sensa- 
tion came  over  those  who  heard  it.  "There  is  a  'Reb'  on> 
the  hill,"  said  one  of  the  skirmishers  just  in  front.  "Why 
don't  you  shoot  him,  then  ? "  calmly  replied  Colonel  Champion, 
and  the  man  responded  with  a  rifle  shot.  In  a  moment  the- 
skirmishers  had  been  sent  to  the  right,  guns  were  hastily 
inspected,  the  men  were  counted,  and  the  double  line  moved 
forward.  There  were  fallen  trees,  which  served  to  break  up 
the  lines  somewhat,  but  the  movement  was,  in  the  main, 
admirably  executed.  A  series  of  little  ravines  were  passed, 
and  the  soldiers  broke  into  a  double  quick.  Ascending  at 
longer  ridge,  there  came  the  pattering  of  shots,  like  the  first 
drops  of  a  shower ;  then  the  ragged,  tearing  report  of  an  irreg- 
ular skirmish  volley ;  then  the  constant,  deafening  roar,  as 
regiment  after  regiment  took  up  the  deadly  work.  The  first 
line  of  Rebels  gave  way,  and  the  lines  of  blue  pressed  on 
down  the  long  slope,  with  a  wild  cheer,  bounding  over  logs 
and  stones,  through  the  hollow  and  up  to  the  crest  of  another 
ridge.  The  noise  was  deafening.  The  enemy  was  but  from  six 
to  ten  rods  distant,  but  through  the  smoke  and  bushes  they 
could  hardly  be  seen,  although  the  guns  belched  forth  a  ter- 
rible fire  seemingly  right  in  their  faces.  Halting  there,  from, 
ten  to  twenty  shots  were  fired  by  each  of  those  not  disabled. 
Scores  of  brave  men  had  been  shot,  and  were  either  lying  silent 


1863]  CHICKAMAUGA.  185- 

in  death,  or  making  their  way  to  the  rear  in  such  manner  as 
their  wounds  would  permit.  Every  moment  thinned  the  ranks. 
A  half  dozen  cannon  in  front  of  the  right  centre  of  the  Regi- 
ment poured  a  destructive  fire  diagonally  across  the  line  and 
into  the  left  of  the  40th  Ohio  and  the  right  of  the  84th  Indiana. 
The  hot  breath  from  their  terrible  throats  seemed  like  a  blast 
from  the  infernal  regions,  and  the  dense  smoke  hung  like  a 
pall  above.  "Fire  at  the  battery  !  "  was  the  order,  and  pres- 
ently most  of  the  guns  were  silenced.  But  there  were  other 
batteries  and  a  cloud  of  infantry  coming,  line  after  line,  and 
all  above  those  trodden  acres  the  air  screamed  with  merciless 
bullets.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Clarke  sat  calmly  on  his  horse 
near  the  left  of  the  Regiment,  speaking  words  of  cheer  to  the 
men  as  they  met  the  terrible  fire.  A  moment  later  a  bullet 
struck  him,  inflicting  a  mortal  wound.  He  was  assisted  from 
his  horse  and  carried  to  the  rear  upon  a  blanket.  Colonel 
Champion's  horse  was  twice  wounded,  but  its  rider  stood 
unscathed  behind  the  centre  of  the  line. 

At  times  the  number  of  wounded  going  to  the  rear  was 
such  as  to  create  the  impression  that  the  line  was  giving  way, 
but  for  a  time  there  was  no  break.  There  came  a  lessening  of 
the  terrible  roar.  A  regiment  at  the  left  was  giving  ground. 
The  regiments  comprising  the  second  line,  although  they 
had  halted  some  distance  in  the  rear,  were  unable  to  endure 
the  terrific  storm,  and  fell  back.  Then  came  the  indescribable 
"  Rebel  yell,"  as  fresh  battalions  of  the  enemy  came  through 
the  opening  at  the  left.  Men  looked  into  each  other's  faces 
as  if  to  read  their  thoughts.  Officers  blanched  as  they  took 
in  the  situation.  The  left  was  gone.  The  troops  in  rear  had 
gone.  There  was  as  yet  no  support  or  protection  on  the  right. 
The  incessant  fire  from  the  front  was  being  supplemented  by 
enfilading  shots  from  left  and  right  as  the  lapping  lines  passed 
both  the  flanks.  Mingled  with  the  roar  of  musketry  rose  the 
hated  yell  of  the  exultant  enemy  as  they  swarmed  after  the 
retreating  battalions.  To  remain  longer  meant  the  absolute 
destruction  of  the  entire  Regiment ;  to  give  ground  was  the  only 
alternative,  as  there  were  no  indications  of  support,  and  the 
NINETY-SIXTH  retired  ;  slowly  at  first,  some  of  the  officers  back- 


186  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

ing  down  and  the  men  loading  and  firing  in  retreat ;  but  as 
the  waves  of  Rebel  gray  swept  after  them,  they  ran  back  in  some 
confusion,  through  the  hollow,  up  the  long  slope,  while  shot 
and  shell  screamed  and  hissed  and  exploded  all  about  them. 
But  the  Rebels  had  been  so  terribly  punished  that  they  did  not 
follow  far.  The  ridge  passed,  the  Regiment  again  formed, 
most  of  the  men  rallying  on  the  colors.  But  Oh,  the  lines 
were  terribly  shortened.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Clarke,  to  whose 
fatherly  care  and  strict  discipline  the  Regiment  owed  so  much 
of  its  effectiveness  in  that  supreme  hour  of  its  history,  was  being 
borne  to  the  rear.  Captain  Blodgett  had  been  struck  down 
and  badly  injured  by  a  heavy  treetop  torn  from  its  place  by  a 
Rebel  shell,  and  was,  to  all  intents  and  purposes,  a  prisoner, 
being  held  by  the  limbs  while  the  Rebel  lines  passed  over  or 
around  him  and  then  retired,  and  only  being  released  from 
his  position  when  the  Union  lines  advanced  in  a  second 
charge,  some  of  the  men  then  helping  to  remove  the  tree 
and  get  him  up.  Lieutenant  Blowney  had  a  shot  across  his 
head,  from  which  the  blood  was  flowing  freely  over  his  face, 
but  he  was  bravely  rallying  his  command,  and  doing  gallant 
service.  Captain  Taylor  had  been  wounded,  but  remained 
with  his  command.  Captain  Pierce  and  Sergeant -Major 
Quiun  were  among  those  hit, — the  latter  being  so  severely 
injured  as  to  cause  his  capture.  Lieutenants  Simms  and 
Barnes  were  being  assisted  to  the  rear,  each  with  a  mortal 
wound.  A  hundred  officers  and  men  must  have  fallen  in  that 
first  half  hour.  Other  regiments  had  suffered  scarcely  less. 
Gen.  Whittaker  being  slightly  wounded,  Colonel  Champion 
took  temporary  command  of  the  Brigade,  and  as  Major  Smith 
was  on  Gen.  Steedman's  staff,  the  command  of  the  Regiment 
devolved  upon  Captain  Hicks,  of  Company  A, —  as  gallant 
and  brave  a  man  as  ever  wielded  a  sword.  Most  of  the  men 
responded  promptly  to  the  call  to  reform  the  lines.  Stepping 
to  the  front,  Captain  Hicks  spoke  as  follows:  "Comrades, 
you  have  made  one  charge  —  a  gallant  charge.  On  yonder 
hillside  lie  the  bodies  of  your  fallen  comrades.  Forward  to 
avenge  their  deaths  !  "  The  men  responded  with  a  cheer  and 
again  moved  to  the  front,  bearing  somewhat  to  the  right,  to  cover 


18C3]  CHICKAMAUGA.  187 

the  extended  Rebel  lines  and  support  a  section  of  artillery  that 
had  been  moved  to  that  part  of  the  field.  In  the  brief  interval 
while  the  lines  were  forming  some  of  the  wounded  had  been 
carried  to  the  rear,  but  those  who  fell  at  the  extreme  front 
could  not  be  reached.  In  all  of  the  succeeding  movements  of 
the  afternoon  the  Union  lines  did  not  penetrate  so  far,  and 
these  men  lay  between  the  fire  of  the  two  armies  much  of  the 
time,  although  occasionally  the  Rebels  advanced  a  few  rods 
past  them. 

As  the  lines  moved  forward  there  was  again  a  swift  charge 
and  a  wild  cheer,  and  again  the  leaden  messengers  sped  across 
the  field.  Both  lines  were  charging,  but  this  time  it  was 
the  Confederates  who  first  hesitated,  halted  and  fell  back, 
while  Union  shots  momentarily  lessened  their  number.  But 
again  there  were  other  Rebel  lines  and  other  batteries,  and 
the  Brigade,  whose  line,  working  still  to  the  right,  had  grown 
to  be  scarcely  more  than  a  skirmish  line,  was  compelled  to  halt. 
Officers  sheathed  their  swords  and  took  up  muskets.  The  color 
guard  of  nine  were  all  gone  but  two  or  three.  Sergeant  Bruner, 
who  carried  the  Stars  and  Stripes,  was  terribly  wounded. 
Corporal  Swanbrough,  who  had  already  had  the  staff  of  the 
Regimental  flag  shot  oft*  twice  in  his  hands,  caught  the  Na- 
tional colors  as  they  fell,  and  gallantly  bore  both  flags  aloft. 
Later,  he,  too,  was  struck  down  by  a  falling  limb,  stunned  for 
a  moment,  and  recovered  his  senses  barely  in  time  to  save 
the  flags  from  capture,  after  the  Regiment  supposed  them 
lost.  But  who  can  describe  those  terrific  charges  and  counter 
•charges,  as  the  Rebels  again  and  again  sought  to  drive  back 
the  Reserves  and  gain  possession  of  the  roads  leading  through 
McFarland's  Gap.  The  fighting,  in  each  of  the  advances, 
was  severe, — intensely  so, — and  yet  there  was  not  the  noise 
•or  the  impetuosity  that  attended  the  first  grand  onset. 
But  if  the  men  did  not  keep  the  perfect  lines  observed  on 
grand  reviews,  they  at  all  events  took  good  aim  and  did 
remarkably  effective  work.  There  were  those  whose  boldness 
and  enthusiasm  led  them  to  the  front,  and  others  whose 
timidity  kept  them  a  little  in  the  rear.  But  all  the  time  that 
dreadful  afternoon  they  hardly  once  sought  cover,  rarely  even 


188  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL,  V.  1. 

going  behind  a  tree,  but  stood  out,  manfully,  as  if  courting 
death,  while  the  dread  storm  of  shot  and  shell  raged  over  the 
timbered  ridges,  and  the  hills  and  valleys  reverberated  with 
the  roar  of  battle. 

So  the  battle  raged,  with  occasional  intervals,  from  before 
two  o'clock  until  dusk,  the  men  advancing  and  driving  the- 
Rebels,  only  to  be  in  turn  driven  back  over  substantially  the 
same  ground.  Sometimes  there  were  two  lines,  but  by  some 
strange  fate,  the  NINETY-SIXTH  was  always  in  the  front  one. 
Always  there  seemed  a  cloud  of  Rebels,  far  outnumbering 
the  Union  troops,  and  rarely,  if  ever,  did  the  enemy  charge  with 
less  than  two  lines  and  often  with  three  or  four.  Once  the 
NINETY-SIXTH  advanced  so  far  as  to  receive  an  enfilading  fire 
from  the  other  regiments  of  the  Brigade,  and  Colonel  Cham- 
pion declared  his  belief  that  with  five  hundred  fresh  troops*  he 
could  have  driven  the  entire  left  wing  of  the  Confederate  army 
from  the  field.  The  ground  seemed  almost  fairly  covered; 
with  the  bodies  of  the  killed  or  desperately  wounded  of  the- 
enemy  over  acres  across  which  the  Regiment  advanced. 
Gen.  Hindman,  commanding  one  of  the  Rebel  Divisions- 
with  which  the  Reserves  fought,  in  his  report  says  of  the 
engagement  on  that  part  of  the  field,  that  he  had  never 
before  seen  Confederates  fight  better  or  Federals  fight  so 
well.  In  some  of  the  advance  movements  a  few  Rebels 
were  captured,  and  from  them  it  was  learned  that  the  troops 
were  not  Bragg's  men,  but  Longstreet's  veterans  from  the 
Potomac,  who  had  rarely  known  defeat,  and  who  boasted,  as- 
they  came  upon  the  battle  field,  that  they  had  been  sent  to 
show  Bragg's  army  how  to  fight. 

The  left  of  the  line  moved  less  than  the  right ;  in  fact,  the- 
left  of  the  Brigade  seemed  to  be  the  pivot  on  which  the- 
Reserves  swung,  like  a  great  pendulum,  for  four  terrible  hours. 
In  the  retreats  there  was  a  deliberateness  and  stubbornness 
seldom  equalled.  Colonel  Champion  was  as  cool  and  cour- 
ageous as  man  could  be,  and  his  bravery,  seconded  by  that  of 
the  line  officers,  acted  like  an  inspiration. 

Two  Regiments  of  the  Brigade— the  89th  Ohio  and  22d! 
Michigan — being  out  of  ammunition,  met  a  charge  of  the- 


1863]  CHICKAMAUGA.  189 

•enemy  with  their  bayonets,  but  were  overpowered  and  sur- 
rounded, most  of  them  being  made  prisoners.  This  was  near 
the  close  of  the  fighting  and  after  most  of  the  troops  at  the 
left  had  moved  to  the  rear.  It  was  a  terrible  sacrifice,  for 
they  had  made  a  gallant  fight,  but  probably  necessary  in  order 
to  the  protection  of  the  retreating  column. 

At  a  little  before  night-fall  the  enemy,  baffled  and  dis- 
-couraged,  drew  back  their  lines  a  little,  and  the  fighting  ceased 
except  that  an  irregular  skirmish  fire  was  continued  for  a  time. 
And  it  was  well  that  it  was  so,  for  the  Union  forces  were  well- 
nigh  exhausted  and  almost  out  of  ammunition,  except  as  they 
took  it  from  the  cartridge  boxes  of  the  dead  and  wounded. 
At  one  time  a  few  boxes  were  brought  upon  the  field.  Were 
gold  thrown  out  in  handfuls  among  a  crowd  of  Chicago  news- 
boys it  could  not  be  more  eagerly  seized  than  were  the  coveted 
cartridges  on  that  afternoon.  Gen.  Thomas  was  not  slow  to 
take  advantage  of  the  lull  in  the  terrific  storm,  and  at  sundown 
or  a  little  before  he  ordered  his  men  to  move  quietly  but 
quickly  back  through  McFarland's  Gap  and  out  toward  Ross- 
ville.  But  the  right  of  the  line  was  the  last  to  be  with- 
drawn, and  the  NINETY-SIXTH  Illinois  and  121st  Ohio  still 
kept  up  a  desultory  musketry  until  the  fire  grew  red  and 
the  short  southern  twilight  had  almost  deepened  into  night. 
Then  they  drew  back,  a  little  band  of  resolute  men,  the  last 
organized  body  to  leave  the  field.  The  four  or  five  miles  to 
Rossville  was  made  in  sullen  silence.  Between  eight  and 
nine  o'clock  the  camp  was  reached,  and  the  men  threw  them- 
selves down  on  the  "bunks"  they  had  left  less  than  three 
days  before.  Oh,  how  weary  they  were.  For  two  nights 
they  had  hardly  slept  at  all.  Since  before  daylight  of  that 
morning  they  had  eaten  nothing  except  an  occasional  bite  of 
hard-tack  from  their  haversacks.  For  hours  many  had  had  no 
water.  They  were  dusty,  powder-grimmed,  so  hoarse  that 
they  could  hardly  speak  above  a  whisper  ;  so  tired  that  they 
could  hardly  rise  after  they  had  lain  down.  But  darkness  and 
•distance  had  relieved  them  from  the  terrible  strain  induced  by 
the  deadly  peril  of  the  battle,  and  no  wonder  that  one  soldier, 
-as  he  seized  a  cup  of  hot  coffee  and  threw  himself  down  beside 


190  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

a  camp-fire,  exclaimed:     "Boys,  this  is  heaven."     And  he- 
felt  it,  so  great  was  the  relief  experienced. 

As  they  gathered  around  the  camp-fires — the  unhurt  and 
some  of  the  wounded  who  had  been  able  to  get  back — and  dis- 
cussed the  incidents  of  the  day  in  undertones,  the  groups  were 
sad,  for  so  many  were  gone.  All  of  the  dead  and  many  of 
the  severely  wounded  were  lying  unprotected  and  uncared  for 
on  the  battle-field.  Each  Company  had  its  list  of  heroes. 
Almost  every  man  had  narrowly  escaped  some  imminent  peril, 
and  fully  one-half  of  the  survivors  had  bullets  through  their 
clothing  or  equipments.  Colonel  Champion,  who  had  proved 
a  very  lion  in  the  fight,  was  unharmed,  although  he  rode  his 
third  horse,  two  having  been  shot  under  him. 

The  Brigade  had  lost  forty-four  per  cent,  of  its  entire  num- 
ber ;  the  Regiment  almost  fifty  per  cent.  But  the  Reserves 
had  saved  the  right ;  and  in  saving  the  right  had  saved  the 
army ;  and  in  saving  the  army  had,  perhaps,  made  final  victory 
possible,  and  thus  saved  the  Union  of  the  States. 

In  withdrawing  from  the  field  there  had  been  some  break- 
ing up  of  commands,  and  daylight  of  Monday,  September  21, 
found  the  army  in  much  disorder.  Col.  McCook's  Brigade 
had  been  drawn  back  toward  Rossville,  and  picketed  the  Gap 
through  the  night.  Shortly  after  sunrise  Sheridan's  Division 
of  McCook's  Corps  moved  out  on  the  Crawfish  Spring  road, 
along  the  west  side  of  Missionary  Ridge.  Other  commands 
soon  formed  and  were  sent  into  the  Gap  and  upon  the  Ridge 
at  its  right  and  left.  The  troops  of  Steedman's  Division  were 
moved  a  little  toward  Chattanooga,  shifting  position  here  and 
there  for  a  time,  and  then  marching  to  the  top  of  the  Ridge 
at  the  left  of  the  Gap,  and  near  the  extreme  left  of  the  main 
army.  Throughout  the  day  it  was  expected  that  the  enemy 
would  move  forward  and  attack  this  position,  but  their  losses 
had  been  so  heavy  that  they  were  not  anxious  to  renew  the 
battle,  and  they  contented  themselves  with  a  reconnoissance 
along  the  new  line.  During  the  skirmishing  the  only  casualty  in 
the  NINETY-SIXTH  was  the  wounding  of  C.  W.  Graham,  of  Com- 
pany H,  and  one  or  two  others.  The  troops  did  not  fortify  their 
position  until  toward  evening,  when  a  light  barricade  was  con- 


1863]  CHICKAMAUGA.  191 

structed  of  rocks  and  logs.  There  was  no  despondency  among 
the  troops,  but  on  the  contrary  a  feeling  of  confidence  and  a 
belief  that  they  could  resist  any  direct  attack  the  Rebels  could 
make. 

The  position  of  the  army,  although  admirable  for  defens- 
ive operations,  providing  that  the  enemy  were  to  make  a 
direct  assault,  was  such  that  a  force  might  pass  its  right  and 
cut  it  off  from  Chattanooga.  It  was  therefore  determined  to 
move  back  to  the  city  soon  after  nightfall.  Meanwhile  engi- 
neers laid  out  a  line  of  works,  either  flank  of  which  rested  on 
the  Tennessee  River,  and  to  this  line,  commencing  at  nine 
p.  M.,  Division  after  Division  was  withdrawn.  At  eleven 
o'clock  Steedman's  Division  was  in  motion,  the  main  body, 
after  a  slow  and  tedious  night  march,  reaching  Chattanooga, 
where  the  First  Brigade,  including  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  was 
detached  and  sent  across  the  river,  and  thence  to  Moccasin 
Point,  confronting  Lookout  Mountain. 

But  in  this  movement  a  serious  disaster  befel  the  Regi- 
ment. Company  H,  under  Lieutenant  Yates,  had  been  posted 
in  front  upon  the  skirmish  line,  during  the  day.  In  the  early 
evening,  it  being  reported  that  the  line  was  too  weak,  Com- 
pany C,  under  Lieutenant  Earle,  was  sent  to  reinforce  them. 
When  the  main  line  was  drawn  back  into  Chattanooga  these 
Companies  were  not  relieved  or  ordered  back,  and  with  sev- 
eral other  Companies  found  themselves  surrounded,  and  were 
captured  about  ten  o'clock  on  Tuesday  morning,  after  making 
a  brief  resistance,  in  which  James  Forsyth,  of  Company  H,  was 
killed,  and  two  or  three  from  other  commands  were  wounded. 
Thus  the  Regiment  lost  two  gallant  officers  and  thirty-four 
brave  men,  more  than  one-half  of  whom  were  to  perish  in  the 
foul  prison-pens  to  which  they  were  committed.  For  a  more 
circumstantial  account  of  the  experiences  of  the  men  captured 
at  this  time,  the  reader  is  referred  to  the  chapter  on  "Prisons 
and  Prisoners  of  War,"  in  another  part  of  this  work. 

It  was  not  until  Moccasin  Point  was  reached  that  an  oppor- 
tunity was  given  to  attempt  to  fully  measure  the  losses  of  the 
Regiment  in  the  terrific  experiences  of  Chickamauga,  or  to 
estimate  the  services  it  had  performed.  From  all  sources 


192  HISTORY  OF  THE  96™  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

•came  unstinted  praise  for  the  heroic  action  of  the  Reserve 
Corps  on  Sunday  afternoon.  It  had  fought  more  than  three 
times  its  own  numbers.  Three  times  it  had  hurled  itself 
against  the  solid  lines  of  the  enemy  when  attack  seemed 
hopeless,  and  each  time  it  had  broken  and  driven  back  their 
front  lines.  Repeatedly  it  had  withstood  the  assaults  of  the 
doubled  and  quadrupled  lines  of  gray,  fighting,  at  fearful 
odds,  until  the  night  had  come  and  given  Gen.  Thomas  oppor- 
tunity to  withdraw  his  forces.  And  in  all  this  dreadful  fight- 
ing the  NINETY-SIXTH  had  been  in  the  front  line  and  at  the 
right,  where  the  work  was  most  severe  and  the  danger  most 
intense.  It  had  charged  the  most  frequently,  penetrated  far- 
thest to  the  front,  held  its  advanced  positions  longest,  and 
was  always  slowest  in  falling  back.  Its  losses  in  killed  and 
wounded  had  been  the  heaviest  of  any  Regiment  in  the  Re- 
.serve  Corps,  and,  considering  the  number  of  hours  it  was 
engaged,  the  heaviest  of  any  Regiment  in  the  Arm}7.  Of  419 
who  went  into  the  fight  200  were  killed  or  wounded,  while 
the  total  loss,  including  those  captured  on  Missionary  Ridge, 
was  234,  or  fifty-eight  per  cent,  of  all  who  took  part  in  the 
battle, — a  percentage  rarely  reached  by  any  command  in  a 
.single  battle.  The  following  is 

THE   CASUALTY   LIST.      . 

Field  and  Staff. 

KILLED  OR  MORTALLY  WQUNDED.  —  Lieutenant  Colonel  Isaac  L. 
-Clarke;  Quarter-MasIer.JVilliam  S.  Bean. 

WOUNDED. — Sergeant  Major  Francis  P.  Quinn,*  shot  through  lungs. 

*  Captured. 

Company  A. 

KILLED  OR  MORTALLY  WOUNDED. — First  Sergeant  John  G.  Schaefer, 
Corporal  William  Price,  Color  Corporal  David  Isbell,  Christian  Kaufman, 
John  H.  Witman. 

WOUNDED.— First  Lieutenant  William  Vincent,  leg  ;  Sergeant  Frank 
A.  Weir,  arm  ;  Corporal  Jason  B.  Isbell,  shoulder  ;  Gottlieb  Beck,  face; 
John  W.  Connor,*  side  ;  John  Einsweiler,  thigh  ;  Milton  Glover,  head  ; 
Edward  Reubeno,  finger  shot  off ;  Edward  Simpson,  head  ;  Joseph  D. 
Young,  leg  ;  Josephus  Metcalf,*  head. 

*  Captured. 


• 


1863]  CHICKAMAUGA.  193 

Company  B. 

KILLED. —  Emery  Dart,  Charles  Fox,  William  Kimball,  Thomas 
Potter. 

WOUNDED. — First  Sergeant  A.  A.  Bangs,*  head  ;  Sergeant  William 

D.  Whitmore,  shoulder;  Color  Corporal  Hamilton  Whitney,*  t  side;  Cor- 
poral Caleb  Whitney,  foot ;  Henry  Annis,  leg  ;  John  H.  Cruver.f  arm  ; 
John  Cashman.f  foot ;  W.  W.  Tower,  leg  ;  Charles  McCusker,  shoulder. 

*  Captured. 

t  Disabled  for  further  field  service. 

Company  C. 

KILLED  OR  MORTALLY  WOUNDED.— Corporal  John  Y.  Taylor,  William 
Bonner,  John  H.  Ehlers,  John  Fidler,  Acting  Color  Corporal  Squire 
Ininan.*  | 

WOUNDED. — Second  Lieutenant  Charles  W.  Earle,  arm  and  wrist ; 
Sergeant  Edward  Murray,*  f  shoulder,  hip  and  arm  ;  Sergeant  Charles  A. 
Partridge,  hip ;  Corporal  George  C.  Dodge,*  f  ankle  ;  Corporal  William 
B.  Lewin,  shoulder;  Corporal  Lewis  H.  Bryant,  both  legs ;  Corporal  John 
McGill,  right  arm  ;  Henry  P.  Barnum,  face  ;  John  W.  Bailey,  arm  ;  Henry 
Bater,  shoulder  ;  Henry  H.  Cutler,  arm  ;  Ira  Cribb,  shoulder;  Leonard  S. 
Doolittle,*f  right  leg;  William  Diver,  arm:  William  H.  Ehlers,  arm; 
Norris  Hamilton,  face  ;  Orrin  Howe,*f  leg;  James  McCredie,  leg;  Oscar 
Rector,  right  shoulder  and  lung  ;  Michael  Umbdenstock,  right  arm. 

CAPTURED  SEPTEMBER  22,  1863.— Second  Lieutenant  Charles  W. 
Earle  ;  Sergeant  Harrison  Huntington  ;\  Privates  John  Bensinger.t  Henry 
H.  Cutler,  Henry  C.  Green,  £  James  Kearney,  William  McClellan.t  Wil- 
liam McCreadie.J  Laughlin  Madden,^  Henry  C.  Payne,}:  Hugo  Roden- 
berger,J  Joseph  Schweri,  Joseph  Savage,  Charles  Sturm,}:  Christian 
Weistoff. 

*  Captured. 

t  Disabled  for  further  field  service. 
J  Died  while  a  prisoner  of  war. 

Company  D. 

KILLED  OR  MORTALLY  WOUNDED. —  Sergeant  William  W.  McKey ; 
Sergeant  Isaac  Quigley;  Corporal  Elisha  Haggart ;  Elias  Ho«ley,  James 
Rich. 

WOUNDED  — Captain  A.  Z.  Blodgett,  shoulder  and  back ;  Second 
Lieutenant  Theodore  F.  Clarkson,  head  ;  First  Sergeant  John  H.  Collier, 
thigh ;  Corporal  Charles  Ellis,  leg ;  Corporal  Orson  V.  Young,  foot ; 
Waiter  Grapfr, -arms  Edward  Rix,  head;  Joseph  A.  Roth,  left  hand  ; 
H.  G.  Levagood.f  arm;  Edmund  S.  Stevens,*!  leg  and  body;  John 
Swindells,!  hand  ;  William  Sabin,f  left  thigh  ;  Alza  Stewart,  hip  ;  Robert 

E.  Stanley,  face  ;  John  C.  Thompson,  knee  ;  Jacob  Van  Patten,  knee 
and  breast ;  Eli  Thayer,*}:  head;  James  T.  Guppy,  head. 

*  Captured. 

t  Disabled  for  further  field  service. 
t  Died  while  a  prisoner  of  war. 

13 


194  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 


Company  E. 

OR  MORTALLY  WOUNDED. — Corporal  Henry  Cashman,  Cor- 
poral Edgar  Warner,  Robert  C.  Allinson,  Alfred  Elderkin,  William  Edge,. 
James  A.  Thomas,  Joseph  Tinkler,  Daniel  Harrington,  Stephen  F.  Black- 
stone,*  Thomas  B.  Martin,*  Henry  Mack,*  Dennis  O'Leary.* 

WOUNDED.— Captain  Wm.  F.  Taylor,  ear  ;  First  Lieutenant  Halsey 
H.  Richardson,  thigh  ;  Second  Lieutenant  Sidney  B.  Funk,f  face  and 
shoulder ;  Sergeant  Wm.  H.  Robbing,*!  arm  and  lung ;  Sergeant  Royal  J. 
Cooper,  foot ;  Color  Corporal  Wm.  F.  DeGraff,  leg  ;  Corporal  William 
Hill,f  leg ;  John  A.  Bush,  leg  and  side  ;*  Solomon  Bixby,  arm  ;  Jamea 
Cole,f  arm  and  body;  George  W.  Dimick,*^  head  and  hip;  John  H. 
Pooley,f  thigh  ;  George  Teal,  arm ;  Andrew  King,  wrist  and  side  ;. 
Thomas  Scott,  knee  ;  Charles  F.  Hayth,*f  ankle. 

*  Captured. 

t  Disabled  for  further  field  service. 

i  Died  while  a  prisoner  of  war. 


Company  F. 

KILLED  OR  MORTALLY  WOUNDED. —  First  Lieutenant  Nelson  R. 
Simms  ;  Corporal  John  R.  Oatey,  Color  Corporal  Walton  Reed,  Corporali 
Augustus  Annbruster,  Hiram  L.  Bostwick,  James  Pimley,  Frederick  W. 
Miller. 

WOUNDED. — Corporal  John  A.  Robinson,  f  lost  right  arm  ;  James 
Brown,  back  ;  William  Calvert,  leg ;  Patrick  Conway,  hip  ;  Joseph  Gam- 
mon, f  chest  and  leg ;  Thomas  Graham,  face  ;  John  Hocking;*Sthigh  ;. 
Bennett  Holtkamp,*|  Edward  Wearne,  \  thigh;  John  Kneebone,  leg;. 
Hugh  Williams,  hand. 

CAPTURED.— Captain  Charles  E.  Rowan. 

*  Captured. 

t  Disabled  for  further  field  service. 
t  Died  while  a  prisoner  of  war. 

Company  G. 

KILLED  OR  MORTALLY  WOUNDED.— Thomas  Davis,*  William  H. 
Wheeler,  William  H.  Whaples. 

WOUNDED. — First  Lieutenant  Benjamin  G.  Blowuey,  head  ;  First 
Sergeant  Aaron  Scott,  hand  ;  Sergeant  B.  F.  Shepard,  thigh  ;  Corporal; 
Walter  Drew,  side  ;  Corporal  James  Hickox,  side  and  leg  ;  Corporal  H. 
H.  Gage,  hand;  Daniel  Benson,*  thigh ;  George  Butler,f  foot ;  Jared  O. 
Blodgett,  Myron  J.  Brown,  groin;  John  A.  Corbin,  thigh;  Joseph  Darby, *f 
left  arm  ;  Daniel  H.  Gail,  leg ;  William  Joyce,  foot ;  John  Ladd,  thigh  ;. 
Lewis  Miller,  hip. 

*  Captured. 

t  Disabled  for  further  field  service. 


1863]  CHICKAMAUGA.  195 

Company  H. 

KILLED  OR  MORTALLY  WOUNDED. — First  Lieutenant  George  F. 
Barnes  ;  Color  Corporal  Ward  L.  Morton,  Corporal  Henry  Simons,  Cor- 
poral Thomas  Morris,*  James  J.  Curry,*  Albert  Farley,  James  Forsyth, 
Thomas  K.  Johnson.* 

WOUNDED.— Captain  J.  L.  Pierce,  right  arm  and  side  ;  First  Sergeant 
J.  A.  Francisco,  f  leg  and  side  ;  Sergeant  Michael  Hileman,  Color  Sergeant 
M.  M.  Bruner.f  arm  and  breast;  Sergeant  H.  S.  Vandervoort,  leg ;  Ser- 
geant Charles  P.  Howard,!  ann  5  Corporal  Charles  L.  Mettz,  hand  ;  Cor- 
poral H.  F.  Hastings,  arm ;  Edward  McGinniss.f  wrist ;  James  Rees.f 
arm ;  Patrick  Farrell,  1st,  leg ;  Patrick  Farrell,  3d,  arm ;  Hiram  W. 
Nelson.f  shoulder ;  Geo.  W.  Andrews,  foot ;  John  H.  Foster,  face  ;  Nor- 
man P.  Ward.ffthigh  ;  James  McCaflerty,  face  and  neck;  Charles  W. 
Graham,f  hand  ;  Charles  D.  Bunce,*  Henson  Moore,  arm  ;  Samuel  Wil- 
cox,  arm. 

CAPTURED  SEPTEMBER  22,  1863. — Second  Lieutenant  Charles  H. 
Yates,  Sergeant  Michael  Hileman,  Corporals  John  A.  Boothby.t  Patrick 
Flannery:}:  and  Alphonzo  Marshall,^  and  Privates  George  W.  Andrews,}: 
Richard  Cullen,  Daniel  W.  Dowd,  John  H.  Foster,  Peter  Hawkes,  William 
Ingersoll.t  Andrew  Johnson,  John  Kurby,}:  Nathaniel  McWain,  George 
H.  Stanchfield.J  James  M.  Sallee,  Edwin  Van  Dyke,  Adam  Vrowman,t 
Alberto  Wheelock.J  John  V.  Wilkerson. 

*  Captured. 

t  Disabled  for  further  field  service. 

J  Died  while  a  prisoner  of  war. 

Company  I. 

KILLED  OR  MORTALLY  WOUNDED. — John  Adams,  Truman  F.  Bennett, 
Henry  Bonitell,  John  Bowman,  Gains  W.  Young. 

WOUNDED.— John  Fablinger,  shoulder ;  James  Hutchinson,  side  ; 
Francis  S.  Koontz,  breast ;  Frank  M.  Pogue.f  leg ;  August  Stemlie, 
shoulder;  Hugh  Williams,  side  ;  Benjamin  B.Wilson,  shoulder;  Thomas 
Reynolds,  shoulder  ;  Daniel  Malone,  scalp. 

t  Disabled  for  further  field  service. 

Company  K. 

KILLED  OR  MORTALLY  WOUNDED.— Corporal  Thomas  Porter,  Anson 
Brinkerhoff,  Joseph  Bowker,  Mathew  Dunbar,  Michael  Fox,  Darius  W. 
Kenney. 

WOUNDED.— First  Sergeant  C.  C.  Cowen.f  right  shoulder;  Sergeant 
Garrett  W.  Luke,  scalp  wound  ;  Sergeant  Charles  N.  Elston,  right  leg ; 
Corporal  Wm.  E.  Tilton,  side  ;  James  E.  Black,  arm  ;  Acting  Color  Cor- 
poral Thomas  A.  Conlee,  shoulder  ;  James  F.  Champlin,*  Thomas  C. 
Graves,*  foot  ;  Edward  Graham,  arm  and  thigh  ;  Hiram  H.  Hamilton,* 
left  leg;  Cyrus  Pomeroy,f  leg;  Curl  Richardson,  leg;  Henry  Schultz,* 
left  breast  and  arm  ;  Charles  Smith,  left  leg  hurt  by  the  fall  of  a  horse. 

»  Captnred. 

t  Disabled  for  further  field  service. 


196  HISTORY  OF  THE  96™  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

The  casualties  among  the  troops  in  Gen.  Steedman's  com- 
mand in  this  memorable  battle  were  as  follows  : 

Second  Brigade,  Second  Division,  Reserve  Corps,  Col.  Daniel  McCook 

commanding  : 

Killed.        Wounded.       Captured.  Total. 

52dOhio 0  2      .            3                  5 

85th  Illinois 1  6                  0                  7 

86th  Illinois.... 1  ,517 

125th  Illinois.  .. 1  247 

Total........ 3  15  8  26 

First  Brigade,  First  Division,  Reserve  Corps,  Gen.  Walter  C.  Whit- 
taker  commanding  : 

Killed.        Wounded.         Captured.         Total. 

96th  Illinois 45  130  40  215* 

115th  Illinois 24  137  6  167 

40th  Ohio 18  94  11  123 

84th  Indiana 20  87  11  118 

18th  Ohio  Battery. 0909 

T9tal 107  457  68  632 

Col.  Heber  Le  Favour's  Demi-Brigade,  attached  to  and  fighting  with 

Gen.  Whittaker's  Brigade  : 

Killed.          Wounded.     Captured.  Total. 

22d  Michigan 36  89  247  372 

89th  Ohio 23  64  140  227 

Total 59  153  387  599 

Second  Brigade,  First  Division,  Reserve  Corps,  Col.  John  G.  Mitchell 

commanding  : 

Killed.          Wounded.       Captured.         Total. 

78th  Illinois 17  74  55  146 

98th  Ohio 7  38  18  63 

113th  Ohio 26  90  40  156 

121stOhio 12  73  7  92 

Battery  M,  1st  Illinois  Artillery. ..  2  11  0  13 

Total 64  286  120  470 

The  total  casualties  were  1,727  out  of  a  command  not  exceeding  4,000 
men,  excepting  Col.  McCook's  Brigade,  which  was  not  with  Gen.  Steed- 
man  on  the  right. 

The  detail  of  men  who  had  been  guarding  a  wagon  train 
during  the  battle — numbering  about  thirty — those  who  had 

*  This  total  of  215  was  exclusive  of  the  slightly  wounded  who  remained  .on  duty 
with  the  command. 


1863]  CHICKAMAUGA.  197 

been  left  at  Rossville  sick,  a  few  detached  men  and  several  of 
the  slightly  wounded  joined  the  command  on  Monday  and 
Tuesday,  so  that  there  were,  including  musicians  and  the 
medical  staff,  about  two  hundred  and  forty  men  with  the  Regi- 
ment on  the  arrival  at  Moccasin  Point.  But  the  thinned  ranks 
closed  up,  and  all  resolved  to  do  their  duty  and  retain,  to  the 
last,  the  bright  name  won  on  the  field  of  Chickamauga. 

Military  writers  vary  widely  in  estimating  the  results  of 
the  battle  of  Chickamauga.  The  campaign  had  for  its  object 
the  possession  of  Chattanooga,  and  that  was  still  occupied  by 
the  Federal  forces.  Nor  had  the  battle  itself  been  a  complete 
victory  for  the  Confederates,  for  their  army  had  about  spent 
its  strength  before  the  fighting  closed,  and  at  the  very  mo- 
ment Gen.  Thomas  was  drawing  back  through  McFarland's 
Gap  they  were  moving  to  a  defensive  position.  Even  when 
they  discovered  that  the  Union  forces  had  fallen  back  they 
made  no  attempt  to  follow,  and  did  not  occupy  that  portion  of 
the  battle  field  where  the  two  Brigades  of  the  Reserve  Corps 
fought  until  the  forenoon  of  Monday  was  well  advanced.  This 
statement  is  made  upon  the  testimony  of  the  severely  wounded 
of  the  Regiment  left  upon  the  battle  field,  and  also  upon  the 
fact  that  at  least  two — James  Guppy,  of  Company  D,  and 
William  Joyce,  of  Company  G — remained  upon  the  battle 
field  all  night  and  left  it  some  time  after  sunrise  next  morn- 
ing, without  seeing  any  organized  force  of  Rebels.  In  his 
official  report  of  the  action  Gen.  Bragg  admitted  a  loss  of 
two-fifths  of  his  army.  Gen.  Longstreet,  who  commanded  the 
left  wing  of  the  Rebel  army,  reported  1,080  killed,  6,506 
wounded  and  270  captured,  on  Sunday.  It  is  known  that  ten 
Brigades  were  directly  in  front  of  Whittaker's  and  Mitchell's 
Brigades  and  the  right  Brigade  of  Brannan's  Division,  and 
several  of  them  were  very  full  when  the  engagement  opened. 
The  Rebel  right  wing  suffered  hardly  less.  The  enemy  was 
confident  of  victory,  and  fought  most  desperately,  but  without 
achieving  the  result  promised  by  their  chieftain.  The  best 
authorities  place  their  total  strength  at  70,000,  while  the  Fede- 
ral force  was  but  56,000,  and  it  is  doubtless  true  that  the 
entire  Federal  force  on  the  battle  field  during  Sunday  after- 


198  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  KEGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

noon  was  not  more  than  one-half  the  number  of  the  Confede- 
rates. The  troops  under  Gen.  Thomas  embraced  portions  of 
every  Corps  in  the  army,  the  emergencies  of  the  battle  widely 
separating  Brigades  and  Divisions,  and  breaking  up  commands 
to  an  extent  hardly  equalled  in  any  other  great  battle  of  the 
war.  As  a  victory  to  the  Confederates  it  was  most  barren. 
The  total  loss  to  the  Union  arms  was  reported  at  16,336, 
of  whom  more  than  two  thousand  were  killed.  Fifty-one 
cannon,  15,000  muskets  and  a  large  number  of  wagons  and 
ambulances  fell  into  the  enemy's  hands. 

The  campaign  had  ended,  and  on  the  morning  of  Tuesday, 
September  22,  the  Union  forces  occupied  an  entrenched  line 
about  the  city  of  Chattanooga,  while  Missionary  Ridge,  Look- 
out Mountain* and  the  intervening  valleys  swarmed  with  the 
men  in  gray,  who  calmly  waited  for  the  Federal  forces  to  be 
starved  out  of  a  position  that  seemed  well  nigh  untenable. 

The  following  is  Colonel  Champion's 

OFFICIAL  REPORT.* 

On  Friday,  the  18th  instant,  the  NINETY-SIXTH  Illinois  Regiment 
left  camp  at  Rossville,  with  the  balance  of  the  Brigade,  about  three 
o'clock  P.  M.,  and  went  out  on  a  reconnoissance  about  three  miles  on  the 
Ringgold  road.  As  the  head  of  the  column  (the  NINETY-SIXTH  being  in 
the  advance)  arrived  at  the  Little  Chickamauga,  and  was  about  crossing 
the  stream,  we  were  fired  upon  by  the  enemy.  Pour  companies  were 
immediately  thrown  forward  and  deployed  as  skirmishers.  The  NINETY- 
SIXTH  then  crossed  the  stream,  and  formed  in  line  of  battle  on  both  sides 
of  the  road  and  advanced  to  meet  the  enemy.  A  sharp  skirmish  ensued, 
lasting  about  forty-five  minutes,  during  which  time  we  drove  the  enemy 
about  three-fourths  of  a  mile.  We  lost  one  killed — E.  Haggart — and 
three  wounded.  The  Regiment  lay  on  their  arms  during  the  night,  and 
at  daylight  on  the  19th,  in  obedience  to  orders,  took  up  a  position  on  the 
ridge,  north  of  McAffee's  Church,  where  it  lay  in  line  of  battle  until 
about  noon  of  the  20th,  when  orders  were  given  to  move,  with  the  balance 
of  the  Brigade,  in  a  southwest  direction,  toward  Missionary  Ridge. 
Going  to  the  assistance  of  Gen.  Thomas,  we  arrived  on  the  field  of  battle 
about  two  o'clock  P.  M.,  and  immediately  went  into  action.  The  NINETY- 
SIXTH  occupied  the  extreme  right  of  our  front  line.  We  charged  the 
enemy's  left  in  the  face  of  a  murderous  fire  of  infantry  and  artillery,  at 

*  Colonel  Champion's  first  report  was  of  much  greater  length,  and  made  numerous 
personal  mentions,  but  being  warned  that  it  must  be  brief  he  condensed  it  as  herewith 
given.  The  original  report  is  not  now  obtainable,  a  fact  to  be  regretted,  as  it  was  a  very 
full  and  interesting  document. 


1863]  CHICKAMAUGA.  199 

short  range,  and  maintained  our  position  until  every  regiment  on  our  left 
«nd  in  our  rear  had  given  way.  We  then  fell  back  about  five  or  six  hun- 
dred yards  and  re-formed.  In  the  meantime  a  section  of  our  artillery  had 
been  planted  about  six  hundred  yards  to  the  right  of  our  previous  posi- 
tion, and  we  were  ordered  up  to  repel  the  charge  of  the  enemy.  We 
repulsed  the  enemy  after  about  twenty  minutes'  desperate  fighting.  We 
then  moved  to  the  left  of  the  battery  and  again  charged  the  enemy,  driv- 
ing him  down  the  ridge  running  nearly  parallel  with  our  first  line,  nearly 
lialf  a  mile,  until  we  received  an  enfilading  fire  from  the  84th  Indiana  and 
115th  Illinois,  and  were  compelled  to  retire.  Our  officers  seem  sanguine 
that  with  five  hundred  more  men  we  could  have  driven  the  enemy  com- 
pletely from  the  field.  We  then  fell  back  and  re-formed,  with  the  rem- 
nant of  the  regiment  on  the  right  of  the  first  line  of  the  Brigade,  and  as 
the  left  of  the  line  successively  gave  way,  we  fell  back  with  it  until  night 
•ended  the  contest.  Officers  and  men  behaved  with  great  gallantry,  and 
where  all  did  so  well  discrimination  would  serve  to  be  invidious.  Among 
the  most  conspicuous  in  rallying  and  encouraging  the  men  during  the 
entire  conflict  were  Captain  Geo.  Hicks,  Company^  A,  and  Lieutenant 
Charles  W.  Earle,  Company  C.  Our  loss  was  heavy  in  both  officers  and 
men,  including  Lieutenant  Colonel  Isaac  L.  Clarke,  killed  on  the  field. 
He  behaved  with  great  gallantry. 

The  Regiment  went  into  action  on  Sunday  with  four  hundred  and 
nineteen  men,  including  the  field,  line  and  staff  officers. 

The  losses  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  (exclusive  of  captures  and  slightly 
•wounded)  at  last  reports  stood  as  follows  : 

Killed 42 

Wounded 121 

Missing 11 

Total 174 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  the  official  report  of 
Major- General  Gordon  Granger,  Commander  of  the  Reserve 
Corps  : 

*  *  *  The  position  of  my  forces  on  the  morning  of  the  twentieth, 
and  up  to  the  hour  of  battle,  was  as  follows :  Col.  McCook's  Brigade 
was  moved  to  a  point  near  the  McAfee  Church,  and  was  placed  in  such  a 
position  as  to  cover  the  Ringgold  road ;  Gen.  Whittaker's  Brigade, 
together  with  Col.  Mitchell's,  retained  the  same  position  that  they  had 
the  evening  before,  and  Col.  Minty,  who  reported  to  me  at  daylight  on 
the  morning  of  the  twentieth  with  a  brigade  of  cavalry,  was  posted  at 
Missionary  Mills,  which  positions  completely  covered  our  extreme  left 
flank. 

The  enemy  did  not  make  his  appearance  in  our  immediate  front 
during  the  morning,  but  large  clouds  of  dust  could  be  seen  beyond  our 
position  arising  from  the  Lafayette  and  Harrison  roads,  moving  in  the 


200  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

direction  of  the  sound  of  battle.  At  10.30  A.  M.  I  heard  very  heavy 
firing,  which  was  momentarily  increasing  in  volume  and  intensity,  on 
our  right,  in  the  direction  of  Gen.  Thomas'  position.  Soon  afterward, 
being  convinced,  judging  from  the  sound  of  battle,  that  the  enemy  were 
pushing  him  hard,  and  fearing  that  he  would  not  be  able  to  resist  their 
combined  attack,  I  determined  to  go  to  his  assistance  at  once.  It  was 
now  about  eleven  o'clock  A.  M.  I  started  with  Gen.  Whittaker's  and 
Col.  Mitchell's  Brigades,  under  the  immediate  command  of  Gen.  Steed- 
man,  and  left  Col.  McCook's  Brigade  at  the  McAfee  Church,  in  position 
to  cover  the  Ringgold  road.  Gen.  Thomas  was  at  this  time  engaging  the 
enemy  at  a  point  between  the  La  Fayette  and  Dry  Valley  roads,  in  the 

vicinity  of  house,  about  three  and  a  half  miles  from  our  place  of 

starting.  We  had  not  proceeded  more  than  two  miles  when  the  enemy 
made  his  appearance  in  the  woods  to  the  left  of  our  advancing  column, 
about  three- fourths  of  a  mile  from  the  road.  They  opened  upon  us  quite 
briskly  with  their  skirmishers  and  a  section  of  artillery.  I  then  made  a 
short  halt  to  feel  them,  and  becoming  convinced  that  they  constituted 
only  a  party  of  observation,  I  again  rapidly  pushed  forward  my  troops. 
At  this  juncture  I  sent  back  and  ordered  up  Col.  McCook's  Brigade  to 
watch  the  movements  of  the  enemy  at  this  point,  to  keep  open  the  La 
Fayette  road,  and  cover  the  open  field  on  the  right  of  the  road,  and  those 
that  intervened  between  this  point  and  the  position  held  by  Gen.  Thomas. 
As  rapidly  as  possible,  Col.  McCook  brought  up  his  Brigade,  took  the 
position  assigned  to  him,  and  held  it  until  he  marched  to  Rossville  from 
the  field  of  battle,  at  ten  o'clock  P.  M.  At  six  o'clock  the  enemy  opened 
an  artillery  fire  upon  Col.  McCook,  but  he  soon  silenced  their  battery,, 
which  had  done  little  or  no  damage  to  his  troops. 

At  about  one  o'clock  p.  M.  I  reported  to  Gen.  Thomas.  His  forces 
were  at  that  time  stationed  upon  the  brow  of  and  holding  a  "horse-shoe 
ridge."  The  enemy  were  pressing  him  hard  in  front,  and  endeavoring  to 
turn  both  of  his  flanks.  To  the  right  of  this  position  was  a  ridge  running 
east  and  west,  and  nearly  at  right  angles  therewith.  Upon  this  the 
enemy  were  just  forming.  They  also  had  possession  of  a  gorge  in  the 
same  through  which  they  were  rapidly  moving  in  large  masses,  with  the 
design  of  falling  upon  the  right  flank  and  rear  of  the  forces  upon  the 
"horse-shoe  ridge." 

Gen.  Thomas  had  not  the  troops  to  oppose  this  movement  of  the 
enemy,  and  in  fifteen  minutes  from  the  time  we  appeared  on  the  field, 
had  it  not  been  for  our  fortunate  arrival,  his  forces  would  have  been 
terribly  cut  up  and  captured.  As  rapidly  as  possible  I  formed  Gen. 
Whittaker's  and  Col.  Mitchell's  Brigades,  to  hurl  them  against  this  threat- 
ening force  of  the  enemy — which  afterward  proved  to  be  Gen.  Hindman's- 
Division.  The  gallant  Steedman,  seizing  the  colors  of  a  Regiment,  led 
his  men  to  the  attack.  With  loud  cheers  they  rushed  upon  the  enemy, 
and  after  a  terrific  conflict,  lasting  but  twenty  minutes,  drove  them  from 
their  ground,  and  occupied  the  ridge  and  gorge.  The  slaughter  of  both 
friend  and  foe  was  frightful.  Gen.  Whittaker,  while  rushing  forward  at 


1863]  CHICKAMAUGA.  201 

the  head  of  his  Brigade,  was  knocked  from  his  horse  by  a  musket-ball, 
and  was,  for  a  short  time,  rendered  unfit  for  duty;  while  two  of  his  staff 
officers  were  killed,  and  two  mortally  wounded.  Gen.  Steedman's  horse 
was  killed,  and  he  was  severely  bruised,  yet  he  was  able  to  remain  on 
duty  during  the  day.  This  attack  was  made  by  our  troops, — very  few  of 
whom  had  ever  been  in  an  action  before, — against  a  Division  of  old 
soldiers  who  largely  outnumbered  them.  Yet  with  resolution  and  energy 
they  drove  the  enemy  from  this  position,  occupied  it  themselves,  and 
afterward  held  the  ground  they  had  gained  with  such  terrible  losses. 
The  victory  was  dearly  won,  but  to  this  army  it  was  a  priceless  one. 

There  was  now  a  lull  in  the  battle;  it  was  of  short  duration,  however, 
for  within  thirty  minutes  after  we  had  gained  possession  of  the  ridge  we 
were  vigorously  attacked  by  two  Divisions  of  Longstreet's  veterans. 
Again  the  enemy  was  driven  back,  and  from  this  time  until  dark  the 
battle  between  these  two  opposing' forces  raged  furiously. 

Our  whole  line  was  continually  enveloped  in  smoke  and  fire.  The 
assaults  of  the  enemy  were  now  made  with  that  energy  which  was 
inspired  by  the  bright  prospect  of  a  speedy  victory,  and  by  a  conscious- 
ness that  it  was  only  necessary  to  carry  this  position  and  crush  our  forces 
to  enable  them  to  overthrow  our  army,  and  drive  it  across  the  Tennessee 
River.  Their  forces  were  massed  and  hurled  upon  us  for  the  purpose  of 
terminating  at  once  this  great  and  bloody  battle.  But  the  stout  hearts  of 
the  handful  of  men  who  stood  before  them  quailed  not.  They  under- 
stood our  perilous  position,  and  held  their  ground,  determined  to  perish 
rather  than  yield  it.  Never  had  a  commander  such  just  cause  for  con- 
gratulation over  the  action  of  his  troops. 

The  ammunition  which  was  brought  in  our  train  to  this  part  of  the 
field  was  divided  with  Gens.  Brannan's  and  Wood's  Divisions  early  in  the 
afternoon,  and  we  soon  exhausted  the  remainder.  All  that  we  could 
then  procure  was  taken  from  the  cartridge  boxes  of  our  own  and  the 
enemy's  dead  and  wounded.  Even  this  supply  was  exhausted  before  the 
battle  was  over,  and  while  the  enemy  was  still  in  our  front,  hurling  fresh 
troops  against  us.  It  was  almost  dark;  the  enemy  had  been  driven  back, 
but  we  had  not  a  round  of  ammunition  left.  All  now  seemed  to  be  lost 
if  he  should  return  to  the  contest.  Anticipating  another  attack,  I  ordered 
the  command  to  be  given  to  the  men  to  stand  firm,  and  to  use  the  cold 
steel.  After  an  ominous  silence  of  a  few  minutes  the  enemy  came  rush- 
ing upon  us  again.  With  fixed  bayonets  our  troops  gallantly  charged 
them  and  drove  them  back  in  confusion.  Twice  more  were  these  charges 
repeated,  and  the  enemy  driven  back,  before  darkness  brought  an  end  to 
the  battle.  Night  came  and  the  enemy  fell  back,  whipped  and  discom- 
fitted.  At  three  o'clock  p.  M.  Gen.  Garfield,  Chief  of  Staff,  appeared 
upon  that  part  of  the  field  where  my  troops  were  then  hotly  engaged 
with  the  enemy.  He  remained  with  me  until  dark,  animating  and  cheer- 
ing both  officers  and  men.  *  *  *  At  seven  o'clock  p.  M.  I  receivt  d 
orders  from  Major-General  Thomas  to  withdraw  my  troops  from  the 
position  they  held  at  dark,  to  march  back  to  Rossville,  and  to  cover  the 


202  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

rear  of  the  forces  falling  back  upon  that  place  with  McCook's  Brigade. 
These  instructions  were  promptly  carried  out,  and  I  went  into  camp  that 
night  in  accordance  therewith. 

My  two  Brigades  numbered  216  commissioned  officers  and  3,697  men 
when  they  went  into  the  action.  Between  the  hours  of  one  P.  M.  and 
dark  there  were  killed,  wounded  and  missing  109  commissioned  officers 
and  1,623  men — a  total  of  1,732.  These  losses  are  subdivided  as  follows  : 
Killed,  234 ;  wounded,  936  ;  missing — all  of  whom,  with  the  exception  of 
a  very  small  fraction  were  taken  prisoners — 461. 

*  *    *    It  is  with  pleasure  that  I  call  the  attention  of  the  Command- 
ing General  to  the  bravery  and  gallantry  displayed  during  the  battle  by 
Brigadier-General  James  B.  Steedman.    He  fearlessly  rushed  into  the 
midst  of  danger,  and  was  ever  present  with  his  troops,  handling  them 
with  ease  and  confidence,  rallying  and  encouraging  them,  and  establish- 
ing order  and  confidence.     Gen.  Whittaker  and  Col.  Mitchell,  command- 
ing Brigades,  were  also  conspicuous  for  their  bravery  and  activity.    They 
managed  their  troops  well,  and  contributed  much  to  our  success  during 
the  day.    Col.  Daniel  McCook,  commanding  the  Second  Brigade,  Second 
Division,  properly  and  promptly  carried  out  all  orders  and  instructions 
I  gave  him.    Although  his  Brigade  was  not  engaged  in  the  battle,  it  held 
a  very   important   position,    protecting   the  rear  of   those  who  were 
fighting.* 

Shortly  following  the  battle,  Lieutenant  Wm.  M.  Loughlin, 
then  on  detached  service  with  the  Pioneers,  wrote  a  letter  to 
Colonel  Champion,  congratulating  him  upon  the  good  name 
won  for  himself  and  the  Regiment,  and  received  the  following 
reply  : 

HEADQUARTERS  NINETY-SIXTH  REGT.  ILL.  VOL.  INF'T., 
'  CAMP  OPPOSITE  LOOKOUT  MOUNTAIN,  NEAR 

CHATTANOOGA,  October  10,  1863. 
LIEUTENANT  WM.  M.  LOUGHLIN  : 

Dear  Lieutenant, — I  received  your  very  welcome  and  kind  letter  of 
the  3d  instant.  So  far  as  it  relates  to  myself  personally  I  am  inclined  to 
think  the  encomiums  are,  perhaps,  hastily  bestowed.  But  so  far  as  the 
NINETY-SIXTH  Regiment  is  concerned  it  is  deserving  of  all  praise.  Its 
record  on  the  terrible  and  bloody  field  of  Chickamauga  entitles  it  to  rank 
as  one  of  the  truest  and  bravest  of  any  in  the  field,  or  that  ever  defended 
the  Old  Flag.  When  it  is  remembered  that  the  NINETY-SIXTH  Regiment 
went  into  the  fight  at  two  o'clock  p.  M.  of  Sunday  with  415  officers  and 
men,  and  before  sundown  had  lost  42  men,  killed  on  the  field,  121  wounded 
and  11  missing,  and  that  of  the  missing  all  thus  far  heard  from  were  either 
killed  or  wounded,  making  our  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  174,  and  that 
of  the  wounded  so  many  have  since  died  that  our  total  loss  in  killed  will 

*  A  long  list  of  officers  conspicuous  for  their  bravery  is  published  in  Gen.  Granger's 
report,  included  with  which  appear  all  of  the  field  officers  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  ;  also, 
Captain  Hicks,  of  Company  A. 


1863]  CHICKAMAUGA.  203 

be  55  or  60,  you  may  rest  assured  that  the  NINETY-SIXTH  did  not  fail  to 
do  its  whole  duty.  Three  several  times  we  charged  upon  and  drove  the 
•enemy,  once  laying  down  on  the  crest  of  a  hill,  and  for  half  an  hour 
pouring  a  heavy  fire  into  the  enemy  so  near  his  guns  that  every  discharge 
from  them,  the  hot  air  was  literally  blown  into  our  faces,  holding  our 
position  until  every  Regiment  in  our  rear  and  on  our  left  had  given  way. 
We  occupied  the  extreme  right  of  our  lines,  and  for  some  reason  or  other, 
-when  there  was  any  hard  work  to  do  we  were  called  upon  to  do  it. 

I  have  not  time  to  write  you  at  length.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  other 
Regiments  were  in  that  fight  for  two  whole  days  and  did  not  lose,  com- 
paratively nor  actually,  what  we  did  in  the  two  hours  fighting. 

My  regards  to  all. 

Very  respectfully  yours.  THOS.  E.  CHAMPION. 

The  following  letter,  written  by  Major  George  Hicks  to 
the  New  York  Tribune,  is  a  graphic  account  of  the  part  borne 
in  the  battle  by  Gen.  Steedman's  Division  : 

THE  BATTLE  OF  CHICKAMAUGA. 
•GEN.  STEEDMAN'S  DIVISION — THE  RECORD  IT  MADE  ON  THE  TWENTIETH. 

[Prom  our  Special  Correspondent,  in  the  field,  opposite  Chattanooga,  September 

30,  1863.] 

Among  the  many  Divisions  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  which 
acquitted  themselves  nobly  in  the  battles  of  the  nineteenth  and  twentieth 
the  First  Division  of  the  Reserve  Corps,  commanded  by  Brig.  Gen.  James 
-B.  Steedman,  deserves  some  mention. 

On  the  eighteenth  the  First  Brigade  of  the  Division,  commanded  by 
Brig.  Gen.  W.  C.  Whittaker,  was  sent  from  Rossville  to  the  Little  Chicka- 
mauga,  on  the  road  to  Ringgold.  Here,  after  sundown,  a  brief  skirmish 
was  had  with  the  enemy,  in  which  neither  party  suffered  any  considerable 
Joss. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  nineteenth  the  tide  of  battle,  which  had  been 
running  heavily  on  our  right  during  the  day,  reached  this  Brigade,  and 
.an  engagement  of  some  fierceness  was  had  with  the  enemy.  The  position 
Jheld  by  the  Brigade  was  on  the  extreme  left  of  our  lines,  and  the  key  to 
Rosecrans'  line  of  retreat.  The  position  was  much  coveted  by  the  enemy, 
and  they  made  repeated  assaults  to  obtain  it,  but  were  handsomely 
repulsed,  and  suffered  quite  severely,  especially  from  our  artillery. 

During  the  night  of  the  nineteenth  the  Second  Brigade,  commanded 
•by  Col.  J.  M.  Mitchell,  of  the  113th  Ohio,  was  sent  to  the  aid  of  Whitta- 
ker ;  also,  Col.  Dan.  McCook's  Brigade,  of  the  Second  Division  of  the 
Reserve,  and  the  22d  Michigan  and  89th  Ohio,  which  two  Regiments  were 
-attached  to  Whittaker's  command. 

During  the  forenoon  of  the  twentieth  these  forces,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Gen.  Steedman,  held  their  position  at  that  point,  in  line  of  bat- 
tle, awaiting  a  more  formidable  effort,  which  it  was  supposed  the  enemy 


HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

would  make  to  turn  our  left.  But  no  assault  was  made,  for  the  enemy 
had  withdrawn  his  troops  from  that  point  to  mass  them  against  Thomas. 
While  waiting  there  pursuant  to  orders  from  Gen.  Rosecrans,  the  troops 
listened  with  anxious  impatience  to  the  heavy  cannonading  and  sharp 
musketry  which  resounded  along  the  line  on  the  right,  and  which, 
approaching  nearer  and  nearer,  begat  fearful  suspicions  that  it  was  not 
Rosecrans  but  the  enemy  who  were  driving  the  opposing  forces.  Our 
suspense  was  broken,  and  our  fears  confirmed  when,  about  noon,  urgent 
orders  were  received  to  hasten  to  the  relief  of  Thomas,  who  was  in  great 
danger. 

The  troops  did  not  then  know  in  how  critical  a  condition  the  Army 
of  the  Cumberland  was  compelled  to  meet,  unassisted,  the  flower  of  three 
large  armies  which  the  Rebels  had  assembled,  intending  to  overwhelm  it. 
They  did  not  then  know  that  while  they  were  hastening  to  turn  the  tide 
of  battle,  if  possible,  portions  of  Crittenden's  and  McCook's  Corps  were 
retiring  from  the  field.  But  they  did  know  the  time  had  come  when 
the  Reserve  must  be  tested,  and  the  question  determined  whether  or  not 
it  were  worthy  of  its  honorable  position  in  the  great  Army  of  the  Cum- 
berland. 

Steedman's  Division,  followed  by  McCook's  Brigade,  was  speedily 
put  in  motion,  and  the  columns  moved  forward  at  a  rapid  pace,  some- 
times breaking  into  a  double-quick.  The  sun  shone  hot,  and  the  dust  in 
the  narrow  road  rose  in  dense,  suffocating  clouds ;  but  all  thought  of 
heat,  and  dust,  and  fatigue  was  lost  in  the  eager  anxiety  to  relieve  our 
brave  comrades  who  were  in  peril.  After  thus  marching  some  three 
miles,  the  head  of  the  column  reached  a  portion  of  the  battle  field  from 
which  our  forces  had  retired,  and  which  the  enemy  occupied  with  hi& 
mounted  infantry.  Formed  hastily  in  line-of-battle,  "Whittaker's  Brigade 
advanced  upon  them.  They  did  not  await  our  approach,  but  gave  up 
the  ground,  retreating  in  a  direction  which,  had  we  followed,  would  have 
diverted  us  from  the  main  purpose.  In  passing  over  this  portion  of  the 
field  the  dead  and  dying  of  both  armies  were  seen  in  considerable  num- 
bers, and  some  Rebels,  separated  from  their  commands,  were  encountered 
on  the  right  and  taken  prisoners  by  the  NINETY-SIXTH  Illinois. 

Soon  a  point  was  reached  directly  opposite  to  and  about  three-fourths 
of  a  mile  distant  from  Gen.  Thomas,  and  the  whole  Division  turned 
square  to  the  right.  Here  they  formed  in  close  columns  by  regiments, 
with  division  front ;  and,  with  a  line  of  skirmishers  thrown  forward  and 
along  the  left  flank,  the  Division  resumed  its  march.  It  was  through  an 
extensive  stretch  of  meadow  land,  overgrown  with  weeds  almost  breast 
high,  that  our  course  lay.  Heavy  batteries  of  the  enemy's  artillery  were 
posted  in  the  woods  on  our  left,  and  as  we  advanced  through  the  meadow 
to  form  a  junction  with  Thomas  they  opened  upon  us  a  fearful  fire.  But 
few  troops  in  the  Division  had  ever  seen  more  of  war  than  is  encountered 
in  brisk  skirmishing,  and  none  had  ever  been  under  such  a  fire.  But 
Whittaker,  with  his  staff,  and  Col.  Mitchell  and  staff,  rode  steadily  in  front 
of  their  Brigades,  and  their  troops,  although  the  shells  and  shot  fell  fast 


18C3]  CHICKAMAUGA.       ,  205 

and  thick  around  and  among  them,  wavered  not  in  their  march,  but  kept 
right  on,  leaving  many  of  their  comrades  dead  and  wounded  on  the  field. 
At  that  moment  the  spectacle,  to  one  not  inured  to  all  the  pageantry  of 
war,  was  intensely  grand.  The  brigade  and  regimental  colors  floated 
gaily  in  the  light  of  the  midday  sun.  The  far-stretching  columns  of 
troops,  with  glistening  weapons,  moved  forward  with  uniform  motion, 
presenting,  at  a  distance,  the  appearance  of  one  compact  mass.  On  the 
left  dense  masses  of  sulphurous  smoke  hung  just  above  the  trees,  and  in 
front  and  along  the  lines  the  shells  were  bursting  in  the  air,  while  the  solid 
shot,  seemingly  imbued  with  infernal  energy,  plowed  the  ground,  bound- 
ing and  plunging  over  the  fields,  leaving  all  over  the  meadow  little  clouds 
of  dust  to  mark  their  course.  That  march,  through  that  storm  of  shell 
and  shot,  was  a  fit  introduction  to  the  scenes  upon  which  that  Division 
was  about  to  enter.  But  little  time  was  occupied  in  reaching  Thomas, 
where  Gen.  Granger,  commanding  the  Reserve,  and  Gen.  Steedman  were 
already  holding  consultation  with  him.  As  we  approached,  Gen.  Whit 
taker,  whose  Brigade  was  in  the  advance,  was  told  that  it  was  absolutely 
necessary  that  he  should  drive  the  enemy  from  the  ridge  on  our  right, 
where  heavy  forces  had  been  massed,  as  if  for  the  purpose  of  flanking 
Thomas.  Indeed,  the  occupation  of  that  ridge  was  so  threatening  that 
if  the  enemy  continued  to  hold  it  Thomas  must  have  retired.  Whittaker 
«aid  he  would  take  the  ridge,  and  he  did  it. 

This  is  the  way  it  was  done  :  The  six  Regiments  of  the  First  Brigade 
were  formed  in  two  lines — the  first  comprising  the  NINETY- SIXTH  Illinois, 
Colonel  Thomas  E.  Champion,  on  the  right ;  115th  Illinois,  Col.  J.  fl. 
Moore,  in  the  centre,  and  the  22d  Michigan,  Col.  Le  Favour,  on  the  left. 
Then  came  the  order  to  advance.  With  a  yell  the  first  line  bounded  for- 
ward on  the  double-quick.  Up  and  down  the  little  hills  and  through  the 
narrow  valleys  which  intervened  they  pressed  hastily  forward  until  they 
<;ame  within  short  range  of  the  Rebel  musketry,  which  opened  upon 
them  furiously,  while  the  grape  and  cannister  from  the  battery  on  the 
ridge  swept  cruelly  through  their  ranks. 

Almost  exhausted  with  their  hurried  march  and  their  long  continued 
•double-quick,  the  troops  recoiled  for  a  moment  under  that  withering  fire, 
but  ere  the  most  timid  could  think  of  retreating,  Colonel  Champion 
promptly  gave  the  command  to  halt,  lie  down,  and  fire,  which  was  obeyed 
on  the  instant.  There  the  line  lay  for  five  minutes,  responding  resolutely 
to  the  fire  of  the  enemy.  That  five  minutes  was  a  terrible  ordeal  for  ouv 
soldiers,  for  during  that  short  period  their  ranks  were  more  than  deci- 
mated. Then  came  the  order  to  fix  bayonets  and  charge  upon  the  enemy. 
The  ardor  of  the  men  overcame  their  fatigue,  and,  tired  as  they  were, 
they  resumed  the  double-quick  march  as  they  advanced  up  the  ridge,  right 
in  the  face  of  a  galling  fire.  If  a  man  fell — and  many  did — he  was  left 
to  enrich  the  soil  of  Georgia  with  his  life's  blood,  or,  if  able,  to  creep, 
alone  and  unassisted,  to  the  rear ;  for  none  who  were  able,  to  march  left 
the  ranks,  which  were  kept  well  closed  up,  and  the  line  was  firmly  main1 
tained. 


206  HISTORY  OF  THE  96iH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

By  this  time  the  78th  Illinois  and  121st  Ohio,  of  the  Second  Brigade 
had  come  up  and  were  advancing  on  the  right  of  the  first,  and  a  little  to 
the  rear.  Never  was  support  more  opportune,  for  while  Whittaker's  men 
were  charging  up  the  ridge,  the  enemy  received  a  well-directed  fire  from 
Col.  Mitchell's  forces,  and,  when  the  crest  of  the  ridge  was  gained,  the 
enemy  was  discovered  retreating  in  confusion,  and  their  battery  had  dis- 
appeared. With  a  loud  huzza  we  followed  them,  but  not  far.  Fresh 
troops  were  sent  against  us,  and  the  fire  became  as  scathing  as  ever.  We 
halted  in  our  advanced  position,  and  held  it,  while  the  contending  mus- 
ketry, sharp  and  incessant,  almost  stunned  the  ear.  The  enemy  con- 
stantly strengthened  his  lines,  and  their  fire  became  hotter  and  quicker. 
The  first  line  was  ordered  to  fall  back.  The  second  line  took  its  place 
and  held  the  position  a  short  time,  when  the  forces  were  ordered  to  retire 
to  the  crest  of  the  ridge  from  which  the  enemy  had  been  driven. 

That  was  the  way  the  fight,  on  the  part  of  Steedman's  Division, 
opened  on  that  day.  It  had  gained  a  great  advantage,  but  it  was  not  to 
maintain  it  without  a  severe  struggle.  Bragg's  Reserves — the  flower  of 
the  Potomac  Army — were  sent  to  dislodge  us  from  our  newly  gained 
position.  But  it  availed  them  not.  Battery  M,  1st  Illinois  Artillery,  was- 
planted  far  to  the  right,  in  a  commanding  position,  and  such  was  the  con- 
formation of  the  ground  that,  as  the  Rebel  lines  advanced  to  the  assault, 
they  came  under  the  sure  and  effective  range  of  our  guns.  Their  battery- 
had  been  planted  in  a  new  position,  bearing  upon  ours,  and  the  continued 
roar  of  artillery  soon  was  mingled  wjth  the  sound  of  musketry. 

Our  lines  were  extended  to  the  right  so  as  to  reach  and  support  our 
battery,  which  the  Rebels  were  threatening  to  attack.  A  general  assault 
was  soon  made  upon  our  lines,  but  it  proved  disastrous  to  the  Rebels. 
Our  grape  and  cannister  made  great  havoc  in  their  ranks,  while  our 
soldiers  took  careful  aim  before  pulling  the  triggers  of  their  Enfield  mus- 
kets. The  Rebels  were  badly  repulsed,  and  as  they  retreated  we  followed, 
pursuing  them  a  considerable  distance.  But  while  this  move  exposed  us 
to  the  fire  of  their  artillery,  they  were  much  less  in  danger  from  our  bat- 
tery. Other  troops,  in  heavier  force,  took  the  place  of  those  whom  we 
had  driven,  and  the  battle  waged  fiercely  again  until  we  were  ordered  to 
retire. 

Let  the  simple  truth  be  told.  That  retreat,  in  fact,  that  whole  battle 
in  which  our  Division  was  engaged,  was  not  conducted  with  precisely 
the  same  order  observed  on  a  dress  parade.  I  have  read  of  such  things  ;. 
I  have  heard  of  troops  acting  with  arctic  coolness  and  impassability  under 
the  most  galling  fire,  minutely  observing  every  direction  of  the  tactics. 
It  majr  be  so,  but  it  was  not  so  with  our  Division  on  that  day.  When  the 
men  were  ordered  to  advance  they  kept  their  line  pretty  well,  but  there 
were  many  whose  eagerness  carried  them  ahead  of  it,  and  some  whose 
timidity  kept  them  in  rear  of  it.  In  retreating,  the  men  paid  but  little 
attention  to  keeping  their  lines  well  dressed,  and  had  the  appearance  of 
a  mass  rather  than  a  line.  Nay  more  ;  some  of  the  troops  on  the  left 
actually  broke,  and  were  thrown  into  some  disorder.  But  it  is  also- 


1863]  CHICKAMAUGA.  207 

true  that  when  the  desired  point  was  gained  the  troops  were  readily 
halted  and  rallied  with  but  little  difficulty.  Once,  the  115th  Illinois — 
which  did  exceedingly  well  that  day — seemed  unable  to  rally  ;  but  Gen. 
Steedman  was  near  at  hand,  and,  seizing  the  colors  from  the  standard 
bearer,  advanced  toward  the  enemy,  saying  to  the  men:  "Boys,  I'll 
carry  your  flag  if  you'll  defend  it!"  They  rallied  around  him  and  did 
noble  deeds.  There  was  not  one  instance  of  failure  to  rally  the  troops, 
though  the  leaden  hail  fell  so  thick  and  fast  among  them  that  nothing  but 
their  native  heroism  and  the  animating  courage  of  their  officers  could 
have  kept  them  up  to  the  work.  Let  it  not  be  forgotten  that  on  thai 
afternoon  there  was  but  little  fighting,  except  upon  Thomas'  lines,  whose 
right  Steedman  held,  and  on  the  right  the  fiercest  fighting  apparently  w;is- 
done.  There  was  nothing  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  sending  almost 
overwhelming  forces  against  us,  and  we  learn  from  prisoners,  and  we 
judge  from  the  incidents  and  character  of  the  contest,  that  they  were 
fighting  Steedman  with  the  odds  of  at  least  three  to  one  in  their  favor. 
Thomas  was  holding  their  whole  army  in  check,  saving  from  irretrievable 
disaster  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  ;  and  there  was  nothing  akin  to  a 
holiday  parade  in  the  terrible  momentum  of  their  assaults  to  break 
through  that  bulwark,  or  the  heroic  endurance  with  which  our  soldiers 
met  and  repulsed  them.  More  depended  upon  the  individuality  of  the 
soldier  than  upon  the  harmonious  movements  of  regiments  and  brigades. 
This  was  felt  by  our  officers  and  soldiers.  There  was  little  maneuvering, 
but  there  was  a  great  deal  of  fighting.  There  was  no  waiting  for  com- 
mands in  detail— no  firing  of  volleys  by  platoons  and  companies.  When 
we  had  gained  a  position  in  advance,  and  the  line  was  halted  in  view  of 
the  enemy,  the  men  fired  at  will,  each  intent  only  on  doing  his  own  duty 
well.  After  that  repulse  another  assault  was  made,  and  with  the  same 
result.  The  Rebels  advanced,  were  checked ;  we  drove  and  followed 
them  until  fresh  troops  were  arrayed  against  us,  and  we  in  turn  were 
forced  to  retire.  But  this  time  we  drove  them  further,  and  kept  them  at 
bay  longer  than  before.  One  of  our  regiments,  the  NINETY-SIXTH 
Illinois,  pursued  them  nearly  half  a  mile,  and  held  that  advanced  positioa 
until  it  began  to  receive  an  enfilading  fire  from  some  of  our  own  troops. 
Thus  the  contest  continued  until  dark,  and  all  the  time  we  held  the 
ridge.  Sometimes  a  regiment  or  more  would  fall  back  beyond  the  ridge, 
but  enough  always  remained  to  hold  it.  At  last  Gen.  Thomas.gave  the 
order  to  retire,  but  it  failed  to  reach  a  portion  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH 
Illinois  and  a  remnant  of  the  121st  Ohio,  who  at  the  time  occupied  a 
position  on  the  right,  somewhat  advanced  beyond  the  line,  and  there,  for 
a  considerable  time,  they  continued  to  fight  with  unabated  vigor.  The 
order  to  retire  was  at  last  given  to  this  devoted  band,  who  reluctantly  left 
their  position.  That  closed  the  fighting  for  the  day.  We  retired  from 
the  field,  not  knowing  that  the  enemy  was  at  the  same  time  also  retreat- 
ing, baffled  and  discouraged,  in  fact,  beaten.  So  the  bloody  field  was  left 
unoccupied  that  night.  No,  not  wholly  unoccupied,  for  James  T.  Guppy, 
a  private  of  Company  D,  NINETY-SIXTH  Illinois,  not  knowing  that  our 


208  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

troops  had  fallen  back,  slept  upon  the  battle  field,  and,  next  morning,  as 
he  awoke,  found  a  Rebel  surgeon  near  him  looking  for  Rebel  dead,  and 
who  advised  him,  if  he  ever  wished  to  see  his  Regiment  again,  to  hurry 
on  to  Chattanooga.  The  fight  was  over,  and  while  the  Union  army  was 
sad  the  Rebels  were  not  exultant.  The  fight  was  over,  and  Steedman's 
Division  had  made  its  record.  It  had  done  more  than  that.  Said  Gen. 
Thomas  to  Gen.  Steedmaa  :  "  You  have  saved  my  Corps." 

That  was  a  deed  worthy  to  be  proud  of,  for,  from  what  disaster  did 
not  that  Corps  save  our  army  and  our  cause  ! 

But  there  was  little  feeling  of  pride  that  night  among  the  troops  of 
the  First  Division  of  the  Reserves.  We  were  busy  reckoning  up  our 
losses,  and  they  were  appalling  3  The  long  list  of  killed  and  wounded  is 
a  sad  proof  of  the  trial  by  fire  to  which,  that  afternoon,  our  Division 
was  subjected. 

Was  ever  such  havoc  made  with  a  staff  as  that  which  Gen.  Whitta- 
ker's  suffered .?  There  were  eight  of  them,  including  the  General.  Three 
were  killed,  three  wounded,  one  captured  or  killed,  and  only  one  escaped. 
How  often  has  it  happened  that  a  Regiment,  in  one  afternoon's  engage- 
ment, has  endured  a  greater  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  than  the  NINETY- 
SIXTH  Illinois?  It  took  into  battle  415  men.  It  lost  42  killed  and  121 
wounded — considerably  more  than  one-third.  Of  its  23  field,  staff  and 
line  officers  engaged,  11  were  killed  and  wounded.  It  happened  that  that 
Regiment,  during  the  fight,  was  always  in  the  front  line,  and  was  greatly 
exposed  to  the  enemy's  artillery,  but,  under  the  cool  and  able  leadership 
of  Colonel  Champion,  it  maintained  its  place,  and,  with  the  121st  Ohio, 
was  the  last  to  leave  the  field. 

Whittaker's  Brigade  of  six  Regiments  lost  nearly  one  thousand  men, 
killed  and  wounded,  and  Col.  Mitchell's  Brigade  of  four  Regiments  lost 
•nearly  four  hundred. 

There  were  many  noble  men  who  fell  on  that  hard-fought  field — 
many  who  deserve  special  mention.  I  know  but  few  of  the  many,  yet 
let  me  speak  of  two  or  three. 

Capt.  S.  B.  Espy,  Assistant  Commissary  on  Gen.  Whittaker's  staff, 
was  a  very  lion  that  day.  He  was  advised  to  remain  with  his  trains  ;  but, 
too  noble  spirited  for  that,  he  remained  on  the  field,  fearless  of  danger, 
doing  wonders  in  cheering  and  rallying  the  men  under  the  destructive 
fire  of  the  enemy,  He  was  one  of  Illinois'  noble  sons,  and  his  loss  is 
severely  felt. 

And  there  was  a  Quarter-Master  Sergeant,  William  S.  Bean,  who,  like 
Capt.  Espy,  chose  the  field  of  danger  rather  than  the  post  of  safety.  He 
might  have  remained  in  the  rear,  and  the  breath  of  censure  couia  not 
•have  touched  him;  but  he  was  right  where  the  bullets  flew  thickest  and 
fastest,  and  did  the  work  almost  of  a  General  in  encouraging  the  bold  and 
animating  the  timid.  He  was  a  genuine  hero. 

Capt.  Wells,  of  the  113th  Ohio,  and  Lieut.  Col.  Kinman,  of  the  115th 
Illinois,  were  two  of  the  best  men  and  bravest  soldiers  who  yielded  up 
aheir  lives  on  the  twentieth  on  their  country's  altar. 


JOHN  G.  SCHAEFER, 


FIRST  SERGEANT,  COMPANY  A. 


fist 


1863]  CHICKAMATJGA.  209 

And  the  scores  of  privates,  corporals  and  sergeants,  men  of  families, 
who  had  left  all — wife,  children,  home — for  their  country,  from  a  pure 
sense  of  duty ;  young  men,  who  left  college  walls  and  the  merchant's 
desk,  and  the  plow,  and  the  anvil,  all  because  their  country  called  them, 
to  face  death  on  a  battle  field  ;  darling  sons,  the  hope  and  stay  of  widowed 
mothers,  whose  early  death  will  break  more  than  one  sorrowing  heart — 
what  of  these  ?  Alas  !  too  many  such  there  are — as  brave,  as  heroic,  as 
truly  martyrs  as  ever  died  in  the  cause  of  humanity — to  mention  here  by 
name.  Would  you  know  them  ?  Read  the  list  of  the  killed  ! 

We  will  not,  in  our  sorrow  for  the  heroes  dead,  forget  the  surviving 
brave.  These,  thanks  to  a  merciful  Providence,  are  even  more  numerous 
than  the  dead.  Among  the  many  who  did  well,  Gen.  Steedman,  and 
Major  Smith,  and  Capt.  Moe,  of  his  Staff,  merit  special  praise.  And  Gen. 
Whittaker  and  Col.  Mitchell,  and  their  Staff  Officers,  and  the  Regimental 
Commanders,  are  most  highly  honored  by  the  soldiers,  for  they  were 
brave  and  unflinching  leaders. 

Let  me  refer  to  two  men  in  humbler  positions.  One  is  Lieutenant  C. 
W.  Earle,  commanding  the  Color  Company  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH.  He 
stood  by  the  colors  throughout  the  fight,  and,  though  all  but  two  of  the 
Color  Guard  were  killed  and  wounded,  and  the  colors  were  cut  to  pieces 
by  the  bullets  and  grape  and  cannister  that  pierced  its  folds,  he  faltered 
not  one  instant.  He  is  a  Second  Lieutenant,  and  but  a  boy,  yet  few  full- 
grown  men,  in  much  more  exalted  positions,  excelled  him  in  cool,  cheer- 
ful courage. 

The  other  is  Capt.  Clason,  of  the  121st  Ohio,  who,  with  the  little 
remnant  of  the  Regiment,  fought  so  stubbornly  and  unyieldingly  to  the 
very  last,  preserving  their  colors  and  keeping  them  afloat  proudly  in  the 
face  of  the  enemy,  until  the  last  shot  was  fired. 

And  Col.  Le  Favour,  who  led  his  22d  Michigan  on  a  bayonet  charge, 
after  they  had  expended  all  their  ammunition,  should  not  be  forgotten 
when  the  roll  of  honor  is  made  out.  But  time  and  space  would  fail  to 
name  every  man  who  flinched  not  from  his  duty  on  that  memorable  day. 
The  84th  Indiana,  the  40th,  98th  and  89th  Ohio,  and  the  78th  Illinois— all 
of  Steedman's  Division — has  each  its  list  of  heroes. 

Enough  that,  at  that  critical  hour,  the  Reserve  failed  not.  And  it 
could  have  done  more  had  it  been  necessary,  for  Col.  McCook's  Brigade 
was  not  engaged.  As  to  our  Division,  it  has  confidence  in  its  officers, 
while  they  are  proud  of  their  men  ;  and  it  is  now  ready  to  test  its  mettle 
again  with  a  Rebel  foe.  It  is  with  not  a  little  of  pride  that  I  can  write 
of  such  a  Division,  and  its  fight  on  the  twentieth,  parva  pars  fui* 

MILES,  f 
*  Of  which  I  was  a  small  part.  t  A  soldier. 


14 


210  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 


INCIDENTS  OF  THE  BATTLE. 

NOTE. — To  write  fully  of  the  experiences  of  each  of  the  members  of  the  Regiment 
who  participated  in  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  is  impracticable,  if  not  impossible,  for 
it  would  require  a  volume  to  record  what  would  be  of  interest.  And  yet,  it  does  not 
seem  best  to  omit  these  personal  incidents  altogether,  even  though  but  a  few  can  be 
rescued  from  the  oblivion  into  which  the  years  are  rapidly  passing  them.  Naturally 
those  which  are  the  best  known  to  the  writer  are  such  as  occurred  in  the  Company  of 
which  he  was  at  the  time  a  member,  or  to  individuals  whom  he  knew  most  intimately  or 
has  met  most  frequently  in  the  years  that  have  intervened.  These,  if  any,  must  be 
recorded.  It  is  hoped  that  no  one  will  attribute  the  mentions  to  favoritism  or  the  omis- 
sions to  a  want  of  appreciation  on  the  writer's  part  of  the  genuine  merit  of  those  whose 
names  do  not  appear.  It  was  simply  impossible  that  any  one  man  should  know  more 
than  a  minor  portion  of  the  incidents  that  would  be  of  interest  while  a  battle  was  raging, 
or  that,— entertaining  no  thought  at  the  time  of  writing  of  them, — he  should  cherish  any 
considerable  portion  for  a  score  of  years,  or  gather  more  than  a  fraction  of  them  in  the 
limited  time  now  at  the  command  of  THE  EDITOR. 

Early  in  the  engagement  the  horse  ridden  by  Gen.  J.  B. 
Steedman  was  shot.  As  the  animal  fell  the  General  was 
thrown  violently  forward,  and  badly  bruised  on  the  head  and 
face,  the  injuries  being  such  as  to  cause  the  blood  to  flow  freely 
and  give  the  commander  the  appearance  of  having  been  badly 
wounded.  Gen.  W.  C.  Whittaker,  commander  of  the  Brigade, 
was  struck  in  the  abdomen,  his  injury  being  painful  but  not 
so  serious  as  to  take  him  from  the  field  for  more  than  a  half 
hour  or  so.  He  thought  himself  mortally  wounded  for  the 
moment,  and  his  words, — which  he  supposed  were  his  last  on 
earth, — were  of  good  cheer  to  his  command,  and  an  encour- 
agement to  them  to  do  their  duty.  Rarely  has  a  Staff  fared 
so  roughly  as  did  that  of  Gen.  Whittaker.  Capt.  S.  B.  Espy, 
of  the  115th  Illinois,  Acting  Brigade  Commissary,  and  Lieut. 
Mason,  of  the  84th  Indiana,  who  was  serving  as  an  Aide, 
were  killed  outright.  Capt.  James  Allen,  of  the  40th  Ohio, 
who  was  in  the  English  army  at  the  siege  of  Lucknow,  and  who 
had  been  decorated  by  the  Queen  for  bravery,  was  severely 
wounded  through  the  arm.  Lieut.  John  M.  Moore,  of  the 
84th  Indiana,  and  at  the  time  A.  A.  A.  General  of  the  Bri- 
gade, was  shot  through  the  thigh  and  crippled  for  life.  Lieu- 
tenant G.  W.  Pepoon,  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  Illinois, — then  an 
Aide,  and  who,  although  continually  riding  the  lines,  was  the 
only  one  who  escaped  unharmed, — left  the  field  at  dark  in 
charge  of  Lieut.  Moore,  walking  or  riding  beside  him,  and 


1863]  CHICKAMAUGA.  211 

helping  to  hold  him  on  his  horse  until  Rossville  was  reached. 
Captain  Charles  E.  Rowan,  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  was  captured 
on  Saturday  afternoon,  and  Lieut.  Jesse  Hannon,  of  the  115th 
Illinois,  was  captured  just  before  the  battle  closed  on  Sunday. 

In  the  Regiment  no  mounted  officer  escaped  except  the 
Colonel,  and  he  was  twice  dismounted.  The  gray  horse 
which  he  took  from  Illinois,  but  which  had  been  disposed  of 
some  time  previously,  was  finally  brought  and  bore  him  safely 
from  the  field.  Toward  the  close  of  the  fight,  and  when  the 
line  had  been  reduced  to  a  mere  skirmish  line,  the  Colonel 
took  a  musket  and  used  it  for  a  time,  the  soldiers  loading  it 
for  him.  Always  his  presence  was  an  inspiration,  and  his 
position  so  conspicuous  that  it  was  marvelous  how  he  escaped. 
Major  J .  C.  Smith,  on  staff  duty,  had  many  thrilling  experi- 
ences and  narrow  escapes,  but  rode  safely  through  the  storm. 
Sergeant-Major  Quinn  rode  into  the  battle  a  horse  from  which 
a  Rebel  Major  had  been  shot  at  Franklin.  Early  in  the  fight 
Quinn  was  wounded,  a  bullet  passing  through  his  shoulder  and 
lungs,  and  so  disabling  him  that  when  the  lines  retired  he  was 
left  in  the  enemy's  hands.  He  was  subsequently  paroled  and 
furloughed  home,  meeting  death  by  drowning  a  few  months 
later.  Quarter-Master  Sergeant  Bean  was  shot  from  his  horse 
while  bravely  riding  the  lines,  and  instantly  killed. 

The  experiences  of  the  Color  Guard  were  almost  without 
precedent.  Nine  men  moved  forward  under  the  flags  in  the 
first  charge  on  Sunday  afternoon,  and  a  tenth  subsequently 
joined  them.  Only  one  retired  that  evening,  all  of  the  others 
having  been  killed  or  wounded.  Color  Sergeant  M.  M.  Bruner, 
of  Company  H,  was  disabled  by  a  raking  shot  across  his  breast 
and  through  one  arm.  Corporal  David  Isbell,  of  Company 
A,  had  an  arm  shattered.  Turning  to  leave  the  field  he  was 
again  struck  and  doubtless  killed,  as  he  was  not  afterward 
heard  from.  Corporal  Hamilton  Whitney,  of  Company  B, 
escaped  until  almost  night,  but  was  then  shot  through,  and  left 
for  dead  upon  the  field,  but  fortunately  survived,  being  paroled 
and  sent  to  Chattanooga  ten  days  later.  Acting  Color  Corpo- 
ral Squire  Inman,  of  Company  C,  was  badly  wounded  in  the 
leg,  and  left  on  the  field,  where  he  died  within  a  week.  Cor- 


212  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

poral  William  F.  De  Graff,  of  Company  E,  was  severely 
wounded  in  the  leg,  but  survived,  only  to  be  mortally  wounded 
in  a  subsequent  battle.  Corporal  Walton  Heed,  of  Company 
F,  was  killed.  Corporal  John  A.  Robison,  of  Company  F, 
lost  his  good  right  arm.  Corporal  J.  W.  Swanbrough,  of 
Company  G,  carried  the  regimental  flag  into  the  fight,  and 
bore  both  flags  from  the  field,  being  uninjured,  except  from 
the  bruises  occasioned  by  the  falling  branch  of  a  tree,  although 
the  flags  were  literally  riddled  and  the  flag-staffs  splintered  in 
his  hands.  Corporal  Ward  L.  Morton,  of  Company  H,  who 
was  sent  to  act  with  the  Color  Guard  after  the  disabling  of  Ser- 
geant Bruner,  was  killed.  Acting  Color  Corporal  Thomas 
A.  Conlee,  of  Company  K,  was  wounded  in  the  shoulder.  It 
must  ever  remain  a  mystery  how  Corporal  Swanbrough  escaped 
that  day.  In  every  advance  the  colors  waved  at  the  very  front, 
and  whenever  the  line  became  in  any  way  scattered  the  flag  was 
the  rallying  point.  Once,  after  the  line  had  been  forced  back- 
ward, there  seemed  a  disposition  not  to  halt  just  where 
ordered,  but  to  form  a  line  a  little  to  the  rear.  ''John,"  said 
the  Colonel,  addressing  Corporal  Swanbrough,  "can  you 
carry  the  colors  a  little  farther  up  the  ridge  ?  "  and  the  reso- 
lute color  bearer  started  forward,  while  the  men  quickly  gath- 
ered around  him  and  formed  the  line  even  farther  to  the  front 
than  had  first  been  planned.  His  example,  and  the  fact  that 
the  line  was  moving,  gave  them  courage,  and  they  made  ready 
response. 

Lieutenant  Vincent,  of  Company  A,  was  severely  wounded 
in  the  leg  while  using  a  musket.  Josephus  Metcalf,  of  Com- 
pany A  ;  Eli  Thayer,  of  Company  D,  and  George  W.  Dimick, 
of  Company  E,  were  each  struck  on  the  head  and  stunned, 
regaining  consciousness  only  to  find  themselves  prisoners. 
Each  endured  a  long  confinement,  and  the  two  last  named 
died  without  ever  rejoining  the  Regiment. 

In  Company  B,  Charles  Fox  fell  while  calling  encourag- 
ingly to  his  comrades  to  go  forward.  Near  him  fell  Thomas 
Potter  and  William  Kimball  —  all  fatally  shot  in  the  first 
charge.  Emery  Dart  was  among  the  bravest,  but  suddenly 
disappeared,  and  was  doubtless  killed  outright,  although  no 


1863]  CHICKAMAUGA.  213 

one  noticed  him  as  he  fell.  John  H.  Cruver  had  an  arm  shat- 
tered at  the  elbow  early  in  the  afternoon,  which  disabled  him 
for  farther  service.  W.  W.  Tower  was  severely  wounded  in 
the  leg,  and  long  disabled,  but  returned  to  receive  a  fatal 
wound  a  few  months  later.  Sergeant  Bangs  tarried  too  long 
when  the  Regiment  fell  back,  and,  in  the  momentary  confu- 
sion, missed  his  command  and  found  himself  with  the  22d 
Michigan.  Taking  part  with  them  in  a  charge,  he  became  a 
prisoner  with  a  large  portion  of  that  regiment.  Sergeant 
Whitmore  was  badly  wounded  in  the  shoulder,  but  returned 
in  a  few  months,  and  was  subsequently  killed. 

Lieutenant  Earle,  commanding  Company  0,  was  wounded 
in  the  arm,  but  did  not  leave  his  command.  On  Tuesday  morn- 
ing, before  the  surrender  of  the  skirmish  line  on  Missionary 
Ridge,  he  was  again  hit,  this  time  on  the  wrist,  but  not  dis- 
abled. John  Fidler,  of  Company  C,  was  wounded  in  the  hand  or 
arm,  and  turning  to  leave  the  line  was  again  hit  and  instantly 
killed.  Sergeant  Murray  was  struck  in  the  shoulder  near 
the  spine,  and  so  badly  paralyzed  as  to  render  him  entirely 
helpless.  He  lay  between  the  lines  all  through  the  afternoon, 
and  in  this  trying  position  was  subsequently  twice  wounded. 
His  great  fear  was  that,  in  his  helpless  condition,  he  would 
be  burned  to  death  from  the  tires  catching  in  the  woods,  and 
at  his  earnest  request  a  Rebel  soldier  scraped  away  the  leaves 
and  drew  him  upon  the  bare  ground.  Corporal  Lewis  H. 
Bryant  was  at  one  time  of  the  opinion  that  the  lines  were 
retreating  too  far,  and  thrusting  the  butt  end  of  his  musket 
against  the  ground,  began  reloading,  muttering  between  his 
teeth  that  he  wasn't  going  back  another  step.  In  a  few  mo- 
ments a  bullet  passed  through  both  his  legs,  and  he  was  com- 
pelled to  go  to  the  rear.  Henry  P.  Barnum  was  terribly  shot 
through  the  face,  and  for  a  few  moments  was  inside  the  Rebel 
lines.  He  was  bleeding  profuseiy,  and  terribly  thirsty,  when 
a  soldier  in  gray,  at  his  request,  gave  him  a  drink  from  a  can- 
teen. Fearing  that  he  would  bleed  to  death,  and  remember- 
ing that  some  one  had  told  him  that  if  ever  severely  wounded 
he  must  cord  the  injured  member,  he  tried  to  devise  some 
way  by  which  he  might  tie  a  handkerchief  or  canteen  strap 


214  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

about  his  neck  and  stop  the  hemorrhage,  but  before  his  experi- 
ment had  proceeded  far  the  Union  lines  again  advanced,  and 
he  was  sent  to  the  rear,  but  received  very  little  attention  for 
some  days.  Leonard  S.  Doolittle  was  very  severely  wounded 
through  the  leg,  below  the  knee,  in  the  last  advance  move- 
ment. George  Farnsworth,  of  Company  G,  assisted  him  to 
his  feet  and  fairly  carried  him  until  he  had  fainted  from  pain 
and  loss  of  blood.  The  Rebels  were  close  upon  them,  and 
reluctantly  the  brave  soldier  laid  down  his  unconscious  bur- 
den. Doolittle  was  a  prisoner  for  about  ten  days.  William 
Bonner  was  shot  through  the  body  in  the  first  charge,  and 
subsequently  carried  a  short  distance  to  the  rear,  where  he 
doubtless  died.  Corporal  Lewin  had  a  long,  raking  shot  on 
the  shoulder  and  back,  but  rejoined  the  Regiment  next  day, 
and  after  the  capture  on  Missionary  Ridge  was  the  sole  rep- 
resentative of  the  Company  with  the  command. 

In  Company  D,  Sergeant  McKey  was  instantly  killed.  Ser- 
geant Quigley,  who  had  previously  served  for  many  years  in 
the  Regular  Army,  was  fatally  shot",  doubtless  dying  in  a 
few  hours.  Elias  Hosiey  was  shot  through  the  body.  That 
night  some  of  his  comrades  assisted  him  to  the  rear  a  long 
distance,  and  until  he  begged  them  to  desist,  saying  that  he 
could  not  endure  the  pain.  Making  him  as  comfortable  as 
they  could,  they  left  him,  with  other  wounded,  at  a  house, 
where  he  died  a  few  hours  later.  Edmund  Stevens,  who  had 
been  hurt  by  the  shell  that  disabled  Lieutenant  Clarkson, 
fought  on  until  shot  through  the  body.  He  was  left  for  dead 
upon  the  field,  but  subsequently  revived ;  was  exchanged  in  a 
few  days,  and  eventually  recovered,  although  never  again 
able  to  take  his  place  in  the  field.  Corporal  Orson  V.  Young, 
whose  heel  was  severely  bruised  by  the  fragment  of  a  shell, 
limped  around  all  of  the  afternoon,  fighting  bravely  to  the 
last,  although  his  injury  was  such  that  he  would  have  been 
fully  justified  in  going  to  the  rear.  Lieutenant  Clarkson, 
whose  face  and  jaw  had  been  terribly  cut,  and  whose  wound 
was  thought  at  the  time  to  be  fatal,  was  carried  to  the  ridge 
and  placed  in  an  ambulance.  He  recovered  in  time,  but  bore 
serious  scars  to  the  day  of  his  death.  John  C.  Thompson's 


1863]  CHICKAMAUGA.  215 

injury  was  not  of  the  regulation  pattern,  he  having  his  knee- 
cap knocked  out  of  position  by  a  fall  from  a  fence  which  the 
command  was  crossing  while  on  the  way  to  the  right.  After 
Captain  Blodgett  was  obliged  to  leave  the  field,  First  Ser- 
geant Collier  took  command  of  the  Company.  Soon  he  was 
shot  through  the  thigh,  and  the  command  devolved  upon 
Sergeant  Linklater. 

In  Company  E,  a  large  proportion  of  the  casualties  resulted 
from  a  single  charge  of  grape  shot,  which  cut  out  almost 
every  man  for  several  files  near  the  centre.  No  less  than 
twelve  were  killed  or  mortally  wounded  during  the  battle, — 
the  largest  number  of  fatalities  in  any  one  Company.  Several 
of  those  most  severely  injured  fell  into  the  enemy's  hands. 
Charles  F.  Hayth,  whose  wound  was  not  serious,  remained 
at  a  house  near  the  battle-field  to  care  for  the  wounded,  and 
was  taken  prisoner  the  next  day,  enduring  a  long  confinement. 
Lieutenant  Funk  was  struck  in  the  face,  his  jaw  being  frac- 
tured, and  the  missile  passing  downward  into  his  shoulder. 
He  was  disabled  for  further  field  service. 

In  Company  F,  Lieutenant  Simms,  who  had  served  safely 
through  the  Mexican  War,  was  desperately  wounded  in  the 
hip,  and  died  at  Nashville  shortly  afterward.  William  Bu- 
chanan and  William  S.  Nash  bore  him  from  the  field  and 
literally  carried  him  to  Rossville,  part  of  the  time  supporting 
him  between  them,  and  part  of  the  time  taking  him  singly  on 
their  backs.  James  Pimley,  who  had  but  just  returned  from 
imprisonment, — having  been  captured  at  Franklin, — was  one 
of  the  many  killed  outright.  Thomas  Shannon  captured  a 
.Rebel  Major,  and  was  proudly  conducting  him  to  the  rear, 
when  an  officer  from  some  other  command  sought  to  relieve 
him  of  his  charge  and  ordered  him  to  the  front.  Shannon 
objected,  and  triumphantly  walked  away,  with  the  remark 
that  there  were  plenty  more  at  the  front,  and  suggested  that  if 
the  officer  wanted  any  he  should  go  up  where  the  fighting  was 
and  get  one. 

In  Company  G,  the  first  man  hit  was  William  Joyce,  a 
musket  ball  cutting  his  foot.  In  a  very  tempest  of  bullets  he 
deliberately  removed  his  shoe,  examined  the  wound,  and 


216  HISTORY  or  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

then,  as  if  disgusted  with  himself  at  having  spent  so  much 
time  with  so  trivial  a  matter,  replaced  the  shoe  and  resumed 
firing.  A  moment  later  Daniel  Benson  and  Thomas  Davis 
fell,  each  shot  in  such  a  way  as  to  be  disabled.  Both  were 
assisted  to  the  rear  for  quite  a  distance,  but  not  so  far  but  that 
they  were  captured  next  day,  and  held  by  the  enemy  about 
ten  days.  Davis  died  soon  after  being  paroled.  William  H. 
Whaples  was  killed  early  in  the  fight.  William  H.  Wheeler 
was  also  among  those  hit  in  the  first  charge.  It  was  rumored 
ten  days  later  that  he  was  alive  and  had  been  paroled,  but 
the  report  could  not  be  verified,  and  it  is  probable  that  he  was 
killed  outright  or  died  in  a  few  hours.  Corporal  Ilickox  was 
twice  quite  severely  wounded  in  the  second  charge,  and  Daniel 
Gail,  received  a  bullet  wound  in  the  leg.  George  Butler 
was  disabled  near  the  close  of  the  fight,  and  has  never  fully 
recovered.  First  Sergeant  Aaron  Scott  lost  a  finger  during 
the  afternoon,  his  musket  being  shattered  by  the  same  bullet. 
He  was  in  a  kneeling  posture,  and  in  the  act  of  capping  the 
piece.  Turning  to  Lieutenant  Blowney,  he  coolly  remarked 
that  he  could  be  of  no  farther  service,  bade  him  good-by  and 
left  the  field.  Corporal  Walter  Drew,  although  quite  seri- 
ously hurt,  refused  to  leave  the  field,  and  fought  bravely  to 
the  last.  John  Corbin,  when  shot  through  the  leg,  insisted 
that  he  should  stay  and  continue  to  fight ;  but  the  persuasions 
of  his  comrades  and  the  loss  of  blood  soon  induced  him  to 
accept  the  opportunity  offered  of  riding  back  on  a  caisson. 
Sergeant  Shepard  was  severely  injured  in  the  thigh,  and  got 
back  to  the  rear  with  great  difficulty,  being  disabled  for  many 
months. 

In  Company  H  the  losses,  exclusive  of  the  captures  of 
the  following  Tuesday  morning,  were  very  severe.  Lieu- 
tenant Barnes  was  hit  early  in  the  engagement,  receiving  a 
mortal  wound.  Lieutenant  Yates  was  one  of  the  most  con- 
spicuous line  officers  in  the  Regiment,  doing  gallant  service. 
Being  captured  two  days  later,  he  endured  a  long  imprison- 
ment, returning  to  the  Regiment  in  the  spring  of  1865.  First 
Sergeant  Francisco  was  three  times  hit,  the  first  bullet  clip- 
ping his  leg,  the  second  his  side,  and  the  third  his  ankle. 


18C3]  CHICKAMAUGA.  217 

When  the  second  bullet  struck  him  he  fell  to  the  ground,  and 
supposed  himself  mortally  wounded.  Springing  up,  he  started 
to  run,  but  quickly  fell  for  want  of  breath  ;  at  the  same  time 
he  thought  he  could  feel  the  blood  running  from  his  side 
upon  his  hand.  Turning  to  look,  as  he  got  breath  again,  he 
discovered  that  it  was  not  blood,  but  the  water  from  his  can- 
teen that  was  running  out  through  a  pair  of  holes,  and  that 
the  bullet  had  struck  his  waist-belt  but  had  not  penetrated  hi& 
side,  although  for  a  time  he  was  badly  "  winded."  However, 
he  resumed  his  place,  and  fought  on  until  hit  a  third  time, 
when  he  received  a  wound  that  disabled  him  for  further  ser- 
vice. Corporal  Simons  was  kneeling  when  shot,  being  just 
in  the  act  of  firing.  Turning  to  a  comrade  he  said,  as  cheer- 
fully as  it  is  possible  to  conceive,  "  'Tis  sweet  to  die  for  one's 
country,"  and  closed  his  eyes.  The  two  Patrick  Farrells  did 
not  forget  their  native  politeness,  but  each  saluted  their  com- 
mander when  hit,  and  asked  permission  to  retire. 

Company  I  did  excellent  service,  notwithstanding  the  de- 
moralization of  its  Captain,  and  had  five  men  killed  or  mor- 
tally wounded.  Among  the  most  severely  wounded  who 
survived  was  James  Hutchinsou,  who  at  the  time  was  believed 
to  be  fatally  hurt.  Sergeant  Thomas  J.  Smith  was  sent  to 
the  rear  with  Colonel  Clarke  after  the  latter  was  wounded, 
remaining  with  him  until  his  death,  which  occurred  Tuesday 
afternoon  while  crossing  the  Tennessee  River  in  an  ambu- 
lance. He  escorted  the  body  to  Bridgeport,  and  attended 
its  shipment  to  friends  at  the  North. 

In  Company  K,  Sergeant  Elston  found  himself  confronted 
by  a  soldier  in  gray,  near  the  close  of  the  fight.  They  were 
but  a  few  yards  apart,  but  Elston  demanded  the  surrender  of 
his  opponent  with  an  air  of  authority  that  the  .Rebel  was  com- 
pelled to  recognize.  It  happened  that  Elston's  musket  was 
empty  at  the  time,  but  as  the  man  who  stood  in  front  of  it 
was  not  aware  of  that  fact,  it  was  just  as  well.  A  moment 
later  the  plucky  Sergeant  was  badly  wounded,  and  demanded 
of  his  prisoner  assistance  to  the  rear,  which  was  readily  given 
until  a  wounded  artillery  horse  came  along,  when  the  Ser- 


218  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

geant  turned  his  prisoner  over  to  some  retreating  troops,  and 
rode  back  to  camp. 

Following  the  battle  Jacob  Elberth,  of  Company  F,  who 
had  been  detailed  at  the  camp  and  taken  no  part  in  the 
engagement,  on  learning  of  some  of  the  strange  and  terrible 
experiences  of  his  comrades,  uttered  a  cry  of  surprise  and 
fell  to  the  ground,  dying  instantly,  of  heart  disease  it  was 
supposed. 

Often  the  gun  barrels  became  so  hot  that  they  could  hardly 
be  handled,  and  so  foul  that  it  was  difficult  to  load  them. 
There  were  a  dozen  instances  at  least  in  which  muskets 
were  shattered  in  the  hands  of  the  soldiers.  Henry  C.  Payne, 
of  Company  C,  had  two  guns  ruined  and  used  his  third. 
Two  days  later  he  was  captured,  and  subsequently  died  in 
prison.  "W.  V.  Trout,  of  Company  B,  was  also  among  those 
who  had  a  gun  shattered.  Trout  assisted  in  carrying  Colonel 
Clarke  to  the  rear  a  short  distance,  and  then  resumed  his 
place  in  the  ranks. 

There  was  no  organized  force  of  stretcher-bearers  in  the 
Reserve  Corps,  and  as  a  consequence  those  who  were  disabled 
by  wounds  had  to  be  left  where  they  fell,  unless  helped  from 
the  field  by  comrades.  As  a  consequence  the  ranks  were 
at  times  somewhat  thinned  by  the  going  to  the  rear  of  those 
who  assisted  their  friends  to  a  place  of  safety,  although  in 
some  Companies  not  a  man  left  from  first  to  last,  those  who 
fell  at  the  extreme  advanced  positions  passing  into  the  hands 
of  the  enemy.  The  bodies  of  all  of  those  of  the  Regiment 
killed  on  Sunday  were  left  upon  the  battle  field  unburied. 
But,  still  worse,  more  than  thirty  of  the  severely  wounded 
were  also  left  to  endure  the  sufferings  from  their  wounds, 
with  the  attendant  thirst,  and  from  the  chilly  night  air.  It 
was  impossible  to  remove  them,  as  nearly  all  had  fallen  in  the 
very  front  of  the  battle,  when  the  situation  was  so  desperate 
that  men  could  not  be  spared,  and  where  the  positions  taken 
could  not  be  maintained  until  the  injured  could  be  carried  to 
the  rear.  .  To  them  the  night  seemed  like  an  age,  and  the  sur- 
vivors still  recall  it  as  a  hideous  nightmare.  Most  of  those 
who  were  able  to  travel  at  all  made  their  way  to  Rossville. 


1863]  CHICKAMAUGA.  219 

The  few  ambulances  at  hand  were  crowded  to  their  utmost, 
but  could  accommodate  only  a  mere  fraction  of  the  severely 
wounded.  Wounded  horses  were  compelled  to  carry  one  or 
two  persons,  as  their  strength  would  permit.  A  few  ammu- 
nition wagons  were  halted  and  filled  with  human  wrecks. 
Artillery  caissons  were  taken  possession  of  by  wounded  men. 
Many  walked,  fatigued  and  faint,  back  through  the  weary 
miles.  Some,  exhausted  from  the  terrible  strain,  halted  at  a 
wayside  house  to  rest,  and,  becoming  too  sore  to  resume  the 
march,  were  made  prisoners  next  day.  There  were  many 
touching  scenes  along  the  way,  and  no  one  can  fittingly  de- 
scribe the  devotion  manifested  by  comrades  for  their  wounded 
friends.  In  some  instances  men  were  carried  in  blankets  for 
miles  ;  in  other  cases  they  were  borne  upon  the  back,  or  two 
comrades  would  support  a  third  between  them,  toiling  on 
wearily  through  the  hours,  and  along  the  road  that  was 
at  once  so  strange  and  so  long.  None  had  ever  been  over  the 
road  before,  and  they  only  knew  in  a  half-certain  way  that  it 
led  to  Rossville  and  rest.  And  many  of  these  were  not 
strong,  robust  men,  but  boys,  tired,  hungry,  campaign-worn, 
slender  in  stature,  though  mighty  in  courage  and  devotion  to 
duty.  They  had  been  lions  while  the  battle  lasted,  but  now 
that  the  night  had  come  and  the  fighting  was  over,  tenderly 
hunted  up  their  fallen  comrades  and,  at  fearful  cost  of  nerve 
and  strength,  aided  them  back  along  the  road  to  safety.  A 
score  of  men  lost  their  haversacks  or  canteens,  bullets  having 
•cut  the  straps  that  held  them  ;  others  had  bullet  holes  through 
their  accoutrements,  or  found  their  cartridge  boxes  shattered, 
while  a  majority  could  point  to  bullet  holes  through  their  hats 
or  clothing.  Nearly  every  one  had  shared  the  narrow  escapes 
of  the  battle,  and  the  killed  and  wounded  by  no  means  em- 
braced all  of  the  real  heroes  of  that  eventful  day. 

Of  the  419  who  went  into  the  fight  more  than  130  never 
again  marched  with  the  Regiment ;  for,  in  addition  to  those 
killed,  many  were  permanently  disabled,  or  died  in  Rebel 
prisons.  Toward  night  on  Sunday  the  flag  of  an  Alabama 
Regiment  was  passed  over  by  the  troops  of  the  Brigade,  and 
it  is  claimed  that  its  capture  is  entirely  due  to  the  NINETY- 


220  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

SIXTH,  but  so  eager  were  the  soldiers  in  pursuing  the  Rebels 
that  it  was  not  cared  for  at  once,  and  fell  into  the  hands  of 
other  troops  or  of  some  officer  who  never  officially  accounted 
for  it.  The  work  of  the  Surgeons  was  most  trying.  Some- 
times a  half  hundred  wounded  would  be  clustered  about  them, 
each  needing  attention.  There  were  but  few  ambulances,  and 
when  the  battle  closed  and  the  troops  fell  back  to  Rossville, 
some  of  the  severely  wounded  could  not  be  carried.  Warned 
by  the  officers  to  do  so,  Surgeons  Pearce  and  Evans  went  back 
to  Rossville,  where  they  resumed  their"  work,  spending  most 
of  the  long  night  in  extracting  bullets  and  binding  up  the 
lacerations  of  the  scores  of  victims  of  their  own  and  other 
.Regiments.  Next  day  they  went  to  Chattanooga  and  thence 
across  the  river.  Their  work  was  most  trying,  but  patiently 
and  tenderly,  for  days  together,  they  plied  their  humane  task, 
sleeping  little  until  all  were  made  as  comfortable  as  the  unt%- 
ward  circumstances  would  permit. 

The  experience  of  the  wounded  after  the  battle  was 
often  trying.  During  Monday  the  buildings  in  Chattanooga 
were  crowded  to  their  utmost  capacity,  but  word  was  sent 
that  all  who  could  walk  or  ride  should  be  taken  to  the  north 
side  of  the  river,  and  by  Tuesday  only  a  few  of  the  seriously 
wounded  remained.  On  Monday  night  hundreds  of  the 
maimed  lay  in  the  grove  just  above  the  river  bank  without 
other  shelter  than  their  blankets.  Next  morning  an  ambu- 
lance train  was  ordered  to  Bridgeport,  and  a  wagon  train  fol- 
lowed, each  vehicle  being  loaded  with  wounded.  But  many 
were  still  left.  Some  made  their  way  back  on  foot  to  the 
hospital  tents,  stationed  from  one  to  three  miles  in  the  rear, 
and  a  day  or  two  later  those  thought  to  be  able  to  make  the 
trip  were  taken  by  teams  to  the  railroad.  The  first  teams 
were  able  to  go  by  the  river  road,  a  distance  of  about  thirty 
miles,  but  within  a  few  hours  the  Rebels  held  the  opposite 
bank,  and  made  this  route  impracticable.  As  a  consequence, 
the  trains  were  obliged  to  make  a  circuitous  route,  traveling 
more  than  sixty  miles.  The  road  was  exceedingly  rough,  and 
the  trip  usually  occupied  the  greater  part  of  three  days,  two 
nights  being  spent  in  camp.  Thousands  of  wounded  soldiers- 


1863]  CHICK  AMAUGA.  221 

were  jolted  over  this  long,  stony  road,  and  at  nightfall,  when 
a,  halt  was  made,  or  next  morning,  before  the  train  started, 
shallow  graves  were  dug  in  which  to  bury  those  who  had  died 
#n  route.  From  Bridgeport  rude  hospital  cars  were  provided, 
most  of  the  wounded  being  sent  to  Nashville,  but  a  few  to 
points  farther  north.  The  sufferings  on  the  long  trip  and  in 
the  hospitals  were  severe,  but,  as  a  rule,  they  were  borne  with 
a,  cheerful  fortitude,  as  remarkable  as  had  been  the  bravery  of 
the  heroes  in  the  battle. 

The  Regiment  had  fought  its  first  and  greatest  battle.  In 
the  supreme  moment  it  had  been  found  able  and  willing  to 
meet  the  demands  made  upon  it.  Its  long  casualty  list  could 
be  pointed  to  as  an  evidence  of  its  valor.  Its  survivors  were 
battle-tried,  and  worthy  of  the  high  name  accorded  the  com- 
mand. It  was  now  ready  for  the  hard  service  still  before  it, 
and  resolutely  it  again  set  its  face  to  the  enemy,  resolved  to 
defend  as  gallantly,  in  the  future  battles,  its  tattered  battle 
flag  and  the  cause  of  which  that  flag  was  the  emblem,  as  it 
had  at  CHICKAMAUGA. 


222  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  KEGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 


CHAPTER  XI. 


PERSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS  OF  CHICKAMAUGA.  BY  GEO.  HICKS,  CAPTAIN 
COMPANY  A,  NINETY-SIXTH  ILLINOIS  VOLUNTEERS.  EXTRACTS  FBOM 
AN  ADDRESS  DELIVERED  IN  KINGSTON,  JAMAICA,  WEST  INDIES. 

Prefatory  Note  to  the  Editor. 

KINGSTON,  ISLAND  OF  JAMAICA,  January  12, 1886. 
DEAR  COMRADE  : 

It  would  give  me  great  pleasure  to  prepare,  for  the  forthcoming  History  of  our 
Regiment,  as  requested,  a  full  and  complete  account  of  the  important  part  the  Regiment 
bore  in  the  great  battle  of  Chickamauga  ;  but  it  will  be  quite  impracticable  to  do  so  in  a 
manner  at  all  adequate  and  satisfactory.  I  should  need  to  refer  to  many  general  and 
special  reports,  to  which  I  have  not  access,  and,  especially,  I  should  wish  to  go  over  the 
incidents  of  the  engagement  with  representatives  of  each  Company,— which  is  utterly 
out  of  the  question. 

Instead,  therefore,  of  attempting  what,  at  the  best,  would  be  very  defective,  I  beg 
to  send  you,  as  a  contribution,  simply,  toward  an  account  of  the  action  of  our  Regiment 
in  that  battle,  some  extracts  (revised)  from  an  address  delivered  here  twelve  years  ago, 
in  which  I  gave  my  personal  recollections  of  Chickamauga. 

You  will  notice  how  much  is  omitted  that  should  enter  into  a  full  statement  of 
what  was  done  and  what  was  suffered  by  the  Regiment  in  that  battle  ;  for  I  have  made 
no  attempt  to  describe  in  detail  what  was  meritorious  and  worthy  of  special  note  in  each 
Company.  Of  necessity,  my  recollections  deal  specially  with  the  soldiers  of  the  Com- 
pany of  which  I  was  then  the  commander  ;  and  you  and  all  of  our  comrades  will  under- 
stand that  when  I  make  particular  mention  of  any  of  these  it  is  because  they  com& 
vividly  within  the  scope  of  my  recollections,  and  not  because  I  wish  them  to  be  con- 
sidered more  eminently  worthy  of  mention  than  soldiers  in  other  Companies.  In  fact,, 
in  all  that  is  commendable  they  are  to  be  regarded  as  types  of  forth  to  be  found  in  every 
Company. 

I  have  endeavored  to  be  so  faithful  in  what  I  have  set  forth  that  I  trust  those  who 
read  my  recollections  of  the  battle  will  feel  that  there  is  no  occasion  to  make  any  abate- 
ment from  such  words  of  praise  as  my  heart  and  judgment  have  prompted  me  to  utter. 

I  am,  yours  sincerely,  GEO.  HICKS. 

C.  A.  PARTRIDGE,  Esq.,  Waukegan,  111. 

PRELIMINARY. 

******* 

SHALL  I  tell  you  what  sort  of  men  were  the  Volunteers 
who  enlisted  with  me  ?  Some  were  farmers,  owning  and  cul- 
tivating their  own  homesteads  ;  many  were  stalwart  sons  of 
farmers  ;  a  number  were  clerks  in  public  offices  and  in  mer- 
cantile houses  ;  others  were  mechanics  ;  several  were  school 
teachers  ;  some  were  studying  for  a  profession  ;  a  few  were 
day  laborers.  Some  were  heads  of  families,  leaving  wife  and 


1863]  CHICKAMAUGA.  223 

children  at  home  ;  but  the  majority  were  young  men  from 
eighteen  to  twenty-five  years  of  age.  Nearly  all  were  men  of 
intelligence  and  character.  Doubtless  some,  partaking  of  the 
general  excitement  and  moved  by  the  popular  impulse,  enlisted 
without  seriously  counting  the  cost ;  but  by  far  the  greater 
number  volunteered  from  an  imperative  sense  of  duty  to  their 
country  and  to  the  cause  of  humanity,  both  of  which  they  felt 
to  be  imperiled.  What  noble  hearts  they  were  !  How  worthy 
of  highest  eulogium  ! 

Of  the  many,  let  fare  speak  especially  of  two,  with  whom  I 
had  become  intimately  acquainted  prior  to  the  war.  These 
young  men  were  bosom  friends,  heart  companions — much 
alike  in  their  outward  circumstances  of  life,  as  well  as  in  their 
principles,  sympathies  and  tastes,  and  closely  associated  in 
Christian  labors.  Both  were  educated,  intelligent,  cultured  ; 
and  their  presence  would  have  graced  any  drawing-room  in 
the  land.  Each  was  the  eldest  son  in  a  large  family,  with 
brothers  and  sisters  looking  up  to  him  for  guidance,  and  each 
was  the  stay  and  staff  of  a  widowed  mother.  It  was  not 
without  serious  thought,  and  many  an  anxious  prayer,  and  the 
most  solemn  conviction  of  duty,  that  those  widowed  mothers 
could  give  up  their  first-born,  and  those  young  men  could 
break  away  from  such  home  ties,  and  abandon  the  bright 
prospects  of  life  opening  before  them,  to  venture  all  upon  the 
field  of  battle.  The  Governor  of  the  State  and  the  President 
of  the  Republic  were  pleased,  in  the  course  of  the  war,  to 
honor  me  with  military  rank  ;  but  the  highest  honor  I  received 
was  when  such  mothers  entrusted  their  sons  to  my  charge  and 
such  sons  chose  me  to  be  their  Captain  in  the  war.  One  of 
these  young  men  was  made  my  First  Sergeant*  and  the  other 

was  chosen  to  be  Quarter-Master  Sergeant  of  the  Regiment,  f 

******* 

Ten  such  Companies  as  mine  constituted  a  Regiment,  ours 
being  the  NINETY-SIXTH  Illinois  Infantry.  As  a  rule,  from 
three  to  six  Regiments  constituted  a  Brigade,  three  Brigades 
a  Division,  three  Divisions  a  Corps,  and  three  Corps  an  Army. 
The  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  in  addition  to  its  three  Corps,. 

*John  G.  Schaefer.  t  William  S.  Bean. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  96rrn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

•comprised  a  Reserve  Corps  .of  three  Divisions,  and  to  this 
Heserve  Corps  our  Regiment  was  attached. 

For  nearly  a  year  we  were  soldiers  without  seeing  a  battle. 
"We  had  enough  of  marching  over  the  hard  pike  roads  of  Ken- 
tucky and  Tennessee  ;  we  had  plenty  of  drilling ;  plenty  of 
rough  campaigning ;  now  and  then  a  little  skirmishing ;  but 
no  hard  fighting.  Our  turn  came  at  last,  and  after  that  it 
«3ame  often  and  continuously.  Our  turn  came  at  the  battle  of 
•Chickamauga — a  battle  which  the  soldiers  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH 
Illinois  will  remember  as  long  as  they  remember  anything. 

If  we  judge  by  the  number  of  killed  and  wounded,  the 
battle  of  Chickamauga  was  the  severest  battle  in  the  West, 
and,  next  to  Gettysburg,  the  severest  battle  of  the  war.  For 
us  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  Illinois  it  was,  beyond  all  comparison, 
•our  great  battle. 

I  shall  try  to  tell  you  something  about  that  battle — to 
describe  that  which  is  well-nigh  indescribable.  What  I  saw 
of  the  great  battle  was  confined  to  a  limited  part,  for  the  bat- 
tle was  fought  in  the  woods,  and  no  one  actively  engaged  with 
his  Company  or  Regiment  could  see  much  beyond  his  own 
Regiment  or  Brigade.  For  one,  during  the  battle,  I  found  I 
had  very  little  leisure  for  any  observation  beyond  the  range 
of  my  own  immediate  duties.  Therefore,  if  I  attempt  to 
•describe  what  I  saw  of  the  battle,  I  must  speak  chiefly  of  my 
own  Company  and  Regiment ;  and  if  I  venture  to  speak  of  a 
^soldier's  feelings  in  entering  into  and  going  through  a  battle, 
I  must  of  course  rely  chiefly  upon  recollections  of  my  own 
personal  experiences.  So  I  must  beg  that,  for  the  time  being, 
you  will  kindly  allow  me  to  forget  that  I  am  a  stranger  in  a 
strange  land,  and  permit  me  to  speak  as  freely  and  with  as 
little  reserve  as  if  I  were  addressing  a  private  circle  of  indul- 
gent and  intimate  friends. 

MARCHING  TO  THE  FRONT. 

Gen.  Bragg,  with  his  Confederate  Army,  had  retreated 
from  Tennessee  into  Georgia,  where  he  occupied  the  strong- 
hold of  Chattanooga.  Gen.  Rosecrans,  commanding  the  Army 
•of  the  Cumberland,  followed  with  three  Corps  under  Gens. 


WILLIAM   F.  TAYLOR. 


CAPTAIN   COMPANY    E 


1863]  CHICKAMAUGA.  225 

Thomas,  McCook  and  Crittenden,  while  the  Regiments  of 
the  Reserve  were  stationed  at  various  distances  in  the  rear, 
guarding  railway  lines.  By  dividing  his  forces  and  executing  a 
flank  movement,  threatening  the  enemy's  communications, 
Rosecrans  compelled  Bragg  to  retreat  from  Chattanooga. 
While  the  enemy  was  retreating,  followed  by  Rosecrans,  rein- 
forcements from  the  East  and  South  were  hurried  forward  to 
strengthen  Bragg,  who  soon  was  able  to  turn  at  bay  and 
assume  the  offensive.  Rosecrans,  falling  back  toward  Chatta- 
nooga, endeavored  to  bring  together  again  the  three  Corps, 
which  were  widely  separated,  and  urgent  orders  were  sent  to 
the  Reserve  to  hasten  to  the  front. 

As  soon  as  the  orders  were  known  we  were  all  on  the 
alert,  and  speedily  put  ourselves  in  marching  order.  We 
made  forced  marches  over  the  Cumberland  mountains  and 
down  into  the  Tennessee  Valley.  I  well  remember  how  weary 
at  one  time  were  the  soldiers,  plodding  on  from  early  dawn 
until  long  after  dusk ;  then,  after  a  hurriedly  prepared  supper, 
lying  down  upon  the  ground  to  snatch  two  or  three  hours  of 
sleep ;  then,  aroused  by  the  bugle,  cheerfully  resuming  the 
march,  push^iffsteadily  on  through  the  hours  of  the  night  and 
into  the  new  cray.  So  we  hastened  to  the  front,  eager  to  bear 
our  part  in  the  conflict  and  share  in  the  anticipated  victory. 
SkirJfifckia^  along  the  slope  of  Lookout  Mountain,  leaving 
Chattanooga  a  little  to  one  side,  we  passed  on  a  few  miles 
further  to  Rossville,  at  the  foot  of  Mission  Ridge,  about  mid- 
way between  Chattanooga  and  Chickamauga  Creek.  We  had 
reached  an  important  point,  for  Rossville  Gap  was  one  of  the 
two  available  avenues  of  approach  to  Chattanooga  from  our 
front.  Here  we  halted  and  rested  for  a  day  or  two,  while  the 
three  Corps  to  the  front  were  endeavoring  to  form  a  junction 
and  establish  a  line  of  battle  on  the  bank  of  Chickamauga 
Creek,  where  they  might  withstand  the  confident  onslaught  of 
Bragg's  largely  reinforced  army. 

On  Friday,  the  18th  of  September,  1863,  the  distant  can- 
nonading indicated  that  the  expected  battle  had  begun.  Dur- 
ing the  day  our  Regiment  was  ordered  to  prepare  for  action  ; 
the  sick  and  those  disabled  by  the  long  march  were  left  at 

15 


226  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

Rossville,  with  the  tents  and  luggage  ;  our  musicians  also  left 
drums  and  fifes,  that  they  might  be  free  to  assist  the  wounded ; 
the  soldiers  took  three  days'  rations  in  their  haversacks,  and 
forty  rounds  of  ammunition  in  their  cartridge  boxes,  and 
marched  out  to  feel  for  the  enemy.  My  Company  being  on 
picket  duty,  and  not  relieved  until  next  day,  did  not  partici- 
pate in  this  movement.  The  Regiment  encountered  a  small 
force  of  the  enemy's  cavalry,  and  suffered  some  loss  in  the 
brief  skirmish  which  took  place.  The  Regiment  lay  in  close 
proximity  to  the  enemy  that  night. 

On  Saturday  my  Company  rejoined  the  Regiment.  The 
Brigade  was  deployed  in  line-of-battle,  taking  up  a  defensive 
position  to  repel  any  assault  that  might  be  made  with  a  view 
to  obtain  possession  of  Rossville  Gap.  Some  of  the  Regi- 
ments had,  for  a  brief  time,  a  sharp  encounter  with  a  force  of 
the  enemy,  but  the  attack  was  successfully  repulsed,  and  was 
not  repeated.  During  the  day  we  were  under  the  spasmodic 
fire  of  artillery,  which  inflicted  no  loss  upon  us.  We  remained 
in  line  of-battle,  prepared  to  resist  any  attack,  and  the  hours 
of  Saturday  wore  on,  uneventful  to  the  Regiment ;  but  the 
distant  cannonading,  heavy  and  continuous  throughout  the 
day,  gave  evidence  that  the  battle  elsewhere  was  severe. 

WAITING  FOR  ORDERS. 

We  lay  upon  our  arms  through  the  chilly  hours  of  that 
night,  out  under  the  open  sky  of  heaven,  without  tent  or 
blanket.  Long  before  sunrise  the  men  were  ordered  to  be  in 
readiness  to  form  line-of-battle  at  a  moment's  notice. 

Our  breakfast  was  speedily  despatched.  Every  soldier 
had  his  oyster  can,  or  tin  can  of  some  sort,  in  which  he 
roughly  pulverized  his  coffee  grains  with  the  butt  end  of  his 
bayonet ;  then  filling  the  can  with  water,  and  holding  it  upon 
a  stick  over  the  bivouac  fire,  a  good  draught  of  coffee  was 
soon  ready  for  him.  A  piece  of  bacon,  fastened  upon  a  forked 
stick,  held  over  the  fire,  was  broiled  in  a  few  minutes,  the 
drippings  being  carefully  caught  upon  his  hard  biscuit.  Then, 
with  his  biscuit  and  bacon  and  cofiee  he  made  as  good  a 
breakfast  as  heart  of  soldier  could  wish.  Next,  the  Entield 


1863]  CHICKAMAUGA.  227 

muskets  were  carefully  cleaned,  extra  ammunition  was  dealt 
out,  and  we  formed  line-of-battle  and  rested  and  waited. 

While  we  waited  we  began  to  hear  the  distant  rumbling  of 
artillery.  A  little  later  the  cannonading  had  greatly  increased 
in  violence — was  multiplied  at  many  points — grew  more  con- 
tinuous. Evidently  a  great  battle  was  in  progress,  and  as  the 
morning  hours  drew  on  we  made  sure  that  we  should  have  a 
part  in  it ;  for  the  tide  of  battle  was  surging  toward  us,  the 
noise  of  battle  was  becoming  louder,  the  sound  of  the  artil- 
lery was  drawing  nearer.  But  the  battle  was  not  in  our 
immediate  front.  We  shifted  our  position  now  and  again, 
sometimes  moving  a  little  distance  forward  in  line-of-battle, 
sometimes  moving  in  column  to  the  right,  and  again  to  the 
left,  but  most  of  the  time  simply  resting  and  waiting  until  it 
should  become  known  where  we  were  needed. 

Perhaps  I  should  tell  you  that  when  a  Regiment  is  formed 
in  line-of-battle  the  men  are  in  two  ranks.  Those  of  the 
front  rank  stand  side  by  side,  close  enough  to  touch  each 
other's  elbows.  The  men  in  the  rear  rank  form  a  similar  line, 
standing  just  behind  the  men  of  the  front  rank.  In  the  rear 
of  the  second  rank  are  the  Sergeants  and  the  Officers.  In  the 
centre  of  the  front  rank  are  the  Colors  and  the  Color  Guard — 
a  guard  composed  of  a  chosen  Corporal  from  each  Company  of 
the  Regiment.  The  skirmish  line  consists  of  one  rank  of 
men,  not  close  together,  but  from  five  to  ten  feet  apart.  When 
moving  by  the  front,  in  line-of-battle,  the  soldiers  form  a  con- 
tinuous line,  marching  side  by  side  in  the  two  ranks.  In 
moving  by  the  right  flank,  or  the  left  flank,  they  march  in 
column,  following  one  another,  four  abreast. 

The  morning  was  wearing  slowly  away,  and,  as  the  can- 
nonading grew  continuously  fiercer  and  more  vehement,  the 
nerves  were  drawn  to  a  sharper  tension  and  the  pulse  began 
to  throb  with  a  quicker  beat, — and  we  still  rested  and  waited 
for  orders. 

In  was  a  beautiful,  cloudless  Sabbath  day, — one  of  the 
famous  battle  Sundays  of  the  war.  While  we  rested,  the 
Sabbath  hours  were  variously  employed.  The  two  sergeants 
I  have  mentioned  had  been  accustomed  to  meet  on  Sunday 


228  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

for  united  study  of  the  Bible,  and  I  noticed  that  on  this  day 
they  were  seated  together  on  a  fallen  tree,  with  their  muskets 
beside  them,  reading  from  the  New  Testament,  as  was  their 
wont.  One — the  Quarter-Master  Sergeant — might  have  re- 
mained idle  and  safe  in  the  rear  with  the  wagon  train  ;  but  he 
enlisted  to  be  a  soldier,  and  his  heart  would  not  permit  him 
to  shrink  from  the  toil  and  danger  which  fell  to  the  lot  of  his 
comrades.  So  he  never  gave  up  his  musket,  and  often  man- 
aged to  find  time  from  his  duties  to  take  part  in  the  Company 
drill ;  and  now  he  was  with  us,  to  share  in  the  duties  and  the 
dangers  of  the  battle-field.  Like  them,  many  other  soldiers 
also  had  their  Testaments  open,  and  were  reading  in  them, 
reclining  upon  the  ground,  waiting  for  orders  to  enter  into  the 
battle.  Others  were  conversing  in  low  tones,  and  a  few  bois- 
terously ;  but  the  tone  of  bravado  was  rare,  and  was  not  long 
maintained.  Others  simply  waited  —  listened  and  waited  in 
silent  expectation.  There  was  an  intense  earnestness,  a  sober- 
ness, a  thoughtfulness  expressed  on  the  countenances  of  the 
men  which  I  had  not  seen  before.  I  noticed  that  some,  who 
had  been  accustomed  to  relieve  the  tedium  of  camp  life  with 
games  at  cards,  had  strewn  their  cards  upon  the  ground,  pre- 
ferring not  to  take  them  into  battle. 

I  spoke  of  the  impending  battle  to  our  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Clarke.  I  remember  that  some  one  has  said  :  "I  am  afraid 
of  nothing  but  fear,"  and  I  believe  it  was  some  such  feeling 
as  that  which  I  expressed  to  him.  I  said  to  him  that  I  was 
extremely  solicitous  that  my  Company  and  myself  should 
acquit  ourselves  well ;  that,  while  I  felt  great  pride  in  their 
acquirements  in  drill  and  their  discipline  and  soldierly  bear- 
ing, all  this  would  count  for  nothing,  would  be  absolutely 
worthless,  if  now,  at  the  supreme  moment,  in  the  hour  and 
the  test  of  battle,  we  should  fail.  Colonel  Clarke  said  :  "I 
have  no  fear  for  our  men.  They  will  do  their  duty,  every 
man  of  them.  And  I  have  no  fear  for  myself.  I  shall  go 
into  this  fight,  and  go  through  it,  and  come  out  of  it  all  right." 
Alas  !  that  for  himself,  and  for  so  many,  the  result  was  other- 
wise. I  spoke  to  my  men,  wishing  to  gauge  their  temper. 
As  the  ominous  boom  !  boom  !  boom  !  of  scores  and  hundreds 


1863]  CHICKAMAUGA.  229 

of  cannon  near  and  far  distant  burst  continuously  upon  the 
ear,  I  said  :  "  Well,  boys,  that  sounds  as  if  there  would  be 
some  work  for  us  to  do  to-day."  "Yes,  Captain."  "Well, 
I  hope  Company  A  will  do  well  whatever  it  has  to  do." 
*'  We'll  try,  Captain."  "  One  thing,  boys — we  must  all  try  to 
keep  together."  "We'll  stick  by  you,  Captain,  as  long  as 
you  stick  by  us. " 

Still,  we  waited ;  and  the  sun  got  up  high  in  the  heavens 
and  poured  down  its  rays  straight  and  hot  upon  our  heads, 
and  the  pealing  thunder  of  the  guns  was  incessant. 

The  battle  was  going  against  us.  As  we  afterward  learned, 
the  day  was  already  lost  and  the  army  was  in  a  very  perilous 
situation.  Gen.  Rosecrans  had  left  the  field  and  was  making 
his  way  into  Chattanooga, — had  left  the  field,  and  the  Reserves 
had  received  no  orders.  Portions  of  Crittenden's  Corps  were 
retiring  from  the  field.  McCook's  Corps  had  been  driven 
back  and  was  in  retreat,  and,  excepting  Sheridan's  Division, 
was  retreating  in  much  confusion  and  disorder.  Thomas  only 
was  left  to  bear  the  whole  brunt  of  the  battle  and  prevent 
what  was  already  defeat  from  becoming  irretrievable  disaster. 

We  waited  for  orders,  but  no  orders  came.  Staff  officers 
and  orderlies  had  been  sent  during  the  forenoon  to  find  Rose- 
crans or  Thomas  to  report  the  position  of  the  Reserves  and 
to  ask  for  orders.  Some  were  taken  prisoners  on  the  way  ; 
some  found  their  way  blocked,  and  they  returned  ;  and  if  any 
finally  reached  Thomas  they  could  not  find  their  way  back  to 
us.  At  last  Gen.  Steedman,  commanding  our  Division,  fully 
satisfied  that  the  Brigade  of  the  other  Division  which  was 
with  us  was  sufficient  to  guard  the  point  where  the  Reserves 
were  stationed,  determined  to  move,  without  orders,  to  where 
the  main  army  was  evidently  fighting  a  desperate  if  not  a 
losing  battle. 

MARCHING  INTO  BATTLE. 

Before  the  movement  began,  Company  A  was  sent  some 
distance  to  the  left  to  extend  our  skirmish  line  and  ascertain 
if  any  force  of  the  enemy  was  concealed  there  in  the  woods. 
I  had  barely  succeeded  in  placing  my  men  in  position  when 


230  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

word  came  that  the  Division  was  in  motion  and  that  my  Com- 
pany must  rejoin  the  Regiment  with  all  possible  speed.  All 
the  troops  were  moving  rapidly,  and  we  exerted  ourselves  to 
the  utmost  to  rejoin  our  comrades.  We  found  the  main  road 
thronged  with  artillery  and  ammunition  wagons,  all  hurrying 
on,  while  the  hot  dust,  inches  deep,  rolled  up  in  volumes. 
Leaving  the  road  we  pushed  our  way  through  the  fields,  pass- 
ing Regiment  after  Regiment,  until,  hot  and  weary,  we 
reached  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  which  was  at  the  head  of  the 
column.  Just  as  we  arrived,  the  column  was  halted,  for  the 
enemy's  cavalry  were  threatening  to  dispute  our  progress. 
Company  A  was  again  thrown  forward  on  the  skirmish  line  ; 
but  the  cavalry  retreated,  and  the  march  was  resumed  at 
almost  double-quick  time.  We  found  ourselves  in  a  field  over 
which  a  wave  of  battle  had  already  passed,  leaving,  as  traces 
of  its  progress,  abandoned  muskets  and  knapsacks,  'here  and 
there  dead  and  wounded  soldiers,  a  straggler  or  two  in 
blue,  and  a  few  soldiers  in  gray  or  butternut,  whom  we  sent 
as  prisoners  to  the  rear.  Once  more  we  halted,  and  pre- 
pared to  encounter  an  opposing  force  of  cavalry,  but  the 
cavalry  speedily  retired,  and  again  we  were  in  motion,  hasten- 
ing forward  in  the  direction  of  the  heaviest  fighting.  We 
passed  near  a  large  farm  house,  which  had  been  converted 
into  a  hospital,  filled  with  the  wounded,  while  scores  of 
wounded  soldiers  lay  stretched  on  the  sward  near  by.  Hurry- 
ing on  through  the  wooded  fields  we  emerged  into  a  large 
open  plain  of  meadow  land  and  stubble  field,  with  an  extensive 
field  of  corn  to  the  right  and  woods  to  the  left. 

We  were  nearing  the  conflict,  and  the  sharp  crack  of  mus- 
ketry began  to  be  heard  amid  the  din  of  the  batteries.  We 
halted  on  the  edge  of  the  open  field  until  the  troops  could 
come  up  and  be  properly  formed  for  the  march  forward.  The 
Regiments  of  the  First  Brigade  were  massed  in  column 
doubled  on  the  centre  to  march  abreast,  each  Regiment  pre- 
senting a  front  of  two  Companies,  the  intervals  between  the 
several  Regiments  being  sufficient  to  permit  the  Brigade  to 
be  deployed  into  a  continuous  line  with  the  least  possible 
delay.  The  Second  Brigade  was  formed  in  like  manner  in 


1863]  CHICKAMAUGA.  231 

rear  of  the  First.  At  the  head  of  their  respective  commands 
were  the  General  and  Staff  Officers,  and  Regimental  Field 
Officers.  In  front  of  all,  advanced  to  some  little  distance, 
was  a  line  of  skirmishers,  consisting  of  one  Company  from 
each  Regiment  of  the  leading  Brigade, — my  Company  being 
on  the  skirmish  line  in  front  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  occupying 
the  extreme  right  of  this  line,  which  extended  some  rods  into 
the  field  of  standing  corn. 

At  the  word  of  command  the  troops  moved  forward  in 
this  order,  afterwards  changing,  while  still  in  motion,  into 
columns  by  fours.  We  had  but  fairly  begun  the  march  over 
the  open  field  when  we  heard  a  sudden  screaming,  shrieking 
sound  in  the  air, — a  sudden  boom  above  our  heads, — and 
there  was  a  cloud  of  white  smoke  where  a  shell  had  burst,  and 
rising  up  from  the  field  near  our  feet  a  dozen  little  cloudlets  of 
dust,  where  fragments  of  the  shell  had  struck  the  ground. 
And  then  came  another — and  another — and  another — a  host 
of  them,  hot  and  quick  ;  for  over  there  on  the  left,  just  in  the 
edge  of  the  woods,  a  battery  had  been  moved  into  position  to 
break  our  ranks  and  stop  our  march.  The  heavy,  constant 
booming  of  the  cannon  to  our  left,  the  sharper  boom  of  the 
bursting  shells  all  about  us,  the  thud  of  the  solid  shot  as  it 
struck  the  ground  and  ricochetted  over  our  heads,  plunging 
on  and  far  away  through  the  corn  field, — all  this  was  fearfully 
exciting.  How  the  shells  did  fly  toward  us  and  about  us  ! 
And  with  what  a  Satanic  vim,  with  what  an  infernal  energy, 
they  seemed  to  come,  with  an  indescribable  scream,  and  a 
shriek  and  a  rushing  whizz,  as  if  each  shell  were  a  malignant 
demon,  with  a  will  of  its  own,  determined  to  tear  us  to  pieces  ! 
It  was  exciting  and  fearful, —  a  fitting  prelude  to  what  was 
before  us.  But,  looking  back  from  the  skirmish  line  upon  the 
massed  columns  of  our  Brigade,  while  the  air  was  filled  with 
little  clouds  of  sulphurous  smoke,  and  innumerable  clouds  of 
dust  were  springing  up  all  over  the  field,  it  was  a  magnificent 
spectacle  to  see  those  thousands  of  soldiers,  with  flags  proudly 
flying,  marching  steadily  through  that  storm  of  shot  and  shell 
and  never  a  break  in  the  ranks  !  Or,  if  there  was  a  moment 
of  confusion,  as  when  a  shell  burst  in  the  rnidst  of  the  NINETY- 


232  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

SIXTH,  disabling  some  of  our  men,  the  broken  ranks  were  at 
once  closed,  and  the  march  was  not  interrupted. 

As  we  approached  the  farther  end  of  the  open  field  the 
continuous  piercing  clang  and  racket  of  musketry  sounding 
in  front  gave  sure  token  that  the  battle  was  raging  fiercely  not 
far  from  us.  On  a  distant  knoll  we  observed  a  group  of  offi- 
cers watching  our  advance.  It  was  Thomas  and  his  Staff.  A 
very  anxious  group  it  had  been  when  the  movement  of  our 
troops  in  the  distance  was  first  noticed  ;  for,  whether  friend 
or  foe,  it  was  impossible  to  tell.  "If  that  is  the  enemy," 
said  Thomas,  "  we're  lost ;  if  the  Reserve,  the  army  is  saved." 

IN  THE  BATTLE. 

Gen.  Steedman  had  galloped  forward  and  reported  himself 
to  Thomas.  As  we  approached  nearer  the  troops  were  halted, 
the  skirmishers  were  called  in,  and  the  Brigade  was  deployed 
in  line,  the  NINETY-SIXTH  holding  the  right,  my  Company 
having  the  extreme  right  of  the  line.  We  had  halted  barely 
long  enough  to  recover  our  breath,  and  wipe  the  perspiration 
from  our  faces,  and  wash  the  dust  out  of  our  throats  with  water 
from  our  canteens,  when  word  came  that  the  enemy  was  mov- 
ing in  large  force  to  turn  the  right  of  Thomas'  line,  and  that 
the  Reserve  must  hasten  into  position  to  protect  the  flank. 
Our  Brigade  moved  quickly  to  the  right  for  a  considerable 
distance,  and  then  faced  to  the  front.  Company  A  was  again 
deployed  as  skirmishers,  and  began  to  advance,  when  imme- 
diately was  heard,  here  and  there,  the  sharp  crack  of  the  rifle. 
The  men  advanced,  returning  the  fire,  but  were  met  with  a 
rattling  volley.  "Ah,  this  is  no  skirmish  work  !"  I  thought, 
and  I  shouted  to  the  men  to  rally  together  as  quickly  as  pos- 
sible. By  the  time  the  Company  could  be  formed,  the  Regi- 
ment, with  the  Brigade,  was  abreast  of  us,  and  we  resumed 
our  place  at  the  right. 

Facing  the  fire,  the  line  pressed  forward  on  the  full  run, 
keeping  the  ranks  tolerably  well — closing  up  the  ranks  as  men 
and  officers  fell  dead  or  wounded  upon  the  field — driving  the 
enemy  before  us  over  the  rise  of  ground,  over  the  slight  de- 
pression, and  up  toward  the  top  of  the  ridge — still  driving  the 


1863]  CHICKAMAUGA.  233 

«nemy  and  gaining  the  top  of  the  ridge — encountering  a 
withering  tire — halting  and  lying  down — firing  a  few  rounds — r 
then  forward  once  more,  running,  and  yelling,  and  again  driv- 
ing the  enemy — on  and  over  a  little  valley — on  and  on  and 
up  to  the  summit  of  another  rise  of  ground — when  our  ad- 
vance was  suddenly  checked.  "Lie  down!"  ran  along  the 
line,  and  instantaneously  the  men  prostrated  themselves  upon 
the  ground.  For  we  were  right  in  the  teeth  of  a  battery  that 
opened  upon  us  a  fearful  storm  of  canister  and  grape,  and  the 
showers  of  Minie  balls  from  the  doubled  or  trebled  lines  of 
infantry  that  now  confronted  us  made  the  fire  terrific — horri- 
ble— murderous  !  By  lying  close  to  the  ground  the  men  were 
somewhat  protected,  most  of  the  balls  and  shot  flying  over 
them.  And  our  men  were  not  idle  !  They  made  good  use  of 
their  Enfields — firing — turning  upon  their  backs  and  reload- 
ing while  still  lying  down — then  turning  and  firing  again. 
So  they  kept  up  the  dreadful  fight,  while  with  clenched  teeth 
and  bated  breath  and  stiffened  sinews,  and  nerves  strung  to 
the  highest  tension,  they  received  and  endured  and  returned 
the  terrible  fire  of  the  enemy.  How  appalling  the  din  of 
battle  !  How  fiend-like  the  screech  of  the  iron  missiles,  rush- 
ing forth  with  deafening  roar  from  the  savage  throats  of  the 
artillery  !  How  furious  the  rattling  clangor  of  musketry, — 
without  stop, — without  a  moment's  pause, — without  any  let 
up  or  respite, — persistent, — incessant, — unremitting  !  How 
unceasing  the  whistling  of  the  bullets — tzip  !  tzip  !  tzip  ! — 
speeding  with  continuous  whizz  through  the  branches  of  the 
low  oak  shrubs  that  thinly  covered  the  ridge,  denuding  them 
of  their  leaves,  which  fell  dissevered  in  flakes  of  green  con- 
stantly dropping,  dropping,  upon  the  jackets  of  blue  lying 
beneath  !  Ever  and  anon  would  be  faintly  heard  the  soldier's 
muttered  cry,  "Oh  !"  or  "I'm hit!"  And  some  would  leave 
the  ranks  to  seek  a  surgeon  or  hospital  in  the  rear, — and  some, 
wounded  in  leg  or  foot,  but  not  in  arm,  would  resolutely  con- 
tinue to  reload  and  fire  their  muskets  until,  weak  and  ex- 
hausted, they  would  crawl  away  to  find  shelter  behind  any 
friendly  tree, — and  some  would  remain  helpless  where  they 
lay,  bravely  suppressing  every  groan, — and  some  would  lie 


234  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

still  and  stiff  and  motionless !  And,  without  cessation,  the 
missiles  of  death  still  flowed  in  two  deadly  streams  from  us 
and  toward  us,  and  the  thought  would  force  itself  upon  me,— 
"Oh,  my  God!  is  any  cause  so  righteous  and  holy  as  to 
justify  such  work  as  this  !" 

Clouds  of  powder  smoke  began  to  gather  over  us  and  to 
envelop  us.  We  breathed  nothing  but  powder !  Clouds  of 
powder  smoke  hung  heavily,  like  a  dark  curtain,  between  the 
two  armies,  hiding  them  from  each  other's  sight ; — but  through 
the  smoke  the  streams  of  bullets  still  made  their  way.  Then 
the  enemy's  fire  slackened  a  little.  Probably  a  portion  of  the 
line  opposed  to  us  was  yielding  under  our  fire,  and  the  battery 
was  being  removed  to  a  less  exposed  position.  Masses  of 
fresh  troops,  however,  were  hurried  forward  to  strengthen  the 
enemy's  line,  and  another  battery  was  brought  into  action. 
When  the  fire  slackened,  it  seemed  to  us  that  the  enemy  was 
giving  way,  and  our  men  instinctively  began  to  get  upon  their 
feet,  and,  with  a  rousing  cheer,  were  about  to  dash  forward 
in  another  charge,  when  they  were  met  by  a  fire  fiercer  and 
hotter  than  ever.  "Lie  down  !"  was  the  word.  On  the  right 
of  the  Brigade  it  was  promptly  obeyed  ;  but  on  the  left  the 
line  recoiled  from  the  fire  of  the  new  battery  and  the  redou- 
bled fire  of  the  infantry,  and  gave  way.  The  word  was 
passed  along  the  line  that  our  men  were  retreating.  Some 
one  called  out,  "Fall  back!"  Then  we  heard  the  voice  of 
Colonel  Champion — "  Don't  move,  men  !  Who  is  it  that  says, 
'Fall  back?'  Keep  where  you  are!  Hold  your  position  !"" 
But  the  Regiments  on  the  left  were  falling  back,  and  it  was 
useless,  as  it  probably  would  have  been  unwise,  to  attempt  to- 
hold  our  position  isolated  from  the  rest.  "Fall  back,  then, 
but  keep  in  line.  Keep  to  your  colors !  Don't  scatter  I 
Keep  to  your  colors  !  Keep  your  line  !"  The  line,  however, 
was  not  kept.  The  Brigade  line  was  already  badly  broken, 
and  we  could  not  keep  the  Regimental  line  intact.  Some  ot 
our  men  retreated  on  the  run  ;  others  less  rapidly  ;  still  others 
more  slowly,  keeping  more  with  the  colors  and  our  Colonel. 
Soon,  instead  of  a  well-preserved  line,  marching  with  regular 
uniformity,  one  saw  an  irregular  mass,  moving  back  in  not  a 


1863]  CHICKAMAUGA.  235 

little  disorder.  The  retreat  was  checked  as  soon  as  we  had 
repassed  the  ridge  from  which  we  had  driven  the  enemy  at 
the  first  charge.  Here  our  men  were  halted,  and  our  officers 
began  to  form  them  into  line  again. 

The  supporting  line,  which,  upon  our  advance,  was  placed 
in  position  a  little  to  our  rear,  had  partially  given  way  even 
before  our  line  in  front  ;  but  Gen.  Steedman,  with  some  of 
the  Brigade  and  Division  Staff  Officers,  promptly  rallied  it, 
and  it  now  moved  forward  in  gallant  style  and  took  position 
on  the  summit  of  the  ridge  which  we  had  just  passed,  and 
kept  up  a  brisk  fire,  but  not  at  such  close  quarters  as  had 
made  the  conflict  so  destructive  to  us — destructive  also  to  the 
enemy.  Our  battery,  too,  had  come  up,  and  was  sent  for- 
ward toward  the  right,  and  began  to  take  an  active  and  effect- 
ive part  in  the  fierce  contest. 

While  the  forces  now  in  front  were  keeping  up  the  battle 
strenuously,  we  were  recovering  from  our  disorder.  But, 
first  of  all,  before  anything  else,  we  sought  to  quench  the 
intolerable  thirst  incident  to  the  battle  field.  Our  throats 
were  parched,  and  the  canteens  of  our  men  were  soon  emptied. 
I  sent  back  one  of  my  men  with  a  dozen  empty  canteens  slung 
over  his  shoulder,  with  orders  to  find  water  somewhere — any- 
where— and  rejoin  us  as  soon  as  possible.  It  was  late  in  the 
afternoon  before  he  could  again  find  the  Company.  I  sent 
two  others  back  to  the  ammunition  wagon  for  a  supply  of  car- 
tridges. Not  a  few  of  the  men  had  expended  every  cartridge 
they  had  taken  into  battle.  Some  had  obtained  a  new  supply 
by  cutting  off  cartridge  boxes  from  dead  comrades,  and  others 
had  picked  up  cartridge  boxes  which  the  wounded  had  thrown 
away.  Those  who  had  cartridges  shared  with  those  who  had 
none,  and  when  our  men  returned,  as  they  did  speedily,  with 
the  box  of  ammunition,  each  man  was  fully  provided  with  a 
double  supply. 

While  I  was  thus  absorbed  in  looking  after  my  Company 
and  getting  it  into  fighting  trim  again,  giving  little  heed  to 
what  was  going  on  with  the  rest  of  the  Regiment,  a  Staff 
Officer  came  up  hurriedly,  with  arms  outstretched,  a  sword  in 
one  hand  and  a  revolver  in  the  other  (he  had  been  rallying 


236  HISTORY  or  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  1. 

stragglers),  his  manner  and  tone  indicating  intense  excite- 
ment. Doubtless  1  was  equally  excited  ;  probably  we  all 
were.  ' '  Captain  !  why  in  thunder  don't  you  form  this  Regi- 
ment ? "  "I  am  forming  my  Company,  sir.  "Where's  Colonel 
Champion  ? "  "  He's  taken  command  of  the  Brigade  ;  Whit- 
taker's  wounded. "  ' '  Well,  where's  Colonel  Clarke  ?  "  "  Why, 
don't  you  know  ?  Clarke  was  killed  at  the  first  fire  !  "  As 
our  remaining  field  officer,  Major  Smith,  was  with  Gen.  Steed- 
man,  on  staff  duty,  I  at  once  assumed  command  of  the 
Regiment.  "Attention,  NINETY-SIXTH  !  On  the  colors,  right 
and  left,  dress ! "  That  is  the  command  prescribed  in  the 
Tactics,  and  I  gave  it ;  and  then  followed  others  not  found  in 
the  drill  book.  "Officers,  get  your  men  into  line!  What 
are  you  men  about  ?  Why  don't  you  dress  up  there,  on  the 
•colors  ?  Oh,  you  men,  get  into  line  !  Hello,  Sergeant,  where 
is  your  Captain?  "  "We  havn't  seen  anything  of  our  Cap- 
tain." "Where's  your  Lieutenant?  Isn't  there  any  officer 
with  this  Company  ? "  "  He  is  wounded  or  killed  ;  I  don't 
loiow  which. "  ' '  Well,  Sergeant,  take  command  of  the  Com- 
pany and  do  the  best  you  can  with  it.  *  *  *  You  Cor- 
poral, back  there!  Where  are  you  running  to?"  "I'm 
looking  for  my  Regiment."  "Here  it  is.  Come  up  here. 
Bring  those  men  with  you."  I  noticed  that  the  Color  Guard 
was  greatly  reduced  in  number.  Yery  few  officers  were  with 
our  shattered  Regiment ;  but  those  who  were  present  were 
doing  splendidly.  One  officer  had  tied  his  handkerchief 
around  his  head,  bandaging  his  ear,  which  had  been  pierced 
"by  a  Minie  ball.  Another  had  wrapped  his  handkerchief 
around  his  hand,  from  which  the  flesh  had  been  partly  torn. 
Having  roughly  dressed  their  wounds  they  were  busily  pre- 
paring their  men  for  further  action.  The  officers  spoke  to  the 
men  in  cheery  tones,  and  the  Sergeants  were  nobly  filling  the 
place  of  officers  left  dead  or  wounded  on  the  field,  and  the 
men  in  the  ranks  were  active  and  eager,  providing  themselves 
with  a  new  supply  of  cartridges,  wiping  out  the  barrels  of  their 
muskets,  fouled  by  repeated  discharges,  and  forming  the  line 
to  renew  the  contest. 

We  were  getting  to  look  like  a  Regiment  again,  and  officers 


1863]  CHICKAMAUGA.  237 

and  men  were  encouraging  one  another  and  pledging  faith  to- 
each  other,  with  determination  intensified  tenfold  because  of 
the  great  gaps  in  our  ranks,  when  a  Staif  Oificer  came  riding 
up  at  full  gallop.  "Who  commands  this  Regiment?"  "I 
do."  "  Move  to  the  right  as  quick  as  you  can  ;  the  devils  are 
outflanking  us  ! "  "  Battalion  !  Right  face  !  Forward — 
double-quick — march  ! "  Other  Regiments  of  our  Brigade 
followed.  When  we  had  gone  so  far  to  the  right  that  no  part 
of  the  column  was  covered  by  the  line  already  engaged  in 
action  we  turned  to  the  front,  forming  an  extended  line  of 
battle.  Again  it  was  a  charge — a  running  and  yelling  and 
rapid  discharge  of  musketry.  Ere  long  we  again  encountered 
a  heavy  fire — halted — lay  down  and  returned  the  fire.  It  was 
almost  the  same  thing  over  again  that  we  had  had  at  the  for- 
mer charge,  only  the  enemy  had  not  now  a  battery  close  upon 
us  pouring  its  shot  into  our  ranks.  A  few  men  seemed  inclined 
to  fall  back  at  once,  but  a  word  or  two  from  the  officers  and 
sergeants  kept  the  line  unbroken.  The  battle  raged  fiercely, 
a  very  tempest  of  tire  ;  nor  was  it  less  fiercely  tempestuous  on 
our  left,  at  the  point  where  we  had  made  our  first  charge. 
The  strength  of  the  Division  had  been  brought  up  to  hold  that 
ridge,  and  so  vigorous  and  unflagging  and  well  directed  was 
the  fire  of  our  infantry  and  artillery  that  the  repeated  furious 
assaults  of  fresh  forces  of  the  enemy  failed  to  break  the  line. 
After  a  while  the  enemy's  very  severe  fire  in  our  front  and  to 
the  left  slackened.  For  the  time  the  extreme  fury  of  the 
tempest  was  abated.  The  foe  had  been  repulsed.  In  vain 
had  Bragg  hurled  against  us  the  reinforcements  of  confident 
veterans  who  had  come  to  him  flushed  with  victories  gained 
in  the  East.  The  effort  to  drive  us  back  had  failed  ;  we  held 
the  ground  and  the  right  flank  was  still  secure.  Here  our 
hearts  were  cheered  by  our  Major  Smith,  who,  having  tra- 
versed the  line  to  our  left,  brought  us  glorious  tidings  of  the 
battle  ;  how  victoriously  the  Division  had  withstood  the  des- 
perate onslaught,  and  the  whole  line  remained  intact.  Soon 
a  Staff  Officer  came  along  the  line,  urging  us  for  heaven's 
sake  to  maintain  our  position,  telling  us  that  Burnside  had  just 
arrived  with  his  Corps  and  was  only  halting  behind  some  hills 


238  HISTOEY  OF  THE  96'fH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

until  he  could  form  his  men  into  line,  and  then  he  would 
be  up  to  support  us.  We  had  heard  rumors  that  Burnside 
was  to  join  Rosecrans,  and  this  report  of  his  arrival  was 
very  cheering. 

The  enemy  made  one  more  and  final  effort  to  turn  the 
right  of  our  line.  Additional  troops  had  been  brought  up  to 
extend  his  lines  and  overlap  us  on  our  right  flank.  Our 
Second  Brigade  was  put  in  motion  to  check  this  new  move- 
ment, and  had  orders  to  form  line-of-battle  on  the  right  of  the 
NINETY-SIXTH.  But  the  danger  was  imminent ;  there  was  not 
a  moment  to  lose  ;  and  once  more  the  NINETY-SIXTH  was 
moved  by  the  right  flank  at  the  double-quick.  I  observed  that 
our  Colonel  was  now  with  us,  near  the  left  of  the  Regiment, 
but  I  supposed  he  was  there  as  Brigade  Commander,  not 
knowing  that  Whittaker's  wound  had  proved  to  be  slight,  and 
that  he  had  resumed  his  command.  As  we  marched,  our 
direction  was  changed  so  as  to  move  obliquely  to  the  front, — 
gaining  ground  to  the  right  and  to  the  front  at  the  same  time. 
The  Second  Brigade,  moving  rapidly,  was  up  with  us,  when 
the  order  was  given  to  change  direction  and  move  direct  to 
the  front,  the  intention  being  that  that  Brigade  should  pass  us 
and  form  its  line  on  our  right.  Colonel  Champion,  with  a 
portion  of  the  Regiment  on  the  left,  heard  the  order  and 
changed  direction  accordingly  ;  the  rest  of  the  Regiment 
failed  to  hear  the  command,  and  continued  the  oblique  march. 
This  left  a  gap,  and  the  foremost  troops  of  the  Second  Brigade 
pushed  into  it.  Then  J  began  to  hear,  "Give  way  to  the 
right !  Give  way  to  the  right !  "  And  I  gave  way  to  the 
right ;  and  kept  on  giving  way  to  the  right,  until  the  Brigade 
had  formed  its  line,  sandwiched  between  the  severed  parts  of 
our  Regiment.  I  had  discovered  that  the  Regiment  was 
broken ;  but  it  was  utterly  out  of  the  question  to  leave  the 
front  to  hunt  for  any  missing  Companies.  So  a  portion  of  the 
Regiment  still  continued  to  occupy  the  extreme  right  of  the 
whole  line, — a  position  which  during  that  Sunday  afternoon 
had  been  the  critical  point  of  danger.  When  the  line  of  the 
Second  Brigade  was  fully  formed  it  charged  forward  gallantly, 
and  we  joined  in  the  charge  and  ran  as  fast  and  as  far,  and 


1863]  .      CHICKAMATJGA.  239 

yelled  as  loud  and  fired  as  rapidly  as  any.  This  was  a  very 
successful  charge,  and  was  continued  half  a  mile  or  more,  the 
enemy  not  making  such  strenuous  fight  as  in  the  earlier  part 
of  the  afternoon,  and  we  took  a  number  of  prisoners.  Then 
the  line  fell  back  to  a  more  advantageous  position,  where  we 
could  more  easily  repel  an  assault.  My  Regiment  occupied  a 
little  hill,  heavily  timbered.  Here  the  men  were  allowed  to 
scatter  themselves  as  if  upon  the  skirmish  line,  taking  posi- 
tion behind  trees  about  as  they  pleased,  and  keeping  up  a 
slow,  irregular  fire  upon  the  enemy,  all  being  cautioned  not 
to  run  themselves  out  of  ammunition. 

It  was  now  not  quite  an  hour  to  sunset.  Never  did  I  long 
for  sunset  as  on  that  Sunday  at  Chickamauga.  With  us  it  was 
not  "Night,  or  Blucher,"  but  "Night,  or  Burnside  ! "  But 
no  Burnside  came,  and  our  single  line  was  left  to  hold  its 
own  without  support.  The  firing  now  was  not  very  severe, 
and  gradually  grew  weaker,  sensibly  slackening  all  along  the 
line.  At  length  it  grew  so  still  on  our  left  1  went  out  of  the 
woods  to  see  what  was  going  on.  One  of  my  Sergeants 
called  out,  "Captain,  you're  not  leaving  us?"  "Oh,  no; 
I'll  be  back  in  a  moment."  I  discovered  that  the  whole  line 
was  in  motion,  retiring  leisurely,  and  it  was  already  at  some 
distance  to  the  rear.  I  gave  the  word  to  call  in  our  men  and 
fall  back  with  the  rest.  I  found  that  I  had  now  but  a  very 
few  men  with  me ;  and  I  should  have  thought  that  I  had 
wholly  strayed  from  my  Regiment  were  it  not  that  I  had  with 
me  the  colors  of  the  Regiment,  together  with  the  commander 
of  the  Color  Company  —  the  intrepid  boy-lieutenant,  lion- 
hearted,  fearless,  unflinching  —  Charlie  Earle,  whose  name 
must  be  inscribed  high  among  the  highest  on  the  roll  of 
Chickamauga  heroes. 

The  line  fell  back  half  a  mile  or  more,  and  halted.  Most 
of  our  Division  had  already  retired  still  further  to  the  rear. 
Soon  after  halting  we  saw  our  Colonel  coming  up,  looking  for 
us.  He,  with  the  portion  of  the  Regiment  separated  from  us, 
had  joined  in  the  last  forward  advance  of  our  own  Brigade, 
once  more  encountering  the  foe,  and  successfully  holding  the 
advanced  line  until  ordered  to  retire.  When  he  discovered 


240  HISTORY  or  THE  96rrn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

his  lost  command,  he  exclaimed, — "Oh,  Captain  !  there  you 
are!"  "Yes,  Colonel,  here  we  are  !"  "I  feared  you  were 
lost,"  said  the  Colonel ;  "how  many  men  have  you  got  with 
you  ?"  "  About  fifty  or  sixty."  "Well,  I've  got  twenty-five 
or  thirty.  Let's  get  them  together."  So  we  tried  to  bring 
the  men  into  Regimental  line  again.  "  Where's  Company 
E?"  said  one  of  the  men,  seeking  to  find  his  Company. 
"Here  it  is — I'm  Company  E,"  replied  another.  It  seemed 
that  the  reply  was  not  far  out  of  the  way — so  few  of  the 
Company  could  be  found.  "Never  mind  your  Companies, 
boys,"  said  the  Colonel.  "Let  us  get  into  line,  somehow — 
what  there  is  left  of  us  !  Get  into  line  anywhere  !  Dress  up 
on  the  colors  !"  There  didn't  appear  to  be  much  left  of  us  to- 
get  into  line,  and  certainly  there  was  but  little  left  of  the 
colors  to  align  ourselves  upon.  Of  the  ten  picked  men  form- 
ing the  Color  Guard,  nine  had  been  killed  or  wounded.  One 
flag-staff  had  been  quite  shot  away,  and  the  other  was  cut 
and  badly  splintered.  The  two  flags  were  riddled  with  Minie 
balls  and  grape  shot,  but  what  remained  of  our  Color  Guard 
had  gallantly  clung  to  them.  Our  Color-Bearer  had  tied 
the  fluttering  shreds  about  the  splintered  staff,  which  he  now 
held  aloft  as  a  guide  for  us  in  forming  our  line.  Here  our 
troops  formed  their  last  line-of-battle  to  resist  any  attack  that 
might  be  made.  Our  foes  had  also  retired  a  little  and  formed 
their  last  line.  Neither  side  molested  the  other.  Both  had 
had  enough  of  fighting  for  that  day  ! 

RETURNING  FROM   BATTLE. 

So  that  long,  long  Sunday  afternoon  at  last  came  to  an 
end,  the  sun  slowly  disappeared,  night  closed  down  upon  us, 
and  we  breathed  more  freely,  with  a  sense  of  infinite  relief. 
Not  long  afterward  we  received  orders  to  retire  from  the  field. 
We  soon  reached  the  main  body  of  our  Division,  and  here  we 
began  to  gather  up  our  missing  men  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH. 
Some  who  had  courageously  borne  their  part  in  the  heaviest 
fighting  of  the  day  had  followed  other  Regiments  of  the 
Brigade  as  they  fell  back,  thinking  the  NINETY-SIXTH  was  also 
retreating.  Some  had  been  sent  back  to  help  the  wounded 


Gen.  \V.  T.  SHEU.MAN. 


Gen.  L.  5.  GKANT. 


Gen.  GKO.  H.  THOMAS. 


Gen.  O.  O.  HOWARD. 


I 


W.    ('.  WniTAKEK. 


Gen.  Jos.  HOOKER. 


Gen.  NATHAN  KIMBALL. 


*"  iat 


1863]  CHICK  AMAUGA.  241 

off  the  field.  Others  had  been  sent  back  for  water  or  for 
ammunition,  and  when  about  to  return  had  heard  that  it  was 
useless  to  go  forward  again, — that  our  whole  line  was  in  full 
retreat,  and  that  there  was  nothing  left  of  the  Regiment ! 
We  learned  that  most  of  our  wounded  had  been  conveyed  to 
the  rear,  on  their  way  to  Chattanooga.  Others  of  the  wounded 
were  placed  on  the  caissons  of  the  artillery,  or  on  the  ammu- 
nition wagons,  or  on  horses  —  for  the  ambulances  were 
crowded — and  we  got  them  along  somehow,  as  best  we  could, 
as  we  moved  back  toward  our  camp  at  Rossville.  The  ambu- 
lances and  the  artillery  and  the  wagons  clogged  the  road,  and 
it  was  too  dark  to  move  across  the  fields ;  so  we  plodded  along 
slowly  and  wearily,  and  with  frequent  tiresome  interruptions. 
When  we  had  gone  two  or  three  miles  we  came  upon  acres  of 
troops  in  bivouac,  gathered  about  myriad  fires,  cooking  their 
supper.  "Ah!  there's  Burnside's  men!"  we  said.  "What 
Corps?"  we  asked.  "McCook's."  No  Burnside  there;  he 
must  be  farther  on.  After  awhile  we  came  upon  other  acres 
of  troops  in  bivouac.  "  "What  Corps?"  "Crittenden's." 
Nothing  of  Burnside  !  It  was  all  a  myth  about  Burnside. 
Burnside,  with  his  Corps,  was  at  Knoxville,  a  hundred  miles 
away  !  There  was  really  no  foundation  for  the  camp  rumor 
that  Burnside  was  on  his  way  to  reinforce  us  ;  and  the  extended 
cloud  of  dust  which  had  been  seen  rising  at  a  distance,  and 
which  was  supposed  to  be  caused  by  the  tread  of  Burnside's 
approaching  columns,  was  in  fact  occasioned  by  a  force  of 
cavalry  charging  to  protect  a  wagon  train. 

It  was  nearly  ten  o'clock  that  night  when  we  reached  our 
camp.  The  wounded  were  cared  for  as  best  we  could.  At 
our  Company  tents  we  found  the  small  squad  of  men  which 
had  been  sent  to  the  rear  in  charge  of  prisoners.  "  Hurrah  ! 
Here's  our  Captain  !  He  isn't  killed,  after  all !  Why,  we 
heard  there  wasn't  a  man  left  of  Company  A!"  "Some  of 
us  are  left,  boys.  But  do  get  us  some  coffee  as  soon  as  you 
can."  The  coffee,  which  was  soon  prepared,  and  some  hard 
biscuit,  furnished  a  supper  most  welcome  after  the  day's  long 
fast.  Then,  with  the  sensibilities  of  the  mind  and  the  heart 
stunned  by  the  dreadful  work  of  that  afternoon,  and  with 
16 


242  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

physical  powers  almost  utterly  exhausted,  we  were  glad  to 
throw  ourselves  down  upon  our  blankets  and  obtain  rest  and 
sleep.  There  was  but  one  break  to  the  night's  rest.  At  mid- 
night the  officers  of  each  Company  were  aroused  by  our  Quarter- 
Master,  who  told  us  that  a  Brigade  of  the  Second  Division 
was  wholly  destitute  of  rations,  the  Brigade  wagon  train  hav- 
ing been  captured  by  the  enemy's  cavalry,  and  he  asked  if  we 
would  divide  our  rations  with  them.  We  kept  awake  long 
enough  to  say  "  Yes,"  and  fell  asleep  again. 

OUR  LOSS  IN   BATTLE. 

At  reveille  next  morning  we  assembled  for  roll-call.  Those 
who  had  become  separated  from  the  Regiment  came  in  during 
the  night,  and  we  could  now  count  up  our  loss. 

The  Regiment  went  into  battle  a  few  more  than  four  hun- 
dred strong.  When  we  left  Illinois  we  numbered  1,000  men, 
but  a  year  of  marching  and  drilling  and  roughing  it  in  camp 
had  sifted  out  a  great  many.  Some  had  died  ;  some  had  been 
discharged  ;  many  were  in  hospital.  Many,  also — the  less 
robust — had  been  sent  from  the  Regiment, — detailed  to  gar- 
rison forts,  to  guard  baggage  wagons  and  provision  trains,  to 
protect  railway  trains,  to  aid  in  building  bridges  and  in  repair- 
ing roads.  Our  400  with  us  on  the  morning  of  Chickamauga 
were  nearly  all  young  men,  who  had  endured  the  severe  strain 
of  active  military  life  much  better  than  the  middle-aged.  The 
battles  of  the  war  were  fought  chiefly  by  the  young  men. 
The  nation  was  saved  by  the  boys  ! 

We  went  into  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  with  400  men ; 
we  came  out  with  a  loss  of  about  two  hundred  killed  and 
wounded.  We  could  well  spare  half  our  rations  !  Our  loss 
was  extraordinarily  large.  When  the  reports  of  the  battle 
were  all  in  from  Rosecrans'  entire  army  I  carefully  examined 
the  tabular  statements  of  the  numbers  engaged  and  the  losses, 
and  it  appeared  that,  in  proportion  to  numbers,  no  Regiment 
had  suffered  so  heavily  in  killed  and  wounded  as  the  NINETY- 
SIXTH  Illinois.  We  afterwards  bore  our  part  in  Sherman's 
Atlanta  campaign  of  a  hundred  and  twenty  days,  and  nearly 
every  other  day  were  engaged  in  skirmish  or  battle,  and  every 


1863]  CHICK  AMAUGA.  243 

-day,  with  hardly  an  exception,  were  under  fire ;  but  in  all 
that  long  campaign  our  entire  loss  did  not  exceed  the  loss  we 
suffered  during  those  few  fateful  hours  on  the  field  of  Chick- 
amauga ! 

1  had  looked  forward  to  the  test  of  battle  with  not  a  little 
solicitude,  lest  our  men  should  fail  fully  to  meet  the  stern  de- 
mands of  duty  when  the  supreme  hour  of  trial  came ;  but 
how  nobly  they  bore  themselves  throughout  the  fearful  ordeal 
of  that  Sunday  afternoon,  enduring  a  test  such  as  rarely  falls 
to  the  lot  of  any  Regiment  in  its  first  battle  !  How  many  of 
the  men — the  boys — in  the  ranks  proved  themselves  to  be  true- 
born  heroes  that  day  !  And  the  officers  shared  with  the  men 
alike  the  danger  and  the  loss.  Of  the  twenty-three  field  and 
line  officers  of  the  Regiment  on  duty  that  day  eleven  were 
killed  or  wounded.  Were  all  equally  undaunted  ?  Was  there 
no  exception  ?  The  terrible  storm  of  plunging  shot  and  ex- 
ploding shells,  bursting  suddenly  upon  us  as  we  marched  over 
the  open  meadow  field  to  enter  into  battle,  seemed  to  unnerve 
and  quite  bewilder  one  of  our  Captains,  who,  in  our  subse- 
quent rapid  movements,  lost  his  Regiment,  and  was  not  again 
;seen  that  day  by  his  soldiers.  His  Company  was  worthily 
led  in  the  battle  by  a  Lieutenant,  who,  a  few  days  afterward, 
was  promoted  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  the  Captain's 
resignation. 

The  morning  roll  call  disclosed  how  heavy  had  been  our 
loss  ;  yet  we  dare  not  indulge  ourselves  in  any  tender,  relaxing 
emotions  of  grief.  The  heart  must  remain  still  firmly  braced 
to  meet  the  peril  of  another  day.  The  danger  to  our  army — 
-with  the  cause  of  our  country  closely  linked  to  that  army's 
fate — was  still  imminent ;  for  we  were  in  the  presence  of  a 
foe  who  was  marshaling  against  us  greatly  preponderating 
numbers.  We  were  yet  on  the  battle  field,  as  it  were,  and 
must  steel  our  hearts  to  bear,  if  need  be,  still  further  loss. 
And  the  loss  was  not  delayed,  for  our  picket  guard  sent  out 
that  night  did  not  return  to  us  ;  only  a  few  of  them,  long 
afterward,  were  seen  again,  when  they  rejoined  the  Regiment 
as  returned  prisoners  of  war.  We  were  yet  on  the  battle  field, 
and  on  the  battle  field  there  is  no  room  for  emotions  of  grief. 


244  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

In  battle  there  is  an  exaltation  of  feeling  which  lifts  one  quite 
above  the  plane  of  all  ordinary  sentiments  and  feelings.  I 
recall  an  incident :  During  the  few  moments  when  my  Com- 
pany was  rallying  from  the  skirmish  line,  just  as  the  battle 
opened  upon  us,  my  leading  Corporal* — the  man  who  always 
marched  so  proudly  at  the  head  of  the  Regiment — generously 
shared  with  me  the  scanty  store  of  water  in  his  canteen  ;  the 
next  minute,  as  we  were  advancing,  he  fell  lifeless  before  me, 
and  I  pressed  forward  with  the  men  with  but  half  a  glance  at 
his  prostrate  form,  without  being  conscious  of  the  slightest 
feeling  of  pity,  or  sympathy,  or  any  gentle,  kindly  emotion. 
The  supreme  duty  of  the  moment  overwhelmed  all  else  !  Nor 
did  our  wounded  soldiers  yield  to  any  feelings  of  self-pity. 
We  heard  little  groaning  from  their  lips.  When  my  Color 
Corporal  f  was  struck  in  the  arm  he  came  to  me  and  said,  in 
quite  his  ordinary  tone  of  voice :  "Captain,  I'm  hit;  this 
arm  is  useless."  "  Go  to  the  rear,  Corporal ;  take  your  mus- 
ket with  you  if  you  can  ;  if  not,  drop  it."  I  remember  what 
a  noble  type  of  manhood  he  was — tall,  upright,  square-built, 
broad-shouldered,  keen-sighted,  clear-toned,  always  manly  in 
bearing,  trustworthy  to  the  core,  and  every  inch  a  soldier. 
Alas !  I  never  saw  him  nor  could  hear  of  him  again  ! 

In  connection  with  that  memorable  battle  the  soldiers  of 
the  NINETY-SIXTH  Illinois  had,  in  the  person  of  some  of  its 
members,  nearly  every  experience  of  hardship  that  can  fall  to 
the  lot  of  a  soldier.  We  all  shared  in  the  forced  march  by 
day  and  night,  and  in  the  skirmish,  and  the  shock  of  battle. 
Some  met  instantaneous  death.  Others,  less  fortunate,  lay 
upon  the  field,  fatally  wounded,  uncared  for,  suffering  untold 
agonies,  until  death  came  to  their  relief.  Some,  wounded  and 
retiring  from  the  field,  were  struck  a  second  time,  and  fatally. 
Some  of  our  wounded  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 
Others  lay  for  many  miserable  hours  upon  the  field  before 
they  were  brought  into  our  hospitals.  Many  died  while  in 
hospital.  Some  others — sent  to  a  hospital  over  the  mountains 
because  our  hospitals  could  not  receive  them — died  on  the 
way.  Some  of  our  men,  taken  prisoners,  endured  all  that 

*  William  Price.         t  David  Isbel. 


1863]  CHICKAMAUGA.  245 

could  be  endured,  and  cannot  be  described,  of  the  miseries 
and  horrors  of  Libby  and  Andersonville.  How  many  of  the 
wounded,  how  many  of  the  prisoners,  were  never  in  line 
again  with  the  Regiment ! 

When  we  had  fortified  Chattanooga,  and  lay  within  its 
besieged  lines,  waiting  for  the  coming  of  Grant  and  Sherman, 
we  then  had  leisure  to  estimate  how  great  had  been  our  loss 
at  Chickamauga.  It  seemed  to  us — nor  was  it  all  illusion — 
that  we  had  lost  our  best  and  bravest.  The  Regiment  mourned 
the  death  of  its  Lieutenant-Colonel — staunch  and  true,  a  firm 
commander  in  camp,  a  brave  leader  in  battle.  Each  Company 
had  its  list  of  heroes,  beloved  by  their  comrades  and  worthy 
of  all  honor,  the  memory  of  whose  patriotic  devotion,  even 
to  the  sacrifice  of  their  lives,  shall  never,  never  fade.  For 
myself,  I  mourn  a  host  of  true-hearted  soldiers,  my  comrades 
of  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  who  upon  the  field  of  Chickamauga  gave 
to  their  country  a  soldier's  last  and  supremest  offering.  Among 
them  are  numbered  the  two  Sergeants  of  whom  I  have  spoken, 
who  rest  upon  that  battle  field,  somewhere,  in  unknown  graves. 
Lovely  and  pleasant  were  they  in  their  lives,  and  in  their  death 
they  were  not  divided.  My  First  Sergeant,  valiantly  engaging 
in  the  battle  with  his  chosen  rifle,  was  really  entitled  (unknown 
to  all)  to  exchange  the  rifle  for  a  sword  ;  for  his  commission 
as  Captain,  granted  to  him  because  of  his  superb  soldierly 
acquirements,  had  been  duly  signed  and  was  on  its  way  to 
him,  while  his  life  blood  was  ebbing  away,  enriching  the  soil 
of  Georgia.  The  other  Sergeant  was  prominent  in  the  battle, 
performing  notable  deeds — now  joining  in  the  onset  where  the 
peril  was  the  greatest,  and  now  rallying  the  men  along  the 
line  of  the  Brigade  wherever  there  appeared  signs  of  faltering ; 
but  before  the  close  of  the  battle  he  had  shared  the  fate  of  his 
bosom  friend.  Both  had  fought  with  a  magnificent  heroism 
beyond  all  praise.  Never  was  battle  field  consecrated  to 
humanity  by  the  sacrifice  of  worthier  soldiers. 


246  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

THE  SACRIFICE  AND  THE  GAIN. 

The  vast  armies  of  the  Union,  gathered  from  every  town 
and  village  and  neighborhood  throughout  the  East  and  the 
West,  comprised  patriots  and  heroes  innumerable.  During 
the  protracted  years  of  that  great  war,  waged  on  a  scale  stu- 
pendous and  destructive  beyond  all  precedent,  it  happened 
time  and  again  that  at  some  critical  juncture  occurring  in  a 
battle  of  almost  decisive  consequences,  the  gallant  work  of 
some  Regiment,  some  Brigade,  some  Division,  saved  an  army, 
and  went  far  to  save  the  cause.  Honoring  all  heroic  souls  in 
the  armies  East  and  West,  rejoicing  in  all  that  was  gloriously 
achieved  by  other  soldiers,  by  other  Regiments  and  armies  in 
many  great  battles  now  listed  among  the  famous  battles  of 
mankind,  the  soldiers  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  Illinois  feel  that 
at  Chickamauga  they  earned  the  right  to  claim  kinship  with  all 
soldiers  who  braved  much  and  accomplished  much  for  their 
country.  All  honor  to  Thomas,  the  "  Rock  of  Chickamauga  ! " 
All  honor  to  Thomas  and  his  Corps,  grandly  holding  the  whole 
opposing  army  at  bay  !  But  there  came  an  hour  when  Thomas 
was  reaching  the  utmost  limit  of  his  power  of  resistance. 
Unless  speedily  aided  he  would  have  been  unable  to  withstand 
the  accumulating  forces,  which,  overwhelming  him,  would 
have  brought  immeasurable  disaster  upon  the  army,  would 
have  made  incalculably  more  difficult  the  subsequent  task  of 
Grant  and  Sherman,  and  would  have  had  a  far-reaching  effect, 
which  one  shrinks  from  estimating,  upon  the  issue  of  the  war. 
At  that  hour,  at  that  critical  juncture,  our  Division  reached 
the  field  and  gave  that  aid  which  was  imperatively  needed; 
Our  Brigade  was  the  leading  Brigade,  and  being  first  on  the 
field  the  severest  task  fell  to  its  share.  Our  Regiment,  leading 
the  Brigade  and  the  Division,  was  placed  at  once  in  the  front 
line  ;  and  while  other  Regiments  during  the  battle  alternated 
their  position  between  the  front  and  the  supporting  lines,  the 
exigencies  of  the  battle  kept  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  with  the  briefest 
intermission,  continuously  in  front.  It  happened,  therefore,, 
that  at  the  most  critical  juncture  of  the  battle  of  Chickamauga, 
the  NINETY-SIXTH  Illinois  had  a  most  important  part  to  play- 


1863]  CHICKAMAUGA.  247 

The  simple  record  is,  that  it  did  not  fail ;  and  it  can  justly 
claim  its  share  of  that  high  praise  bestowed  upon  our  Division, 
when  Thomas,  at  the  close  of  the  battle,  said  to  our  General, 
"  Steedman,  your  Division  has  saved  the  army  ! " 

In  that  battle  we  paid  a  heavy  price  ;  but  how  inestimable 
the  value  of  what  we  purchased.  If  we  consider — as  we 
reasonably  may — that  our  few  tragical  hours  at  Chickamauga 
constituted  one  of  those  critical  periods  of  the  war  when  a 
different  result  might  have  long  delayed,  if  not  quite  changed, 
the  final  issue  of  the  years  of  contest,  we  cannot  murmur  at 
the  sacrifice  required  of  us.  We  are  to  think  of  the  new 
nation,  of  the  South  and  the  North,  redeemed,  disenthralled, 
united,  marching  forth  buoyantly  among  the  nations,  erect  as 
never  before, — entering  upon  a  career  transcending  all  former 
possibilities  and  conceptions,  in  the  blessings  of  whose  onward 
progress  universal  humanity  shall  share, — inspiring  the  people 
of  Europe  with  higher  aspirations  for  freedom  and  loftier  ideals 
of  the  worth  of  simple  manhood, — and  touching  the  remote 
peoples  of  Africa  and  Asia  and  the  neighboring  peoples  of 
the  western  hemisphere  with  influences  whose  beneficent 
effects,  multiplied  with  the  years,  only  the  ages  to  come  can 
fully  disclose  ;  and  then,  if  it  be  asked,  "Was  it  worth  the 
while  ?  Was  the  cause  so  righteous  and  holy  as  to  justify  such 
sacrifice  of  life  ?  " — we  would  seek  the  answer  from  the  lips  of 
those  who,  in  their  desolated  homes  and  sorrow-burdened 
hearts,  have  most  painfully  realized  the  full  measure  of  that 
sacrifice.  Shall  we  ask  the  widowed  mothers,  whose  first- 
born sons  now  lie  mouldering  somewhere  on  that  deadly  field 
of  Chickamauga,  whether,  if  they  had  the  power,  they  would 
cause  the  wheels  of  Time  to  roll  back  over  the  intervening 
years,  that  they  might  have  restored  to  them  their  sons  as 
they  were  in  the  full  flush  of  their  young  manhood,  leaving 
undone  all  that  was  dared  and  endured  and  suffered  and 
accomplished  by  them  and  their  comrades  that  fatal  Sunday 
afternoon  ?  What  is  their  reply  ?  "  We  rejoice  more  in  our 
dead  sons  lying  there  in  unknown  graves,  than  we  could  in  all 
the  living  sons  of  Christendom  who  at  such  an  hour  would 
shrink  from  like  peril  and  sacrifice  in  such  a  cause. " 


248  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'rn  KEGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

Time  does  its  own  work  ceaselessly  and  silently,  without 
beat  of  drum  or  blare  of  bugle,  and  each  succeeding  year  is 
carrying  over  to  "the  great  majority  "  survivors  of  the  battle 
field.  Meantime,  those  who  remain  are  wont  to  meet  at  inter- 
vals in  reunion  with  each  other ;  and  at  each  latest  reunion 
the  magnitude  of  what  was  attempted  and  the  vastness  of 
what  was  achieved  are  seen  more  and  more  clearly  ;  and  the 
heart  swells  with  increasing  pride  in  beholding  the  growing 
strength  and  benignant  greatness  of  the  beloved  country  at 
whose  call  they  went  forth,  in  her  hour  of  need,  to  do  battle 
for  her  and  for  humanity. 

"  Be  proud  !  for  she  is  saved,  and  all  have  helped  to  save  her ! 
She  that  lifts  up  the  manhood  of  the  poor, 
She  of  the  open  soul  and  open  door, 
With  room  about  her  hearth  for  all  mankind ! 
Oh,  Beautiful !  my  Country  !  ours  once  more, 
What  words  divine  of  lover  or  of  poet 
Could  tell  our  love  and  make  thee  know  it, 
Among  the  Nations  bright  beyond  compare  ? 
What  were  our  lives  without  thee  ? 
What  all  our  lives  to  save  thee  ? 
We  reck  not  what  we  gave  thee  ; 
We  will  not  dare  to  doubt  thpe, 
But  ask  whatever  else,  and  we  will  dare  ! " 


1863]  ON  MOCCASIN  POINT.  249 


CHAPTER    XII. 


BY  A.    R.   THAIN,   OF  COMPANY  D. 


The  Situation  after  the  Battle  of  Chickamauga— In  Camp  on  Moccasin 
Point —Artillery  and  Skirmish  Fire— Bragg* s  Starvation  Policy- 
Wheeler's  Cavalry  Raid— Short  Rations  for  Men  and  Mules— Corn— 
The  "Wusser" — Arrival  of  Gen.  Hooker— Gen.  Grant  Placed  in 
Command  — Bridging  the  River  at  Brown's  Ferry  —  Supporting 
Hooker  in  Lookout  Valley— Corn  and  Shells— The  March  to  Shell 
Mound— Nicajack  Cove— Building  Winter  Quarters— Strange  Archi- 
tecture. 

AFTER  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  Gen.  Rosecrans  with- 
drew his  army  to  the  immediate  neighborhood  of  Chattanooga, 
and  threw  up  a  strong  line  of  earthworks  to  protect  his  posi- 
tion. He  had  a  large  bend  of  the  Tennessee  river  behind  him, 
in  the  hollow  of  which  the  city  lies,  and  on  his  front  a  line  of 
works  crescent  in  form,  the  flanks  resting  on  the  river  above 
and  below  the  city.  The  objective  point  of  the  campaign  had 
been  Chattanooga,  and  that  was  in  our  hands ;  and  we  now 
prepared  stubbornly  to  hold  the  prize  which  had  been  so  gal- 
lantly gained,  and  at  so  fearful  a  cost. 

Lookout  Mountain  was  abandoned  to  the  enemy,  and  with 
it  the  railroad  and  our  direct  wagon  road  to  Bridgeport ;  a 
measure  which  nothing  save  the  plea  of  military  necessity 
could  justify,  for  it  subjected  us  to  constant  annoyances,  and 
compelled  us  to  transport  supplies  over  Wallen's  Ridge*  by 
a  long  and  difficult  road,  open  to  attacks  from  the  enemy's 
cavalry. 

Our  Brigade  withdrew  from  Missionary  Ridge  on  the  night 
of  September  21,  and  on  the  22d  we  marched  through  Chatta- 
nooga, crossed  to  the  north  bank  of  the  river,  and  encamped 
on  Moccasin  Point.  This  memorable  piece  of  ground  lies 
within  a  loop  of  the  Tennessee  at  the  northern  extremity  of 

This  is  variously  called  Waldon's,  Waldron's  and  Wallen's  Ridge,  but  there  seems 
to  be  the  best  authority  for  the  last. 


250  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  KEGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

Lookout  Mountain,  its  shape  bearing  some  resemblance  to  an 
Indian  moccasin,  the  toe  being  thrust  between  Lookout  and 
Chattanooga,  and  the  heel  lying  down  toward  Brown's  Ferry.. 
Judging  from  the  size  of  the  foot,  and  the  length  of  stride 
which  must  have  gone  with  it,  the  next  impression  of  that 
gigantic  moccasin  must  be  searched  for  in  some  loop  of  the 
Chattahoochee  many  miles  toward  the  south.  The  side  of  the 
point  which  lies  next  to  the  mountain  is  low  and  fertile,  and 
prior  to  our  occupancy  had  been  covered  with  a  fine  crop  of 
corn  and  beans  which,  fortunately  for  us,  had  been  some- 
what carelessly  harvested.  Our  camp  was  situated  several 
hundred  yards  from  the  river,  nearly  opposite  the  northern 
base  of  the  mountain,  and  a  little  distance  behind  the  camp 
rose  a  considerable  ridge — the  instep  of  the  moccasined  foot — 
on  which  was  posted  the  18th  Ohio  Battery.  This  loud- 
mouthed neighbor  occasioned  us  a  good  deal  of  anxiety  during 
our  stay  on  the  point.  As  soon  as  it  was  securely  sheltered 
by  strong  works  it  began  to  talk  to  the  mountain  in  a  very 
emphatic  way,  and  Lookout  wrinkled  his  rocky  brows  and 
began  to  talk  back.  These  occasional  dialogues  would  not 
have  troubled  us  in  the  least  if  the  principal  parties  had  kept 
the  conversation  exclusively  to  themselves,  but  the  Boanerges 
who  held  forth  from  behind  Pulpit  Rock  on  the  crest  of  Look- 
out had  an  inconvenient  way  at  times  of  talking  at  large  to 
the  whole  camp.  At  such  times  he  had  many  listeners,  who 
paid  very  close  attention  to  his  remarks,  but  who  fervently 
wished  that  he  would  bring  his  fire-and-brim stone  preaching 
to  a  speedy  close.  The  northeast  side  of  a  tree  was  the 
favorite  point  for  listening,  and  a  puff  of  smoke  on  the  point 
of  the  mountain  was  the  signal  that  a  monosyllabic  remark, 
in  the  shape  of  a  shell,  would,  in  a  few  seconds,  utter  itself 
somewhere  on  the  point,  and  the  question  was — where!  The 
9th  Ohio  and  10th  Indiana  Batteries  were  sent  to  assist  the 
18th  Ohio,  and  all  were  bomb-proofed  by  the  infantry, — the 
NINETY-SIXTH  on  one  occasion  working  an  entire  night  with 
picks  and  shovels.  But  the  artillery  on  Lookout,  beyond  its 
disquieting  effect,  did  us  very  little  injury.  The  distance  was 
considerable,  the  elevation  of  the  guns  above  the  river  was 


1863]  FREQUENT  ARTILLERY  DUELS.  251 

great,  the  marksmanship  was  not  good,  and  to  this  should  be 
added  not  only  the  saving  fact  that  owing  to  poverty  the 
Rebels  were  sparing  in  their  use  of  ammunition,  except  in 
hours  of  close  conflict,  but  the  farther  fact  that  our  artillery 
was  superior  to  theirs  and  responded  very  promptly  to  each 
salutation.  Indeed,  the  second  shot  from  the  point  took 
down  their  signal  flag,  and  the  admirable  practice  occasionally 
indulged  in  by  our  artillerists  was  doubtless  the  means  of 
putting  the  enemy  on  their  good  behavior.  After  showing 
us  a  few  times  that  they  could  throw  shells  into  our  camp, 
the  battery  on  Lookout  let  us  alone,  and,  with  the  exception 
of  the  skirmish  fire  along  the  river,  our  camp  was  as  peaceful 
as  though  there  had  been  no  enemy  in  our  vicinity.  We 
maintained  a  strong  skirmish  line  along  the  bank  of  the  river, 
and  at  first  many  sharp  shots  were  exchanged  with  the  rebel 
skirmishers,  sheltered  by  rocks  on  the  side  of  the  mountain ; 
but  as  the  river  is  several  hundred  yards  wide,  their  fire  did 
us  little  bodily  harm,  and  served  only  to  develop  watchfulness 
and  caution.  After  a  few  days  these  two  lines  fell  into  the 
regular  routine  of  picket  duty ;  and,  by  that  mutual  under- 
standing which  soon  arises  between  opposing  pickets,  they 
seldom  exchanged  shots  except  when  an  unusually  tempting 
opportunity  offered  itself.  Occasionally,  however,  the  severe 
artillery  duels  were  renewed,  and  more  than  once  the  soldiers 
sought  their  bomb-proofs  and  the  officers  vacated  the  log 
building  occupied  as  a  Regimental  headquarters.  Once  a 
bullet  passed  between  the  logs  of  the  building  where  the 
chinking  was  out  and  spoiled  an  inkstand  upon  the  Adjutant's 
desk.  In  riding  between  the  camp  and  Brigade  headquarters 
one  day,  the  Adjutant  found  himself  the  target  for  Rebel 
sharpshooters,  but  escaped  injury,  although  the  horse  ridden 
by  him  was  disabled  by  a  bullet. 

Gen.  Bragg  had  decided  to  force  Gen.  Rosecrans  out  of 
Chattanooga  by  the  gradual  process  of  cutting  off  his  supplies, 
maintaining  in  the  meantime  as  close  a  siege  as  possible,  with 
the  expectation  that  we  must  soon  abandon  the  place  to  avoid 
starvation.  '  Gen.  Longstreet  favored  a  flank  movement,  as 
bolder,  speedier  and  more  likely  to  lead  to  success  ;  but  the 


252  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

Southern  army  had  suffered  so  severely  in  the  battle  of  Chicka- 
mauga  that  his  more  cautious  chief  preferred  the  slower  but 
less  hazardous  methods  of  a  siege. 

The  pretense  of  a  siege  was  little  more  than  a  farce ;  but 
the  question  of  how  to  obtain  a  sufficiency  of  supplies  in  the 
face  of  a  watchful  enemy  who  held  our  direct  line  of  commu- 
nication, soon  became  serious  enough.  Our  base  of  supplies 
was  at  Bridgeport  and  Stevenson,  close  at  hand  by  rail,  and 
easily  reached  by  steamer ;  but  the  possession  of  Lookout  and 
Raccoon  Mountains  gave  the  enemy  full  control  of  this  short 
and  easy  line,  leaving  us  only  the  route  over  Wallen's  Ridge 
on  the  north  side  of  the  river,  over  a  road  so  bad  that  trans- 
portation was  extremely  difficult,  and  so  long  that  it  could  not 
be  effectually  guarded  against  cavalry  raids.  The  difficulty 
of  supplying  our  army  over  this  route  was  soon  demonstrated. 
On  October  first,  Gen.  Wheeler,  with  a  large  force  of  cavalry, 
started  on  a  raid  toward  our  rear,  with  the  intention  of  inter- 
rupting, and,  if  possible,  of  destroying  our  communications. 
On  the  second  he  captured  a  large  wagon  train  in  Sequatchie 
Valley,  coming  from  Bridgeport,  laden  with  supplies.  Being 
closely  pressed  by  Gen.  Crook,  with  a  force  of  cavalry,  and 
threatened  by  an  infantry  command  under  Gen.  McCook,  he 
burned  several  hundred  wagons,  with  their  contents,  and  took 
with  him  a  large  number  of  mules.  Our  cavalry  gained  some 
advantages  over  him,  recapturing  eight  hundred  mules  ;  but 
he  carried  his  raid  as  far  north  as  Murfreesboro,  doing  an 
immense  amount  of  damage  before  he  recrossed  the  Tennessee, 
in  a  badly  demoralized  condition,  on  the  eighth.  The  effect 
of  this  raid  and  other  efforts  of  a  similar  nature  soon  began 
to  appear  in  our  camps.  The  animals  showed  the  effects  first. 
It  is  calculated  that  ten  thousand  horses  and  mules  died  of 
starvation  and  of  hard  usage  on  the  terrible  roads.  Forage 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Chattanooga  was  soon  exhausted,  and 
the  watchful  Rebel  cavalry  were  ever  lurking  on  our  flanks, 
seeking  to  capture  or  destroy  trains  sent  to  a  distance  to  obtain 
corn  or  fodder.  So  many  draft  animals  died  that  the  task  of 
supplying  the  army  became  more  and  more  difficult. 

Hon.  H.  W.  Blodgett,  of  Lake  county,  on  learning  that 


1863]  THE  CAVALRY  KAIDS  THE  BEAR.  253 

the  Regiment  had  suffered  very  heavily  in  the  recent  battle, 
started  at  once  for  the  front,  and,  on  arriving  at  Bridgeport, 
took  a  horse  and  followed  after  the  wagon  train  which  was 
burned  by  Gen.  Wheeler,  overtaking  it  and  being  near  its 
head  when  the  Rebel  cavalry  made  their  attack.  He  had  an 
exciting  experience,  but  escaped,  as  did  most  of  the  train 
guard.  Mr.  Blodgett  reached  the  Regiment  in  safety,  and 
spent  several  days  in  the  camp  and  hospitals.  On  the  occa- 
sion of  one  of  these  cavalry  raids,  Hamilton  D.  Crane,  of 
Company  K,  while  driving  a  team,  was  fatally  shot,  being 
taken  to  McMinnville,  where  he  died  from  his  wounds  October 
10.  At  one  time  a  number  of  men  from  the  Brigade  were  cap- 
tured, but  all  were  paroled  within  an  hour  or  two,  being  first 
stripped  of  everything  possessed  by  them  which  their  captors 
either  needed  or  fancied. 

During  the  early  part  of  this  period  trains  passed  along 
the  river  road,  but  at  great  peril,  several  men  being  wounded 
and  the  mules  killed,  so  that  a  blockade  was  created.  On 
one  occasion  First  Assistant  Surgeon  Moses  Evans,  of  the 
NINETY-SIXTH,  accompanied  an  ambulance  train  of  wounded. 
"While  passing  "The  Narrows,"  he  was  wounded  by  a  bullet, 
which  cut  his  ankle,  but  was  not  seriously  injured. 

The  daily  ration  issued  to  the  men  was  reduced,  not  to  the 
point  of  starvation,  but  to  such  a  degree  that  we  hung  on  the 
edge  of  hunger  for  a  number  of  weeks,  and  sometimes  we 
dropped  over  the  edge,  and  found  great  difficulty  in  climbing 
back  again.  The  field  of  corn  on  the  point  delayed  this 
result  in  our  camp  for  a  time,  a  large  ear  of  corn  being  about 
equal  to  the  daily  ration  then  issued  to  us  ;  but  soon  the  vast 
hunger  of  the  mules  stripped  the  fields  so  bare  that  one  might 
search  for  hours  and  be  rewarded  with  only  a  few  poor  "  nub- 
bins." Corn  near  the  bank  of  the  river  was  worth  its  weight 
in  Rebel  lead.  One  man  of  Company  D  can  testify  that  he 
drew  the  Rebel  picket  fire  four  times  one  forenoon  while 
gleaning  a  few  handfuls  of  corn. 

The  members  of  the  Regiment  usually  alluded  to  this 
camp  as  "Starvation  Point  "in  after  months.  At  no  other 
time  during  our  entire  period  of  service  were  the  rations  as 


25-i  HlSTOKY  OF  THE  96lH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  1. 

low  as  here.  On  one  occasion  soap,  candles,  pepper  and 
vinegar  comprised  the  bill  of  fare.  The  comments  made 
upon  this  occasion  would  be  entertaining  could  they  be  repro- 
duced. Later,  corn  alone  was  issued  on  a  few  occasions,  and 
the  men  would  ask  the  officer  issuing  it,  in  a  semi-serious  way, 
how  they  could  be  expected  to  eat  corn  without  any  soap  or 
candles,  or  if  they  would  not  prefer  to  keep  the  corn  and  give 
them  some  pepper  and  vinegar.  But  notwithstanding  the 
short  rations,  the  lack  of  blankets  and  clothing,  the  continuous 
exposure,  the  constant  danger,  and  the  anxiety,  felt  if  not 
expressed,  lest  retreat  should  become  necessary,  and  disaster 
to  the  army  and  the  cause  result,  the  men  were  cheerful  and 
uttered  few  complaints.  They  were  by  no  means  discouraged, 
but  each  had  an  abiding  faith  that  help  would  come  from 
some  source,  and  that  the  army  would  succeed  in  driving  from 
the  strongholds  in  their  front  the  then  exultant  enemy. 

When  the  hungry  quadrupeds  were  fed,  the  teamsters  had 
to  mount  guard  over  the  feed-troughs  ;  for  if  they  did  not, 
hungry  bipeds  clad  in  blue,  who  were  ever  on  the  watch  for 
ways  and  means  to  eke  out  their  scanty  rations,  would  filch 
corn  from  the  very  mouths  of  the  mules,  regardless  of  the 
silent  glances  of  reproach  cast  after  them  by  those  much- 
abused  partners  in  adversity. 

The  corn,  when  obtained  either  by  fair  means  or  foul,  was 
first  parched,  then  ground  in  a  coffee-mill,  or  grated  upon 
the  perforated  sides  of  a  tin  canteen,  and  when  made  into 
mush  and  fried  in  pork  fat  it  was  a  dish  fit  for  a  king, — that 
is  a  very  hungry  king. 

The  following  episode  took  place  at  the  hungriest  point  of 
the  quarter-ration  period.  Two  members  of  Company  D  were 
on  guard  in  the  woods  some  distance  north  of  our  camp. 
They  were  very  hungry,  and  had  not  between  them  so  much 
as  a  grain  of  parched  corn.  Inspired  by  hunger,  their  imag- 
inations made  out  endless  bills  of  fare,  and  their  memories 
recalled  the  many  appetizing  things  which  they  had  eaten 
before  leaving  home.  When  by  these  mental  exercises  they 
had  whetted  their  appetites  to  a  keenness  which  was  almost 
unbearable,  they  saw,  to  their  great  joy,  a  quadruped  ap- 


IS 63]  A  PORCINE  PRIZE.  255 

preaching  through  the  bushes.  It  was  one  of  those  long, 
lean,  hound-like  Southern  hogs,  which  were  known  among  the 
soldiers  as  "wussers."  It  looked  like  the  genius  of  starva- 
tion, wearing  a  swine-like  form.  Indeed,  if  it  had  been  the 
sole  survivor  of  that  Gadarene  herd  into  which  the  devils 
entered,  and  had  eaten  nothing  during  the  intervening  centu- 
ries, it  could  not  have  been  much  leaner.  A  whole  herd  of 
such  swine  could  hardly  have  cast  one  respectable  shadow. 

It  is  probable,  however,  that  this  particular  "wusser"  had 
been  born  and  bred  on  Moccasin  Point,  and  had  been  eaten 
out  of  house  and  home  by  Uncle  Sam's  men  and  mules.  In 
the  struggle  for  existence  then  going  on  around  Chattanooga, 
his  fitness  to  survive  had  been  for  some  time  a  constantly 
decreasing  quantity,  and  it  had  almost  reached  the  vanishing 
point.  But  he  still  lived  ;  and  hunger  being  uncritical,  he 
seemed  to  those  two  soldiers  a  prize  worthy  of  a  vigorous 
campaign. 

But  how  to  secure  such  shadowy  game  was  a  difficult 
question.  As  well  attempt  to  catch  a  grayhound  by  direct 
chase ;  and  a  bullet,  though  aimed  with  the  greatest  skill, 
might  easily  miss  an  object  which  was  so  thin  that  you  had  to 
look  twice  before  you  could  see  it, — except  the  head,  which, 
owing  to  its  bony  structure,  stood  out  distinctly  in  all  the 
unlovely  angularity  of  its  osseous  outlines.  But  something 
must  be  done,  and  done  quickly  ;  and  so  one  of  the  soldiers 
shot  at  the  shadow  and  hit  it, — in  the  head  of  course,  for  it 
was  nearly  all  head, — at  the  junction  of  the  jaws,  for  it  was 
mostly  jaw  ; — and  then  began  a  chase  which,  for  vigor  and 
speed  and  the  urgent  nature  of  the  interests  involved,  has 
rarely  been  equaled.  The  lower  jaw  of  the  pig  dropped 
square  down,  but  otherwise  it  held  its  forces  well  together ; 
and  with  a  continuous  squeal  issuing  from  its  throat,  it  started 
through  the  bushes  at  a  high  rate  of  speed,  followed  by  the 
comrades  in  hard  pursuit.  An  epic  poem  might  be  written 
on  the  chase,  if  a  bard  could  be  found  worthy  of  the  theme. 
It  might  be  entitled,  "  Hunger  in  Pursuit  of  Famine's  Master- 
piece." 

"  Long  time  in  even  scale  the  contest  hung  ; " 


256  HISTORY  or  THE  96fra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

but  at  last  one  of  the  pursuers  seized  a  large  iron  bolt  which 
had  fortunately  been  dropped  by  some  passing  wagon,  and 
threw  it  with  such  strength  and  skill  that  the  porcine  prize 
soon  lay  at  their  feet. 

Panting  and  triumphant,  they  bore  it  to  the  picket  post ; 
skinned  it,  roasted  it  bit  by  bit  at  their  fire,  and  ate  it  all  at 
one  meal.  But  then  they  were  very  hungry,  and  it  was  very 
lean.  If  the  proverb,  "The  nearer  the  bone  the  sweeter  the 
meat"  is  true,  that  was  the  sweetest  meat,  as  it  averaged,  ever 
eaten  by  man. 

But  soon  after  this  gastronomic  episode  reached  such  a 
happy  termination,  our  direct  line  of  communication  was 
opened  up,  and  the  reign  of  hunger  came  to  a  close.  The 
way  in  which  this  was  done  deserves  special  mention,  not 
merely  because  the  NINETY-SIXTH  helped  to  bring  it  about, 
but  also  because  it  was  executed  with  a  skill  and  boldness 
which  took  the  enemy  by  surprise,  and  at  once  put  an  end  to 
the  fiction  that  Chattanooga  was  in  a  state  of  siege. 

Early  in  October  Gen.  Hooker,  from  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  arrived  in  Nashville,  bringing  with  him  the  Eleventh 
and  Twelfth  Corps.  He  did  not  at  once  march  to  our  relief, 
for,  having  come  the  entire  distance  by  rail,  he  had  no  wagon 
train  ;  but  he  effectually  protected  our  line  of  communication, 
from  Nashville  to  Bridgeport,  and  we  lived  in  daily  hope  that 
some  bold  movement  would  soon  enable  us  once  more  to 
assume  aggressive  operations. 

Following  Chickamauga  there  was  a  reorganization  of  the 
army  in  and  around  Chattanooga.  In  this  reorganization 
the  troops  of  the  old  Reserve  Corps  were  scattered  through 
the  various  commands.  Of  the  Brigades  which  had  fought  at 
Chickamauga,  Col.  Mitchell's  became  the  Second,  and  Col. 
McCook's  the  Third  Brigade  of  the  Second  Division  of  the 
Fourteenth  Corps.  Gen.  Whittaker's  Brigade,  to  which  the 
NINETY-SIXTH  was  still  attached,  became  the  Second  Brigade 
of  the  First  Division  of  the  Fourth  Corps.  Besides  the 
NINETY-SIXTH,  there  was  the  115th  Illinois,  40th  Ohio,  and 
84th  Indiana, —  these  Regiments  having  comprised  the  old 
Brigade, — and  the  51st  Ohio,  99th  Ohio,  35th  Indiana,  and 


'orp'l  ALEXANDER  R.  THAIN. 
erg't  ORSON  V.  YOUNG. 


GEORGE  E.  SMITH,  JR. 

Capt.  THEODORE  F.  CLARION. 

First  Lieut.  J.  H.  LINKLATER. 


RICHARD  8.  THAIN. 
ROBERT  J.  DOUGLAS. 


,,...... 


1863]  GENERAL  GRANT  ARRIVES.  257 

8th  Kentucky,  these  last  Regiments  having  been  formerly  the 
Third  Brigade  of  the  Third  Division  of  the  Twenty-first  Corps. 
All  of  these  Regiments  had  lost  heavily  at  Chickamauga,  and 
the  eight  had  for  duty  but  about  two  thousand  men.  The 
Twentieth  and  Twenty-first  Corps  were  for  the  time  being 
discontinued,  the  Fourth  and  Fourteenth  Corps  absorbing  all 
of  the  troops  that  had  been  actively  engaged  in  the  battle. 

October  18,  by  an  order  of  President  Lincoln,  the  Military 
Division  of  the  Mississippi  was  created,  and  Gen.  Grant  was 
placed  in  command.  Pending  the  arrival  of  Gen.  Grant, 
Gen.  Thomas  assumed  command  of  the  army  at  Chattanooga  ; 
and  Gen.  Rosecrans  withdrew  from  his  position  as  leader  so 
quietly,  that  for  some  days  it  was  not  generally  known  that  he 
had  been  relieved  from  command.  He  was  favorably  re- 
garded by  his  men  ;  but  the  smoke  of  Chickamauga  had 
clouded  his  reputation  as  a  commanding  General,  and,  justly 
or  unjustly,  he  went  to  the  rear. 

Gen.  Grant  arrived  at  Chattanooga  October  23,  and  with 
characteristic  promptitude  and  vigor  he  addressed  himself  to 
the  task  of  changing  the  military  situation.  But  with  justice 
to  others,  it  should  be  said  that  before  his  arrival  a  bold  and 
promising  measure  for  our  relief  was  nearly  ready  for  execu- 
tion. For  some  time  Gen.  Smith  had  been  building  pontoon 
boats,  with  a  view  of  establishing  a  bridge  at  Brown's  Ferry, 
a  few  miles  north  of  our  camp  at  Moccasin  Point,  thus  open- 
ing a  way  into  Lookout  Valley,  preparatory  to  the  advance 
of  Gen.  Hooker  on  the  direct  road  from  Bridgeport. 

On  the  morning  of  the  27th,  at  three  o'clock,  a  fleet  of 
pontoon  boats  left  Chattanooga,  loaded  with  a  force  of  1,300 
picked  men  under  command  of  Gen.  Hazen.  Their  intention 
was  to  float  down  the  river  under  cover  of  the  darkness,  glide 
past  the  enemy's  pickets  unseen,  capture  their  post  at  Brown's 
Ferry,  and  transform  the  fleet  of  boats  into  a  bridge  before 
the  enemy  could  rally  a  force  strong  enough  to  resist  the 
movement. 

The  distance  from  Chattanooga  to  Brown's  Ferry  by  the 
river  is  nine  miles,  but  across  the  neck  of  the  point  it  is  only 
four  miles.  For  some  distance  below  the  city  the  force  on 
17 


258  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

the  pontoons  had  nothing  to  fear,  for  both  banks  of  the  river 
lay  within  our  lines ;  but  where  the  river  turns  northward 
along  the  base  of  the  mountain,  they  knew  that  a  line  of 
Rebel  pickets  extended  along  the  left  bank  of  the  stream  for 
miles,  and  past  these  they  must  glide  unseen  and  unheard. 
Closely  hugging  the  right  bank  of  the  river,  and  under  the 
shelter  of  a  friendly  fog,  the  movement  was  executed  so  suc- 
cessfully that  the  first  boat  reached  the  appointed  place  at 
dawn,  captured  or  dispersed  the  Rebel  force  stationed  at  the 
Ferry,  and  by  ten  o'clock  the  bridge  was  stretched  from  bank 
to  bank. 

This  brilliant  movement  was  not  accomplished  without 
opposition.  Our  guns  on  Moccasin  Point  and  the  Rebel  guns 
on  Lookout  had  a  violent  quarrel  about  the  new  bridge.  The 
guns  on  Lookout  sent  their  protests  down  the  river  in  the 
shape  of  shells  ;  but  a  line  of  boats  miles  away,  and  rising 
only  a  foot  or  two  above  the  water,  is  hard  to  hit,  so  Lookout 
protested  in  vain. 

On  the  twenty-seventh  we  left  our  camp  and  passed  the 
night  near  the  eastern  end  of  the  bridge,  and  on  the  twenty- 
eighth  we  crossed  over  to  form  a  junction  with  Hooker's 
column,  which  was  advancing  toward  Lookout  Valley  from 
the  west.  The  enemy  resisted  Hooker's  advance  with  great 
vigor  at  first.  A  heavy  fire  from  Lookout  assailed  the  head 
of  the  column  as  it  pressed  into  the  valley  on  the  twenty- 
eighth,  and  at  one  o'clock  A.  M.  on  the  twenty-ninth  a  fierce 
assault  was  made  on  Geary's  Division  of  the  Twelfth  Corps, 
at  Wauhatchie.  This  desperate  night  attack  seemed  to  call 
for  our  presence  on  the  scene  of  action,  and  at  sunrise  we 
began  to  advance  toward  the  western  base  of  Lookout ;  but 
it  soon  became  evident  that  "  Fighting  Jo, "  as  Hooker  was 
popularly  termed,  would  be  able  to  take  care  of  himself,  and 
our  reinforcing  column  sought  shelter  behind  a  range  of  hills 
from  the  annoying  artillery  fire  which  from  the  crest  of  Look- 
out had  disputed  our  advance. 

At  this  point  occurred  the  only  disaster  of  the  day  in  our 
entire  command.  A  shell  exploded  near  a  tree  behind  which 
a  number  of  men  were  standing,  mortally  wounding  a  member 


1863]  OPENING  THE  CRACKER  LINE.  259 

of  the  101st  Illinois,  severely  wounding  George  Shaw,  of  Com- 
pany D,  NINETY-SIXTH  Illinois,  and  inflicting  slight  wounds 
on  Henry  J.  Ring,  Walter  Crapo,  and  D.  G.  Stewart,  of  the 
same  Company.  That  unlucky  shell  spoiled  George  Shaw's 
marching  step,  and  has  ornamented  him  with  an  honorable 
limp  ever  since. 

On  the  thirtieth  we  recrossed  the  river  and  returned  to  our 
camp  on  Moccasin  Point. 

This  dash  into  Lookout  Valley  will  be  remembered  by  our 
men,  personally,  as  being  remarkable  chiefly  for  two  things — 
corn  and  shells.  To  our  hungry  men  it  seemed  almost  like 
an  entrance  into  paradise  to  find  corn ;  not  poor,  occasional 
ears  such  as  we  had  lately  gleaned  after  long  search  or  at  the 
risk  of  our  lives,  but  large,  golden  ears,  stored  away  in  cribs. 
We  began  to  draw  rations  of  corn  with  a  celerity  which  soon 
emptied  the  cribs  and  filled  our  haversacks.  Corn  was  King 
all  along  the  line.  Ears  were  passed  from  hand  to  hand  as 
gifts  worthy  of  being  tests  of  true  comradeship.  Corn  was 
eaten  from  the  cob  with  apparent  satisfaction,  and  parched 
corn  was  regarded  as  a  luxury. 

But  with  an  over-generosity  which  we  did  not  at  the  time 
appreciate,  the  Rebel  artillerists  on  Lookout  offered  to  shell 
our  corn  ;  at  any  rate  they  shelled  us  with  great  vigor,  and 
much  to  our  discomfort.  A  fragment  of  a  shell  actually  made 
its  way  into  Henry  Ring's  haversack,  in  search  of  corn, — a 
kindness  which  called  forth  anything  but  thanks  from  the 
Antioch  soldier. 

But  this  movement,  crowned  with  such  entire  success, 
brought  speedy  relief  to  our  entire  army.  With  the  exception 
of  a  short  detour  to  avoid  the  guns  on  Lookout  our  direct 
line  to  Bridgeport  was  once  more  open  ;  and  abundant  supplies 
came  to  us  by  wagon  train,  and  up  the  river  by  steamboat, 
demonstrating  the  fact  that  Bragg's  attempt  to  reduce  Chatta- 
nooga by  siege  was  a  failure.  But  the  reign  of  plenty  did 
not  come  to  us  on  Moccasin  Point.  On  October  31st,  at  an 
early  hour,  we  bade  good  by  to  that  memorable  camp,  and 
moved  in  the  direction  of  Bridgeport.  We  did  not,  as  was 
usual  when  starting  on  a  march,  draw  three  days'  rations,  but 


260  HISTOKY  OF  THE  96xH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

each  man  received  three  small  squares  of  hardtack.  The 
' '  cracker  line  "  was  open,  but  very  little  had  come  over  it  as 
yet.  But  we  began  the  march  with  hearts  as  light  as  our 
haversacks  ;  for  he  is  a  poor  soldier  who  cannot  provide  for 
the  partial  supply  of  his  wants  when  on  the  march,  and  hunger 
had  taught  us  that  there  is  much  virtue  in  an  ear  of  corn. 
Corn  continued  to  be  King  until  we  arrived  at  Shell  Mound,  on 
the  afternoon  of  the  second  day,  but  there  he  was  ignomini- 
ously  dethroned,  for  again  we  drew  full  rations  for  the  first 
time  in  many  a  day. 

The  principal  natural  curiosities  at  Shell  Mound  are  a  large 
mound  of  shells  on  the  bank  of  the  Tennessee,  and  Kickajack 
Cave,  which  furnished  nitre  for  a  powder  factory  until  the 
advance  of  our  army  put  a  stop  to  operations.  This  cave  has 
a  splendid  entrance  hall,  some  three  hundred  feet  wide,  four 
or  five  hundred  feet  long,  and  thirty  or  forty  feet  high.. 
Beyond  this  noble  hall  the  cave  turns  to  the  left,  becomes 
narrower,  and  extends  into  the  mountain  for  a  great  distance. 

According  to  an  Indian  tradition,  one  of  their  braves  made 
a  wager  that  he  would  ride  through  the  cave  on  his  pony,  and 
find  an  exit  at  a  distant  point.  He  entered  the  cave  full  of 
bravery  and  bad  whisky,  and  after  a  considerable  length  of 
time  he  and  his  pony  came  out  on  the  other  side  of  Raccoon 
Mountain,  sixteen  miles  away.  It  may  be ;  but  that  pony 
must  have  been  web  footed,  for  a  stream  runs  through  the 
cave,  and,  in  exploring  it,  much  of  the  distance  has  to  be 
made  by  water. 

To  the  left  of  this  cave  Nickajack  Cove  cleaves  its  way 
into  the  mountains  in  a  southerly  direction.  It  is  of  consid- 
erable width  at  its  entrance,  but  narrows  as  it  advances,  and 
ends  abruptly  against  the  side  of  a  mountain  about  three  miles 
from  the  entrance. 

About  half  way  up  this  sheltering  cove,  on  an  easy  slope 
of  the  left  hand  mountain,  we  went  into  winter  quarters,  with 
wood  and  water  right  at  our  doors.  Only  the  NINETY-SIXTH 
and  the  40th  Ohio  occupied  this  cove,  the  other  Regiments  of 
the  Brigade  being  camped  near  Shell  Mound.  For  a  week  or 
more  after  the  camp  was  laid  out,  an  epidemic  of  architecture 


1863]  AN  EPIDEMIC  OF  ARCHITECTURE.  261 

raged  in  the  cove,  with  most  astonishing  results.  If  the  four 
winds  of  the  earth  had  brought  strange  structures  from  all  quar- 
ters and  had  set  them  down  on  the  hill  side,  there  might  have 
been  greater  variety  in  materials,  but  hardly  greater  variety  in 
styles.  No  particular  order  of  architecture  was  followed,  for 
the  reason  that  each  man  was  an  original  architect  and  did 
not  wish  to  cramp  his  individual  genius  by  conforming 
slavishly  to  conventional  styles.  So  each  man  did  what  was 
well  pleasing  in  his  own  eyes  ;  and  the  result  was  a  picturesque 
combination  of  all  known  orders  of  architecture,  with  a  strong 
dash  of  dis-order. 

A  description  of  one  Company  D  mansion  will  give  a 
faint  idea  of  one  structure,  which  was  like  nothing  else  on  the 
whole  mountain  side,  and  the  same  might  be  said  of  every 
other  structure  in  the  camp. 

It  was  about  twelve  feet  square,  built  of  three-inch  planks 
split  from  the  heart  of  straight-grained  trees,  notched  together 
at  the  corners,  with  one  opening  for  a  door  and  another  for  a 
window.  The  roof  had  a  single  slope  from  front  to  back,  and 
was  covered  with  "shakes."  At  one  end  was  a  large  fire- 
place and  chimney,  built  of  mud  and  stones  at  the  bottom, 
and  mud  and  sticks  at  the  top.  A  description  of  the  interior 
might  demoralize  the  dictionary,  and  so  will  not  be  attempted  ; 
but  at  night,  when  a  large  fire  burned  in  the  fireplace,  and  the 
boys  sat  around  it  on  bunks  and  benches,  that  cabin  contained 
a  vast  amount  of  comfort. 


262  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  .Y.  I. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


BY   A.    R.    THAIN,    OF   COMPANY   D. 


The  March  to  Lookout  Mountain — Before  the  Battle — The  Colonel's 
Speech — Nature  of  the  Battle  Field — The  Forces  Engaged  in  the 
Battle — Crossing  Lookout  Creek — Climbing  the  Mountain — Rough 
Nature  of  the  Ground— Our  Advance — Skirmishing — Artillery  Fire — 
The  Charge— The  Rebels  Fall  Back— The  Battle  in  the  Clouds— A 
Modern  Sinai — Doubling  Point  Lookout — Cheers  of  Victory — Steep  ^ 
Charge  over  the  "Nose" — Writing  on  the  Wall — Last  Stand  of  the 
Enemy — Was  it  a  Battle  ? — Facts  Say  Yes — Rebel  Loss — Our  Loss — 
Our  Captures— The  Bivouac  on  Lookout — Planting  the  Flag  on  Point 
Lookout — Cheering  the  Flag — The  NINETY-SIXTH  on  the  Summit — 
Description  of  the  Scenery — Battle  of  Missionary  Ridge — Return  to 
Nickajack  Cove — The  Winter. 

BUT  it  was  decreed  by  the  military  powers  that  we  should 
not  settle  down  to  the  full  enjoyment  of  our  shanty  city  until 
we  had  taken  part  in  stirring  scenes  at  the  front.  On  Novem- 
ber 19  we  drew  six  days'  rations,  and  were  ordered  to  hold 
ourselves  in  readiness  to  march.  Sherman's  troops  were 
passing  by  the  Cove  on  the  way  to  Chattanooga,  and  every- 
thing indicated  that  Gen.  Grant  was  preparing  for  an  aggres- 
sive movement  on  a  grand  scale. 

The  column  that  tiled  out  from  our  camp  was  not  a  long 
one,  for  notwithstanding  the  return  of  a  number  of  those 
slightly  wounded,  the  hardships  had  been  such  as  to  break 
down  many  men,  and  there  were  less  than  two  hundred  and 
fifty  for  duty.  Colonel  Champion  was  in  command.  There 
had  been  several  changes  among  the  officers  since  Chicka- 
mauga.  The  vacancy  caused  by  the  death  of  the  lamented 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Clarke  had  been  filled  by  the  promotion 
of  Major  J.  C.  Smith,  but  the  latter  was  still  on  staff  duty. 
Captain  George  Hicks,  of  Company  A,  had  been  promoted 
to  Major  and  was  with  the  command.  First  Lieutenant 
William  Yincent,  who  was  still  absent  nursing  wounds,  had 


1863]  THE  MARCH  TO  LOOKOUT.  263 

been  promoted  to  Captain,  and  Second  Lieutenant  Pool  to 
First  Lieutenant.  Second  Lieutenant  William  Dawson  had 
been  commissioned  First  Lieutenant  in  Company  F,  to  succeed 
Lieutenant  Simms,  who  had  died  from  his  wounds.  A  com- 
mission as  First  Lieutenant  had  also  been  issued  to  Second 
Lieutenant  Charles  H.  Yates,  of  Company  H,  the  intention 
being  that  he  should  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  the  death  of 
Lieutenant  Barnes,  but  as  Yates  was  a  prisoner  of  war  he 
could  not  be  reached,  and  the  commission  was  subsequently 
recalled.  In  Company  I  Captain  John  Barker  had  resigned, 
and  Lieutenants  Tarpley  and  Moore  had  each  received  pro- 
motion. No  Second  Lieutenants  were  commissioned  at  this 
time,  as  the  Companies  were  all  below  the  minimum  number. 
As  the  column  started  out  for  a  renewal  of  the  campaign  there 
was  but  one  Captain  along  the  line — Captain  Taylor,  of 
Company  E — and  but  a  dozen  line  officers  in  all. 

We  marched  from  the  Cove  on  the  twenty-third,  leaving 
everything  standing,,  with  the  expectation  of  returning  to 
pass  the  winter  there.  We  arrived  at  Wauhatchie  late  in  the 
evening,  and  bivouacked  for  the  night. 

The  morning  of  the  twenty-fourth  was  misty  and  disagree- 
able. The  elements  seemed  to  frown  on  us  as  we  lay  in  the 
valley,  but  the  elemental  frown  which  lay  between  us  and  the 
summit  of  Lookout  in  reality  turned  a  friendly  side  to  us  and 
a  frowning  side  to  the  enemy.  That  foul  day  was  the  fairest 
day  of  all  the  year  for  the  execution  of  the  purpose  which  our 
leaders  had  in  view. 

The  mist  which  had  clung  closely  to  the  contour  of  the 
valley  had  lifted  somewhat  when  we  fell  into  line  after  a  hasty 
breakfast.  While  we  stood  in  regimental  line  facing  the 
mountain,  Colonel  Champion  took  station  on  our  front,  seated 
on  horseback,  as  if  for  a  parade.  Each  man  seemed  to  divine 
that  something  unusually  serious  was  before  us,  and  silence 
fell  along  the  line.  From  the  back  of  his  horse  the  Colonel 
made  a  speech,  the  shortest,  perhaps,  that  he  ever  made  on  a 
public  occasion,  but  it  is  doubtful  if  he  ever  made  one  which 
produced  a  deeper  impression.  He  said:  "Boys,  I  have  a 
few  words  to  say  to  you.  Before  night  I  expect  we  will  have 


264  HlSTOKY  OF  THE  96TH  EEGIMENT,  ILL.   V.   I. 

to  climb  the  side  of  yonder  mountain.  You  all  know  that  at 
Chickamauga  the  NINETY-SIXTH  covered  itself  with  glory,  and 
I  hope  that  to-day  we  shall  do  nothing  that  will  lessen  the  fair 
fame  of  the  Regiment.  I  expect  every  man  to  do  his  duty  ; 
I  shall  try  and  do  mine."  That  speech  gave  us  the  first  inti- 
mation of  the  arduous  task  which  lay  before  us.  For  a  few 
moments  not  a  word  was  spoken,  but  we  thought  volumes. 
All  eyes  were  lifted  toward  Lookout,  and  the  rugged  giant 
seemed  to  be  answering  the  Colonel's  speech.  Standing  on 
his  bema  of  rock,  with  his  cloudy  toga  wrapped  about  him, 
he  seemed  to  say  to  his  audience  of  five  States  and  to  the  two 
armies  at  his  feet,  that  human  valor  could  not  avail  against 
his  natural  strength. 

We  knew  something  about  the  difficulties  of  the  proposed 
battle  ground.  From  our  former  camp  on  Moccasin  Point  we 
had  become  familiar  with  the  rocky  outlines  of  the  mountain, 
and  knew  something  as  to  the  position  and  strength  of  the 
Rebel  works  ;  and  that  morning,  through  occasional  breaks  in 
the  clouds,  we  caught  glimpses  of  Point  Lookout,  with  its 
crowning  battery ;  we  could  see  the  sheer  descent  of  the 
palisades,  declaring,  with  cold,  stony  logic,  that  the  crest  of 
the  mountain  could  not  be  carried  by  direct  assault,  and  lower 
down  we  knew  that  there  were  steep  ravines,  rock-strewn 
slopes,  terrible  tangles  of  felled  timber,  and  strong  lines  of 
works  filled  with  watchful  foes.  We  were  willing  to  face 
men,  but  were  we  not  asked  to  do  that  and  to  fight  with  the 
elemental  forces  of  nature  at  the  same  time  ?  Yery  little  time 
was  left  us,  however,  to  debate  the  chances  of  success  or 
failure.  The  time  for  action  had  come,  and  at  once  we  set 
out  to  make,  if  possible,  a  secret  side  entrance  on  the  lofty 
stage  of  that  splendid  theatre  of  war. 

The  troops  commanded  by  Gen.  Hooker  in  the  battle  of 
Lookout  Mountain  were,  Gen.  Geary's  Division  of  the  Twelfth 
Corps,  Gen.  Osterhaus'  Division  of  the  Fifteenth  Corps,  and 
Gens.  Whittaker's  and  Grose's  Brigades  of  the  Fourth  Corps. 
The  Reserve  Corps,  to  which  we  had  belonged  until  within  a 
few  weeks  of  this  time,  had  been  incorporated  into  various 
commands,  and  we  now  belonged  to  the  Second  Brigade,  First 


1863]  CLIMBING  THE  MOUNTAIN.  265 

Division,  Fourth  Army  Corps,  our  Corps  commander  being 
Gen.  Granger,  with  Gen.  Charles  Cruft  as  Division  com- 
mander for  the  time  being,  and  Gen.  Whittaker  as  Brigade 
commander. 

The  general  plan  of  the  battle  was  that  while  Gen.  Hooker 
was  making  a  direct  attack  on  the  mountain  in  the  face  of  the 
Rebel  works,  a  flanking  force  under  cover  of  this  attack  and 
concealed  by  the  fog,  should  cross  Lookout  Creek,  scale  the 
side  of  the  mountain,  advance  in  line-of -battle  along  the  side 
of  the  mountain,  with  their  right  resting  on  the  palisades,  and 
strike  the  enemy  on  the  flank  and  rear. 

Gen.  Geary's  Division  and  our  Brigade  formed  this  flank- 
ing force  ;  Gen.  Grose's  Brigade  of  our  Division  being  left 
in  the  valley  to  seize  the  road  bridge  just  below  the  railroad 
crossing,  repair  the  bridge,  cross  over  and  form  a  junction 
with  our  line  when  we  should  have  advanced  that  far. 

From  Wauhatchie  we  marched  up  Lookout  Valley  under 
cover  of  the  fog,  and  before  crossing  Lookout  Creek  to  make 
the  direct  ascent  of  the  mountain  we  laid  aside  our  knapsacks 
and  all  the  dead  weight  that  we  could  possibly  spare.  In  our 
coming  struggle  with  altitude  and  gravitation  we  must  carry 
no  needless  burdens.  The  man,  his  musket,  and  something 
to  put  in  it,  was  about  all  that  such  ground  permitted.  Even 
the  horses  of  the  field  and  staff  were  left  behind.  Lookout 
Creek  was  so  high  from  recent  rains  that  it  was  not  easily 
crossed.  Our  Regiment  clambered  across  on  an  old  dam 
which  was  in  part  overflowed,  reaching  the  right  bank  at  about 
8  A.  M.  The  direct  ascent  of  the  slope  was  effected  with  no 
opposition  save  that  offered  by  the  difficulty  of  the  ground. 
When  the  right  of  our  column  neared  the  palisades  we  formed 
in  line-of-battle,  our  right  resting  near  the  perpendicular 
rocks  which  rose  grimly  above  us,  our  line  stretching  far  down 
the  slope  toward  the  creek,  and  then  we  advanced  toward  the 
Rebel  works,  sweeping  the  entire  side  of  the  mountain.  Much 
of  the  ground  over  which  we  advanced  was  rough  beyond 
conception.  It  was  covered  with  an  untouched  forest  growth, 
seamed  with  deep  ravines,  and  obstructed  with  rocks  of  all 
sizes  which  had  fallen  from  the  frowning  wall  on  our  right. 


266  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  1. 

The  ground  passed  over  by  our  left  was  not  quite  so  rough  ;; 
but,  taking  the  entire  stretch  of  mountain  side  traversed  by 
our  force  in  driving  the  enemy  around  Point  Lookout,  it  was 
undoubtedly  the  roughest  battle  field  of  the  war. 

At  first  our  Regiment  was  in  the  second  line,  but  soon 
we  were  ordered  to  take  the  right  of  the  first  line,  as  close 
under  the  palisades  as  possible,  which  position  we  retained 
during  the  day.  This  necessarily  required  us  to  face  the 
steepest  and  roughest  ground  along  the  whole  line,  and 
brought  us  nearest  the  sharpshooters,  who  were  posted  along 
the  crest  of  the  ridge;  but  that  which  seemed  to  threaten 
our  destruction  was,  in  fact,  our  safety,  for  the  guns  of  the 
upper  battery  could  not  touch  us,  even  when  their  depressed 
muzzles  almost  kissed  the  rocks ;  and  though  the  steep,  raking 
shots  of  the  sharpshooters,  fired  from  the  edge  of  the  cliff, 
had  a  very  wicked  sound  as  they  went  whizzing  down  the 
regimental  line,  most  of  them  were  too  high  to  do  any  injury. 

But  our  advance  at  first  was  unopposed  and  seemingly 
unnoticed.  The  attention  of  the  enemy  was  centered  on 
Osterhaus,  who  was  engaged  in  forcing  a  crossing  directly 
on  his  front.  The  silence  was  almost  painful  for  a  time. 
Every  moment  we  expected  to  hear  it  broken  by  sharp  shots 
from  the  rocks  overhead,  or  by  a  rattling  volley  from  behind 
the  innumerable  boulders  in  front  of  our  advancing  line.  But 
nothing  was  heard  save  the  tramping  of  many  feet,  and  the 
hard  breathing  of  men  unused  to  mountain  climbing. 

But  soon  heavy  skirmishing  began  on  our  left  toward  the 
base  of  the  mountain.  Grose  was  forcing  his  way  across 
Lookout  Creek  and  preparing  to  bring  his  right  into  alignment 
with  Geary's  left,  and  farther  down  the  creek  Wood  was  rang- 
ing his  battle  front,  with  the  intention  of  climbing  into  the 
clouds  over  the  rebel  works. 

At  11  A.  M.  our  left  connected  with  Osterhaus'  right,  and 
the  line-of-battle  was  complete  from  the  palisades  to  the- 
mountain's  base,  thence  curving  away  toward  the  northern  end. 
of  Lookout ;  a  sickle  of  Mars,  whose  blue  blade  and  fire-tipped 
edge  was  that  day  to  sweep  around  its  point  as  a  pivot,  and. 
reap  a  glorious  harvest. 


1863]  SWEEPING  ABOUND  LOOKOUT.  2CT 

The  upper  slopes  and  northern  end  of  the  mountain  were 
now  assailed  by  a  fierce  artillery  fire  from  batteries  in  Look- 
out Valley  and  on  Moccasin  Point.  A  number  of  command- 
ing hills  in  the  valley  took  a  strong  interest  in  the  topography 
of  Lookout,  and  began  to  drop  shells  in  advance  of  our  line 
in  places  where  they  were  likely  to  do  the  most  good — for  us — 
and  over  the  shoulder  of  the  mountain  we  could  hear  Bran- 
nan's  guns  on  Moccasin  Point,  defying  their  old  antagonist 
with  a  fury  which  boded  ill  for  all  who  lay  within  the  range 
of  that  upsoaring  tempest  of  iron. 

And  the  batteries  of  the  enemy  were  prodigal  of  powder, 
now  that  the  hour  of  conflict  had  come.  The  guns  on  the  side 
of  the  mountain  swept  the  slope,  along  and  up  which  our 
troops  were  making  their  toilsome  advance,  and  the  high- 
perched  battery  on  the  crest  of  the  mountain  threw  iron  gages 
at  the  feet  of  its  circle  of  antagonists  in  both  valleys,  chal- 
lenges which  were  promptly  accepted  and  gallantly  answered, 
1  The  auricular  effect  of  this  artillery  fire  on  us,  who  were 
close  under  the  palisades,  was  grand  and  startling  beyond 
description.  The  rocky  sounding  board  rising  on  our  right 
tossed  back  the  reports  of  our  own  guns,  and  multiplied  them 
into  a  continuous  roar,  and  when  the  guns  above  our  heads- 
made  answer  it  seemed  as  though  the  entire  vault  of  the  sky 
had  exploded  with  each  report.  A  little  later  in  the  day,  when 
this  battery  was  thundering  out  of  the  clouds  which  densel}- 
shrouded  the  crest  of  the  mountain,  it  would  have  required 
but  little  stretch  of  the  imagination  to  have  supposed  that 
"cloud-compelling  Jove"  had  appeared  as  champion  of  the 
Confederacy,  and,  from  a  new  Olympus,  was  hurling  thunder- 
bolts of  modern  make  with  more  than  his  old-time  vigor. 
But  alas  for  the  cause  which  no  champion  could  save  !  for  the 
blue-coated  Titans  needed  no  Ossa  on  Pelion  to  aid  them  ia 
their  upward  climb,  and  in  a  few  hours  they  would  pluck  the 
thunderbolts  from  the  cloud.  This  artillery  fire  quickened 
our  advance  along  the  side  of  the  mountain,  and  opposition 
was  soon  developed  on  our  immediate  front.  It  was  a  skir- 
mish fire  at  first,  but  it  became  more  and  more  spirited  as  we 
advanced.  A  Rebel  soldier  came  running  toward  us  with 


268  HISTORY  OF  THE  96rra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

uplifted  hands,  in  token  of  surrender,  and  taking  this  as  an 
earnest  of  victory,  our  men  clambered  over  the  rocks  with 
cheers,  driving  the  advance  line  of  the  enemy  before  them. 
Soon  we  came  in  sight  of  their  works,  but  to  our  joy  we  saw 
that  they  had  been  constructed  to  resist  a  direct  attack  from 
below,  and  that  from  our  position  we  could  rake  them  with  an 
•enfilading  fire,  or  even  pass  around  their  refused  flank  and 
attack  them  in  rear. 

No  doubt  our  leaders  ordered  a  charge,  but  with  such 
advantages  in  plain  sight,  to  charge  and  capture  the  works 
hardly  called  for  a  formal  command.  Soldierly  instinct  was 
enough ;  or,  if  anything  more  had  been  necessary,  the  yet 
fresh  memories  of  that  bloody  field,  lying  eight  or  nine  miles 
on  the  other  side  of  Lookout,  would  have  made  us  irresistible 
had  the  opposition  been  twice  as  great. 

Col.  "W.  F.  Dowd,  of  the  24th  Mississippi,  who  commanded 
this  part  of  the  Rebel  line,  says,  in  a  description  of  the  battle 
published  in  the  Southern  Bivouac,  that  his  orders  were  "to 
hold  his  post  till  hell  froze  over ; "  and,  thinking  at  this  junc- 
ture that  the  ice  was  about  five  feet  thick,  he  ordered  his  men 
to  fall  back. 

But  the  gallant  Colonel  does  not  seem  to  have  been  well 
informed  as  to  the  temperature  of  the  infernal  regions  at  that 
particular  time,  for  the  resistance  which  he  opposed  to  our 
advance  was  such  as  a  thin  skin  of  ice  would  oppose  to  a 
Cunarder  when  under  full  headway.  Our  charge  on  the 
entrenchments  was  like  the  rush  of  an  avalanche.  The  enemy 
forsook  their  works  and  retreated  along  the  side  of  the  moun- 
tain toward  the  Craven  House,  leaving  many  prisoners  in  our 
hands. 

No  regular  line-of-battle  confronted  us  after  this  until  we 
reached  the  eastern  side  of  the  mountain  ;  but  the  broken 
Rebel  line  maintained  an  active  skirmish  fire,  and  the  rough 
nature  of  the  ground  afforded  them  such  ample  cover,  and  at 
the  same  time  made  our  advance  so  difficult  a  task,  that  our 
progress,  though  steady,  was  not  rapid. 

The  cloud,  which  had  not  been  very  dense  when  we  charged 
on  the  enemy's  works,  now  settled  very  densely  along  the  side 


1863]  THE  BATTLE  IN  THE  CLOUDS. 

of  the  mountain,  and  was  at  once  a  source  of  perplexity  and 
a  great  protection.  Wrapped  in  a  seamless  mantle  of  vaporr 
we  became  confused  as  to  locality,  direction  and  distance. 
Some  of  our  men  became  entangled  in  the  felled  timber,' 
which,  at  this  point,  obstructed  the  slope,  and  were  separated 
from  their  command.  But  the  cloud  effectually  concealed  us 
from  our  unassailable  foes  on  the  upper  part  of  the  mountain, 
who  could  have  inflicted  severe  loss  on  us  had  the  day  been 
clear. 

This  battle  has  been  poetically  termed  "The  Battle  above 
the  Clouds,"  but  literally  it  was  a  battle  in  the  clouds.  It 
seemed  like  a  war  waged  by  the  elements  rather  than  a  battle 
fought  by  men.  The  viewless  artillery  of  the  skies  seemed  to 
bellow  above  our  heads  and  beneath  our  feet,  and  the  bursting 
shells  were  dread  thunderbolts.  To  some  minds  it  seemed 
like  cloud  and  fire  capped  Sinai,  when  God  came  down  on  it& 
dread  top  to  give  the  law.  From  the  veiled  summit  burst 
thunderings  and  lightnings,  and  the  mountain  quaked  a& 
though  the  feet  of  Jehovah  were  treading  its  high  places ;  and, 
as  of  old,  a  vast  concourse  of  spectators  in  the  valley  below 
were  anxiously  waiting  to  see  what  results  would  come  forth 
from  the  clouds.  And  did  not  God,  by  the  results  of  that 
day  and  the  day  following,  say  to  the  States  which  lie  around 
that  commanding  summit,  ' '  Let  the  oppressed  go  free  ? "  The 
original  Emancipation  Proclamation  was  written  by  the  God 
of  Battles  with  fire  and  steel,  and  President  Lincoln  some- 
what tardily  copied  it  with  pen  and  ink. 

At  12  o'clock  our  line  was  swinging  around  Point  Lookout, 
the  right  of  our  Regiment  being  the  pivot,  and  the  left  of  the 
line  sweeping  around  toward  Chattanooga.  Is  it  too  much  to 
say  that  the  clock  of  history  struck  high  noon  when  that  mighty 
index  finger  pointed  due  north  on  that  rocky  dial  face?  Cer- 
tainly the  afternoon  of  the  Southern  Confederacy  began  to 
decline  from  that  hour. 

The  cloud  now  began  to  lift,  and  spectators  in  Chattanooga 
Valley  could  dimly  see  our  advancing  line.  They  needed  no 
courier  from  the  mountain  side  to  tell  them  that  those  advanc- 
ing flags  meant  victory  ;  and  as  we  had  little  breath  for  cheer- 


270  HISTOKY  OF  THE  96'rH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

ing,  they  cheered  for  us  with  all  their  might.  The  Brigade 
Bands  in  the  valley  began  to  play,  and  we  wrote  the  score 
which  inspired  them. 

Before  2  P.  M.  we  had  reached  the  eastern  side  of  the 
mountain,  and  were  driving  the  enemy  toward  the  Summer- 
town  Road.  Members  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  will  never  forget 
the  headlong  charge  over  the  "nose  "  of  Lookout  to  the  relief 
of  the  40th  Ohio,  when  in  the  eagerness  of  their  advance  they 
were  actually  in  the  rear  of  part  of  the  Rebel  line,  and  were 
in  danger  of  being  crushed  by  superior  numbers.  The  descent 
between  us  and  the  enemy  was  almost  as  steep  as  a  Gothic 
roof,  and  down  this  declivity  we  slipped  and  rolled — rather 
than  charged — on  the  astonished  foe.  Bullets  and  shells  they 
had  expected,  and  had  become  somewhat  accustomed  to,  but 
when  we  threw  a  whole  Regiment  of  men  at  them  they 
promptly  retired.  This  movement  on  our  part  was  a  most 
timely  and  telling  one,  for  the  position  of  the  40th  was  peril- 
ous. Colonel  Champion  grasped  the  situation  in  an  instant, 
and,  with  the  instinct  of  the  true  soldier,  gave  orders  for  a 
left  wheel.  The  Regiment  executed  his  orders  unhesitatingly, 
and,  gaining  a  position  along  a  rude  fence,  poured  a  destruc- 
tive fire  into  the  ranks  of  the  startled  enemy.  Instantly  the 
40th  saw  the  movement,  and  not  only  ceased  to  retreat,  but 
instantly  rushed  forward  across  the  opening  and  charged 
the  foe,  capturing  a  section  of  artillery  and  a  large  number  of 
prisoners.  As  soon  as  their  relief  was  assured  the  NINETY- 
SIXTH  swung  to  its  former  position,  still  occupying  the  extreme 
right  of  the  army  and  again  advancing. 

Our  lines  were  now  plainly  visible  to  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland  in  Chattanooga  Valley,  and  as  they  saw  the  flash 
of  guns  and  the  gleaming  of  steel  brought  out  distinctly  by 
the  dark  background  of  rock  above  us,  it  required  no  Daniel 
to  interpret  the  meaning  of  that  stern  writing  on  the  wall. 
It  said  of  Bragg,  whose  headquarters  lay  directly  over  against 
us  on  the  crest  of  Missionary  Ridge,  "Thou  art  weighed  in 
the  balances  and  found  wanting."  One  libration  of  the  scales 
the  day  before  had  shown  his  weakness  before  Chattanooga  ; 
and  now  Lookout,  which  was  expected  to  weigh  heavily 


1863]  THE  MOUNTAIN  EVACUATED.  271 

against  us  in  the  hour  of  conflict,  was  being  lifted  lightly  in 
air  by  the  ascending  beam  of  another  victory,  its  vast  bulk 
and  great  natural  strength  being  outweighed  by  the  courage 
and  audacity  of  our  attack ;  and  on  the  morrow — the  sharp 
crest  of  Missionary  Ridge  being  the  pivot  of  the  beam — the 
broken  fragments  of  Bragg's  army — "weighed  and  found 
-wanting  " — would  be  tumbled  out  of  war's  dread  scale  in  the 
•confusion  of  utter  defeat. 

There  was  no  severe  fighting  on  the  mountain  after  2  P.  M. 
'The  Rebel  line,  reinforced  by  Gen.  Jackson's  Division  from 
the  upper  part  of  the  mountain,  occupied  a  very  strong  posi- 
tion some  distance  south  of  the  Craven  House,  and  there  they 
made  a  determined  stand  to  retain  possession  of  the  Summer- 
town  Road,  the  only  road  by  means  of  which  they  could 
speedily  withdraw  their  forces  and  artillery  from  the  moun- 
tain. By  this  time  our  ammunition  was  almost  expended, 
and  exhausted  as  we  were  by  our  hard  climb  up  and  around 
the  mountain,  we  were  in  no  condition  to  drive  the  enemy 
from  their  last  position  by  dint  of  bravery  and  bayonets. 
Later  in  the  day  reinforcements  came  to  us  from  the  Chatta- 
nooga side  of  Lookout,  bringing  such  supplies  of  ammunition 
&s  they  could  carry  on  their  persons,  but  the  battle  was  not 
renewed.  A  skirmish  fire  was  maintained  until  late  into  the 
night,  varied  by  a  considerable  demonstration  made  by  the 
enemy  between  nine  and  ten  to  cover  their  intended  retreat. 
They  withdrew  during  the  night  so  cautiously  and  silently  that 
the  mountain  was  in  our  possession  for  some  time  before  we 
became  aware  of  it. 

There  has  been  some  dispute  among  military  critics  as  to 
whether  that  rough-and-tumble  fight  over  the  shoulder  of 
Lookout  was  a  battle  or  not.  Some  say  that  though  it  was 
striking  in  spectacular  effect,  affording  abundant  materials  for 
the  use  of  the  artist  and  poet,  yet  from  a  military  stand-point 
it  hardly  deserves  to  be  called  a  battle.  But  if  these  adverse 
critics  had  viewed  the  battle  from  the  front  rank  of  the  force 
which  fought  it,  they  might  have  been  converted  to  the  con- 
trary opinion.  This  strange  misconception  arises  in  part  from 
the  smallness  of  our  loss -on  that  eventful  day,  and  in  part 


272  HISTORY  or  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

from  the  dwarfing  effect  of  the  grand  movement  which  rolled 
the  Rebel  lines  from  the  crest  of  Missionary  Ridge  on  the 
day  following.  But  the  smallness  of  our  loss  was  due  to 
favorable  natural  conditions,  and  Missionary  Ridge  has  glory 
enough  of  its  own  without  reaching  across  the  valley  to  rob 
Lookout  of  its  laurels. 

Had  the  day  been  clear  our  loss  would  have  been  very 
heavy.  So  great  were  the  natural  advantages  possessed  by 
the  enemy,  that,  could  they  have  overlooked  the  move- 
ments of  our  forces,  they  would  not  have  been  driven  from 
their  natural  fortress  except  by  an  engagement  which  would 
have  reddened  the  rocks  of  Lookout  with  the  blood  of  many 
brave  men.  A  captured  Colonel  declared  that  if  it  had  not 
been  for  the  cloud  their  sharpshooters  would  have  riddled  our 
advance  like  pigeons,  and  would  speedily  have  left  our  com- 
mand without  leaders.  The  men  who  took  part  in  that 
engagement  know  that  it  was  a  formidable  undertaking,  and 
let  no  one  attempt  to  take  their  glory  from  them.  It  is  true 
that  General  Fog  commanded  on  the  side  of  the  mountain, 
while  Gen.  Hooker  commanded  in  the  valley,  and  the  former 
covered  our  advance  so  effectually  with  his  cloudy  battalions 
that  our  loss  was  comparatively  slight ;  but  even  with  this 
advantage  in  our  favor  we  earned  our  battle  laurels  by  hard 
climbing  and  gallant  fighting.  The  glory  of  a  battle  should 
not  be  measured  by  its  mortality  list,  but  by  the  courage  of 
the  men  engaged  in  it,  and  by  the  measure  of  their  success. 

And  the  battle  was  by  no  means  a  bloodless  one  on  either 
side,  as  may  easily  be  gathered  from  the  loss  suffered  by  one 
Rebel  Regiment,  the  24th  Mississippi.  According  to  the 
report  of  their  Colonel  they  had  three  hundred  and  fifty-six 
men  and  officers  present  for  duty  in  the  morning,  of  whom 
one  hundred  and  ninety-nine  were  killed  or  wounded!  during 
the  day.  The  -iOth  Ohio,  of  our  Brigade,  suffered  a  consider- 
able loss,  both  in  killed  and  wounded,  including  Maj.  Acton, 
who  was  killed.  The  loss  in  our  Regiment  was  small,  because 
we  were  so  close  to  danger  that  much  harm  passed  harmlessly 
over  us. 

The  following  is  the 


:-.^*r\J- 

,«•.*.*•*  or- ^ 


1863]  THE  LOSSES.  273 

LIST  OF  CASUALTIES. 

KILLED. — Esau  Rich,  of  Company  B. 

WOUNDED. — Adjutant  E.  A.  Blodgett,  hand  ;  First  Lieutenant  Robert 
Pool,  Company  A,  head  ;  Sergeant  John  Vincent,  Company  A,  ball  en- 
tered just  below  right  eye  and  passed  out  back  of  left  ear,  but  he  recov- 
ered ;  Harry  Menzemer,  Company  A,  slightly ;  Nicholas  Wearmouth, 
Company  A,  left  side  ;  Harlow  D.  Ragan,  Company  A,  hand  ;  Second 
Lieutenant  George  H.  Burnett,  Company  B,  scalp  wound ;  James  Lit- 
wiler,  Company  B,  face  ;  W.  V.  Trout,  Company  B,  foot  and  leg ;  Cor- 
poral Henry  A.  Webb,  Company  D,  head  ;  R.  8.  Thain,  Company  D,  leg  ; 
Sergeant  R.  J.  Cooper,  Company  E,  hip ;  James  Junken,  Company  E, 
side ;  William  S.  Nash,  Company  F,  chin  and  left  shoulder  ;  Corporal 
John  W.  Swanbrough,  Company  G,  foot ;  Joseph  K.  Clark,  William 
Joyce  and  John  King,  all  of  Company  G,  were  each  wounded  in  the 
head  ;  First  Lieutenant  George  W.  Moore,  Company  I,  leg ;  Harrison 
Gage,  Company  I,  arm ;  Daniel  Malone,  Company  I,  leg ;  First  Lieu- 
tenant E.  E.  Townsend,  Company  K,  foot  ;  Corporal  Henry  W.  Goding, 
Company  K,  head ;  Thomas  Carleton,  Company  K,  leg ;  Oscar  W. 
Cowen,  Company  K,  body. 

Some  of  these  wounds  were  slight,  and  did  not  disable  the 
recipients.  A  few,  however,  proved  severe.  When  Sergeant 
Vincent  was  shot,  all  thought  that  his  wound  was  necessarily 
fatal,  and  supposed  they  would  never  see  him  again  ;  but  he 
was  so  full  of  courage  and  manly  strength  that  he  soon  recov- 
ered, and,  notwithstanding  the  loss  of  an  eye,  returned  to  the 
Regiment,  doing  gallant  service  and  carrying  the  colors  in 
several  engagements.  Corporal  Swanbrough's  wound  was 
received  while  carrying  the  colors.  He  had  been  the  only 
one  of  the  Color  Guard  to  escape  at  Chickamauga,  and  was 
now  among  the  first  hit.  His  wound  disabled  him  for  only  a 
few  weeks.  Lieutenants  Moore  and  Townsend  were  each  dis- 
abled for  a  time,  but  not  permanently.  Indeed,  not  one  of 
the  entire  list  of  wounded  was  absent  from  the  command  for 
more  than  a  few  months. 

Our  Brigade  captured  two  pieces  of  artillery  and  a  large 
number  of  prisoners  ;  and  when  we  reached  the  top  of  the 
mountain  the  next  day,  we  found  in  the  abandoned  camp  of 
the  enemy  a  great  variety  of  stores  and  supplies  which  they 
had  left  behind  in  their  precipitate  retreat. 
18 


274  HISTORY  or  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

That  night  bivouac  on  the  "nose "  of  Lookout  will  never 
be  forgotten  by  the  men  who  tried  to  court  sleep  amid  a  chaos 
of  rocks,  swept  by  a  keen  northwest  wind.  We  longed  for 
our  knapsacks,  but  they  were  miles  away  and  a  thousand 
feet  below  us  in  Lookout  Valley.  Camp  fires  seemed  indis- 
pensable, but  they  were  a  dangerous  luxury,  for  certain  sharp- 
shooters on  the  rocks  above  us,  like  the  "King  of  Shadows," 
loved  "  a  shining  mark,"  and  more  than  one  camp-fire  group, 
while  cooking  their  much-needed  supper,  were  disturbed  by 
officious  offers  of  the  enemy  to  settle  their  coffee  with  lead. 
But  shots  in  the  dark  are  uncertain ;  and,  in  spite  of  Rebel  pro- 
tests, we  speedily  promoted  old  Lookout,  putting  shining  stars 
on  his  shoulders  and  decorating  his  rugged  breast  with  a  slop- 
ing sash  of  camp  fires,  very  comforting  to  us,  and  a  blazon  of 
victory  to  our  comrades  in  the  valley. 

But  when  we  sought  sleep  that  night  we  were  made  to 
realize  that  rubber  blankets  form  a  poor  protection  against 
cold  ;  that  rocks  are  uncomfortable  pillows,  and  that  though 
a  slightly  sloping  bed  may  be  favorable  to  slumber,  yet  when 
it  rises  fifteen  or  twenty  degrees  above  the  horizontal  line, 
sleep  will  be  in  inverse  ratio  to  the  steepness  of  the  slope. 
But  so  great  had  been  the  fatigues  of  the  day  that  though  our 
pillows  were  no  softer  than  those  pressed  by  the  head  of  Jacob 
of  old,  and  our  bivouac  was  rougher  than  the  ancient  Bethel, 
yet  we  snatched  sleep  enough  for  a  soldier  from  the  jaws  of 
difficulty,  and  were  ready  in  the  morning  for  whatever  might 
lie  before  us. 

The  morning  of  the  25th  dawned  clear  and  beautiful. 
Boreas  had  wielded  his  windy  besom  so  diligently  during  the 
night  that  not  a  wisp  of  fog  or  cloud  clung  to  the  crest  of 
the  mountain,  nor  cobwebbed  a  corner  of  the  rocky  ravines. 
But  fog  had  served  us  so  well  the  day  before  that  we  were 
almost  in  love  with  it,  and  we  began  to  wish  that  the  vapory 
army  which  had  departed  during  the  night  might  return  again 
to  assist  us.  All  illusions  as  to  distance  and  danger  were  now 
dispelled.  From  where  we  lay  the  crest  of  the  mountain  was 
startlingly  near,  and  the  unassailable  strength  of  the  position 
was  only  too  evident.  Point  Lookout  and  the  palisades  on 


1863]  THE  FLAG  ON  THE  MOUNTAIN.  275 

either  side  frowned  above  us,  and  so  close  at  hand  that  to  all 
appearance  an  army  of  schoolboys  might  have  stoned  us  out 
of  our  position.  As  the  light  increased  we  watched  anxiously 
for  some  evidence  of  hostile  presence  on  the  rocks  above  us, 
but  as  we  saw  neither  nutter  of  flag  nor  flash  of  steel,  nor 
glimpse  of  moving  gray,  and  heard  not  so  much  as  the  snap- 
ping of  a  twig  on  that  summit  which  had  been  the  especial 
seat  of  battle  thunder  the  day  before,  we  began  to  suspect 
that  the  eagles  of  war  had  forsaken  their  eyrie,  and  that  by  a 
bold  climb  we  might  gain  the  deserted  nest. 

The  NINETY-SIXTH  might  properly  have  claimed  the  honor 
of  making  that  climb,  for  they  had  hugged  the  base  of  the 
precipice  during  the  battle.  But  time  and  the  elements,  sup- 
plemented by  the  tornado  of  shot  and  shell  at  Chickamauga, 
had  so  riddled  the  regimental  colors  that  they  could  hardly  be 
distinguished  from  the  flag  of  the  enemy ;  and  as  there  was 
at  hand  a  regiment  with  a  stand  of  colors  new  and  bright,  our 
Brigadier,  who  was  a  Kentuckian,  with  pardonable  partiality, 
gave  the  honor  to  his  native  State.  General  Whittaker  asked 
for  volunteers  from  the  8th  Kentucky  to  plant  the  Union  flag 
on  the  mountain  by  climbing  a  narrow  rocky  stairway  which 
leads  up  to  the  point  through  clefts  in  the  rocks.  Fifteen 
men  at  once  volunteered,  and  began  the  ascent.  Looking 
back  on  events  we  now  know  that  there  was  no  danger  in  the 
enterprise  ;  but  looking  up  at  the  little  band  of  brave  men  as 
they  reached  the  base  of  the  upright  rocks  that  morning  and 
began  to  climb  that  stony  stair,  we  feared  that  they  might  be 
devoting  themselves  to  captivity  or  death. 

But  our  suspense  was  short.  Our  eyes  were  soon  glad- 
dened by  seeing  our  flag  waving  from  Point  Lookout.  Never 
did  it  seem  so  grand  as  when  the  sun  kissed  its  silken  folds 
on  the  apex  of  that  ragged  cliff,  and  never  was  our  national 
banner  greeted  with  such  cheers  as  then  stormed  the  moun- 
tain from  all  sides  to  hail  our  victorious  flag.  All  the  breath 
which  we  had  spent  the  day  before  in  climbing  the  mountain 
seemed  to  come  back  to  us,  and  we  poured  it  out  in  cheer 
after  cheer,  which  surged  around  the  crest  of  Lookout,  and 
rolled  down  into  the  valley  in  cataracts  of  sound. 


276  HlSTOBY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.   I. 

But  the  men  who  had  fought  the  battle  had  many  comrades 
who  united  with  them  in  cheering  over  the  victory.  The 
multitudinous  shout  of  a  great  army  came  up  to  us  from  below. 
Fifty  thousand  throats  hailed  Lookout  under  his  proper  flag, 
and  the  mountain  monarch  seemed  proud  of  his  new  honors, 
and  nodded  to  all  the  hills  around  to  prolong  the  shout  and 
multiply  it  with  echoes.  The  shout  ran  up  the  Tennessee  to 
our  extreme  left,  and  told  Sherman,  who  was  then  preparing 
to  attack  the  northern  end  of  Missionary  Ridge,  that  another 
victory  had  been  gained. 

To  our  Regiment  and  the  8th  Kentucky  was  assigned  the 
honor  of  holding  the  mountain,  while  the  rest  of  our  Brigade 
went  with  Gen.  Hooker  toward  Rossville  Gap  to  assist  in 
storming  Missionary  Ridge.  In  a  short  time  we  were  com- 
fortably reposing  on  the  upper  part  of  Lookout,  near  its  north- 
ern end,  taking  in  the  magnificent  view  which  it  commands. 

At  your  feet  lie  parts  of  Georgia,  Alabama  and  Tennessee, 
while  in  the  blue  distance  far  to  the  east  dim  summits  loom 
up,  whose  rocky  roots  strike  under  the  soil  of  the  two  Caro- 
linas.  Here,  on  your  left,  is  Lookout  Valley,  out  of  which  we 
climbed  yesterday.  Over  against  you  is  Sand  Mountain, 
standing  on  a  line  with  Lookout,  the  two  mountains  looking 
like  mated  monsters,  who,  if  properly  yoked,  might  draw  a 
whole  State  after  them.  Yonder,  toward  the  north  and  west, 
is  Raccoon  Range  ;  and  here,  beneath  you,  a  great  loop  of  the 
Tennessee  incloses  Moccasin  Point  with  bead  work  of  silver, 
and  within  that  loop  lies  our  former  camp  ground,  so  close  at 
hand  that  we  wonder  the  Rebels  did  not  shell  us  out  of  it. 

To  the  right  of  the  Point  the  river  sweeps  northward  in  a 
semi-circle  as  graceful  as  Ulysses'  bow  of  shining  horn  ;  and 
Chattanooga,  the  fair  Penelope  who  has  been  so  rudely  wooed 
of  late  by  Southern  suitors,  grasps  the  bow  near  its  centre, 
and  stands  waiting  for  deliverance.  She  will  not  have  long 
to  wait,  for  Ulysses  is  here,  and  before  night  that  inverted 
bow  will  flame  from  tip  to  tip  with  bolts  more  terrible  by  far 
than  those  which  sped  from  the  twanging  bowstring  of  the 
ancient  hero,  and  at  sunset  our  Ulysses  will  stand  in  this  moun- 
tain hall  without  a  rival. 


1863]  THE  BATTLE  OF  MISSION  RIDGE.  277 

Off  toward  the  east  stretches  Missionary  Ridge,  frowning 
like  the  wrinkled  front  of  Mars.  It  is  a  false  and  schismatic 
gospel  which  is  now  preached  from  that  ridge,  but  before  day- 
light shall  fade,  the  feet  of  them  that  bring  good  tidings  shall 
climb  its  smoking  sides,  and  their  evangel,  though  turbulent 
and  fierce  in  its  utterance,  will  yet  bring  liberty  to  the 
oppressed  and  peace  to  our  land. 

Chattanooga  Valley,  which  lies  between  us  and  the  Ridge, 
seems  calm  and  level,  as  viewed  from  this  elevation  ;  but  go 
down  into  it  and  it  breaks  into  a  ground  swell  of  hills  and 
ravines,  a  battle  field  which  carpet  knights  would  not  care  to 
tread. 

Two-thirds  of  the  distance  across  the  valley  from  where 
•we  stand  rises  Orchard  Knob,  a  fortified  hill  somewhat  higher 
than  its  fellows,  and  on  it  Gen.  Grant  now  stands  to  direct 
the  battle  which  has  already  begun.  Gen.  Sherman,  having 
crossed  the  river  on  a  pontoon  bridge  near  the  mouth  of  North 
Chickamauga  Creek,  is  now  assailing  the  northern  end  of 
Missionary  Ridge.  The  distance  is  so  great,  and  the  obstruc- 
tions to  vision  are  so  many  that  we  cannot  see  the  movements 
of  the  troops ;  but  Lookout  is  busy  catching  battle  sounds  in 
his  rocky  palms,  and  tossing  them  back  across  the  valley ; 
and  we  know  that  in  the  midst  of  that  tumult  men  are  climb- 
ing the  outlying  hills  at  the  northern  end  of  the  ridge,  with  a 
storm  of  iron  and  lead  beating  in  their  faces. 

It  is  noon,  and  with  occasional  pauses  the  storm  of  battle 
on  our  left  still  rages.  It  is  three  o'clock,  and  our  centre 
begins  to  stir  a  little,  as  though  impatient  of  so  long  a  delay. 
Gen.  Hooker  has  been  toiling  across  Chattanooga  Valley  all 
day,  repairing  burned  bridges  and  overcoming  various  obstruc- 
tions ;  and  now  he  is  ready  to  strike  the  ridge  at  Rossville 
Gap,  and  roll  the  Rebel  line  back  toward  Sherman. 

It  is  half-past  three,  and  the  centre  has  not  yet  moved; 
but  the  air  over  Orchard  Knob  seems  tense  with  suppressed 
thunders,  and  they  must  soon  utter  their  voices. 

It  is  twenty  minutes  to  four — and  hark !  Bridge's  Battery 
over  yonder  is  speaking  in  a  very  significant  way.  Six  guns, 


278  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

fired  in  regular  order,  like  the  tolling  of  a  mighty  clock,  say 
to  listening  ears,  "  The  time  has  come" 

The  valley  below  us  gives  birth  to  an  army.  Arising  from 
the  entrenchments,  where  they  have  been  lying  for  hours,  our 
men,  with  cheers,  begin  a  charge,  which,  if  successful,  will 
carry  them  over  a  mile  and  a  half  of  uneven  ground,  exposed 
at  every  step  to  a  terrible  artillery  fire,  and  then  up  a  ridge 
eight  hundred  feet  high,  seamed  with  three  lines  of  works  filled 
with  resolute  foes. 

For  a  little  distance  a  screen  of  timber  conceals  our  advanc- 
ing line,  but  now  it  appears  in  the  open  valley,  stretching  in  a 
magnificent  line  from  Rossville  Gap  ofi?  toward  the  Tennes- 
see. And  now  Missionary  Ridge  becomes  volcanic  along  its 
entire  crest.  Seventy  pieces  of  artillery  are  playing  on  our 
line,  and  the  air  over  their  heads  is  dotted  with  white,  circular 
clouds,  born  from  the  fiery  hearts  of  bursting  shells  ;  making 
that  "the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death"  to  many  who  will 
not  climb  the  ridge  with  victorious  feet.  Brave  boys  !  it  was 
in  their  hearts  to  do  it ;  and  we  will  crown  them  as  victors 
though  they  fall  in  the  early  stages  of  that  glorious  race. 

But  our  artillery  is  not  silent.  Orchard  Knob,  which  gave 
the  signal  for  the  battle  to  begin,  confronts  its  huge  antagonist 
with  miraculous  audacity,  and  slings  shells  as  though  it  were 
little  David  standing  in  the  valley  of  Elah,  and  yonder  wrath- 
ful ridge  were  the  forehead  of  Goliath.  Forts  Wood  and 
Negley  fire  their  guns  so  fast  that  they  seem  bent  on  empty- 
ing their  magazines  along  the  enemy's  line  before  sundown  ; 
and  Moccasin  Point,  though  almost  out  of  the  fight  on  accouut 
of  distance,  sends  its  compliments  over  the  heads  of  our 
troops,  done  up  in  hard  packages,  to  be  distributed  by  "free 
delivery"  when  they  reach  their  proper  destination.  Fort 
King  speaks  with  a  royal  voice  ;  Fort  Palmer  shouts  like  a 
giant,  and  every  gun  along  our  line  hurls  iron  defiance  at 
those  flaming  batteries,  which  pay  no  attention  to  anything 
save  that  line  of  Blue  which  is  steadily  sweeping  towards  the 
base  of  Missionary  Ridge. 

Well  might  the  heroes  of  all  time  covet  the  privilege  of 
standing  here  to  view  the  grand  spectacle.  Here  is  all  the 


1863]  A  MAGNIFICENT  SPECTACLE.  279 

pomp  and  magnificence  of  a  great  battle  within  easy  view,  and 
yet  so  far  removed  that  all  the  horrors  of  wounds  and  death 
are  eliminated  from  the  scene.  Here  is  a  panorama  of  war 
four  miles  in  length,  a  panorama  where  the  guns  paint  their 
own  smoke  as  it  rolls  in  sulphurous  clouds  from  their  hot 
mouths  ;  where  the  fire  is  not  streaks  of  pigment  on  canvas, 
but  leaps  and  flashes  like  the  live  lightnings  of  heaven  ;  where 
lines  of  men  move  forward,  and  battle  flags  flutter,  and  the 
sound  of  the  battle — ah,  who  can  paint  that! — filling  the  valley 
with  unceasing  roar,  and  enlisting  every  echo  lurking  in  sur- 
rounding hill  or  mountain  to  add  its  voice  to  the  astounding 
tumult.  If  we  could  forget  that  our  comrades  are  marching 
under  those  sulphurous  clouds  which  are  now  flecking  the 
whole  valley  and  raining  jagged  fragments  of  iron  out  of  their 
deadly  bosoms  on  the  defenceless  heads  of  our  brave  men,  we 
could  enjoy  to  the  fiill  the  scenic  grandeur  of  the  spectacle. 
But  with  the  close  sympathy  of  comradeship  we  join  in  the 
charge  ;  the  hot  breath  of  the  batteries  blows  into  our  faces  ; 
the  iron  hail  of  battle  smites  against  the  rocks  of  Lookout ; 
and  Missionary  Ridge  is  not  four  miles  away,  but  close  at 
hand,  daring  us  to  climb  its  embattled  sides. 

Look  at  that  line  now !  for  we  cannot  join  it  except  by 
sympathy.  It  moves  forward  as  though  the  guns  in  front  of 
it  were  firing  blank  cartridges,  and  it  were  taking  part  in  a 
harmless  sham  battle.  There  is  no  straggling,  and  the  line 
is  nearly  continuous  from  right  to  left.  No  doubt  conflicting 
emotions  agitate  thousands  of  panting  breasts  along  that  line ; 
but  to  us  it  moves  forward  as  though  not  a  man  of  them  all 
could  feel  fear,  and  nothing  could  stop  them  save  the  hand  of 
God. 

Now  they  near  the  base  of  the  ridge,  and  with  a  trium- 
phant dash  they  capture  the  first  line  of  works.  If  their 
endurance  were  equal  to  their  courage  they  would  climb  the 
ridge  at  once,  but  even  heroes  must  take  breath,  and  they 
pause  for  a  time  before  putting  their  lives  in  jeopardy  on  the 
high  places  of  the  field. 

Sense  of  time  is  lost  at  such  hours,  and  seemingly  before 
the  heart  can  beat  sixty  strokes  they  are  on  their  feet  again, 


280  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

and  have  begun  the  perilous  ascent.  And  now  there  comes 
across  the  valley  the  quick,  sharp  rattle  of  musketry,  which 
soon  deepens  into  a  continuous  roll,  more  dreadful  to  experi- 
enced ears  than  the  loudest  cannonade.  It  tells  us  that  the 
tug  of  war  has  come  at  last ;  that  foemen  are  looking  into 
each  others'  faces  ;  that  angry  eyes  are  glancing  over  deadly 
tubes  and  selecting  individuals  out  of  the  struggling  mass  to 
aim  at ;  that  every  man  who  faces  that  slope  will  have  to  pass 
a  score  of  bullets  on  his  way  to  the  crest,  and  that  many  of 
them  will  never  reach  the  crest  through  that  downrushing 
tempest  of  lead.  The  marvel  is  that  any  of  them  dared  to 
face  it  and  lived  through  it  ;  for  twenty-eight  balls  were 
counted  in  one  small  tree  after  the  battle. 

But  to  us  who  view  the  battle  from  Lookout,  that  grand 
line  moves  slowly  but  steadily  up  the  ridge,  takes  the  second 
line  of  works,  and,  as  though  that  were  not  worth  a  pause, 
presses  resolutely  up  towards  the  third  and  last  line.  That 
line  is  not  at  all  like  the  trim  lines-of-battle  often  seen  in 
pictures,  but  irregular,  scattering,  bent  upward  here  and  down- 
ward there  ;  a  very  crooked  line  drawn  across  a  very  rough 
page,  dotted  with  flags  at  the  points  of  highest  elevation — an 
altogether  unmilitary  line — except  that  it  will  go  forward. 

The  sun  is  now  balancing  level  rays  across  the  back  of  Look- 
out, and  what  our  men  do  to  win  the  day  they  must  do  quickly. 
Yes,  and  they  are  doing  it !  The  grand  old  Army  of  the 
Cumberland  are  bent  on  taking  a  look  over  towards  Chicka- 
rnauga  from  the  crest  of  Missionary  Ridge  before  the  sun 
goes  down,  and  though  Bragg  himself  is  putting  men  into  the 
entrenchments  above  them  they  will  not  be  denied. 

Yonder  is  a  flag  within  a  few  rods  of  the  works  !  It  flut- 
ters and  disappears!  Another  Color  Sergeant  is  added  to 
the  honorable  roll  of  the  many  who  have  fallen  to-day  carry- 
ing the  flag.  Now  it  is  up  again  in  new  hands  and  forward 
it  goes — it  is  at  the  works — on  them — and  part  of  our  line 
goes  surging  over  the  crest  of  Missionary  Ridge.  But  not  at 
that  point  alone,  for  the  whole  line  gains  the  crest  at  nearly 
the  same  time,  and  when  all  have  done  so  well  it  would  be 
invidious  to  make  comparisons. 


1863]  THE  RETURN  TO  NICKAJACK.  281 

As  our  Regiment  did  not  take  part  in  this  engagement 
•except  by  viewing  the  picture  which  has  been  faintly  outlined 
-on  these  pages,  a  general  description  of  the  battle  is  not  neces- 
sary. Suffice  it  to  say  that  it  completely  delivered  Chatta- 
nooga from  the  presence  of  the  enemy,  and  shattered  their 
strength  to  such  a  degree  that  we  enjoyed  nearly  two  months 
of  almost  unbroken  quiet. 

We  remained  on  Lookout  Mountain  for  a  full  week  after 
the  battle.  For  summer  weather  ours  was  an  ideal  camp ; 
but  winter  was  now  at  hand,  and  when  strong  winds  played 
leap-frog  over  the  back  of  the  mountain,  and  cold  clouds 
trailed  their  gray  hair  through  the  trees  which  sheltered  our 
-camp,  we  began  to  think  longingly  of  our  comfortable  cabins 
in  Nickajack  Cove.  There  were  plenty  of  tents  and  blankets, 
as  the  camp  equipage  of  two  Rebel  Brigades  had  fallen  into 
our  possession,  but  the  position  was  too  exposed  to  permit  of 
•comfort.  During  a  severe  wind  storm  one  night  a  tree  was 
blown  over,  falling  across  one  of  the  tents  and  fracturing  a  leg 
for  Lieutenant  Pool,  of  Company  A,  and  disabling  him  for 
several  months.  Corporal  W.  H.  Richards,  and  one  or  two 
other  members  of  the  Company  were  also  considerably 
bruised. 

We  soon  took  up  our  line  of  march  for  that  sheltered  nook 
among  the  mountains,  going  down  the  west  side  of  Lookout, 
and  early  in  December  we  were  back  in  our  shanty  city  and 
snugly  established  in  winter  quarters. 

The  winter  was  unusually  severe,  both  North  and  South ; 
ibut  we  had  abundance  of  wood  close  at  hand,  we  were  well 
.housed,  and  as  we  had  direct  railroad  communication  with  the 
North,  our  men  fairly  reveled  in  boxes  from  home  filled  with 
a  bewildering  variety  of  articles. 

Shortly  following  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  the  mails 
brought  a  Captain's  commission  to  one  of  the  many  whose 
lives  had  passed  away, — First  Sergeant  John  G.  Schaefer,  of 
Company  A,  one  of  those  who  had  successfully  passed  the 
•examination  of  the  Board  designated  to  choose  officers  for  the 
Regiments  of  colored  troops  then  forming  in  that  department. 
During  the  autumn  and  winter,  Sergeant  Wallace  Tear,  of 


282  HISTOKY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

Company  K,  who,  after  the  battle,  had  been  acting  as  Sergeant 
Major  of  the  Regiment ;  First  Sergeant  Richard  Garrett,  of 
Company  E  ;  First  Sergeant  John  H.  Collier,  of  Company  D  ; 
First  Sergeant  J.  M.  Woodruff,  of  Company  I,  and  Lovett  S. 
Rivenburg,  of  Company  E,  were  each  accorded  promotions  a& 
Lieutenants  in  Colored  Regiments.  Quartermaster  Jeffers 
was  also  assigned  to  duty  at  Chattanooga,  and  subsequently, 
on  the  recommendation  of  Gen.  Grant,  appointed  an  Assistant 
Quartermaster  in  the  Regular  Army.  A  little  later  Captain 
Allen  B.  Whitney,  of  Company  B,  resigned,  and  First  Lieu- 
tenant E.  J.  Gilmore  was  promoted  to  Captain,  and  Second 
Lieutenant  George  H.  Burnett  to  First  Lieutenant. 

During  the  early  part  of  September,  Mrs.  J.  C.  Smith, 
wife  of  Major  Smith,  went  south,  intending  to  visit  her  hus- 
band, then  on  duty  at  Murfreesboro,  but  as  the  army  was 
advancing  she  remained  in  Nashville  for  some  weeks.  Accom- 
panying her  were  their  three  little  boys.  Following  Chicka- 
mauga  she  spent  much  time  in  the  hospitals,  rendering  such 
service  as  a  thoughtful,  patriotic  woman  could  to  the  many 
sick  and  wounded  in  that  city.  She  was  startled,  in  October, 
to  find  that  her  own  children  were  prostrate  with  the  dread 
disease  of  small-pox.  Her  experience  was  a  most  trying  one, 
and  one  of  the  boys — little  Freddie  Parker  Smith — died  No- 
vember 4.  The  father  could  not  leave  the  front,  and  alone 
she  consigned  her  loved  one  to  the  ground.  Late  in  Decem- 
ber she  took  the  two  remaining  boys  with  her  to  Nickajack, 
spending  about  a  month  at  the  headquarters  of  the  Regiment. 

Among  the  incidents  of  the  camp  at  Nickajack  were  the 
wounding  of  Captain  Taylor,  of  Company  E,  and  J.  E.  Clark- 
son,  of  Company  D.  A  negro,  found  outside  of  the  lines, 
was  arrested  and  taken  to  camp.  At  headquarters  he  was 
searched  and  a  revolver  taken  from  him.  T,he  gun  was  of  a 
peculiar  make,  and  as  Lieutenant  Colonel  Smith  took  it  out  it 
was  discharged,  the  bullet  striking  Captain  Taylor,  passing 
through  one  leg  and  into  the  other,  lodging  in  such  a  way  that 
it  could  not  be  removed.  The  Captain  was  disabled  for  quite 
a  time,  and  still  feels  some  ill  effects  from  the  wound.  The 
injury  to  Clarkson,  which  was  of  a  similar  nature,  but  less 
serious  in  its  effect,  was  received  while  cleaning  a  revolver. 


1864]  A  NEW  STAND  OF  COLORS.  283 

Colonel  Champion  obtained  a  leave  of  absence  early  in  the 
winter,  and  spent  some  weeks  at  his  Illinois  home.  Several 
line  officers  and  enlisted  men  also  obtained  furloughs,  usually 
for  thirty  days,  and  visited  their  families  or  attended  to  busi- 
ness matters  at  their  homes. 

During  the  period  covered  by  this  and  the  preceding  chap- 
ter, the  losses  to  the  Regiment  were  not  wholly  incurred  in 
battle,  or  as  the  result  of  wounds.  George  J.  Cooper,  of 
Company  B,  died  of  disease  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  November  18  ; 
Mason  C.  Beecher,  of  Company  D,  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn., 
September  27  ;  Arnold  Willett,  of  Company  D,  died  at  Nash- 
ville, Tenn.,  October  28;  Andrew  Farrier,  of  Company  D, 
died  at  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  December  2  ;  Samuel  Fenn,  of 
Company  E,  died  at  Stephenson,  Ala.,  October  10  ;  John 
Harding,  of  Company  E,  died  at  Evansville,  Ind.,  December 
24 ;  William  Mathew,  of  Company  E,  died  at  Chattanooga, 
Tenn.,  October  14;  George  Sidner,  of  Company  F,  died  at 
Nashville,  Tenn.,  November  12 ;  John  G.  Thrasher,  of  Com- 
pany G,  died  at  Shellmound,  Tenn.,  December  11 ;  L.  C. 
Crowell,  of  Company  H,  died  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  Novem- 
ber 3 ;  William  J.  Forbes,  of  Company  I,  died  at  Pleasant 
Valley,  111.,  November  20  ;  Butler  Newton,  of  Company  K, 
died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  November  7. 

January  1,  1864,  a  pair  of  new  flags  from  Lake  and  Jo 
Daviess  Counties  were  presented  to  us  by  a  committee  consist- 
ing of  Judge  J.  D.  Platt,  L.  P.  Woodworth  and  Edgar  Scace, 
of  Jo  Daviess,  who  received  in  return  our  tattered  battle  flagsr 
which  were  separated  and  taken  one  to  each  county.  It  was 
a  matter  of  regret  that,  owing  to  some  disarrangement  of 
plans,  the  Lake  County  members  of  the  committee  were  not 
present.  The  new  flags  were  very  beautiful,  with  their  gilded 
lettering  shining  on  their  unsullied  silken  folds  ;  but  the  old 
flags,  though  torn  and  soiled,  had  a  beauty  which  the  new  did 
not  possess,  for  had  they  not  passed  through  Chickamauga, 
and  had  they  not  led  us  over  Lookout  ?  We  parted  with  the 
rolls  of  glorious  rags  with  regret,  and  resolved  to  make  our 
new  flags  famous  when  we  should  enter  on  another  campaign. 


284  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 


CHAPTER    XIV. 


Good-by  to  Nickajack — A  Leisurely  March  over  Historic  Ground — The 
Camps  at  Tyner  and  Ooltewah — Building  Houses  for  a  Day — Blue 
Springs  Reached  —  Frequent  Scouting  Expeditions  —  Engagement 
Near  Dalton — Sergeant  Harriman  Killed — More  Wounds  and  Captures 
— Taunts  from  the  Skirmish  Line — Ten  Hours  under  Fire— One  Hun- 
dred Miles  in  Six  Days — An  Accidental  Shot — A  Ready-Made  Camp — 
Frequent  Furloughs — Captain  Rowan  and  Lieutenant  Earle  Return 
from  Prison — Drilling  Renewed — Reading  Clubs  Formed — Vaccinat- 
ing the  Regiment  —  Scurvy  and  the  "Potato  Squad" — Deserters 
Drummed  Around  the  Lines — The  Army  Concentrating — Waiting 
for  the  Order  Forward  ! 

TOWABD  the  end  of  January  the  weather  became  mild  and 
pleasant,  and  on  the  twenty-fifth  the  Regiment  was  not  greatly 
surprised  by  an  order  to  be  ready  to  march  next  day,  the 
reported  destination  being  Cleveland,  Tenn.  The  health  of 
the  Regiment  had  been  excellent,  and  many  even  of  the 
severely  wounded  from  the  recent  battles  were  again  with  the 
•command.  The  prospective  excitement  of  a  new  campaign 
helped  in  some  degree  to  overcome  the  regret  at  leaving  that 
<;amp  in  the  mountains,  but  as  the  column  marched  out  of  the 
•cove  at  nine  o'clock  of  Tuesday,  January  26,  many  a  linger- 
ing look  behind  was  cast  at  that  strangely  built  city  on  the 
hillside.  The  other  Regiments  of  the  Brigade  being  at  Shell- 
mound,  the  NINETY-SIXTH  and  the  40th  Ohio  marched  only 
about  four  miles  and  camped  on  the  banks  of  the  Tennessee. 
Lieutenant  Colonel  J.  C.  Smith  was  still  in  command  of  the 
Regiment.  Col.  Jesse  H.  Moore,  of  the  115th  Illinois,  was 
temporarily  in  command  of  the  Brigade,  Gen.  Whittaker 
liaving  gone  to  Kentucky  to  take  his  seat  in  the  Legislature  of 
that  State.  Gen.  D.  S.  Stanley  was  in  command  of  the  Division. 
It  is,  perhaps,  worthy  of  note  that  the  Regiment  left  Nickajack 
just  one  year  from  the  day  they  marched  from  Danville,  Ky. 

"Wednesday,  January  27,  the  march  was  not  resumed  until 
about  noon,  a  delay  being  made  to  allow  the  wagon  trains  to 
pass  through  that  purgatory  of  transportation  known  as  "The 


1864]  THE  MARCH  THROUGH  CHATTANOOGA.  285 

Narrows."  The  road  through  this  portion  of  the  route,  which 
is  bad  enough  at  best,  was  worse  than  usual,  and  so  trying 
upon  both  teams  and  wagons  that  but  a  half  dozen  miles  were 
traversed  by  the  infantry  in  rear,  the  camp  for  the  night  being 
near  the  high  trestle  bridge  at  Whiteside  or  Falling  Waters. 
On  the  twenty-eighth  the  inarch  was  a  leisurely  one,  the  camp 
for  the  night,  which  was  reached  at  three  p.  M.,  being  at  the 
base  of  Lookout  Mountain.  Lookout  greeted  the  command 
with  the  familiarity  of  an  old  acquaintance,  and  seemed  to 
promise  the  soldiers  a  gracious  reception  if  they  would  honor 
him  with  another  visit. 

The  invitation  was  accepted  at  seven  o'clock  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  twenty-ninth.  The  gay  and  easy  march  over  the 
"nose  "  of  Lookout  was  in  striking  contrast  with  the  toilsome 
climb  over  the  same  "nose,"  several  hundred  feet  nearer  the 
rocky  eyebrows,  two  months  before,  for  the  engineers  and 
pioneers  had  built  a  fine  macadamized  road  of  easy  zig-zag 
slopes  and  ample  width,  and  though  not  at  that  time  entirely 
completed  it  was  an  Appian  Way  compared  with  the  former 
road,  and  made  the  march  over  the  mountain  seem  like  a 
triumphal  procession.  The  march  through  Chattanooga  was 
with  drums  beating  and  the  new  colors  unfurled.  Passing 
Orchard  Knob  a  halt  was  made  for  the  night  at  the  foot  of 
Missionary  Eidge.  There  were  visible  many  traces  of  the 
November  battle,  bullets  being  picked  up  here  and  there, 
while  fragments  of  shell  were  so  frequent  as  to  indicate  that 
there  had  been  a  somewhat  lavish  use  of  iron  on  the  part  of 
the  Union  batteries  in  Chattanooga,  both  during  the  siege  and 
in  the  battle.  Those  of  the  men  not  too  weary  with  the  march 
wandered  along  the  slopes,  halting  at  intervals  to  count  the 
bullet  holes  in  trees  or  stumps,  or  picking  up  relics  of  the 
sanguinary  contest,  until  nightfall  shut  out  the  view,  and  the 
bugle  warned  them  back  to  evening  roll  call. 

Saturday,  January  30,  the  command  crossed  the  historic 
ridge,  halting  to  rest  upon  its  summit,  and  when  the  extreme 
strength  of  the  Rebel  position  was  seen,  all  admired,  more 
than  ever  before,  the  valor  which  had  driven  a  determined 
enemy  from  such  a  natural  stronghold.  At  noon  it  began  to 


286  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

rain,  making  the  roads  very  disagreeable  ;  but  the  march  was 
not  a  long  one,  for  before  night  the  column  halted  and  went 
into  camp  at  Tyner  Station,  nine  miles  from  Chattanooga,  on 
the  Knoxville  railroad.  A  good  camp  was  fixed  up,  and 
although  Sunday  brought  a  severe  rain  storm  the  men  made 
themselves  comfortable.  Several  Rebel  deserters  came  to 
this  camp,  each  telling  a  pitiful  tale  of  short  rations  and  gene- 
ral dissatisfaction  in  the  Southern  army,  reports  that  subse- 
quent events  did  not  confirm.  These  deserters  were  sent 
under  guard  to  Chattanooga  and  thence  to  Nashville  or  farther 
north.  The  railroad  was  being  rapidly  repaired  toward  Cleve- 
land, and  on  Monday  the  first  train  passed  Tyner.  Mrs.  B. 
G.  Pierce,  wife  of  Surgeon  Pierce,  came  to  the  Regiment, 
remaining  for  some  weeks. 

Wednesday,  February  3,  the  Regiment  again  broke  camp, 
marching  six  or  eight  miles,  and  halting  at  Ooltewah.  It  was 
given  out  that  this  was  to  be  a  permanent  camp,  and  much 
pains  was  taken  in  the  erection  of  cabins,  small,  straight  pine 
poles  being  used  for  the  walls,  and  the  canvas  tents  being 
spread  over  them  for  roofs.  Inside  were  bunks,  and  fireplaces 
were  improvised  beside  the  doorways.  Boards  were  not 
abundant,  but  cracker  boxes  made  a  partial  supply  of  material 
for  doors,  and,  where  other  material  could  not  be  obtained, 
blankets  or  pieces  of  tent  were  used  to  shut  out  the  wind  or 
rain.  Guard  duty  was  quite  heavy,  as  Rebel  cavalry  hovered 
in  the  neighborhood  and  threatened  the  camps  of  the  scattered 
troops.  But  the  camp,  which  Thursday  had  seen  so  carefully 
erected,  was  abandoned  on  Friday,  the  Regiment  marching 
eight  miles,  going  in  the  direction  of  Cleveland.  Colonel 
Champion,  who  had  just  returned  from  leave  of  absence, 
assumed  command  of  the  Brigade,  and  Adjutant  Blodgett 
acted  as  Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

Saturday,  February  6,  the  command  marched  four  miles 
in  a  rainstorm,  camping  at  Blue  Springs,  not  far  from  the 
railroad  which  runs  from  Cleveland  to  Dalton,  connecting  the 
Chattanooga  and  Knoxville  with  the  Chattanooga  and  Atlanta 
railroad.  The  next  day  was  spent  in  fixing  up  a  camp  in  the 
grubs  upon  a  side  hill.  There  was  not  a  little  apprehension 


1864]  FORMATION  OF  THE  VETERAN  CORPS.  287 

at  this  time  for  the  safety  of  this  part  of  the  line.  Quite  a 
large  proportion  of  the  members  of  many  of  the  regiments 
organized  in  1861,  and  who  had  served  more  than  two  years, 
had  "veteranized,"  as  the  act  of  reenlisting  was  called,  and 
were  absent  on  furlough,  so  that  the  army  was,  for  the  time 
being,  greatly  weakened,  and  it  was  thought  that  the  Rebels 
might  take  advantage  of  this  fact  and  seek  to  break  the  lines 
in  the  vicinity  of  Cleveland.  Several  recent  demonstrations 
on  the  part  of  their  cavalry  had  tended  to  confirm  this  belief, 
and  the  troops  at  Blue  Springs  were  kept  well  in  hand  and 
ready  for  any  emergency  that  might  arise.  Reveille  sounded 
early  each  morning,  but  the  old  practice  of  standing  in  line 
through  the  damp  and  chilly  morning  hours  was  not  revived, 
although  the  men  kept  on  their  accoutrements  and  were  in- 
structed to  have  their  canteens  and  haversacks  filled,  so  that 
they  could  march  at  a  moment's  notice. 

There  were  few  measures  during  the  war  that  gave  evi- 
dence of  greater  wisdom  and  forethought  than  the  originating 
and  adopting  of  the  act  under  which  the  reenlistment  of  the 
volunteers  of  1861  was  secured.  Nor  was  there  any  event 
that  gave  more  eloquent  testimony  to  the  devotion  and  cour- 
age of  the  American  volunteer  soldier.  The  men  who  reen- 
listed  in  Tennessee  had  experienced  all  the  hardships  inci- 
dent to  severe  campaigning,  and  all  the  dangers  of  repeated 
and  terrible  battles.  They  had,  during  the  autumn  and  early 
winter,  fought  three  desperate  engagements.  For  weeks  they 
had  been  on  short  rations.  Even  at  that  time  they  were,  at 
many  points,  subsisting  on  such  provisions  as  could  be  obtained 
in  the  war-worn  and  not  over-populous  region  about  Knoxville 
and  Loudon.  The  weather  was  desperately  cold.  Indeed, 
many  of  them  were  enduring  hardships  and  severities  such  as 
were  hardly  equalled  at  Valley  Forge.  But  in  the  face  of 
these  hardships,  with  the  certainty  that  it  meant  more  toilsome 
marches  and  terrible  battles,  these  brave  men,  at  the  call  of 
the  President,  responded, — in  some  Regiments  almost  unani- 
mously,— and  reenlisted  for  another  three  years.  As  promised, 
these  veterans  were  given  a  thirty  days'  furlough  to  their 
homes,  and  at  the  time  now  written  of  only  the  non-veterans, — 


288  HISTORY  or  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

as  those  who  did  not  re-enlist  were  called, — and  the  troops  that 
could  not  "go  in  again,"  not  having  yet  served  two  years, 
were  at  the  front.  Hence  it  was  necessary  that  the  utmost 
watchfulness  should  be  observed.  Consequently  the  country 
between  Cleveland  and  Dalton  was  tramped  over  almost  daily 
by  reconnoitering  parties. 

Monday,  February  8,  the  NINETY-SIXTH  was  ordered  out 
to  scout  the  country  toward  Dalton,  and  left  their  camp  at 
Blue  Springs  about  four  o'clock  p.  M.,  marching  eight  miles 
and  going  into  bivouac.  Next  morning  the  march  was 
resumed,  the  command  going  four  miles  farther,  and  to  within 
two  miles  of  the  Rebel  lines,  and  then  returning  to  camp. 
No  organized  force  of  Rebels  was  encountered,  but  there  were 
evidences  that  they  were  not  far  away.  It  was  remarked  by 
soldiers  that  most  of  the  citizens  along  the  route  were  loyal, 
and  at  one  point  the  ladies  came  out  and  sang  patriotic  songs. 
The  weather  was  pleasant,  and  while  the  march  was  rapid 
and  fatiguing,  the  men  seemed  to  enjoy  it  rather  than  other- 
wise. On  their  return  the  camp  at  Blue  Springs  was  nicely 
policed,  and  many  cabins  were  erected  during  Wednesday 
and  Thursday . 

On  Friday,  February  12,  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  the  84th 
Indiana  and  a  Battery  were  again  out  on  a  scout,  going  to 
Red  Clay,  on  the  Georgia  line,  and  halting  for  dinner  on  the 
very  spot  where  the  Rebels  had  breakfasted.  That  afternoon 
they  returned  to  Blue  Springs,  and  on  the  following  Sunday 
Companies  A,  F,  D,  E  and  K  were  again  out,  going  over 
nearly  the  same  ground.  The  weather  was  rainy  and  their 
trip  an  unpleasant  one.  The  troops  now  threw  up  some 
entrenchments  at  Blue  Springs. 

Tuesday,  February  16,  the  Paymaster  came  to  camp,  and 
each  of  the  men  received  a  small  handful  of  crisp  greenbacks. 
A  rain  storm  prevailed  for  a  day  or  two,  and  was  succeeded  by 
severe  cold  weather. 

On  Saturday  Companies  B,  C,  G,  H  and  I  went  out  on  a 
scout,  .under  command  of  Captain  James,  marching  about 
thirteen  miles  and  returning  the  same  night.  The  resignation 


JOHN    H.    HOLDEN. 


COMPANY     A. 


1864]  THE  DALTON  RECONNOISSANCE.  289 

of  Lieutenant  Funk,  of  Company  E,  who  had  been  disabled 
at  Chickamauga,  was  accepted  on  the  twentieth. 

Sunday,  February  21,  there  was  a  heavy  snow  squall,  and 
the  weather  was  very  disagreeable,  making  the  order  to 
march  the  following  morning  a  most  unwelcome  one.  Three 
days'  rations  were  issued,  with  orders  next  day  to  have  them 
last  four  days.  On  Monday  the  camps  were  early  astir,  and 
the  First  Division,  which  was  encamped  about  Blue  Springs 
and  Cleveland,  took  the  roads  leading  southward,  camping 
for  the  night  near  Ked  Clay  Station.  The  NINETY-SIXTH  did 
not  leave  camp  until  about  nine  o'clock  A.  M.,  and  halted  at 
three  o'clock.  The  march  was  not  directly  to  the  destination 
mentioned,  but  in  a  roundabout  way ;  the  purpose  being  to 
scour  the  country  and  prevent  any  force  of  the  enemy  from 
getting  in  the  rear  of  the  marching  column.  The  Regiment 
was  on  picket  at  night.  Simultaneously  with  this  forward 
movement  of  the  First  Division  of  the  Fourth  Corps,  the 
Fourteenth  Corps  moved  forward  farther  to  the  right,  going 
by  way  of  Ringgold.  At  this  time  Gen.  Sherman  was  on  his 
famous  Meridian  expedition,  and  this  movement  on  the  part 
of  these  four  Divisions  from  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland 
was  intended  as  a  diversion  in  his  favor.  It  had  been  reported 
by  deserters  and  captured  Rebels  that  Gen.  Johnston,  who 
had  relieved  Gen.  Bragg  in  command  of  the  forces  in  North- 
ern Georgia,  had  dispatched  two  Divisions  from  Dalton  to 
reinforce  Gen.  Polk,  at  or  near  Meridian,  and  it  was  the  pur- 
pose of  Gen.  Thomas  to  either  capture  Dalton  or  compel  Gen. 
Johnston  to  recall  these  forces. 

Tuesday,  February  23,  the  command  began  fixing  up  a 
camp,  but  were  shortly  ordered  forward,  and  at  two  o'clock 
p.  M.  again  took  the  road,  marching  until  nine  o'clock  in  the 
evening  and  making  nearly  fifteen  miles.  The  cavalry  had 
some  brisk  skirmishing  at  the  front,  and  the  Fourteenth  Corps 
met  with  some  resistance  farther  to  the  right.  The  Union 
citizens  were  quite  demonstrative,  some  of  them  even  bring- 
ing out  Hags,  which  had  doubtless  been  hidden  for  at  least 
three  years.  Women  swung  their  bonnets  and  men  hurrahed 
for  the  Yankees  and  the  Union,  manifesting  great  delight. 
19 


290  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'rn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

One  man,  who  claimed  to  be  ninety-eight  years  old  and  to 
have  been  a  Captain  in  the  war  of  1812,  was  almost  frantic  in 
his  ejaculations  when  the  Old  Flag  came  in  sight. 

Wednesday,  February  24,  rumors  were  abundant,  and 
every  one  seemed  anxious,  for  it  was  reported  that  the  enemy 
was  in  heavy  force  near  at  hand,  and  partially  in  their 
rear,  while  the  Union  forces  were  apparently  scattered.  The 
Brigade,  under  command  of  Colonel  Champion,  retraced  its 
steps,  leaving  their  advanced  position  at  ten  o'clock  A.  M., 
marching  three  miles  and  halting  near  Lee's  Cross-roads  for  a 
short  time,  and  then,  with  other  portions  of  the  Division, 
pressing  off  toward  Tunnel  Hill,  nearly  four  miles.  Heavy 
skirmishing  on  the  part  of  the  Fourteenth  Corps  was  heard, 
but  when  the  column  arrived  in  sight  of  the  fortifications  the 
.Rebels  fled.  During  the  afternoon  the  Brigade  counter- 
marched to  Lee's,  and  went  into  camp  at  dusk,  having  marched 
about  twelve  miles. 

Thursday,  February  25,  reveille  sounded  at  two  o'clock 
A.  M.,  and  at  four  o'clock  the  troops  were  on  the  road.  Cross- 
ing a  long  ridge  the  column  turned  southward,  marching 
toward  Dalton,  at  first  in  column,  and  then  in  line-of-battle. 
The  Division  of  Gen.  Baird  and  other  Union  troops  were 
passed,  and  as  soon  as  the  formation  was  complete  the  entire 
army  pressed  forward.  The  lines  began  to  move  about  nine 
o'clock  A.  M.,  the  NINETY-SIXTH  at  first  having  position  on  the 
left  of  the  second  line  of  the  Brigade.  The  advance  was  very 
rapid  for  a  mile  or  more,  the  ground  passed  over  being  a  series 
of  low  hills,  most  of  them  heavily  timbered.  The  Rebels 
were  soon  encountered,  but  the  skirmishers  pushed  them  back 
in  an  admirable  manner,  keeping  up  a  rapid  fire  and  hardly 
halting  at  all.  While  the  lines  were  thus  advancing,  Josiah 
Moulton,  of  Company  G,  was  wounded  in  the  face.  Francis 
T.  Robinson,  of  Company  A,  was  wounded  in  the  foot. 
Henson  Moore,  of  Company  H,  was  wounded  in  the  hand. 
It  became  apparent  that  the  Rebel  main  line  was  nearly 
reached,  and  the  troops  halted  at  the  crest  of  a  wooded 
ridge,  the  skirmishers  keeping  up  a  rapid  fire.  This  position 
was  occupied  throughout  the  entire  day,  and  at  no  time  for 


1864]  CASUALTIES  OF  THE  CAMPAIGN.  291 

ten  hours  did  the  firing  cease.  The  Kebel  skirmishers  at 
intervals  would  tauntingly  call  from  their  pits:  "Chicka- 
mauga!"  or  "Here's  your  Dalton!  Come  and  take  it!" 
The  Union  skirmishers  would  shout  in  reply  :  "Here's  your 
Lookout  Mountain  and  Missionary  Ridge."  From  behind 
trees  and  logs  they  continued  to  send  their  leaden  compliments 
back  and  forth.  The  soldiers  in  the  main  line  lay  upon  the 
ground,  just  enough  at  the  rear  of  the  ridge  to  be  protected. 
It  is  all  very  pleasant  to  lie  upon  the  grass  in  the  shade  for  an 
hour  or  two  if  the  surroundings  are  agreeable  and  the  weather 
pleasant,  but  when  the  ground  is  bare  and  damp,  the  weather 
chilly,  the  danger  considerable  and  the  time  prolongs  itself 
into  many  hours,  a  prostrate  position  becomes  monotonous  ; 
and  so  it  proved  on  this  occasion,  for  the  day  seemed  intermi- 
nable. 

While  Lieutenant  Pepoon,  of  the  Brigade  Staff,  was  recon- 
noitering  directly  in  front  of  the  Regiment  he  drew  the  fire 
of  the  Rebel  skirmishers,  but  escaped  injury.  One  of  the 
bullets,  however,  sped  past  its  mark,  striking  Sergeant  Henry 
J.  Harriman,  of  Company  K,  in  the  head  and  causing  his 
instant  death.  The  Sergeant  was  a  gallant  soldier  and  worthy 
to  command  a  Company  or  even  a  Regiment,  and  his  death 
caused  great  sadness  in  the  command.  Toward  night  light 
lines  of  breastworks  were  thrown  up,  the  men  using  fence 
rails,  stones  and  logs.  These  works  were  not  to  be  used,  how- 
ever, for  at  eleven  o'clock  that  night,  it  was  determined  that 
Dalton  should  not  be  attacked  with  the  force  then  under  Gen. 
Thomas.  The  army  marched  back  ten  miles,  bivouacking 
at  four  o'clock  near  Lee's  house,  after  a  continuous  march  of 
about  twenty-four  hours,  nearly  one-half  of  the  time  under 
fire.  The  distance  traveled  during  the  time  had  been  about 
twenty  miles.  When  the  line  left  its  position  at  Dalton, 
Charles  C.  and  Harry  Menzimer,  of  Company  A,  were  asleep 
behind  a  log  a  little  in  the  rear  of  the  pickets,  and  were  not 
missed  until  daylight.  Neither  happening  to  hear  the  column 
move  they  slept  on,  unconscious  of  danger,  until  daylight, 
when  they  were  awakened  by  the  Rebel  cavalry  and  made 


292  HISTORY  or  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

prisoners.     Charles  subsequently  died  in  prison,  and  Harry 
escaped  after  enduring  many  terrible  experiences. 

Friday,  February  26,  camp  was  broken  at  about  noon,  the 
Brigade  to  which  the  NINETY-SIXTH  was  attached  marching  in 
the  direction  of  Tunnel  Hill,  and  forming  line  where  the  halt 
was  made  on  Wednesday.  This  position  was  maintained  until 
nine  o'clock  p.  M.,  when  a  retreat  was  again  ordered.  Fires 
were  kindled  along  the  road,  by  direction  of  the  officers,  to. 
deceive  the  Rebels  into  the  belief  that  the  troops  were  going 
into  camp.  The  march  was  a  rapid  one,  the  final  halt  being 
made  on  Chickamauga  Creek  about  one  o'clock  A.  M.  The 
distance  traveled  was  about  eight  miles. 

Saturday,  February  27,  the  troops  remained  in  camp  until 
afternoon,  when  they  again  moved,  marching  to  within  two 
miles  of  Ooltewah.  The  distance  traveled  was  about  ten 
miles,  and  the  column  did  not  halt  until  after  dark.  The 
Rebels  followed  closely,  and  near  the  Ringgold  road  consider- 
able skirmishing  could  be  seen  and  heard  on  the  left  across 
Chickamauga  Creek.  An  attempt  was  made  to  decoy  the 
enemy  into  an  open  field  by  sending  a  wagon  train  toward 
them,  but  without  avail.  A  sad  accident  occurred  during  the 
afternoon,  Lieutenant  Havens,  of  Company  G,  being  very 
seriously  wounded  by  the  accidental  discharge  of  a  musket  in 
the  hands  of  a  soldier  in  Company  B.  The  bullet  passed 
through  his  shoulder,  and  it  was  at  first  feared  that  the  wound 
would  prove  fatal.  All  regretted  the  occurrence,  but  none 
more  sincerely  than  the  non-commissioned  officer  who  chanced 
to  have  the  gun  in  his  hands.  The  Lieutenant  recovered,  but 
was  disabled  for  several  months,  and  still  suffers  from  the 
effect  of  the  injury. 

Sunday,  February  28,  the  column  marched  to  Blue  Springs, 
reaching  there  at  noon  and  occupying  the  old  camp  ground. 
The  Rebels  did  not  follow.  The  distance  traveled  was  about 
twelve  miles.  The  Regiment  had  now  been  out  for  a  full 
week,  and  its  service  had  been  very  trying.  The  marching, 
which  had  been  rapid  at  times,  had  aggregated  one  hundred 
miles,  and  as  there  had  been  an  unusual  amount  of  night 


1864]  AGAIN  IN  WINTER  QUARTERS.  293 

work,  the  men  were  glad  to  be  in  camp  again  and  given  a 
little  opportunity  for  rest. 

Monday,  February  29,  a  severe  rain  set  in,  and  the  day 
was  a  very  disagreeable  one,  but  most  of  the  men  were  per- 
mitted to  remain  in  camp  and  made  themselves  as  comfortable 
AS  circumstances  would  permit.  Quite  a  number  of  men, 
most  of  them  having  honorable  scars,  were  arriving  daily  from 
the  various  hospitals.  A  leave  of  absence  had  arrived  for 
Major  Hicks  just  before  the  reconnoisance,  but  he  pocketed  it 
until  the  campaign  closed,  starting  for  home  on  the  return  to 
Blue  Springs. 

Tuesday,  March  1,  the  NINETY-SIXTH  left  Blue  Springs  at 
nine  o'clock  A.  M.,  and  marched  to  Cleveland,  a  distance  of 
about  four  miles,  going  into  camp  a  little  outside  the  village 
on  a  side  hill  close  by  the  railroad  track.  For  almost  the  first 
time  in  its  experience  the  Regiment  made  a  very  fortunate 
move  as  regards  a  camp  ground,  finding  the  winter  quarters 
recently  vacated  by  the  84th  Illinois  in  excellent  condition. 
They  had  but  to  put  their  shelter  tents  on  these  buildings  for 
roofs  and  clean  up  a  little  litter,  and  they  were  in  excellent 
condition  for  living.  If  the  84th  Illinois  boys  knew  how 
thoroughly  their  comrades  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  appreciated 
this  unusual  state  of  things,  they  must  certainly  have  felt  com- 
pensated for  any  loss  of  pleasure  they  might  have  enjoyed 
had  they  pursued  the  usual  custom,  and  upon  being  ordered 
to  leave  camp  burned  up  their  lumber.  The  day  was  rainy 
and  cold,  and  the  men  regarded  themselves  as  extremely  for- 
tunate. From  that  time  until  the  23d  of  April  the  Kegiment 
-continued  to  occupy  this  camp.  Every  few  days  the  heart  of 
some  one  was  made  happy  by  the  receipt  of  a  twenty  days' 
furlough.  Generally  these  favored  ones  were  men  having 
families  at  home,  but  occasionally  the  rule  was  varied  and 
single  men  were  given  leaves  of  absence.  A  heavy  line  of 
ritie  pits  were  dug  around  camp,  details  of  men  being  at  work 
almost  daily  strengthening  it.  A  number  of  recruits  came  to 
the  Regiment  from  Lake  and  Jo  Daviess  Counties  about  this 
time. 

On  the  8th  of  March  the  members  of  the  command  were 


294  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

made  to  rejoice  by  the  receipt  of  the  intelligence  that  Captain 
Rowan,  of  Company  F,  and  Lieutenant  Earle,  of  Company 
C,  both  of  whom  had  been  prisoners  of  war  since  the  battle 
of  Chickamauga,  had  escaped  from  prison  and  reached  the 
Union  lines.  Both  of  these  officers  were  very  popular  in  the 
Regiment,  and  the  news  of  their  escape  was  enthusiastically 
received. 

Gen.  Whittaker  having  returned  from  Kentucky  and 
assumed  command  of  the  Brigade,  Colonel  Champion  took 
command  of  the  Post,  with  headquarters  at  Cleveland.  Adju- 
tant Blodgett  was  assigned  to  duty  as  Post  Adjutant.  For 
some  time  before  his  injury,  Lieutenant  Havens  had  acted  as- 
Adjutant  of  the  Regiment.  He  was  succeeded  by  Lieutenant 
Dawson,  and  Lieutenant  Earle  took  the  position  on  returning, 
serving  until  the  return  of  the  Colonel  and  Adjutant. 

The  position  of  Post  Commander  at  Cleveland  was  by  no- 
means  an  ornamental  one.  Many  of  the  citizens  in  the  vicinity 
were  intensely  loyal.  The  armies  had  taken  all  of  their  live 
stock  and  provisions,  and  in  many  instances  left  them  abso- 
lutely destitute.  If  they  remained  outside  the  lines  they  were 
continually  subjected  to  unpleasant  experiences,  as  scouting- 
parties  from  either  army  were  raiding  the  country.  As  a  con- 
sequence they  flocked  to  the  town  and  were  assigned  to  the 
houses  of  absent  Rebels.  Upon  the  Post  Commander 
devolved  the  delicate  task  of  selecting  the  loyal  and  worthy 
and  provisioning  them.  The  disloyal  were  temporarily  cared 
for,  under  guard,  and  either  sent  to  Chattanooga,  where  they 
could  be  more  carefully  watched,  or  placed  outside  the  lines 
where  they  could  go  to  their  Rebel  friends.  Almost  the  entire 
population  of  the  three  or  four  counties  contiguous  to  Cleveland 
and  Chattanooga  were  fed  at  Uncle  Sam's  expense  for  a  num- 
ber of  months.  Many  were  sick  and  had  to  be  treated  by  the 
Post  Surgeons.  An  aged  citizen,  who  had  been  a  soldier  in 
the  Black  Hawk  war,  died  at  Cleveland  in  March,  and  wa& 
buried  with  military  honors,  Corporal  Gage,  of  Company  G, 
having  charge  of  the  funeral  escort. 

On  the  llth  of  March  the  Regiment  had  its  first  dress- 
parade  for  several  months.  Drill  was  resumed  with  consider- 


1864]  RETURN  FROM  LIBBY  PRISON. 

able  vigor,  the  Companies  or  the  entire  Battalion  being  out 
whenever  the  weather  would  permit.  A  general  order  from 
Division  Headquarters  required  all  of  the  troops  to  drill  not 
less  than  three  and  one-half  hours  every  day.  The  Regiment 
still  retained  the  old  habit  of  getting  up  before  daylight,  form- 
ing line,  stacking  arms  and  wearing  accoutrements  until  seven 
o'clock. 

On  the  18th  of  March  the  Regiment  marched  through 
town  and  back.  Gen.  Whittaker  being  temporarily  absent  in 
Kentucky,  Col.  Price,  of  the  21st  Kentucky,  assumed  com- 
mand of  the  Brigade,  and  on  the  20th  had  a  grand  review  in 
the  afternoon. 

The  22d  is  memorable  for  a  very  severe  snow  storm, 
prevailing  throughout  the  day  and  covering  the  ground  to  the 
depth  of  nearly  a  foot.  Commands  that  chanced  to  be  on  the 
move  at  that  time  or  that  were  merely  in  bivouac  suffered 
greatly,  but  fortunately  the  NINETY-SIXTH  was  in  comfortable 
quarters  and  not  required  to  do  very  heavy  guard  duty,  so 
that  it  enjoyed  the  storm  rather  than  otherwise.  The  men 
indulged  in  some  very  vigorous  snow-balling,  and  some  of  the 
officers  improvised  a  sleigh  and  had  a  genuine  sleigh  ride. 

About  this  time  several  reading  clubs  were  made  up,  the 
men  contributing  a  small  sum  each  to  a  fund  with  which  to 
pay  the  subscriptions  to  a  large  number  of  magazines  and  news- 
papers, and  as  a  consequence  reading  matter  was  very  abun- 
dant in  camp.  The  leading  dailies  from  New  York,  Chicago 
and  Cincinnati  were  on  the  list,  and  as  a  result  all  were  kept 
fully  "informed  of  the  general  news  of  the  day.  During  the 
stay  at  Cleveland  there  was  abundant  time  and  opportunity 
for  reading,  but  when  the  campaign  which  followed  was  fully 
begun,  the  papers  were  so  irregular  in  reaching  their  destina- 
tion and  the  time  of  the  men  so  occupied,  as  to  render  the 
periodicals  of  less  service  ;  consequently  most  of  the  subscrip- 
tions were  dropped  at  the  end  of  three  or  six  months.  Cap- 
tain Timothy  D.  Rose,  of  Company  K,  resigned  March  21. 
First  Lieutenant  E.  E.  Townsend  was  promoted  to  Captain, 
and  Second  Lieutenant  George  W.  Pepoon  to  First  Lieutenant. 

March   23d,  Lieutenant  Earle  arrived   in  camp  and  was 


296  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

given  quite  an  ovation,  and  for  many  days  he  was  compelled 
to  tell  over  and  over  the  story  of  his  escape  from  Libby  Prison. 
Captain  Rowan  rejoined  the  Regiment  a  week  later  and  was 
most  cordially  greeted.  An  elegant  banquet  was  given  at 
Post  Headquarters  in  honor  of  their  return. 

There  had  been  more  or  less  small  pox  in  the  army  for 
some  weeks,  and  as  a  precautionary  measure  every  man  in  the 
Regiment  who  could  not  exhibit  a  satisfactory  scar  to  the 
Surgeon  was  vaccinated. 

On  the  eleventh  of  April  the  Eleventh  and  Twelfth  Corps 
were  consolidated  as  the  Twentieth  Corps  under  command  of 
Major-General  Joseph  Hooker.  Gen.  Gordon  Granger  was 
relieved  from  the  command  of  the  Fourth  Corps  and  succeeded 
by  Major-General  Howard.  On  the  whole  the  change  was  well 
received  by  officers  and  men,  for  Gen.  Granger  had  not  been 
wholly  popular,  many  feeling  that  his  punishment  of  soldiers 
for  trivial  offences  was  unnecessarily  severe.  There  was  at 
first  a  little  prejudice  against  Gen.  Howard,  but  this  was  speed- 
ily overcome,  and  he  was  afterward  extremely  popular  with 
the  officers  and  men  of  the  entire  Corps.  His  first  order  was 
to  stop  Sunday  inspections  and  reviews,  and  direct  that  camp 
duties  on  the  Sabbath  should  be  as  light  as  was  consistent 
with  safety  and  cleanliness. 

Wednesday,  April  13,  Sergeant  Frank  Wier,  who  had 
been  acting  Sergeant-Major  for  about  five  months,  was  pro- 
moted to  First  Sergeant  of  Company  A,  and  Sergeant  C.  A. 
Partridge  of  Company  C  was  detailed  as  acting  Sergeant- 
Major,  and  subsequently  appointed  to  the  position  which  had 
been  made  vacant  by  the  death  of  Sergeant-Major  Quinn.  The 
same  day  the  Regiment  marched  to  the  railroad  track  and 
presented  arms  in  honor  of  their  late  commander,  Gen. 
Granger,  as  he  passed  on  the  train  bound  for  Nashville. 
Gen.  Howard  visited  the  Regiment  in  the  evening,  making 
personal  inspection  of  the  camp. 

Although  there  was  little  known  of  the  matter  in  the  Reg- 
iment, quite  a  spirited  contest  was  going  on  to  determine  who 
should  be  appointed  to  the  position  made  vacant  by  the  pro- 
motion of  the  Quarter-Master,  Stephen  Jeffers,  to  be  a  Quar- 


WHO    SHALL   BE    QUARTER-MASTER  ?  297 

ter-Master  in  the  regular  army.  A  majority  of  the  line  officers 
signed  a  petition  to  Governor  Yates  asking  that  Lieutenant 
Blowney,  of  Company  G,  be  given  the  place.  Colonel  Cham- 
pion requested  that  his  brother,  Myron  B.  Champion,  who 
had  recently  enlisted  in  Company  K,  be  appointed.  Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel Smith,  then  in  command  of  the  Kegiment,  asked 
that  Lieutenant  Moore,  of  Company  I,  who  was  temporarily 
filling  the  position,  be  regularly  commissioned.  Influential 
friends  in  Illinois  asked  that  Hospital  Steward  Ferguson  be 
promoted.  Numerous  papers  endorsing  the  several  aspirants 
were  filed  with  the  Governor,  and  after  some  delay  the  com- 
mission was  issued  to  Hospital  Steward  Ferguson.  Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel Smith  appealed  the  case,  and  the  Department 
Commander,  Gen.  George  H.  Thomas,  decided  that  the  com- 
mander of  a  regiment  had  the  right  to  name  his  staff  officers, 
and  accordingly  declared  Lieutenant  Moore  to  be  the  Quarter- 
Master  of  the  .Regiment.  At  the  same  time  he  recommended 
that  Hospital  Steward  Ferguson  be  assigned  to  duty,  with  the 
rank  of  First  Lieutenant,  in  any  existing  vacancy.  The  only 
vacancy  existing  when  the  decision  came  was  in  Company  H, 
and  to  this  Company  he  was  assigned.  So  much  time  was 
consumed  by  the  correspondence  that  Lieutenant  Ferguson  was 
not  mustered  until  the  following  October,  although  his  com- 
mission dated  from  the  death  of  Lieutenant  Barnes,  October 
2,  1863.  Lieutenant  Moore's  appointment  as  Quarter-Master 
was  dated  April  16,  1864.  Quarter-Master  Sergeant  George 
Jeifers,  who  had  been  appointed  to  the  position  upon  the 
death  of  the  gallant  Bean  at  Chickamauga,  voluntarily  relin- 
quished the  position  to  accept  a  detail  with  his  father,  the 
late  Quarter-Master.  He  was  succeeded  by  Sergeant  B.  F. 
Shepard,  of  Company  G,  who,  although  still  suffering  from 
wounds  received  at  Chickamauga,  had  recently  rejoined  the 
command.  Corporal  Swanbrough,  who  had  so  gallantly  car- 
ried the  Regimental  colors  at  Chickamauga  and  Lookout 
Mountain,  was  made  a  Sergeant  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by 
•Shepard's  promotion. 

There  had  been  more  or  less  scurvy  among  the  men  all 
through  the  late  winter  months,  there  being  not  less  than 


298  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  1. 

fifty  well  defined  cases  in  the  Regiment  at  one  time  toward 
the  close  of  April.  But  by  united  efforts  on  the  part  of  the 
officers,  enough  vegetables  were  secured,  as  a  part  of  the 
rations  of  the  men,  to  relieve  this  trouble  somewhat ;  but  still 
there  was  considerable  sickness,  and  one  or  two  men  from 
every  Company  had  to  be  sent  to  the  hospital,  while  others 
were  hardly  fit  for  active  service.  The  vegetables  received 
were  generally  potatoes  and  sour-kraut.  The  limbs  of  the 
men  were  swollen  and  became  very  sore,  their  gums  would  be 
swollen,  their  teeth  loose,  and  they  would  suffer  from  general 
languor  and  depression.  The  Surgeons  had  what  was  known 
as  a  "potato  squad,"  composed  of  men  who  were  kept  almost 
exclusively  on  a  vegetable  diet. 

During  the  stay  at  Cleveland  there  was  quite  a  religious 
interest  in  the  Regiment,  and  also  in  the  40th  Ohio,  whose 
camp  was  near  that  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH.  Preaching  was 
held  almost  nightly  in  the  camp  of  the  40th.  These  meetings 
were  continued  until  the  advance  of  the  army,  and  were 
renewed  whenever  opportunity  permitted  all  through  the 
memorable  battle  summer  that  followed. 

About  this  time  a  petition,  asking  the  Governor  of  Illinois 
to  again  commission  Rev.  Horace  G.  Woodworth  as  Chaplain 
of  the  Regiment,  was  endorsed  by  nearly  all  of  the  officers  of 
the  command  ;  but  through  some  delay  or  misunderstanding 
the  appointment  was  not  announced  until  May  20,  by  which 
time  he  had  made  other  engagements  and  could  not  accept 
the  place. 

Saturday,  April  23,  in  obedience  to  orders  from  Gen. 
Whittaker,  the  NINETY-SIXTH  joined  the  Brigade  at  Blue 
Springs.  Just  before  this  move,  Lieut. -Col.  Smith  was  called 
to  Chattanooga  to  serve  upon  a  Board  to  examine  the  claims 
of  citizens  against  the  Government  for  property  destroyed  by 
the  army.  The  command  of  the  Regiment  devolved  upon 
Major  Hicks  for  a  few  days  and  until  Colonel  Champion  was 
relieved  from  duty  as  Post  Commander,  which  occurred  April 
28.  Colonel  Smith  remained  on  this  duty  only  about  a  fort- 
night and  rejoined  the  Regiment  as  it  neared  Resaca. 

The  camp  at  Blue  Springs  was  in  a  plat  of  heavy  timber 


1864]  PREPARING  FOR  A  NEW  CAMPAIGN.  299 

where  there  was  but  little  material  for  building,  and  the  camp 
was  quite  in  contrast  with  the  recently  vacated  quarters  at 
Cleveland.  The  men  knew,  however,  that  it  was  but  for  a 
little  while  that  they  were  to  be  in  camp.  For  some  time 
past  applications  for  furloughs  had  come  back  disapproved, 
and  the  entire  Fourth  Corps  had  been  concentrating  about 
Cleveland.  The  Regiments  that  had  been  home  on  veteran 
furlough  were  coming  to  the  front  again,  many  of  them 
recruited  to  the  maximum  number,  the  35th  Indiana  of  the 
Second  Brigade  having  returned  with  about  1100  men.  The 
Fourth  Corps  occupied  the  left  center  of  the  grand  army  now 
concentrating  for  the  forward  movement.  Up  to  this  time  it 
had  been  undecided  as  to  the  campaign,  it  being  expected  that 
Gen.  Johnston,  who  was  in  command  of  the  Confederate 
forces  about  Dal  ton,  would  take  advantage  of  the  absence  of 
the  Regiments  on  furlough,  and  of  the  widely  scattered  con- 
dition of  the  Union  army,  and  assume  the  offensive.  Cleve- 
land was  known  to  be  the  weak  point  in  the  Union  line,  and  it 
was  thought  by  the  Generals  in  authority  that  an  attack  might 
be  made  at  that  point  at  any  time.  But  now  this  danger  was 
passed  ;  the  army  was  reunited  and  strengthened  until  there 
were  within  supporting  distance  almost  100,000  men.  It  was 
stripping  for  its  grand  advance.  All  baggage  that  could 
possibly  be  dispensed  with  was  ordered  to  the  rear.  Even 
the  Company  desks,  which  had  always  hitherto  been  kept 
within  reach  so  that  whenever  a  camp  was  made  they  could 
be  brought  up,  were  ordered  stored,  the  officers  being  directed 
to  carry  blanks  with  them  sufficient  for  all  needs  for  some 
weeks  to  come.  Four  wagons  were  allowed  to  each  Regi- 
ment for  a  time,  but  even  these  wagons  were  frequently 
unloaded,  their  contents  being  piled  some  where  in  the  woods, 
and  they  sent  to  the  rear  for  Quartermaster's  stores  for  the 
supply  of  the  army.  On  their  return  the  teamsters  would  be 
sent  to  hunt  up  their  original  baggage,  load  it  again  and  take 
it  as  near  to  the  front  as  possible.  The  Soldiers  knew  that 
the  enemy  had  an  immense  army  in  their  front  and  were  now 
certain  that  they  were  to  be  the  attacking  party,  instead  of 
being  called  upon  to  occupy  the  defensive,  as  had  been 


300  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

.thought  would  be  the  case  a  month  before.  Drilling  was 
kept  up  daily  and  camp  regulations  were  very  strict  during 
the  stay  at  Blue  Springs. 

Sunday,  May  1,  the  Brigade  was  called  out  and  formed  in 
a  hollow  square.  In  the  center  of  the  square  was  a  little 
group  of  men,  two  of  whom  were  evidently  prisoners.  They 
were  not  Confederate  prisoners,  however,  but  men  who  had 
deserted  from  the  Union  army.  One  of  these  men  was  mounted 
on  a  box  in  view  of  the  entire  Brigade,  when  a  soldier,  detailed 
for  the  purpose,  stepped  up  to  him  and  shaved  his  head.  The 
sentence  of  the  other  deserter  was  read,  after  which  they  were 
both  marched  around  the  lines  bare  headed  and  with  cards 
pinned  on  their  backs  marked  "deserter,"  the  band  accom- 
panying them  and  playing  the  "Rogue's  March."  There 
could  have  been  little  fear  at  that  time  of  desertions  from 
among  the  veterans  of  the  army,  for  the  men  who  had  fought 
at  Stone's  River,  Chickamauga,  Lookout  Mountain  and  Mission 
Ridge  were  not  likely  to  desert  at  this  time.  But  there  were 
in  many  of  the  Federal  Regiments  a  large  number  of  newly 
enlisted  men,  of  whom  a  small  percentage  had  been  influenced 
.as  much  by  the  generous  bounties,  then  offered  for  recruits, 
as  by  patriotic  motives,  and  this  episode  was  intended  to  serve 
.as  a  warning  for  all  who  might  want  to  leave  the  ranks  and 
return  home,  to  first  obtain  permission.  One  of  the  men  who 
was  obliged  to  submit  to  the  indignity  of  being  drummed  around 
the  lines  was  a  member  of  the  40th  Ohio.  He  fully  redeemed 
himself  in  the  estimation  of  his  comrades  by  his  bravery  in 
subsequent  battles,  and  lost  his  life  at  Kenesaw  Mountain. 

Up  to  this  time  there  had  been  no  organized  detail  of 
stretcher  bearers,  but  before  entering  upon  the  campaign  men 
were  selected  from  each  Regiment  to  act  with  what  was  known 
as  the  "Ambulance  Corps,"  being  provided  with  canvas 
stretchers,  and  instructed  how  to  care  for  and  remove  wounded 
men  from  the  battlefield. 

Michael  Meres,  of  Company  I,  died  at  Bridgeport,  Ala., 
Feb.  15,  and  Louis  C.  G.  Goatiea,  of  Company  A,  died  at 
Cleveland,  April  12.  John  Baker,  a  recruit  who  had  enlisted 
February  24,  died  at  Camp  Butler,  Chicago,  111.,  March  20, 


1864]          WATCHING  ACKOSS  THE  GEORGIA  LINE.  301 

1864  ;  and  Wesley  D.  Manlon,  also  a  recruit,  who  enlisted  about 
the  same  time,  died  at  Camp  Yates,  Springfield,  111.,  March  2. 
The  Armies  of  the  Union,  East  and  West,  were  now  mar- 
shaling for  a  grand  advance.  Gen.  Grant  had  taken  personal 
command  of  the  troops  in  Virginia,  and  had  assigned  Gen. 
W.  T.  Sherman  to  the  command  of  the  Military  Division  of 
the  Mississippi.  The  latter  had,  near  the  northern  line  of 
Georgia,  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  comprising  the  Fourth, 
Fourteenth  and  Twentieth  Corps,  under  the  immediate  com- 
mand of  Gen.  George  H.  Thomas,  and  numbering  about 
60, 000  men.  The  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  comprising  portions 
of  the  Fifteenth,  Sixteenth  and  Seventeenth  Corps,  under 
Gen.  J.  B.  McPherson,  and  numbering  24,000,  was  approach- 
ing from  the  West ;  and  the  Army  of  the  Ohio,  comprising 
the  Twenty-third  Corps,  under  Gen.  John  M.  Schofield,  and. 
numbering  about  13, 500  men,  was  marching  from  the  vicinity 
of  Knoxville.  Guards  were  disposed  to  protect  the  long  lines 
of  communication  in  the  rear  against  the  depredations  of  local 
guerillas  and  bushwhackers  or  the  raids  of  the  enemy's  cavalry. 
Gen.  Sherman  had  been  so  fortunate  as  to  obtain  the  plans 
and  specifications  of  the  railroad  bridges  between  Chattanooga 
and  Atlanta,  and  pioneers  and  engineers  had  about  completed 
duplicates  of  every  piece  of  timber  in  every  structure.  These 
were  piled  beside  the  track,  ready  to  be  loaded  upon  the  trains 
and  run  to  any  point  as  soon  as  an  advance  was  made  and  a 
bridge  found  to  be  destroyed.  Immense  supplies  of  food  and 
ammunition  were  being  piled  up  in  the  rudely  constructed 
constructed  warehouses  at  Chattanooga.  The  preparations 
were  stupendous.  The  vast  army  was  possessed  of  a  quiet 
confidence  in  the  leaders  whose  master  minds  had  planned  the 
preliminaries  so  wisely  and  on  so  grand  a  scale,  and  calmly 
waited  the  order  to  advance. 


302  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  1. 


CHAPTER    XV. 


The  Army  Concentrating — The  Atlanta  Campaign  Inaugurated — From 
Blue  Springs  to  Catoosa  Springs — Obstructions  in  the  Highway — 
Two  Partial  Sunstrokes  —  Advance  on  Tunnel  Hill  —  The  Strong 
Fortifications  Found  Empty — Looking  Across  the  Valley  —  Early 
Reveille — Brass  Guns  vs.  Brass  Bands — The  Demonstration  Against 
Rocky  Face  Ridge— The  NINETY-SIXTH  Unslings  Knapsacks  and 
Takes  the  Skirmish  Line — Moving  Against  the  Palisades — To  the 
Right  and  into  Buzzard  Roost  Gap — A  Gallant  Advance — The  Enemy 
Mistakes  the  Regiment  for  an  Army — Almost  out  of  Ammunition — 
A  Bloody  Sunset — Night  Permits  Retreat  and  Rest — Nearly  a  Half 
Hundred  Casualties— Deserved  Compliments — Shelled  out  of  Camp— 
The  Rebels  Evacuate  the  Dalton  Line. 

MAY  5  had  been  fixed  upon  as  the  day  for  the  inaugura- 
tion of  the  active  summer  campaign  of  1864,  for  the  armies, 
both  East  and  West.  Gen.  Grant  had  assumed  command  of 
all  the  military  forces  of  the  United  States,  but  chose  to  per- 
sonally operate  with  the  larger  army,  then  between  Washing- 
ton and  Richmond.  Gen.  W.  T.  Sherman,  by  personal  con- 
sultation and  through  correspondence  with  his  chief,  had 
discussed  and  formulated  plans  for  the  forward  movement 
from  Chattanooga,  agreeing  to  keep  the  enemy  in  his  imme- 
diate front  so  occupied  as  to  prevent  the  sending  of  Rebel 
reinforcements  from  Georgia  to  Virginia.  On  the  other  hand, 
Gen.  Grant  had  given  assurance  that  the  army  under  Gen. 
Lee  should  be  given  ample  occupation  in  Virginia,  so  that 
they  should  have  no  troops  to  spare  for  the  use  of  Gen. 
Johnston. 

As  the  plans  neared  completion  for  what  has  gone  into 
history  as  the  Atlanta  Campaign,  and  the  day  approached  for 
its  inception,  all  was  activity  along  the  line  of  the  Tennessee 
River.  That  portion  of  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  which 
had  been  in  the  vicinity  of  Huntsville,  Ala.,  moved,  partly 
by  rail  and  partly  by  marching,  to  Chattanooga,  and  thence, 
via  Rossville,  to  Lee  &  Gordon's  Mills,  or  a  little  farther  south, 


1864]  ARRIVAL  AT  CATOOSA  SPRINGS.  303 

arriving  in  position  as  the  right  wing  of  Gen.  Sherman's 
command  during  the  early  days  of  the  month.  The  Army  of 
the  Ohio  marched  from  the  neighborhood  of  Knoxville,  by 
way  of  Cleveland,  to  Red  Clay,  and  became  the  left  wing  of 
the  vast  army  simultaneously  with  the  movement  of  Gen. 
McPherson's  forces.  At  the  same  time  the  three  large  Corps 
comprising  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland  moved  out  to  their 
assigned  position  as  the  centre  of  the  mighty  force. 

On  the  part  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  the  movement  began  at 
noon  of  Tuesday,  May  3,  when,  with  other  troops,  it  left  its 
camp  at  Blue  Springs  and  marched  over  the  ground  made 
so  familiar  by  the  numerous  scouting  expeditions  of  the  pre- 
vious February,  halting  for  the  night  a  mile  south  of  Red 
Clay,  on  the  Georgia  line.  The  Regiment  numbered  a  little 
more  than  four  hundred  men  as  it  set  out  upon  this  memora- 
ble campaign.  The  route  taken  was  the  one  known  to  the 
command  as  the  "long"  road,  and  the  distance  marched 
during  the  afternoon  was  twelve  miles. 

Wednesday  May  4.  the  march  was  resumed  shortly  after 
sunrise,  but  the  command  being  in  the  rear  of  an  immense 
wagon  train  and  the  road  obstructed  by  timber  that  had  been 
felled  by  the  Rebels,  progress  was  slow,  only  ten  miles  being 
traveled,  although  nearly  the  entire  day  was  consumed.  The 
weather  was  excessively  warm,  and  two  of  the  soldiers — 
George  A.  Bangs,  of  Company  B,  and  William  S.  Nash,  of 
Company  F — were  partially  sunstruck,  but  fortunately  neither 
of  them  were  so  prostrated  as  to  be  disabled  for  more  than  a 
week  or  two.  Throughout  the  day  skirmishers  or  flankers  were 
kept  out,  but  there  was  no  fighting,  although  Rebels  were  seen 
in  the  distance.  That  night  the  Regiment  took  its  place  in  the 
long  line-of-battle,  its  position  being  near  Catoosa  Springs. 
The  next  day  there  was  no  movement  of  the  centre  save  a 
slight  shifting  of  position  along  the  general  line  occupied  on 
AVednesday  evening.  Rebels  were  seen  hovering  at  the  front, 
and  a  few  harmless  shots  were  exchanged  by  the  pickets. 
Toward  night  the  enemy  made  a  vigorous  demonstration, 
forcing  back  the  advanced  line  on  the  left.  A  barricade  of 
.rails  was  constructed,  behind  which  the  troops  lay  in  line. 


304:  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

Each  Company  was  required  to  have  a  roll  call  every  hour  or 
so,  but  despite  this  fact  many  of  the  curiously  inclined  ven- 
tured to  make  brief  visits  to  the  hotels  and  other  buildings  of 
the  famous  watering  place  a  half  mile  distant  from  the  posi- 
tion of  the  Regiment. 

Friday,  May  6,  the  NINETY-SIXTH  was  detailed  as  a  picket 
reserve.  The  day  passed  without  especial  incident  of  note,, 
although  the  enemy  were  several  times  in  plain  view.  By 
night  all  of  the  forces  were  in  line,  and  the  grand  army  of 
Gen.  Sherman  ready  to  move  toward  Dalton  and  Gen.  John- 
ston's veteran  army.  All  knew  that  an  advance  meant  a  bat- 
tle. True,  the  Union  army  largely  outnumbered  the  Rebel 
forces,  but  the  position  at  Dalton  was  an  exceedingly  strong 
one  for  defense ;  and,  in  a  country  where  almost  every  citizen 
was  an  active  scout  or  spy,  and  with  the  enemy's  shorter  lines 
of  communication,  the  advantage  of  preponderating  numbers 
was  not  so  great  as  it  would  have  been  in  a  more  level  and 
less  hostile  country. 

Saturday,  May  7,  the  army  moved  forward  in  force. 
Reveille  sounded  at  half  past  three  o'clock,  and  before  sun- 
rise the  troops  were  on  the  march.  Yery  soon  skirmishing 
began,  the  first  gun  being  fired  just  as  the  sun  was  climbing 
over  the  eastern  hills.  The  Rebels  fell  back  and  their  fires 
were  still  burning  as  the  Union  forces  passed  their  camps  of 
the  night  before.  Innumerable  trees  had  been  felled  across 
the  road,  but  men  with  axes  and  levers  and  teams  cleared  the 
way  with  a  rapidity  that  was  surprising.  Company  A  was  on 
the  skirmish  line,  and  expended  considerable  ammunition  in 
forcing  the  Rebel  rear  guard  back.  At  a  little  past  nine 
o'clock  line-of-battle  was  formed,  the  troops  moving  in  this 
order  to  the  top  of  a  ridge,  where  a  brief  halt  was  made.  The 
NINETY-SIXTH,  which  had  been  in  the  second  line,  now  took 
the  front  line  on  the  right  of  the  Brigade,  and  again  advanced. 
The  formidable  works  of  the  enemy  were  soon  in  view,  and 
the  stubbornness  of  their  skirmishers  a  little  before  created  the 
impression  that  a  stand  would  be  made.  It  was  therefore 
with  some  trepidation  that  the  command  left  the  timber  and 
marched  across  the  open  field  toward  a  line  of  heavy  rifle  pits 


r* .        i  •••««  *  •*.  • 


1864]  THE  TAKING  OF  TUNNEL  HILL.  305 

that  all  knew  might  be  full  of  armed  men  merely  awaiting  the 
signal  to  pour  a  destructive  volley,  at  short  range,  from  behind 
their  heavy  intrench ments.  But  the  suspense  was  not  long, 
for  as  the  skirmishers  neared  the  works  it  became  apparent 
that  the  enemy  had  fallen  back  toward  Dalton.  General  and 
Staff  Officers  rode  to  the  front,  the  line-of-battle  following  and 
occupying  the  abandoned  works  at  eleven  o'clock,  the  NINETY- 
SIXTH  being  the  first  to  cross  the  parapet.  A  line  of  breast- 
works facing  southward  was  at  once  begun,  the  men  work- 
ing industriously  notwithstanding  that  the  weather  was  exces- 
sively warm.  Heavy  timber  was  cut  and  the  works  became 
very  formidable  as  the  day  wore  away.  The  line  was  occu- 
pied throughout  the  afternoon  and  the  succeeding  night. 
Skirmishers  covered  the  front,  but  were  not  seriously  engaged, 
although  musketry  and  artillery  firing  could  be  heard  in  the 
distance.  The  flags  of  the  Signal  Corps  of  either  army  were 
fluttering  from  the  hill  tops,  and  to  right  and  left  extended  the 
long  lines  of  blue,  in  plain  view  until  nightfall,  and  easily 
traced  by  the  gleaming  camp  fires  as  darkness  closed  in. 

Sunday,  May  8,  had  not  dawned  until  the  army  was  awake 
and  standing  to  arms,  for  at  three  o'clock  the  reveille  sounded. 
At  eight  o'clock  the  troops  were  marching  toward  the  valley 
that  lay  between  Tunnel  Hill  and  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  the 
latter  being  a  long  range  of  hills  or  mountains,  whose  name 
indicates  the  character  of  the  side  which  faced  toward  the 
veteran  Army  of  the  Cumberland.  Near  the  railroad  the 
line  halted,  the  Division  to  which  the  Regiment  belonged 
remaining  idle  most  of  the  day.  Looking  along  the  stony 
ridge,  and  to  the  right,  a  gorge  could  be  discerned,  through 
which  the  railroad  wound  its  way  and  back  of  which  was 
Dalton,  where  were  Gen.  Johnston's  headquarters.  The  ridge 
itself  was  fortified,  and  along  its  crest  and  through  the  gorge 
lay  the  Rebel  line-of-battle.  The  skirmishers  of  the  enemy 
and  several  batteries  of  artillery  were  thrown  out  in  advance 
of  this  narrow  pass, — known  as  Buzzard  Roost  Gap, — and  a 
lively  skirmish  fire,  with  frequent  salutes  from  the  Rebel 
artillery,  gave  evidence  that  it  would  be  no  easy  task  to  drive 
the  occupants  of  this  strong  line  from  their  position  by  direct 
20 


306  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

assault.  There  was  some  maneuvering  but  no  general  for- 
ward movement  on  that  part  of  the  line  until  the  afternoon 
was  well  advanced.  At  four  o'clock  Gen.  Howard,  com- 
manding the  Fourth  Corps,  rode  along  to  view  the  position  of 
his  forces,  and  shortly  afterward  ordered  a  band  to  come 
out  from  the  timber  in  the  rear  and  play  a  few  selections.  The 
opening  of  this  musical  programme  was  "The  Bonnie  Blue 
Flag, "  which  was  followed  by  ' '  Dixie, " — selections  claimed 
at  the  time  as  the  exclusive  property  of  the  alleged  Confeder- 
acy, but  rendered  national  when,  with  numerous  other  trophies, 
they  fell  into  Union  hands  at  Appomattox  a  year  later.  The 
men  in  gray,  as  if  to  manifest  their  appreciation  of  the  open- 
ing numbers,  swarmed  from  the  groves  that  dotted  the  valley 
and  from  the  heavy  timber  along  the  base  of  the  ridge,  and 
gave  a  vigorous  vocal  response.  Then  followed  k '  Hail  Colum- 
bia" and  "Yankee  Doodle,"  to  which  the  lines  of  blue  made 
answer  with  a  cheer  that  ran  for  miles  to  left  and  right.  The 
latter  tune  was  repeated  in  double  time,  which  proved  to  be 
Gen.  Howard's  signal  for  a  vigorous  shelling  from  the  bat- 
teries, continued  for  some  moments.  Then  the  infantry 
advanced  down  the  valley,  in  magnificent  order,  the  long 
lines  sweeping  forward  toward  the  enemy.  The  occasional 
shots  of  the  skirmishers  grew  into  an  almost  constant  clangor, 
and  the  Rebels  were  pressed  back  along  the  entire  front  for  a 
mile  or  more.  The  artillery  firing  was  by  no  means  all  upon 
one  side,  for  shot  and  shell  came  plunging  through  the  groves 
and  along  the  fields  with  fearful  sounds,  but  fortunately  with 
little  damage  to  the  men  toward  whom  they  were  hurled. 
For  a  time  the  band  seemed  to  be  the  target,  but  the  concert 
ended  very  abruptly  when  "the  diapason  of  the  cannonade" 
was  so  forcibly  interjected,  -and  the  musicians  betook  them- 
selves to  the  timber  before  the  range  had  been  secured  by  the 
artillerists  from  Dixie.  But  the  forward  movement  was 
intended  merely  as  a  reconnoisance  and  not  as  an  attack,  and 
as  the  position  of  the  troops  was  most  uncomfortable,  owing 
to  the  continuous  and  close  firing  of  the  Rebel  artillery,  a  halt 
was  soon  ordered,  and  at  dusk  the  main  line  drew  back  nearly 
to  the  works  left  in  the  morning.  Throughout  the  night  an 


1864]  'KocKY  FACE  KIDGE.  307 

incessant  skirmish  fire  was  kept  up,  and  there  was  little  sleep- 
ing at  the  reserve  posts. 

Monday,  May  9,  was  a  most  trying  one  to  the  NINETY- 
SIXTH.  At  three  o'clock  the  men  were  again  in  line.  Shortly 
after  daylight  the  Division  moved  into  the  valley,  sweeping 
forward  to  the  position  reached  the  night  before.  There  was 
some  moving  to  right  and  left,  but  at  about  eight  o'clock  the 
Regiment  was  taken  from  the  line  and  ordered  to  pile  its  knap- 
sacks. Companies  A  and  B  were  deployed  as  skirmishers, 
and  the  others  moved  near  them  as  a  skirmish  reserve.  Soon 
Companies  G  and  K  were  deployed,  and  moved  to  their  assist- 
ance. From  their  elevated  position  the  Rebels  could  plainly 
see  every  movement  and  they  resolutely  resisted  this  advance. 
But  there  was  no  wavering,  the  skirmishers  going  at  a  run  to 
the  timber  at  the  foot  of  the  ridge.  A  rail  fence  was  encount- 
ered, the  reserves  throwing  it  to  the  ground  ;  this  passed,  the 
timber  offered  some  protection.  Up  the  steep  slope,  running 
from  tree  to  tree,  halting  a  moment  behind  rocks  and  then 
pressing  on,  the  skirmish  line  made  its  way  until  quite  near 
the  rocky  palisades,  which  were  readily  seen  to  be  wholly 
inaccessible.  The  main  line  kept  near  them,  adyancing  as 
ordered,  sometimes  boldly  and  in  line,  and  again  crawling  up 
the  steep  incline  or  moving  to  right  or  left  a  few  rods  to  avoid 
the  more  exposed  positions.  From  their  sheltered  position 
the  Rebels  could  take  deliberate  aim  at  the  men  in  blue  below 
them,  and  the  exposure  of  a  head  or  foot  from  behind  a  tree 
or  rock  was  the  signal  for  a  volley.  But  resolutely  the  line 
held  its  exposed  place,  giving  shot  for  shot.  Fred  Brainerd, 
of  Company  B,  and  James  Vaughn,  of  Company  K,  were 
killed  in  their  places.  Beri  Serviss,  of  Company  K,  had  a 
limb  shattered,  necessitating  amputation.  Every  few  moments 
some  one  was  hit,  but  there  was  no  faltering,  and  the  Regi- 
ment did  all  and  more  than  it  had  been  ordered  to  do.  Be- 
tween four  and  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  orders  came  to 
move  by  the  right  flank.  The  march  was  promptly  begun, 
the  right  bearing  down  the  hill,  as  Buzzard  Roost  Gap  was 
neared.  When  they  had  advanced  so  far  that  the  left  was 
fairly  past  the  southern  end  of  the  northern  ridge  the  line 


308  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

halted  and  came  to  a  front.  Company  K,  being  out  of  ammu- 
nition, was  recalled  and  took  place  beside  the  colors.  Other 
Companies  were  deployed  and  an  advance  ordered.  Into 
the  gap  they  pressed,  additional  men  being  sent  out  until  only 
the  single  Company  mentioned  was  in  reserve.  The  line  of 
the  Regiment  extended  from  near  the  foot  of  the  ridge  on  the 
right  almost  to  the  upright  crags  upon  the  left.  From  the 
moment  the  advance  was  ordered  the  firing  became  rapid. 
Major  Hicks  had  immediate  command  of  the  advanced  line, 
with  orders  to  make  a  strong  demonstration,  pressing  the 
enemy  back  into  their  main  line  and  ascertaining  the  character 
of  their  works.  The  effort  was  to  deceive  the  Rebels  into  the 
belief  that  an  assault  was  to  be  made  at  this  point,  while  the 
main  army,  moving  rapidly  by  the  right  flank,  should  force  its 
way  through  Snake  Creek  Gap,  a  dozen  miles  to  the  south- 
ward, and  secure,  if  possible,  a  foothold  upon  the  railroad 
between  Dalton  and  Resaca.  Hence  this  movement  on  the 
part  of  the  Regiment  was  a  most  important  one.  Nor  could 
it  have  been  entrusted  to  better  hands.  With  rare  nerve  and 
skill  the  line  forced  its  way  to  the  front.  Along  the  corru- 
gated sides  of  that  wooded  ridge  they  resolutely  moved  for- 
ward, taking  such  shelter  as  they  could,  until  the  fresh  clay  of 
the  Rebel  breastworks  was  so  near  that  there  could  be  no 
farther  movement  except  at  a  charge.  How  spitefully  the 
muskets  spoke  from  the  front !  With  what  vicious  speed  the 
bullets  sped  across  the  rugged  battle-field  !  The  works  in 
front  seemed  to  be  crowded  with  men.  The  deadly  fire  was 
incessant  from  either  side.  Exposing  themselves  as  little  as 
possible  the  men  of  the  Regiment  fired  from  behind  trees  and 
rocks  or  over  the  natural  embankments  along  the  line.  The 
air  grew  thick  with  smoke  as  the  rapid  and  repeated  discharges 
of  the  muskets  sounded  through  the  gorge.  At  the  right  and 
across  the  gorge  the  Rebels  could  be  plainly  seen,  and  a  por- 
tion of  the  line  turned  their  fire  in  that  direction,  compelling 
a  precipitate  retreat.  For  the  time  being  the  enemy  seemed 
disconcerted.  A  stream  through  the  narrow  gorge  had  been 
dammed  by  them,  so  filling  the  ravine  with  water  as  to  pre- 
vent a  passage  on  lower  ground.  This  labor  proved  to  have 


1864]  BUZZARD  ROOST  GAP.  309 

been  expended  in  vain,  for  now  the  Rebels  were  being  threat- 
ened from  an  unexpected  point.  At  that  very  hour  Gen, 
McPherson  was  threatening  Resaca  with  a  considerable  force. 
Thus  far  Gen.  Sherman's  plans  were  being  admirably  carried 
out,  but  unfortunately  the  advance  at  the  right  was  not  pushed 
and  the  opportunity  for  a  decisive  battle  was  lost. 

The  afternoon  was  wearing  away,  and  there  was  no  cessa- 
tion in  the  firing.  Casualties  became  frequent.  Sergeant 
Taylor,  of  Company  C,  was  assisted  to  the  rear  with  his  good 
right  arm  so  shattered  that  it  could  not  be  saved.  Sergeant 
De  Graff,  of  Company  E,  who,  as  one  of  the  Color  Guard, 
had  been  seriously  wounded  at  Chickamauga,  was  taken  back, 
mortally  hurt.  Sergeant  Fowler,  of  Company  F,  was  also 
mortally  wounded.  Corporal  Powers,  of  Company  B,  had  an 
arm  useless.  William  B.  Scace,  of  Company  E,  was  likewise 
shot  in  the  arm  and  permanently  disabled.  Companies  E 
and  F  suffered  most  severely,  among  those  wounded  in  the 
latter  command  being  Joseph  Shannon,  the  tallest  man  in  the 
Regiment,  who  had  a  hand  badly  crippled. 

Gen.  Stanley,  the  Division  commander,  who  had  come  up 
to  the  position  occupied  by  the  reserve,  a  few  rods  in  rear  of 
the  skirmishers,  sent  word  to  the  line  that  the  84th  Illinois 
would  be  ordered  at  once  to  the  assistance  of  the  NINETY- 
SIXTH.  But  there  was  a  long  delay.  The  firing  was  kept  up 
for  a  time,  but  soon  the  ammunition  run  low.  To  add  to 
their  anxiety — for  the  men  knew  that  their  position  was  one 
of  extreme  peril — there  soon  came  enfilading  shots  to  indicate 
that  the  Rebels  were  pushing  out  to  see  what  this  semblance 
of  an  attack  could  mean.  On  either  flank  they  pressed.  The 
men  glanced  over  their  shoulders  at  the  sun.  It  had  never 
seemed  to  move  so  lazily  since  that  dread  Sunday  at  Chicka- 
mauga ;  but  it  was  now  just  going  out  of  sight.  ' '  We  are  almost 
out  6f  ammunition,"  was  the  word  repeatedly  sent  back  from 
the  skirmish  line.  "Maintain  your  fire  as  long  as  possible, 
but  keep  one  charge,  to  be  used  in  case  of  an  assault,"  was  Gen. 
Stanley's  reply,  sent  from  the  color  line.  This  order  was  com- 
plied with,  but  of  necessity  the  firing  was  greatly  slackened 
toward  the  last.  As  the  twilight  was  deepening  into  night 


310  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

the  Regiment  ordered  from  the  rear  made  its  way  along  the 
slope  near  the  reserves.  The  skirmishers  quickly  fell  back 
through  their  lines  and  halted  in  support,  forming  upon  the 
colors.  Soon  the  Rebels  sallied  out  and  made  some  demon- 
stration at  the  front.  "Fix  Bayonets!"  was  the  order  of 
Colonel  Champion,  as  he  prepared  to  aid  the  troops  that  had 
just  taken  position.  But  the  enemy  contented  themselves 
with  a  slight  advance,  and  soon  the  musketry  slackened  to  a 
desultory  skirmish  fire.  Then  the  NINETY-SIXTH  marched  to 
the  valley  and  slung  the  knapsacks  left  when  the  advance  was 
begun,  moved  a  short  distance  to  the  right  and  rear,  and 
bivouacked  for  the  remnant  of  a  night. 

The  men  were  well  nigh  exhausted.  From  before  daylight 
until  nine  o'clock  at  night  they  had  been  clutching  their  mus- 
kets, with  no  opportunity  to  eat  except  as  they  munched  a 
hard  tack  on  the  skirmish  line.  Even  water  was  obtained 
with  the  utmost  difficulty,  and  when  secured  it  soon  became 
so  warm  in  the  canteens  as  to  be  unpalatable.  Nearly  every 
man  had  fired  from  forty  to  one  hundred  rounds  of  ammuni- 
tion. Their  faces  were  powder-grimed  and  their  clothing 
stained  with  the  soil  where  they  had  hugged  the  hillside 
throughout  the  weary,  weary  day.  And  back  in  the  field 
hospital  a  score  or  more  were  lying,  while  attendants  bathed 
the  pale  faces  and  bound  up  the  ragged  wounds.  In  the  camp 
almost  an  equal  number  resolutely  cared  for  slighter  wounds — 
some  of  them  severe  enough  to  have  fully  justified  their 
recipients  in  going  to  the  rear — bravely  retaining  their  places 
in  the  ranks. 

There  was  little  fighting  done  by  the  First  Division  of  the 
Fourth  Corps  on  the  ninth  of  May,  save  that  of  the  NINETY- 
SIXTH.  Farther  to  the  left  Harker's  Brigade  of  the  Second 
Division  made  a  strong  demonstration  directly  along  the  nar- 
row crest  of  Rocky  Face,  meeting  with  considerable  loss,  and 
to  the  southward  a  portion  of  the  Second  Division  of  the 
Twentieth  Corps  made  an  attack  upon  a  gap,  but  could  do  no 
more  than  keep  the  enemy  occupied.  The  work  accomplished 
by  these  demonstrations  was  important,  for  so  completely 
were  the  Rebels  deceived  into  the  belief  that  the  attacks  were 


1864]  THE  CASUALTY  LIST.  311 

preliminary  to  intended  assaults,  and  not  mere  feints,  that 
they  made  no  move  to  protect  their  rear.  Meanwhile  Gen. 
McPherson  had  moved  his  command  far  to  the  right,  through 
Snake  Creek  Gap,  and  was  gaining  a  position  close  to  the 
railroad  running  southward,  at  a  point  not  far  from  Resaca. 
<ren.  Stanley  was  profuse  in  his  praise  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH 
for  the  resolute  manner  in  which  they  had  made  the  advance 
against  the  frowning  sides  of  Rocky  Face  and  subsequently 
into  the  strongly  defended  position  at  Buzzard  Roost  Gap,  and 
all  who  knew  the  difficult  nature  of  the  ground  passed  over 
and  the  nearness  to  the  Rebel  main  line  of  the  position  main- 
tained for  an  hour  and  a  half  before  sundown,  fully  concurred 
in  the  opinion  that  the  praise  of  the  intrepid  and  experienced 
Division  Commander  was  fairly  earned  and  fittingly  bestowed. 
The  following  were  the  Regiment's 

CASUALTIES : 

Company  A. 

WOUNDED. — Joseph  E.  Consolus,  face ;  Sergeant  C.  H.  Berg,  left 
leg  ;  Sergeant  Jason  B.  Isbell,  right  hand. 

Company  B. 

^KILLED. — Fred  Brainerd. 

WOUNDED.— Corporal  Warren  E.  Powers,  right  arm ;  Erastus  T. 
'Cleveland,  left  ankle. 

Company  C. 

WOUNDED.— Sergeant  James  M.  Taylor,  right  arm  shattered,  necessi- 
tating amputation ;  Corporal  Martin  Eflnger,  hip  ;  Franc  Millheiser,  arm. 

Company  D. 
WOUNDED. — Frank  Rahling,  knee. 

Company  E. 

WOUNDED.— Sergeant  Wm.  F.  De  Graff,  mortally,  dying  five  days 
later  ;  William  B.  Scace,  right  arm,  permanently  disabling  him  ;  Geo.  W. 
Jennings,  right  arm  ;  George  Teal,  right  leg  ;  Joshua  B.  Going,  left  foot, 
losing  a  toe ;  Solomon  Bixby,  left  hand ;  Sergeant  George  C.  Bennett, 
slight  wound ;  W.  W.  Jellison,  temple,  knocked  down  but  not  long  dis- 
abled. 

Company  F. 

WOUNDED.— Sergeant  Robert  J.  Fowler,  mortally,  dying  two  days 
Jater  ;  Corporal  John  Kneebone,  back ;  Corporal  Thomas  Trevarthan, 
iip  ;  Joseph  Shannon;  hand ;  Erhard  Dittmar,  left  side  ;  Andrew  Hind- 


312  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  1. 

man,  right  leg;  John  Miller,  breast  ;  James  Stewart,  right  hand;  JohB 
Stahl,  shoulder  and  head  ;  Anton  Shap,  right  leg. 

Company  G. 

WOUNDED. — Sergeant  Charles  J.  Miller,  right  shoulder ;  William 
Joyce,  face. 

Company  H. 

WOUNDED. — Sergeant  Chester  J.  Rees,  right  arm  ;  Wallace  Andrews,, 
right  arm  ;  Oscar  Bobbins,  breast. 

Company  I. 
WOUNDED.— George  Topping,  face. 

Company  K. 

KILLED. — James  Vaughn. 
WOUNDED. — Beri  Serviss,  left  leg  amputated  ;  Edward  Graham. 

Tuesday,  May  10,  although  the  other  troops  were  early 
called  in  line  the  commanders  were  so  considerate  as  to  allow 
the  NINETY-SIXTH  to  lay  quietly,  the  word  passing  around  as 
the  bugle  sounded  to  lay  down  and  sleep  a  little  longer,  a 
favor  that  was  fully  appreciated,  although  it  was  by  no  means 
late  when  the  last  soldier  was  up.  The  position  was  in  the 
valley  and  greatly  exposed,  as  was  soon  learned,  for  when  the 
Rebel  artillery  began  to  play  upon  the  line,  during  the  early 
afternoon,  an  orderly  but  somewhat  hurried  movement  to  the 
timber  a  little  farther  to  the  rear  was  found  necessary,  the 
entire  Brigade  participating.  The  new  line  was  partially  forti- 
fied and  the  men  at  once  set  about  strengthening  the  works. 
The  skirmishers  kept  up  a  constant  firing  throughout  the 
night,  but  the  Regiment  was  not  disturbed.  The  night  was- 
rainy  and  uncomfortable,  but  the  soldiers  in  reserve  slept 
quietly.  A  detail  of  about  eighty  men,  embracing  three  or 
four  from  each  Regiment  in  the  Division,  was  sent  out 
late  in  the  evening  to  build  some  works  and  set  a  battery  as- 
near  as  possible  to  the  Gap.  A  torrent  of  rain  was  falling, 
and  in  the  storm  and  darkness  the  trip  was  undertaken.  A 
creek,  swollen  to  unusual  proportions,  had  to  be  crossed,  and 
many  of  the  men  turned  back. — in  fact,  when  the  single  officer 
in  charge  of  them  reached  the  point  where  the  work  was  to 
begin,  but  sixteen  remained.  One  of  those  whose  fidelity  to 
duty  kept  him  in  place  was  Dighton  Granger,  of  Company  Bv 


1864]  D ALTON  EVACUATED.  313 

The  work  was  not  only  dangerous  but  laborious,  especially  on 
such  a  night ;  but  the  little  band  worked  like  heroes  and  suc- 
ceeded in  putting  up  a  strong  fortification,  leaving  the  works 
after  daylight  next  morning,  at  great  peril  from  the  fire  of  the 
enemy.  Many  of  the  horses  of  the  battery  had  been  shot 
and  the  guns  were  finally  drawn  into  position  by  the  men, 
long  ropes  being  attached  so  that  they  could  pull  them  while 
partially  protected  by  the  works. 

Wednesday,  May  11,  a  severe  rainstorm  prevailed,  and 
the  weather  was  unseasonably  cold.  The  Regiment  retained 
its  position  nearly  opposite  the  gap  until  eight  o'clock  in  the 
evening,  when,  under  cover  of  the  gathering  darkness,  they 
moved  to  the  right  and  front.  In  this  movement  it  seemed 
as  if  the  guide  was  uncertain  as  to  the  route  or  intended  desti- 
nation, for  there  was  much  marching  and  countermarching, 
with  protracted  halts  in  which  all  were  thoroughly  chilled. 
After  a  long  tramp,  in  which  but  two  or  three  miles  were 
accomplished,  the  Brigade  halted,  relieving  portions  of  the 
Fourteenth  Corps,  the  latter  troops  moving  to  the  southward. 
Heavy  details  were  sent  to  the  picket  lines,  where  they  shiv 
ered  until  morning.  It  was  midnight  when  the  reserves  finally 
settled  down  for  a  brief  rest. 

Thursday,  May  12,  heavy  details  were  kept  at  the  front, 
the  main  line  building  breastworks  nearly  the  entire  day. 
There  was  considerable  skirmishing  and  artillery  was  fre- 
quently brought  into  use.  The  advance  line  constructed 
heavy  skirmish  pits,  and  thus  avoided  casualties.  During  the 
period  from  the  ninth  to  the  twelfth  all  of  the  infantry  forces 
except  the  Fourth  Corps  had  been  concentrating  on  the  right. 
It  subsequently  became  known  that  Gen.  Sherman  was  greatly 
disappointed  that  a  vigorous  attack  was  not  made  at  that  point 
as  early  as  the  tenth  or  twelfth,  with  the  view  of  destroying 
the  railroad  and  compelling  Gen.  Johnston  to  abandon  the 
line  of  the  road  and  march  eastward  or  come  out  and  fight  in 
the  open  field.  Military  writers  unanimously  agree  that  a  like 
favorable  opportunity  did  not  again  present  itself  to  the  Union 
forces  during  the  campaign.  The  movement,  however,  com- 
pelled the  enemy  to  abandon  his  strong  position  at  Dalton. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

At  midnight  of  the  twelfth  lights  were  seen  moving  about 
upon  the  ridge  where  the  batteries  had  been  posted,  and 
shortly  afterward  it  became  evident  that  the  force  had  gone. 
Friday,  May  13,  the  Union  skirmishers  moved  forward  at 
daylight  and  occupied  the  abandoned  works.  Soon  afterward 
the  main  part  of  the  Fourth  Corps  was  moving  through  Buz- 
zard Roost  Gap.  The  Rebel  works  were  seen  to  be  of  great 
strength,  and  the  wonder  was  that  even  a  small  force  was  not 
left  to  defend  them.  Still  Gen.  Sherman's  flanking  proclivi- 
ties were  well  known,  and  the  only  safety  for  the  Rebels  was 
in  concentration.  At  Dalton  a  brief  halt  was  made,  during 
which  the  men  visited  numerous  stores,  whose  owners  had  fled 
without  taking  their  stocks  of  goods.  There  was  little  of  use 
to  the  soldiers,  however,  for  the  eatables  had  generally  been 
removed,  and  few  cared  to  add  to  their  loads  by  taking  with 
them  articles  of  dry  goods.  Newspapers  of  the  day  before 
were  found,  in  which  were  extravagant  accounts  of  the  battles 
of  the  ninth ;  the  claim  being  that  Gen.  Sherman's  forces  had 
made  five  desperate  assaults,  in  each  of  which  they  had  been 
repulsed,  with  frightful  loss.  The  statements  were  not  war- 
ranted by  the  facts,  but  in  this  and  many  other  instances  the 
attempt  was  evidently  made  to  bolster  up  the  hopes  of  the 
people  of  the  South  by  exaggerating  Rebel  successes  and 
belittling  Union  victories.  The  march  was  soon  resumed, 
with  skirmishers  in  front,  and  continued  until  dusk,  the  halt 
ior  the  night  being  near  an  old  mill  eight  miles  south  of 
Dalton,  and  not  far  from  Tilton.  There  was  some  skirmish- 
ing just  at  dusk,  a  few  bullets  flying  harmlessly  over  the 
heads  of  the  men  as  they  took  position,  when  the  final  halt 
•was  ordered.  Immediately  a  line  of  breastworks  was  begun, 
rails  being  piled  and  shovels  brought  into  use,  so  that  a  strong 
fortification  was  well  advanced  by  nine  o'clock.  There  was 
more  or  less  picket  firing  all  through  the  night,  but  no  casual- 
ties resulted.  The  Rebels  were  concentrating  at  Resaca,  and 
the  morrow  was  to  see  another  eventful  day  in  the  Regiment's 
history. 


1864]  RESACA.  315 


CHAPTER    XVI. 


Approaching  Resaca — Passing  the  Cavalry — Another  Line  of  Breast- 
works Built — Closing  in  Upon  the  Enemy — Gallant  Advance  of  the 
Skirmishers  —  Fix  Bayonets!  —  A  Charge  Proposed;  but  Never 
Made  —  The  Enemy  Massing  on  the  Left — Their  Lines  Advance  — 
Outflanked,  the  Regiment  Retreats  —  Routed  !  — Fighting  in  Retreat 
— At  the  Battery  —  Hooker's  Troops  to  the  Rescue  —  Terrible 
Slaughter  of  the  Enemy — Counting  up  the  Losses — Hooker's  Troops 
Charge — Partial  Success  of  Their  Assaults — Two  Memorable  Days 
— Successful  Flanking  Movements — The  Enemy  in  Retreat  —  The 
Casualty  List. 

FIVE  days  following  the -bloody  encounters  at  Rocky  Face 
Ridge  and  Buzzard  Roost  Gap,  the  NINETY-SIXTH  was  again 
in  the  furnace  of  battle,  Saturday,  May  14r,  being  the  opening 
day,  so  far  as  the  Fourth  Corps  was  concerned,  of  the  engage- 
ment at  Resaca.  The  preceding  chapter  narrates  the  doings 
of  the  Regiment  up  to  the  evening  of  the  thirteenth.  Next 
morning  the  forces  were  in  motion  at  six  o'clock,  Stoneman's 
cavalry  being  on  the  left  of  the  infantry  and  McCook's  troop- 
ers on  the  right.  Even  before  the  hour  named  the  cavalry 
had  reconnoitered  the  front  and  developed  the  fact  that  the 
Rebels  were  in  force  not  far  away,  and  heavy  skirmishing 
began  almost  as  soon  as  the  camps  were  left.  This  skirmish- 
ing was  at  first  wholly  on  the  part  of  Gen.  Stoneman's  forces, 
the  infantry,  each  Division  in  column,  moving  slowly  forward 
in  support.  Halts  were  frequent,  and  after  one  of  a  little 
more  length  than  usual  the  bugle  sounded  for  the  infantry  to 
advance.  A  brief  but  rapid  march  brought  them  to  where 
the  cavalry  horses  stood  in  line  or  in  groups.  Every  fourth 
man  of  the  cavalry  was  holding  the  horses  of  his  file,  while 
his  comrades  were  in  advance  on  foot.  The  infantry  soon 
reached  a  ridge  along  which  the  dismounted  cavalry  were 
deployed.  The  column  broke  to  right  and  left,  forming  in  the 
order  of  battle  on  either  side  of  the  highway.  The  officers  of 
•the  different  commands  consulted  as  to  the  positions  of  their 


316  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

respective  forces  and  of  the  enemy,  and  two  or  three  men 
from  each  Company  ran  to  a  creek  or  spring  near  by  to  fill 
their  own  and  their  comrades'  canteens.  Belts  were  buckled 
a  little  tighter,  and  the  men  peered  forward  to  see  what 
awaited  them.  The  cracking  of  the  carbines  had  nearly 
ceased,  and  the  occasional  bullets  from  the  front  had  the 
peculiar  humming  sound  which  indicated  that  they  had  come 
a  long  distance.  At  this  discovery  there  was  some  good- 
natured  chaffing  between  the  two  arms  of  the  service,  the 
infantry  ridiculing  the  cavalry  for  firing  at  such  long  range. 
This  was  soon  terminated,  for  the  troopers  were  ordered  back 
to  their  horses  and  sent  to  watch  the  left  flank.  The  NINETY- 
SIXTH,  with  other  forces  in  the  front  line,  advanced  for  a  short 
distance  and  halted  near  the  edge  of  an  open  field,  a  quarter 
of  a  mile  in  width.  Skirmishers  were  thrown  out  into  this 
field,  and  the  main  line  immediately  began  to  fortify  its  posi- 
tion. The  Fourth  Corps  was  on  the  extreme  left  of  the  gen- 
eral army,  the  First  Division,  to  which  the  NINETY-SIXTH  was 
attached,  was  the  left  of  the  Corps,  and  for  the  time  being 
Whittaker's  was  the  left  Brigade  of  the  Division.  It  required 
most  of  the  forenoon  to  move  the  Corps  into  place  and  connect 
the  lines  with  those  of  the  Twenty-third  Corps,  on  the  right. 
During  this  period  comparative  quiet  reigned  upon  the  extreme 
left,  but  farther  to  the  right,  where  the  troops  were  swinging 
forward  to  develop  the  enemy's  position,  there  was  a  volume 
of  firing  whose  magnitude  indicated  that  a  battle  was  in 
progress. 

At  a  little  after  two  o'clock  the  left  was  ordered  forward. 
Promptly  the  line  moved  out,  Companies  A  and  B  deployed 
as  skirmishers.  Beyond  the  open  field  mentioned  was  a 
wooded  ridge,  from  which  came  shots  to  indicate  that  it  was 
held  by  the  enemy.  The  advance  to  this  ridge  was  resisted, 
but  not  with  such  force  as  to  compel  a  charge.  As  the  skir- 
mishers neared  its  top  they  were  greeted  with  a  hot  fire,  indi- 
cating that  the  enemy  were  in  heavy  force  a  little  farther  on. 
As  it  proved  the  advancing  line  was  not  parallel  to  the  enemy's 
works,  the  left  of  Company  B  being  much  nearer  than  the 
right  of  Company  A.  This  fact  was  not  at  once  appreciated, 


1864]  RESACA.  317 

arid  Captain  Vincent,  the  ranking  officer  and  hence  the  com- 
manding officer  of  the  line,  repeatedly  called  out,  as  the  men 
halted,  "Forward  on  the  left!"  "Forward  on  the  left!" 
Captain  Gilmore  repeated  the  order  to  his  men,  and  most 
gallantly  they  responded,  going  at  a  charge,  driving  the 
enemy's  skirmishers  from  their  positions  and  halting  only 
when  the  main  works  of  the  Rebels  were  in  plain  view  and  a 
volley  warned  them  that  to  go  farther  would  be  extremely 
perilous.  In  this  advance  Herman  Hoogstraat,  of  Company 
B,  was  killed  by  one  of  the  Rebel  skirmishers,  the  latter 
quickly  paying  the  penalty,  for  before  the  smoke  from  his 
musket  had  cleared  away,  "Mack"  McMillen's  trusty  rifle 
rang  out  its  response,  and  when  the  line  advanced  the  Rebel 
was  found  dead  where  he  had  fallen.  John  Bininger,  of 
Company  A,  was  the  target  of  the  Rebels  for  a  time,  they 
getting  range  of  the  old  stump  behind  which  he  had  taken 
shelter  and  tilling  it  full  of  holes.  A  bad  bruise  to  his  shoul- 
der, a  severely  scratched  face  and  a  considerable  amount  of 
bark  and  dirt  in  his  eyes  constituted  his  inventory  of  physical 
damages.  It  being  demonstrated  that  the  left  was  as  far 
advanced  as  was  practicable,  the  right  was  swung  around  to 
conform  and  the  reserves  moved  up  until  they  stood  confront- 
ing a  field,  a  half  mile  in  width.  This  field  was  broken  with 
hills  and  seamed  with  gullies,  with  a  timbered  ridge  at  the 
left.  Its  farther  side  was  fringed  with  timber,  against  which 
the  fresh  clay  of  a  heavy  line  of  breastworks  could  be  plainly 
seen.  The  works  were  full  of  men,  except  at  one  point  where 
a  fort  projected,  which  was  readily  guessed  to  be  occupied  by 
a  battery  of  artillery.  Instantly  the  Brigade  Commander 
coveted  that  battery,  and  began  to  make  plans  for  its  capture. 
The  NINETY-SIXTH,  with  two  other  regiments,  were  ordered  to 
pile  knapsacks  and  fix  bayonets,  preparatory  to  a  charge. 
Officers  and  men  looked  at  each  other  in  amazement,  and  won- 
dered if  it  was  possible  that  this  little  force  was  to  be  asked 
to  make  an  assault  across  such  a  field  and  against  such  for- 
midable entrenchments  with  no  support  at  hand?  Colonel 
Champion,  who  was  always  careful  of  criticising  his  superiors, 
quietly  spoke  his  disapproval  to  those  immediately  about  him, 


318  HlSTOBY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

but  added  that  if  the  order  was  made  there  should  be  no  falter- 
ing. O'Connor,  of  Company  K,  peering  from  behind  the 
thin  screen  of  bushes  that  sheltered  the  Regiment,  remarked : 
alf  Gen.  Whittaker  will  wait  until  next  pay-day  I  will  chip 
in  a  part  of  me  wages  and  buy  him  a  better  battery  than  the 
one  ferninst  him  on  the  hill." 

The  General  seemed  in  high  glee  over  the  anticipated 
victory,  his  expressions  being  in  marked  contrast  with  the  feel- 
ings of  the  officers  and  men  assigned  to  the  task  laid  out  by 
him,  as  afterward  ascertained,  although  at  the  time  but  little 
was  said.  Preparations  were  nearly  completed,  and  in  a  few 
moments  the  order  would  have  been  given  had  not  the 
Division  Commander  come  from  the  right  just  at  this  time. 
A  look  to  right  and  left,  and  he  fully  comprehended  the  situ- 
ation. Masked  batteries  on  either  flank,  silent  as  yet,  but  so 
posted  as  to  be  able  to  throw  a  converging  fire  upon  every 
acre  of  that  barren  field,  were  detected  by  his  eagle  eye.  He 
quickly  decided  that  the  charge  would  be  unwise.  The  men 
fully  concurred  in  the  judgment  of  the  senior  officer  as  to  the 
unwisdom  of  a  charge  on  the  part  of  three  small  regiments, 
with  no  supports  in  sight,  against  strong  earthworks,  with  the 
certainty  of  a  flanking  fire  from  the  moment  an  advance  begun. 
At  Chickamauga  they  had  obeyed  Gen.  Whittaker's  order  and 
hurled  themselves  against  a  mass  of  Rebels  outnumbering 
them  three  to  one,  and  achieved  success.  At  Lookout  Moun- 
tain they  had  climbed  into  the  very  clouds,  and  won  a  victory 
where  defeat  seemed  almost  certain.  At  Rocky  Face,  five 
days  before  the  date  here  written  of,  they  had  moved — although 
but  a  mere  skirmish  line — against  an  army  and  accomplished 
all  that  they  were  asked  to  do.  So  now,  had  the  order  been 
given,  they  would  have  gone  against  that  frowning  line,  and, 
if  possible,  wrested  a  victory  from  the  very  jaws  of  defeat. 
But  it  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  as  the  men  stood  in  line 
that  afternoon,  and,  peering  from  behind  their  thin  screen  of 
bushes,  measured  their  chances  in  the  proposed  charge  across 
that  rugged  field,  the  feeling  was  all  but  universal  that  before 
them  lay  the  most  difficult  and  desperate  undertaking  that  had 
ever  been  assigned  to  them.  It  was  therefore  with  a  feeling 


1864]  RESACA.  319 

of  infinite  relief  that  the  order  was  received  to  unfix  bayonets. 
A  hurried  consultation  of  officers  followed.  A  Brigade  wa» 
moved  into  the  woods  at  the  left,  and  shortly  afterward  the 
NINETY-SIXTH,  with  two  other  regiments,  moved  quietly  but 
quickly  to  the  rear,  and  then,  by  diverging  columns,  across  an 
obscure  road  and  along  a  depression  between  two  irregular 
ridges  or  hills,  to  the  left  of  where  the  Brigade  mentioned 
was  going  into  position.  Company  B  was  sent  in  detachments 
on  the  left  fiank  and  to  the  front,  with  instructions  to  report 
any  movement  of  the  enemy  that  might  be  discovered.  Com- 
pany G  was  deployed  to  skirmish  along  the  immediate  front 
of  the  Regiment.  The  movement  was  through  a  tangle  of 
underbrush  for  a  hundred  rods  or  more.  When  a  halt  was 
made  the  Regiment  was  in  line  almost  at  right  angles  to  its 
former  position,  and  practically  isolated  from  any  other  troops, 
a  gap  several  rods  in  extent  separating  it  from  the  Brigade 
which  had  hastily  moved  on  its  right  and  slightly  to  the  front, 
while  a  like  opening  lay  between  its  left  and  the  51st  Ohio. 
The  99th  Ohio  was  halted  some  distance  in  the  rear,  and  not 
far  from  the  road.  None  in  the  ranks,  and  but  few  even 
among  the  field  officers,  knew  the  need  that  had  called  for  this 
movement,  the  anxiety  with  which  Gen.  Stanley  watched  as 
they  entered  the  jungle  into  which  his  order  had  sent  them,, 
or  with  what  urgency  he  was  asking  Gen.  Thomas  for  rein- 
forcements for  his  left  wing.  His  scouts  had  brought  him 
word  that  the  enemy  was  massing  a  Division  or  more  for  one 
of  those  desperate  charges  upon  the  flank  for  which  the  Con- 
federates were  noted. 

The  skirmishers  upon  the  immediate  front  of  the  NINETY- 
SIXTH  soon  became  aware  of  the  purpose  of  the  enemy,  for  as 
they  halted  at  a  low  rail  fence  at  the  edge  of  the  thicket  and 
looked  across  an  old  field  with  its  girdled  trees,  a  sight  in  one 
sense  grand  came  full  upon  their  gaze.  Stevenson's  Division 
was  just  emerging  from  the  timber  and  forming  its  lines  in 
plain  view,  preparatory  to  a  desperate  assault.  The  enemy 
were  in  two  lines,  and  formed  in  admirable  order,  their  flags 
floating  gaily,  many  of  their  officers  mounted,  and  a  light  line 
of  cavalry  riding  in  rear  and  upon  either  flank.  At  a  given 


I 
320  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

command  two  or  three  men  stepped  out  from  each  Company 
and  took  position  as  skirmishers.  The  long  lines  extended 
far  to  right  and  left,  and  it  was  evident  that  the  movement 
was  one  of  no  mean  proportions.  Captain  James  promptly 
reported  from  the  skirmish  line  what  had  been  seen,  and  was 
ordered  to  call  in  his  men  and  form  them  with  the  main  line. 
This  proved  a  difficult  task,  for  they  were  busily  engaged  in 
tiring-  into  the  now  advancing  Rebels,  and  could  hear  the  com- 
mand with  difficulty  ;  indeed  many  of  them  did  not  hear  the 
order,  running  back  on  their  own  judgment  when  they  saw 
that  to  remain  longer  meant  capture.  A  few  did  not  leave 
the  line  at  all,  being  so  absorbed  in  their  work  of  loading  and 
iiring  as  to  fail  to  take  thought  for  their  own  safety  until  too 
late,  and  when  they  were  fairly  run  over  by  the  cloud  of  skir- 
mishers that  covered  the  front  of  the  moving  lines. 

The  charging  column,  as  it  came  over  the  higher  ground, 
•struck  the  Brigade  at  the  right  with  fearful  velocity.  These 
troops  were  engaged  in  throwing  up  a  barricade  of  rails  and 
logs  when  the  charge  began.  Seizing  their  muskets  they  made 
a  brave  fight  for  a  few  moments,  but  upon  discovering  that 
their  flank  was  passed  broke  for  the  rear  in  wild  confusion. 
The  moments  were  of  fearful  import  to  the  members  of  the 
NINETY-SIXTH.  Bow  anxiously  they  awaited  the  result  of 
that  onset.  They  could  see  little,  but  they  could  hear  every- 
thing. It  was  but  a  moment  and  their  worst  fears  were 
realized,  for  the  firing  slackened  at  the  right,  while  the  Rebel 
yell  grew  more  exultant  as  the  line  of  blue  was  rolled  back 
from  left  to  right.  In  a  moment  the  storm  had  struck  the 
Regiment.  Hardly  a  shot  had  been  fired  at  them  as  yet,  and 
owing  to  the  dense  thicket  not  a  Rebel  could  be  seen.  But 
they  could  be  plainly  heard  as  they  threw  aside  the  fence  in 
front.  The  men  were  generally  kneeling  or  lying  prostrate 
on  the  ground,  every  one  ready  for  his  work.  The  voice  of 
Colonel  Champion  rang  out:  "Steady,  men!  Hold  your 
fire  until  I  give  the  word  ! "  Then,  as  the  bushes  began  to 
weave  to  and  fro,  almost  in  their  faces,  he  gave  the  command : 
"Fire!"  A  terribly  destructive  volley  poured  into  the  on- 
coming lines,  and  a  great  winrow  of  dead  was  afterward 


WILLIAM    15.  SCACK. 
Company  K. 


•sp*.*^ 

f   & 


1864]  RESACA.  321 

found  at  this  point.  The  front  line  of  the  charging  column 
was  halted  and  turned  back  for  a  regiment's  length.  Many  of 
the  Regiment  began  to  reload  their  muskets,  having  no  thought 
of  leaving  the  line.  Those  at  the  right  could  see  at  once  that 
the  position  was  untenable,  for  the  Rebels  were  rushing  past 
their  flank  in  solid  ranks.  A  moment  later  the  left  was  also 
flanked  and  a  wicked  fire  was  poured  lengthwise  of  the  line. 
A  formal  order  to  retreat  was  given  by  Colonel  Champion, 
with  directions  to  rally  at  the  breastworks,  but  in  the  confu- 
sion and  noise  could  not  be  heard  by  all.  But  the  instinct  of 
self  preservation  was  strong  enough  to  tell  the  experienced 
soldier  what  to  do,  and  the  movement  to  the  rear  was  begun 
almost  simultaneously  along  the  entire  line.  In  a  moment 
the  retreat  had  become  a  rout.  The  Rebels  were  past  both 
the  flanks,  and  yelling  and  firing  with  all  their  might.  For 
the  first  and  last  time  in  its  experience  the  Regiment  was  in 
utter  confusion,  and  little  or  no  effort  was  made  to  preserve 
order  ;  indeed  no  effort  was  practicable  from  the  start.  For 
a  time  it  was  a  race  between  the  men  in  blue  and  those  in 
gray  to  see  which  should  first  gain  the  open  field.  Fortu- 
tunately  the  Regiment's  course  lay  through  a  hollow  or  depres- 
sion, and  while  the  pines  somewhat  retarded  the  retreat  it 
likewise  delayed  the  Rebels  and  served  an  admirable  purpose 
as  a  covering  or  screen.  A  majority  of  the  command  followed 
the  natural  depression,  which  took  them  a  little  to  the  left  of 
Simonson's  5th  Indiana  Battery,  making  their  way  to  the 
breastworks  built  in  the  morning,  and  when  the  enemy  came 
in  view  doing  admirable  service.  Others  bore  to  the  right, 
and  as  they  emerged  from  the  timber  found  themselves  in  an 
open  field  nearly  in  front  of  the  Battery  as  it  then  faced.  As 
soon  as  the  infantry  had  moved  to  right  and  left,  so  that  the 
cannon  could  be  fired  without  endangering  the.  lives  of  their 
friends,  Capt.  Simonson  gave  the  word,  and  his  six  pieces  of 
artillery  began  to  play  upon  the  timber.  The  Rebels  had 
evidently  slackened  their  pace  somewhat,  probably  to  reform 
that  portion  of  their  line  shattered  by  the  volleys  from  the 
NINETY-SIXTH  and  other  Regiments,  and  to  change  .direction 
so  as  to  swing  a  little  farther  to  the  Union  rear.  On  either 

21 


322  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  1. 

side  of  the  Battery  the  most  strenuous  efforts  were  making  to- 
organize  the  men  who  had  been  borne  backward  in  the  terrific 
storm.  Officers  of  every  rank  were  shouting  out  their  orders, 
and  men  of  a  dozen  regiments  were  trying  to  form  some 
semblance  of  a  line,  regardless  of  what  flag  they  fought 
beneath  so  that  it  was  the  stars  and  stripes.  Others,  timid 
and  uncertain  as  to  duty,  were  hunting  for  their  own  com- 
mands. An  irregular  line  was  formed  on  either  flank  of  the 
cannon,  and  the  men  stood  there  awaiting  the  coming  of  the 
Rebels  and  resolved  to  check  and  send  them  back  if  the  valor 
of  a  few  could  avail.  But  all  at  that  point  felt  that  the  result 
was  doubtful,  for  what  could  two  or  three  hundred  do  against 
the  vast  host  soon  to  emerge  from  the  cover  of  the  timber  ? 

It  was  marvelous  to  witness  the  rapidity  with  which  the 
artillery  was  fired  as  the  danger  of  capture  became  apparent 
to  the  cannoneers.  Perhaps  never  were  six  guns  made  to  do 
more  rapid  or  destructive  work.  They  were  filled  again  and 
again,  almost  to  the  muzzle,  and  fired  so  rapidly  that  Rebel 
prisoners  captured  soon  after  refused  to  believe  that  but  a 
single  battery  had  played  upon  them. 

It  was  said  that  five  wagon  loads  of  ammunition  were 
expended  within  a  half  hour  or  less,  and  that  268  dead  Rebels 
were  buried  from  the  front  of  the  battery.  A  staff  officer  came 
riding  down  to  where  the  scattered  infantrymen  were  resolutely 
reforming,  and  begged  them  to  hold  the  line  for  five  minutes 
more,  assuring  them  that  a  Division  of  the  Twentieth  Corps 
was  close  at  hand,  coming  to  the  rescue  at  double  quick.  The 
promise  was  reassuring,  although  many  did  not  need  it,  having 
determined  to  fight  to  the  death  beside  the  Battery.  The 
Rebels  had  now  emerged  from  the  woods,  and  under  orders 
not  to  shout  or  fire,  but  to  keep  their  advance  concealed  if 
possible,  were  moving  for  the  coveted  artillery,  hoping  to 
gain  it  by  stealth.  So  silent  was  their  movement  that  some 
of  the  Federal  forces  almost  believed  them  friends,  and  hesi- 
tated about  firing  upon  them.  ' '  Why  don't  you  return  our 
fire  ?"  was  shouted  towards  them.  "We  don't  care  anything 
about  you  ^  we  are  after  that  Battery  ! "  was  shouted  back. 
"If  you  want  the  Battery  come  and  get  it  I "  was  answered  in 


1864]  RESACA.  323 

chorus,  and  the  firing  grew  more  fierce  and  deadly,  the  mus- 
kets playing  upon  them  and  the  cannon  emptying  grape  and 
canister  into  their  ranks.  They  were  but  a  few  rods  away 
when  a  Brigade  of  Hooker's  Corps,  moving  at  double-quick, 
came  up  from  the  right  and  took  place  beside  the  guns.  At 
the  same  time  a  portion  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  was  firing  upon 
them  at  short  range  from  the  breastworks.  The  movements 
of  the  reinforcing  column  were  admirably  made,  and  they 
swept  forward  across  the  field,  driving  the  Rebels  back  into 
the  shelter  of  the  forest.  And  with  them,  forming  wherever 
they  could,  in  the  front  line,  moved  many  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH, 
halting  only  when  the  enemy  had  disappeared  in  rapid  flight, 
and  darkness  had  begun  to  settle  over  the  terrible  scene.  The 
discomfiture  of  the  Rebels  was  complete,  their  ranks  being 
shattered  and  their  rout  even  more  marked  than  had  been 
that  of  the  most  exposed  Union  forces.  Numerous  prisoners 
were  captured,  and  the  ground  was  strewn  with  arms  and 
equipments.  All  of  their  dead  and  many  of  their  wounded 
were  left  upon  the  field,  and  it  only  needed  a  few  moments 
more  of  daylight  to  have  made  probable  the  capture  of 
nearly  the  entire  force.  But  even  before  the  reinforcements 
had  arrived  darkness  had  begun  to  shut  out  the  view,  and  the 
CTnion  forces  halted  soon  after  entering  the  woods.  Mean- 
while word  had  passed  along  the  line  for  the  members  of  the 
NINETY-SIXTH,  who  were  with  Gen.  Hooker's  command,  to 
return  to  the  Battery  and  go  from  there  to  the  breastworks, 
where  the  Field  Officers,  the  colors  and  many  of  the  men  were 
awaiting  them.  At  this  gathering  there  was  many  a  hearty 
hand-shake  as  comrades  greeted  those  whom  they  feared  had 
been  killed  or  captured,  and  many  an  anxious  inquiry  for 
those  not  yet  in  line.  The  Regiment  then  moved  to  a  position 
in  the  main  line-of- battle,  behind  some  heavy  breastworks, 
and  bivouacked,  long  after  dark.  At  intervals  throughout 
the  night  the  missing  ones  arrived,  and  tired  men  from  other 
commands  were  anxiously  inquiring  as  they  passed  along  the 
line,  "  What  regiment  ? " 

There  were  many  exciting  incidents   during  the  retreat. 
Soon  after  leaving  the  line  Sergeant  Swanbrough  found  his 


324  HlSTOKY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,   ILL.  V.   I. 

task  of  carrying  the  flag  a  most  difficult  one,  for  it  would 
catch  on  the  bushes  and  delay  him.  Once  he  fell  down,  and 
as  the  cord  and  tassels  wound  around  a  sapling  was  compelled 
to  stop  and  untwist  them.  Those  who  were  near  him  as  he  fell 
thought  certainly  that  the  Sergeant  was  killed  or  wounded, 
and  the  flag  captured.  Happily  this  proved  incorrect,  for  he 
was  unharmed,  and  by  taking  the  colors  in  his  hands  and 
dragging  the  staff  after  him  he  managed  to  escape.  The 
stretcher  bearers  had  a  hard  task  in  carrying  back  Aralzeman 
Stanley,  of  Company  D,  who  had  been  disabled  by  a  wound, 
but  succeeded,  although  narrowly  escaping.  Simeon  Spencer, 
of  Company  F,  remained  with  his  brother  Richard,  when  the 
latter  was  wounded,  as  long  as  he  could  safely,  and  then 
reluctantly  left  him  to  become  a  prisoner,  knowing  that  if  he 
remained  they  would  be  quickly  separated.  Richard  was 
recaptured  two  days  later.  Lewis  Miller,  of  Company  G, 
might  have  escaped  had  he  been  willing  to  run  with  a  loaded 
gun,  but  stopping  to  cap  and  fire  his  piece,  was  himself  shot 
and  became  a  prisoner.  His  right  leg  was  shattered,  render- 
ing amputation  necessary.  When  the  Rebel  surgeons  exam- 
ined him  he  asked  if  the  leg  could  be  saved.  Receiving  a 
negative  reply  he  quickly  said:  "Cut  it  off  then."  The 
operation  was  skillfully  performed.  Two  days  afterward  he 
was  recaptured,  and  for  a  time  seemed  to  be  doing  admirably, 
but  later  some  complication  set  in  and  he  died  in  thirteen 
days  from  the  time  of  receiving  his  wound.  First  Sergeant 
Thomas  J.  Smith,  of  Company  I,  a  brother  of  the  Lieutenant 
Colonel,  was  shot  through  both  legs,  and,  with  Spencer  and 
Miller,  fell  into  the  enemy's  hands.  At  his  earnest  solicita- 
tion the  Rebel  surgeons  consented  that  the  three  be  left  at  a 
private  house  when  the  army  fell  back.  A  little  later  a  letter 
came  to  his  address  bearing  his  commission  as  First  Lieutenant 
of  his  Company,  to  succeed  Lieutenant  Moore,  who  had  been 
assigned  to  duty  as  Quarter-Master,  but  it  was  too  late,  as 
his  death  occurred  June  9.  Three  men  in  Company  K,— 
Sergeant  Leland,  Charles  Courter  and  John  J.  Vrowman,— 
fell  dead  near  together  in  the  thicket.  First  Sergeant  Joseph 
B.  Leekley,  of  Company  F,  and  Corporal  "William  B.  Lewin 


1864]  RESACA.  325 

and  Orange  M.  Ayers,  of  Company  C,  took  a  slightly  wrong 
direction  in  the  retreat,  and  emerging  upon  a  road  found 
themselves  prisoners.  Leekley  and  Ayers  afterward  died  in 
prison,  and  Lewin  reached  home  only  at  the  close  of  the  war. 
Those  on  the  skirmish  line  had  a  most  trying  experience. 
Many  of  them,  not  hearing  the  command  to  fall  back  to  the 
main  line,  remained  near  the  fence  until  the  enemy  were 
within  a  few  feet  of  them,  and  some  of  them  were  between 
the  fire  of  both  friend  and  foe.  The  fate  of  Edward  Darby, 
of  Company  G,  was  never  fully  known.  As  his  body  was 
not  found  when  the  lines  again  advanced  over  the  ground 
where  he  was  last  seen,  it  was  believed  that  he  was  a  pris- 
oner, but  no  tidings  ever  came  of  him.  It  is  probable  that 
he  was  either  killed,  or,  being  mortally  wounded,  was  taken 
to  the  rear,  dying  and  being  buried  in  an  unknown  grave. 
Corporal  Hose  and  Myron  J.  Brown,  of  Company  G,  re- 
mained too  long  and  were  captured.  Rose  died  in  prison, 
and  Brown,  when  he  finally  escaped,  was  too  badly  emaciated 
to  permit  of  his  return  to  the  Regiment.  William  Flagler,  of 
Company  G,  was  sometimes  laughed  at  for  carrying  a  big 
knapsack,  but  on  this  occasion  it  served  him  a  good  purpose. 
A  Rebel  bullet,  fired  at  short  range,  struck  it  fairly  in  the 
centre,  passed  through  and  cut  numerous  holes  in  his  surplus 
clothing,  and  spoiled  a  quantity  of  letter  paper  and  stamped 
envelopes,  but  came  to  a  stop  just  before  reaching  his  person. 
He  was  knocked  down  and  his  comrades  thought  him  killed, 
but  he  quickly  gathered  and  made  good  time  to  the  rear. 
Lieutenant  Hastings  was  so  severely  wounded  in  the  foot  as 
to  make  his  escape  most  difficult,  but  with  the  assistance  of 
some  of  the  members  of  his  Company  he  succeeded  in  getting 
safely  back.  James  Litwiler,  of  Company  B,  was  instantly 
killed  in  this  retrograde  movement.  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Smith,  who  had  been  on  detached  service  at  Chattanooga  for 
two  or  three  weeks,  came  on  the  field  just  in  time  to  be  caught 
in  the  panic,  being  in  search  of  the  Regiment  when  it  was 
swept  backward,  and  joining  it  that  evening.  In  the  advance 
S.  F.  Vose,  of  Company  G,  threw  his  arm  out  of  joint,  but 
as  the  same  accident  had  happened  before,  it  did  not  pain  him 


326  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

severely.  Stripping  off  all  of  his  clothing  but  his  pants,  the 
surgeon  had  just  succeeded  in  pulling  the  dislocated  arm  in 
place  when  the  stampede  begun.  Yose  ran  back  "without 
many  clothes  on,"  an  object  at  once  pitiable  and  laughable, 
as  he  made  his  way  to  the  rear.  Adjutant  Blodgett  picked 
up  a  set  of  accoutrements  that  had  been  discarded  by  some 
wounded  man,  but  when  a  bullet  spatted  against  the  car- 
tridge box  concluded  to  drop  them.  James  Beck,  of  Com- 
pany B,  had  a  bullet  through  both  trouser  legs,  and  his  mus- 
ket was  struck  by  a  ball  as  he  was  capping  it,  but  he  escaped 
wounds.  Henry  Montgomery,  of  Company  B,  had  a  bullet 
through  his  coat ;  George  Bowman,  of  Company  A,  had  a 
bullet  through  his  knapsack  and  another  through  his  boot 
heel.  Nicholas  Wearmouth,  of  Company  A,  had  a  bullet 
through  the  rim  of  his  hat.  Many  others  had  bullets  through 
their  clothing  or  equipments,  and  the  marvel  is  that  the  actual 
casualties  were  so  few.  A  large  number  of  knapsacks,  haver- 
sacks and  hats  were  lost  in  the  retreat,  the  bushes  catching 
and  tearing  them  off,  and  not  all  caring  to  risk  their  lives  by 
stopping  to  pick  them  up  with  the  yelling  pursuers  so  close 
at  hand.  A  very  few — possibly  a  half  dozen — became  so 
demoralized  as  to  drop  their  guns. 

While  retreat,  as  a  rule,  is  supposed  to  reflect  discredit 
upon  a  command,  the  retrograde  movement  at  Resaca  was 
wisely  made,  for  to  have  stood  longer  must  have  resulted  in 
the  capture  of  the  command.  As  it  was,  the  Regiment  was 
able  to  render  an  important  service  at  the  Battery  and  in  the 
breastworks  in  checking  the  Rebel  advance,  and  also  in  giving 
direction  and  encouragement  to  the  reinforcing  column. 

Sunday,  May  15,  found  the  two  armies  still  confronting  each 
other  along  the  rugged  hills  and  narrow  valleys  about  Resaca. 
General  Sherman  continued  the  work  of  pushing  his  right 
wing  down  the  Oostenaula  River,  begun  the  day  before,  and 
succeeded  in  laying  two  pontoon  bridges  not  far  from  Cal- 
houn,  and  in  such  a  position  as  to  again  threaten  Johnston's 
rear.  On  the  left  there  was  some  shifting  of  position,  but  no 
general  movement  on  the  part  of  the  Fourth  Corps.  Skirmish 
firing,  which  had  been  kept  up  through  the  night,  increased  in 


1864]  RESACA.  327 

volume,  and  the  artillery  played  upon  the  lines  from  either 
side.  During  the  forenoon  the  three  Divisions  of  the  Twen- 
tieth Corps  were  moved  to  a  position  in  the  rear  of  the  Fourth 
Corps,  and  it  was  whispered  that  they  were  to  assault  the 
works  in  front.  The  NINUTY-SIXTH  left  its  works  and  moved 
to  the  front,  halting  in  line-of-battle  at  the  right  of  the  Dalton 
and  Resaca  road.  Just  in  rear  of  this  position  two  Brigades 
of  General  Butterfield's  Division  of  the  Twentieth  Corps  were 
massed,  and  a  number  of  dispatches,  detailing  the  advantages 
gained  by  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  in  their  campaign,  were 
read  at  the  head  of  the  lines.  The  good  news  was  received 
with  hearty  cheering,  it  soon  transpired  that  one  purpose 
in  having  these  dispatches  read  was  to  encourage  the  troops  in 
the  difficult  work  before  them,  for  at  a  little  after  one  o'clock 
they  were  ordered  forward  for  an  attack.  One  Brigade, 
commanded  by  Gen.  Ward,  moved  diagonally  across  the 
wagon  road,  passing  directly  through,  or  over,  the  NINETY- 
SIXTH.  Another  Brigade  advanced  farther  at  the  left.  The 
NINETY-SIXTH  soon  found  its  position  in  support  a  most  un- 
comfortable one.  From  the  moment  it  occupied  the  line  a 
heavy  artillery  fire  had  been  showered  down  the  road,  and 
when  the  charging  column  began  its  advance  the  musketry 
firing  instantly  increased.  For  a  time  this  force  could  be 
plainly  seen  climbing  the  ridge  on  the  left,  but  soon  the 
foliage  of  the  trees  and  bushes  hid  it  from  view.  A  cheer 
burst  from  the  lines  ;  then  a  volley  was  given  by  them  and 
returned  by  the  enemy.  A  moment  more  and  the  musketry 
had  become  continuous,  its  roar  deepening  as  it  was  echoed 
from  hill  to  hill.  Musket  balls  came  pattering  down  to  the 
Regiment's  position  in  great  numbers,  pelting  the  ground, 
striking  logs  and  trees,  or  cutting  off  the  leaves  overhead. 
Wounded  men  began  to  limp  or  stagger  past ;  then  groups 
•of  stragglers,  the  latter  being  halted  and  turned  back  or  sent 
to  where  some  officers  were  stationed  to  take  charge  of  them. 
The  stretcher  bearers,  who  had  gone  to  the  front  close  behind 
the  lines,  soon  returned  with  their  ghastly  loads  ;  the  canvas, 
so  clean  and  white  as  they  advanced,  now  crimsoned  with 
the  life-blood  of  those  who  had  fallen.  And  still  the  dread 


328  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  1. 

work  went  on.  The  troops  in  reserve  had  little  to  do  except 
to  stop  the  stragglers,  but  with  the  left  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH 
this  duty  was  not  altogether  light.  But  even  doing  nothing 
was  trying  work  at  such  a  time,  for  the  pitiless  shots  struck 
all  around  and  kept  the  men  anxious  for  their  own  safety.. 
The  volume  of  sound  lessened  for  an  instant  and  then  the- 
Rebel  yell  broke  out  anew.  The  charge  had  only  partially 
succeeded.  The  men  fell  back  at  many  points,  but  rallied  a> 
little  at  the  left  of  the  road  and  again  went  forward.  Farther 
over  the  ridge  a  terrible  blunder  occurred.  Changing  direc- 
tion slightly,  one  column  moved  so  as  to  partly  come  in  rear 
of  another.  The  woods  were  full  of  smoke  so  that  they  could 
not  see  what  was  before  them,  and  as  the  bullets  were  coming, 
from  the  front  they  fired  into  their  friends.  The  effect  was 
to  disorganize  both  Brigades  to  some  extent  and  make  com- 
plete success  impossible.  Only  a  partial  volley  was  fired,, 
but  not  a  few  fell  before  it.  Some  of  the  officers  knew  the- 
situation  and  soon  made  the  men  aware  of  their  mistake.  A 
portion  of  one  Brigade  made  their  way  up  to  the  Rebel 
works,  and  lay  down  outside,  clubbing  muskets  with  the  foe. 
The  bayonet  was  used  in  a  few  cases,  and  the  enemy  forced 
to  abandon  four  pieces  of  artillery.  These  guns  could  not  be 
drawn  out  until  nightfall,  but  through  that  long  afternoon  the 
brave  men  lay  at  the  embrasures  and  prevented  the  foe  from 
getting  any  use  of  them.  The  results  of  the  charges  were 
not  all  that  had  been  hoped,  for  the  Rebels  still  held  a  con- 
tinuous line  about  Resaca,  but  there  were  substantial  gains 
in  position,  and  it  was  expected  that  should  the  enemy  remain 
until  morning  their  main  line  would  be  forced.  The  firing 
was  heavy  and  continuous  until  evening.  The  NINETY-SIXTH 
held  its  position  beside  the  road  for  several  hours.  At  one 
time  Gen.  Hooker,  with  his  Staff  and  a  bevy  of  orderlies,  rode 
to  the  centre  of  the  Regiment,  and  from  their  horses  watched 
a  charge.  Bullets  flew  all  about  them,  and  two  or  three  of 
the  party  were  wounded,  but  the  veteran  Commander  never- 
moved  a  muscle  to  indicate  that  he  had  the  slightest  fear.  A 
straggler  came  rushing  back  near  their  position.  The  Gen- 
eral said,  reproachfully  perhaps,  but  with  no  trace  of  passion  :: 


1864]  KESACA. 

"Young  man,  isn't  it  a  little  cowardly  to  leave  your  com- 
rades fighting  at  the  front  while  you  go  to  the  rear  ?  Go 
back  to  your  command  and  show  that  you  are  willing  to 
do  your  part."  The  soldier  turned  about,  almost  before  the 
General  had  ceased  speaking,  and,  deliberately  facing  the 
storm,  went  back  into  the  battle.  The  effect  of  Gen.  Hooker's 
coolness  upon  the  men  lying  in  reserve  was  excellent.  His 
reputation  was  that  of  a  fiery,  impulsive,  passionate  man  ; 
but  here,  under  most  trying  circumstances,  he  was  as  cool 
as  though  the  surroundings  were  of  the  most  common-place 
character.  During  the  afternoon  Gen.  Ward,  commanding 
one  of  Gen.  Butterfield's  Brigades,  who  had  ridden  through 
the  Regiment  on  his  way  to  the  front,  was  brought  back 
wounded.  Gen.  Knipe,  another  Brigade  commander,  was 
also  severely  wounded  ;  and  the  total  of  casualties  in  these 
afternoon  charges  was  not  less  than  two  thousand.  Four 
pieces  of  artillery  and  two  battle  flags  were  among  the  tro- 
phies. 

The  NINETY-SIXTH,  notwithstanding  the  heavy  firing  all 
about  it,  had  but  two  men  wounded.  Andrew  Hindman,  of 
Company  F,  had  a  wound  in  the  shoulder,  and  Nahum  Lamb, 
of  Company  G,  in  the  right  hand,  disabling  him  for  further 
service.  Several  others  were  hit  by  spent  balls  or  had  bullets 
through  their  clothing,  but  were  not  disabled. 

At  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  a  detail  from  the  Regi- 
ment, under  Lieutenant  Earle,  was  sent  to  the  right  to  con- 
struct some  breastworks  on  a  high  ridge.  At  dusk  the  Regi- 
ment moved  to  these  works  and  formed  line  under  an  annoy- 
ing artillery  fire.  Soon  afterward  all  was  quiet  for  a  time,  the 
armies,  as  if  by  mutual  consent,  discontinuing  their  firing ; 
but  when  some  members  of  the  Regiment  built  a  fire  just 
behind  the  works  bullets  began  to  zip  uncomfortably  close, 
and  even  a  battery  threw  a  shot  which,  passing  close  to  the 
fire,  went  back  into  the  timber  in  rear.  Thus  warned,  all 
fires  were  extinguished  and  grim  darkness  reigned  over  the 
scene.  The  men  soon  settled  down  to  such  sleep  as  could  be 
obtained,  but  were  once  routed  out  and  fell  in  line,  some 
unusual  noise  at  the  front  indicating  a  move  on  the  part  of 


330  HISTORY  or  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

the  enemy  that  might  mean  a  night  assault.  It  proved  to  be 
a  false  alarm,  however,  for  instead  of  making  an  assault  the 
Rebels  were  retreating  under  cover  of  the  darkness,  and  by 
morning  all  were  gone.  During  the  two  days  the  Regiment 
sustained  the  following 

CASUALTIES  : 

Company  A. 
WOUNDED. — John  Binninger,  face  ;  Gottlieb  Weber,  face. 

Company  B. 
KILLED. — Herman  Hoogstraat,  James  Litwiler. 

Company  G. 

CAPTURED. — Corporal  William  B.  Lewin  ;  Orange  M.  Avers,  the 
latter  dying  in  prison. 

Company  D. 

WOUNDED. — First  Lieutenant  Walter  W.  Hastings,  foot,  disabling 
him  for  further  field  service  ;  Corporal  Charles  Peppard,  left  hand  ; 
William  Fleming,  breast ;  Aralzeman  Stanley,  right  thigh,  disabling  him 
for  further  active  service. 

Company  F. 

WOUNDED. — Corporal  Thomas  Trevarthan,  face ;  Hugh  Williams, 
left  hand,  losing  a  finger  ;  Andrew  HindmajL.  shoulder,  wounded  awl 

t.iirpri  ;  Richard  Spencer,  shot  in  breasw^Sisablea'ior  further  service. 

CAPTURED. — First  Sergeant  Joseph  B^Leekley,  who  subsequently 
<lied  in  prison. 

Company  G. 

KILLED. — Edward  Darby. 

WOUNDED  AND  CAPTURED. — Lewis  Miller,  right  leg  shattered  above 
the  knee,  necessitating  amputation  and  causing  his  death  two  weeks 
afterward. 

CAPTURED. — Corporal  Delos  Rose  ;  Myron  J.  Brown.  Rose  dying 
in  prison. 

WOUNDED. — Nahum  Lamb,  right  hand,  necessitating  amputation  of 
second  finger,  and  disabling  him  for  further  service. 

Company  I. 

WOUNDED  AND  CAPTURED.— First  Sergeant  Thomas  J.  Smith,  shot 
through  both  legs,  causing  his  death  June  9. 

Company  K. 
KILLED. — Sergeant  Thomas  Leland  ;  Charles  Courier  ;  John  J.  Vrow- 


1864]  RESACA.  331 


CHAPTER    XVII. 


After  the  Battle — Resaca  Abandoned — "Drawing  Sherman  On  " — Look- 
ing for  Missing  Comrades — Forward  Again — A  trio  of  Wounded — 
Crossing  the  Oostenaula — Pressing  the  Enemy — Daily  under  Fire — 
Calhoun  and  Adairsville  Passed — From  Kingston  to  Cassville — Many 
Miles  upon  the  Skirmish  Line — The  Enemy  Pressed  backward — An 
Army  in  Full  Sight— More  Breastworks — A  Battle  Impending — Artil- 
lery Duel — Corporal  Gage's  Capture — Again  they  Retreat — Wearied 
Soldiers— Three  Days  of  Rest— Odd  Fellows  Outfit  Preserved— Visit 
to  the  Seminary — The  Boys  and  the  Books — Sunday's  Experience  at 
Cassville. 

THE  dawn  of  Monday,  May  16,  found  the  Rebel  breast- 
works at  Resaca  deserted.  The  gain  in  position  made  by 
the  Union  forces  during  the  two  days  of  fighting  and  maneu- 
vering, coupled  with  the  fact  that  part  of  Gen.  McPherson's 
army  had  succeeded  in  laying  pontoon  bridges  some  distance 
below,  and  thereby  gained  a  foothold  upon  the  south  bank  of 
the  river,  from  which  a  considerable  force  of  the  enemy  had 
tried  in  vain  to  dislodge  them,  had  decided  Gen.  Johnston 
that  his  only  safety  lay  in  immediate  retreat.  He  took  hope 
in  the  thought  that  Gen.  Sherman's  army  was  dependent 
upon  a  single  line  of  railroad  for  the  immense  supplies  upon 
which  it  must  subsist,  and  that  while  his  own  army  was 
gaining  in  numbers  as  it  fell  back  by  the  gathering  in  of  con- 
scripts and  the  addition  of  the  detachments  heretofore  re- 
quired to  garrison  the  posts  past  which  he  retreated,  the 
Union  forces  suffered  a  corresponding  loss  as  Regiments  or 
Brigades  were  dropped  out  by  the  way  to  guard  towns  and 
bridges.  Then,  too,  he  was  well  aware  of  the  fact  that  the 
time  of  the  non-veterans  from  many  of  the  Regiments 
recruited  in  1861  would  soon  expire,  and  that  with  their  re- 
tirement the  Union  army  would  suffer  serious  loss.  Doubt- 
less it  was  with  regret  that  he  abandoned  the  strong  positions 
-at  Dalton  and  Resaca  ;  but  hope  was  strong  that  when  the 
forces  of  Gen.  Sherman  had  been  drawn  far  from  their  base 


332  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

of  supplies  and  become  weakened  by  losses  from  sickness 
and  the  other  causes  mentioned,  he  would  be  able,  by  a  bold 
flank  movement,  or  a  cavalry  raid  which  should  successfully 
cut  the  railroad  toward  Chattanooga,  to  compel  the  army  con- 
fronting him  to  abandon  offensive  operations  and  fall  back 
to  the  line  of  the  Tennessee  river  for  their  own  protection. 
The  rank  and  file  of  the  Rebel  army  were  made  to  believe  that 
Gen.  Johnston  was  merely  drawing  Gen.  Sherman  on,  and 
that  when  he  "got  him  where  he  wanted  him"  he  would 
drive  off,  in  dire  confusion,  such  of  his  army  as  he  did  not 
capture  or  destroy.  But  in  this  hope  they  were  doomed  to 
bitter  disappointment,  as  their  bold  movement, — which  waa 
only  to  be  made  after  Atlanta  had  fallen,  and  under  another 
leader  than  Gen.  Johnston, — was  to  be  as  disastrous  as  it 
was  brilliant. 

On  the  morning  named  the  troops  were  ' '  bugled  "  out  at 
an  early  hour,  and  speedily  learned  from  the  pickets  that 
there  had  been  no  response  to  their  occasional  firing  for  some 
hours.  Many  of  the  Regiment  at  once  started  out  to  recon- 
noitre the  immediate  vicinity,  especially  desiring  to  go 
through  the  thicket  where  they  had  met  the  enemy  on  Satur- 
day evening,  and  from  which  they  had  been  forced  to  beat  so 
hasty  a  retreat,  their  main  purpose  being  to  obtain  some  trace 
of  missing  comrades.  The  bodies  of  a  portion  of  the  dead 
were  found,  and  from  a  few  Rebels  who  had  been  left  on 
picket  or  who  had  overslept  and  were  made  prisoners  by 
these  adventurous  men,  it  was  definitely  ascertained  that 
Rose,  Lewin  and  Ayers  had  been  captured  unharmed.  Cor- 
poral Rose  was  at  the  time  wearing  a  light  blue  jacket,  made 
from  an  overcoat,  and  his  chevrons  were  of  a  darker  material. 
This  peculiarity  of  dress,  together  with  his  heavy,  sandy 
moustache,  made  his  identification  complete,  while  that  of 
the  others  mentioned  was  hardly  less  so.  There  were  others 
captured,  they  said,  but  they  could  not  describe  them  so  as  to 
make  it  certain  that  they  were  from  the  Regiment. 

The  Regimental  Pioneers,  under  Lieutenant  Burnett,  of 
Company  B,  were  detailed  to  bury  the  dead  left  upon  the 
battle-field,  and  spent  the  greater  part  of  two  days  at  this- 


1864]  RESACA.  333 

sad  labor.     Details  from  other  commands  assisted   in  the 
work. 

At  eight  o'clock  the  dispositions  for  pursuit  were  com- 
pleted and  the  command  moved  out.  The  route  of  the  Reg- 
iment lay  near  the  ground  over  which  the  charges  of  the  day 
before  had  been  made,  and  revealed  many  interesting  scenes. 
The  Rebel  earthworks  were  found  to  be  of  great  strength, 
and  two  or  more  lines  deep,  so  that  should  one  be  lost  the 
troops  would  have  to  fall  back  but  a  few  rods  before  they 
could  again  have  protection.  The  trees  and  bushes  were 
barked  and  slivered  in  a  manner  to  indicate  that  the  Federal 
fire  had  been  terrific,  especially  at  the  point  where  the  four 
pieces  of  artillery  had  been  captured. 

In  the  forward  movement  the  Fourth  Corps  led  the  way 
to  the  little  hamlet  of  Resaca,  nearly  three  miles  from  the 
left  of  the  main  battle-field.  The  Fourteenth  Corps, — except 
one  Division  which  had  been  sent  toward  Rome  in  support  of 
Garrard's  cavalry, — followed.  The  Twentieth  and  Twenty- 
third  Corps  crossed  the  river  at  the  left,  and  Gen.  McPher- 
son's  forces  at  Lay's  Ferry,  at  the  right.  Arrived  at  Resaca, 
some  hours  were  occupied  in  repairing  the  partially  destroyed 
bridge,  those  of  the  troops  not  actively  engaged  in  this  work 
resting  in  the  shade  of  the  timber  beside  the  road.  "While 
in  this  position  a  scout  rode  along  and,  enquiring  for  the 
NINETY-SIXTH,  reported  that  three  of  their  men,  all  wounded, 
were  in  a  building  a  short  distance  away.  An  ambulance 
was  secured,  and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Smith,  accompanied  by 
a  few  men,  went  in  the  direction  indicated  and  soon  returned 
with  First  Sergeant  Thomas  J.  Smith,  of  Company  I ;  Richard 
Spencer,  of  Company  F ;  and  Lewis  Miller,  of  Company  G  ; 
.all  of  whom  were  wounded  and  captured  two  days  before. 
They  were  halted  at  the  Regiment  for  a  little  time,  and  then 
taken  to  the  village  and  placed  in  hospitals  that  were  just 
being  established.  Smith  and  Miller  did  not  long  survive, 
but  Spencer  recovered  after  some  months.  Their  captors  had 
taken  their  watches  and  blankets,  but  they  reported  having 
received  every  possible  kindness  from  the  ladies  at  whose 


334  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

house  they  had  been  left,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  their 
sympathies  were  wholly  with  the  South. 

In  the  haste  of  leaving,  the  Rebels  abandoned  a  large 
amount  of  meal,  a  quantity  of  muskets  and  other  material. 
It  may  be  said,  however,  that  the  retreat  was  well  managed, 
for  the  trophies  were  not  numerous  considering  the  amount 
of  material  that  had  to  be  removed.  A  few  prisoners  were  cap- 
tured at  the  crossings  of  the  river,  but  no  more  than  are  to 
be  found  in  rear  of  any  hurriedly  moved  army  where  retreat 
is  made  at  night. 

Between  four  and  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  the  Fourth 
Corps  crossed  the  Oostenaula  and  marched  southward  on 
roads  nearly  parallel  to  the  railroad,  camping  for  the  night 
not  far  from  Calhoun.  The  115th  Illinois,  which  had  been 
brigaded  with  the  NINETY-SIXTH  almost  from  its  organization, 
was  temporarily  detached  and  left  to  guard  Resaca  and  other 
points  near  by,  and  did  not  again  join  the  Brigade  until  Octo- 
ber. 

Tuesday,  May  17,  the  bugles  sounded  reveille  at  three 
o'clock  A.  M.,  and  as  soon  as  breakfasts  were  dispatched  the 
advance  begun.  Calhoun  was  passed  early  in  the  forenoon, 
the  troops  of  the  First  Division  marching  in  column  of  com- 
panies, with  drums  beating  and  flags  waving.  The  Second 
Division  had  the  advance.  The  skirmishing,  which  had  been 
lively  all  day,  grew  in  volume  as  the  afternoon  wore  away. 
The  First  Division  moved  up  to  the  support  of  the  Second 
under  a  heavy  artillery  fire,  and  became  engaged  just  as  night 
came  on.  The  Regiment  found  a  strong  line  of  entrench- 
ments in  its  immediate  front,  filled  with  resolute  foes,  but  no 
move  was  made  looking  to  their  dislodgement  that  night. 
Notwithstanding  the  heavy  firing  and  the  frequent  casualties 
all  along  the  line,  the  Regiment  was  so  fortunate  as  to  suffer 
no  loss.  A  heavy  line  of  works  was  built,  the  command 
working  far  into  the  night  in  making  its  position  secure 
against  assault.  Some  houses  in  front  of  the  line,  which  had 
afforded  protection  to  the  sharp-shooters  of  the  enemy,  were 
set  on  fire  and  burned  to  the  ground,  the  flames  lighting  up 
the  camps  during  the  early  evening.  The  Rebel  position  was 


1864]  ^d#~^gr£,&!rAtt>  335 

a  strong  one,  but  as  Gen.  McPherson  was  pressing  on  their 
left  flank,  and  Gen.  Schofield  on  their  right,  they  again  re- 
treated under  cover  of  the  darkness. 

"Wednesday,  May  18,  there  was  the  usual  early  reveille 
and  the  orders  were  renewed  to  "press  the  enemy."  The 
officers  of  the  command  were  in  trouble  about  the  matter  of 
rations  for  themselves,  but  the  enlisted  men  had  a  supply  and 
offered  to  divide.  The  troops  moved  forward  in  column, 
with  skirmishers  in  front,  the  enemy  harassing  them  to  the 
utmost  of  their  ability.  The  First  Division  being  in  rear 
made  a  slow  march  until  toward  night,  passing  Adairsville 
during  the  afternoon,  and  was  then  hurried  past  the  other 
troops  of  the  Corps  to  the  extreme  front,  going  into  bivouac 
in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  enemy  at  eight  o'clock,  with 
a  strong  picket  line  in  advance.  There  was  some  skirmishing 
as  the  position  was  reached  but  nothing  serious  resulted. 
Southern  newspapers  were  found  at  some  of  the  houses  in  the 
vicinity,  in  which  were  violent  criticisms  of  Gen.  Johnston 
for  his  course  in  falling  back,  and  also  strong  arguments  in 
favor  of  his  plans.  It  was  asserted  that  there  would  be  a 
decisive  battle  near  Cassville,  toward  which  Gen.  Sherman 
was  moving,  and  leading  officers  on  either  side  confidently 
expected,  as  they  lay  down  to  rest  that  night,  that  the  next 
day  would  see  the  engagement  inaugurated. 

Thursday,  May  19,  found  the  army  in  motion  at  sunrise, 
Gen.  Sherman  directing  that  the  enemy  be  pushed  at  all 
points,  and  forced  to  give  battle  north  of  the  Etowah  River 
if  possible.  The  Second  Brigade  had  the  lead,  and  the 
NINETY-SIXTH  was  in  the  advance  of  the  column  which  had 
marched  most  directly  along  the  railroad.  In  less  than  half 
an  hour  after  the  start  was  made  the  Rebels  were  encountered. 
One  company  after  another  was  sent  upon  the  skirmish  line 
until  a  considerable  part  of  the  command  was  deployed.  At 
Kingston — the  junction  of  the  Rome  branch  with  the  main 
line  of  railroad  from  Chattanooga — the  Rebels  opened  on  the 
advance,  with  a  battery,  but  the  skirmishers,  after  strongly 
pushing  at  the  front,  pressed  past  it  on  the  flank,  compelling 
it  to  withdraw.  The  skirmishing  was  so  severe  as  to  approach 


336  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  1. 

the  dignity  of  a  battle.  The  order  being  to  follow  near  the 
railroad,  the  line  swung  to  the  left  and  pressed  rapidly  for- 
ward. The  Rebels  halted  at  every  ridge  and  road,  making 
strong  resistance  and  compelling  the  Regiment  to  keep  up  a 
heavy  fire.  The  bullets  cut  wickedly  through  the  line,  but 
the  men  responded  gallantly  to  every  call  to  advance,  some- 
times charging  at  a  run  and  driving  the  enemy  from  their 
hiding  places  behind  the  trees  and  fences,  and  again  moving 
through  hollows  or  ravines  and  flanking  them  out.  The  day 
was  an  exceedingly  hot  one,  and  all  suffered  greatly ;  William 
Marble,  of  Company  B,  sustained  a  partial  sunstroke.  Mile 
after  mile  the  chase  continued.  With  a  stubbornness  that 
betokened  heavy  work  ahead,  the  men  in  gray  took  their 
places  behind  every  obstacle  that  afforded  protection,  only  to 
be  compelled  to  retire  by  the  ever  pressing  line  of  blue.  At 
last,  heated  almost  to  the  melting  point,  and  so  thoroughly 
exhausted  that  all  felt  that  they  could  not  much  longer  keep 
up  the  severe  work  demanded  of  them,  the  Regiment  emerged 
from  the  timber  upon  an  eminence  overlooking  a  beautiful, 
open  field.  The  enemy's  skirmishers  had  mainly  made  then- 
way  to  right  and  left  through  the  timber,  and  for  an  instant 
the  impression  prevailed  that  there  was  no  obstruction  in  front 
save  a  few  badly  demoralized  skirmishers  who  were  running 
as  rapidly  as  possible  across  the  field,  their  speed  accelerated 
by  the  bullets  sent  after  them  by  their  weary  followers.  But 
no  !  A  second  glance  confirmed  every  man  in  the  belief  that 
the  predicted  decisive  battle  was  at  hand.  Away  off  across 
the  comparatively  level  field  stretched  long  lines  of  moving 
men.  The  first  thought  was  that  it  might  be  Gen.  Schofield 
or  Gen.  Hooker,  as  they  were  known  to  have  been  nearer 
that  point  the  day  before  than  Gen.  Howard.  Officers  raised 
their  field  glasses  and  looked  at  the  mighty  host  and  announced 
that  the  men  were  dressed  in  gray.  It  was  the  Rebel  army, 
and  at  least  a  full  Corps  were  in  plain  sight,  marching  directly 
toward  the  Union  lines.  A  cloud  of  skirmishers  covered  their 
front,  and  batteries  of  artillery  distributed  along  the  line 
indicated  the  termination  of  each  brigade.  Mounted  officers 
rode  in  front  of  each  battalion,  and  groups  of  horsemen  desig- 


COMPANY  C. 


THOMAS  DAVIS. 
LEWIS  MILLER. 


DENNIS  SHUPE. 
Ca.pt.  DAVID  JAMES. 


JOHN  A.  CORBIN. 
WILLIAM  H.  WHAPLES. 


1864]  CASSVILLE.  337 

nated  the  positions  of  the  Generals  and  their  Staffs.  Regi- 
mental colors  could  be  dimly  seen,  and  the  lines  seemed  as 
perfectly  formed  and  as  evenly  marched  as  though  they  were 
out  for  a  holiday  parade.  Never,  except  when  they  stood 
upon  Lookout  Mountain  on  that  clear  November  day  in  1863, 
and  watched  the  battle  of  Missionary  Ridge,  had  the  men  of 
the  NINETY-SIXTH  seen  a  panorama  so  magnificent ;  and  even 
then  the  distance  was  so  great  as  to  make  objects  much  less 
distinct  than  at  this  time.  Indeed,  it  is  doubtful  if  anywhere 
during  the  war  except  when  Pickett's  Division  made  their 
brilliant  but  fatal  charge  at  Gettysburg,  or  when  Gen.  Hood 
moved  across  the  level  plain  at  Franklin,  were  there  so  many 
of  the  Rebel  army  so  magnificently  marshalled  in  plain  view 
of  their  opponents  as  in  what  military  writers  denominate 
"The  Affair  at  Cassville." 

The  men  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  with  others  along  the  line, 
stood  for  a  moment  as  if  entranced.  True  the  advancing  lines 
were  a  long  distance  off — probably  a  mile  and  a  half— but  the 
space  could  be  quickly  passed  by  fresh  men  in  the  desperate 
energy  of  a  charge  ;  and  that  was  what  the  movement  seemed 
to  mean. 

It  was  not  long  that  the  men  of  the  Regiment  stood  and 
watched  the  maneuvering  of  the  foe.  Gen.  Stanley  coming 
upon  the  scene,  looked  through  his  field-glass  for  a  moment, 
and  then  the  members  of  his  Staff'  went  galloping  back  to 
report  the  situation  and  to  form  the  Division  in  line.  The 
skirmishers  were  ordered  forward  to  a  fence,  some  rods  out 
in  the  field,  and  the  reserves  were  directed  to  begin  a  line  of 
works,  using  rails  and  logs.  Notwithstanding  the  excessive 
heat  and  the  great  fatigue  to  which  they  had  been  subjected, 
the  men  plied  themselves  to  the  utmost  to  make  some  slight 
protection  for  the  expected  assault.  But  when  about  a  mile 
distant,  the  Rebels  also  halted,  and  were  soon  equally  busy 
in  erecting  a  barricade  of  rails.  Gen.  Stanley  and  a  few 
officers  and  orderlies  were  standing  just  at  the  verge  of  the 
timber,  in  plain  view,  when  a  Rebel  battery  limbered  to 
the  rear  and  began  to  throw  their  iron  missiles  toward  them. 
For  prudential  reasons  these  horsemen  soon  withdrew  to  the 
22 


338  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

shelter  of  the  timber.  A  Union  battery  answered  its  oppo- 
nent and  quickly  sent  it  to  the  rear.  The  skirmishers  were 
directed  to  raise  their  sights  and  fire  at  the  line,  but  the  dis- 
tance was  too  great  for  marked  results.  The  entire  Fourth 
Corps  was  soon  in  line  and  several  batteries  of  artillery  opened 
upon  the  Rebels,  the  shots  striking  the  field  and  tearing  up  the 
sod  and  dust,  and  occasionally  seeming  to  pass  through  their 
ranks.  It  was  not  long  before  their  front  line  moved  back, 
in  some  confusion,  halting  in  rear  of  what  had  been  their 
second  line.  The  skirmishers  from  the  Regiment  were  at  one 
time  ordered  to  advance,  and  upon  climbing  the  fence  from 
behind  which  they  had  been  firing,  were  a  little  startled  by  a 
volley  from  some  Rebels  who  had  been  lying  in  the  field  a 
short  distance  in  front, — a  light  barricade  with  some  clover 
spread  over  it  completely  hiding  them  from  view.  Their  fire 
was  returned,  and  for  a  short  distance  there  was  a  lively  chase. 
By  the  time  that  the  lines  of  the  several  Corps  of  Gen, 
Sherman's  army  had  been  so  joined  that  a  safe  forward  move- 
ment could  be  made,  the  Rebels  retreated,  disappearing  in  the 
timber.  At  four  o'clock  the  Fourth  Corps  pushed  out  in  the 
centre,  the  Twentieth  Corps  at  the  left,  and  the  Fourteenth 
Corps  at  the  right.  Farther  in  rear,  on  right  and  left,  were 
Gen.  McPherson's  and  Gen.  Schofield's  forces.  There  was 
heavy  firing  at  intervals  until  nightfall,  by  which  time  the 
Union  lines  had  reached  Cassville. 

•  In  the  day's  advance  the  skirmishers  did  much  execution, 
of  which  there  was  abundant  evidence  all  along  the  way.  An 
amusing  incident  occurred  as  they  reached  the  vicinity  of  a 
large  white  house  near  the  outskirts  of  the  village,  which 
proved  to  be  the  residence  of  Rev.  Mr.  Best.  The  Rebels 
had  been  very  stubborn  at  this  point,  and  when  the  skirmish- 
ers finally  charged  and  routed  them,  it  was  with  such  gallantry 
that  all  could  not  escape,  and  a  few  prisoners  were  taken. 
Still  pressing  on,  through  a  garden,  Corporal  Gage  spied  the 
crown  of  an  ancient  hat  rising  just  above  a  large  rock  beyond 
the  paling.  Supposing  it  to  be  a  Rebel,  and  willing  to  give 
him  an  even  chance,  Gage  sprang  behind  a  tree  and  demanded 
that  he  "come  in  out  of  the  wet ;"  when  up  jumped  an  old 


1864]  .       CASSVILLE.  339 

colored  man,  trembling  in  every  nerve,  and  implored  him  ; 
"For  de  lub  of  de  Lawd,  don't  shoot.  I  aint  got  nuffin  agin 
you'uns  ! "  The  Corporal  didn't  shoot  the  colored  man,  but 
several  times  afterward  he  felt  very  much  like  shooting  some 
of  his  comrades  when  they  asked  him,  as  they  did  occasionally, 
if  he  had  made  any  captures  since  the  one  at  Cassville.  The 
house  mentioned  was  unoccupied,  and  from  the  colored  man 
it  was  learned  that  its  owner  had  two  sons  in  the  Rebel  army, 
one  of  them  being  a  Colonel,  who  had  left  the  house  that 
forenoon.  As  soon  as  the  lines  halted,  a  few  of  the  skirmish- 
ers returned  to  the  abandoned  house  and  helped  themselves 
to  numerous  articles  of  diet  not  provided  by  the  army  quarter- 
master. Rations  had  been  short  for  a  time  and  the  articles 
issued  were  of  the  plainest  character ;  but  on  this  occasion 
these  men  had  cake,  jelly,  honey  and  maple  sugar.  In 
addition  to  these  sweets,  meat,  tobacco,  meal  and  flour  were 
found  and  used. 

About  one  mile  southeast  of  Cassville,  on  a  high  ridge, 
was  the  main  line  of  works,  to  which  Gen.  Johnston's  army 
had  retired.  They  were  carefully  laid  out  and  strongly  built, 
but  on  their  right,  from  some  hills,  the  Federal  cannon  played 
upon  them  so  heavily  as  to  make  their  occupants  very  uneasy. 
And  yet  the  position  was  a  strong  one.  Gen.  Johnston  had 
just  received  a  considerable  reinforcement  from  Mississippi, 
while  Gen.  Sherman's  army  had  been  greatly  weakened ;  a 
Division  being  sent  to  Rome,  smaller  forces  left  at  various 
bridges  and  stations  passed,  and  thousands  giving  out  because 
of  sickness  and  fatigue.  On  the  whole  the  conditions  for  a 
battle  were  rather  favorable  to  the  Rebels,  and  they  undoubt- 
edly expected  to  tight  at  that  point.  But  Generals  Johnston, 
Hood  and  Polk  seem  to  have  had  some  difference  of  opinion 
as  to  the  merits  of  the  line  of  works  laid  out  and  fortified  by 
them  ;  and  so,  while  the  Union  forces  were  busy  fortifying 
their  front  and  preparing  for  the  expected  battle,  Gen.  John- 
ston issued  orders  for  his  forces  to  again  fall  back,  and  at 
midnight  they  were  retreating  to  the  Allatoona  hills,  south  of 
the  Eto wah  River.  The  casualties  .upon  the  nineteenth  were, 


340  HISTORY  OF  THE  96in  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

Francis  J.  Robinson,  of  Company  A,  wounded  in  the  neck  ; 
and  John  E.  Evans,  of  Company  I,  wounded  in  the  foot. 

Friday,  May  20,  the  army  of  Gen.  Sherman  was  early  in 
line,  but  the  "Johnnies"  were  gone.  Gen.  Sherman  at  once 
decided  upon  a  three  days'  halt.  The  troops  had  been  actively 
campaigning  for  two  weeks,  during  which  there  had  been 
but  little  opportunity  for  rest.  With  frequent  night  move- 
ments, with  reveille  at  three  o'clock  on  such  of  the  mornings 
as  that  hour  did  not  find  the  troops  already  on  the  move,  with 
a  line  of  breastworks  to  build  as  often  as  each  alternate  night, 
with  bridges  and  roads  to  repair,  with  heavy  guard  duty 
nightly,  and  marching  or  fighting  daily,  the  troops  were  so 
worn  as  to  greatly  need  rest.  It  is  not  to  be  supposed  that 
the  enemy  had  suffered  equally  from  fatigue,  for  while  most 
of  their  retreats  had  been  at  night,  they  had  marched  by 
direct  roads  and  occupied  lines  of  breastworks  built  for  their 
use  by  plantation  hands,  the  main  part  of  their  force  having  a 
long  rest,  at  least  in  the  early  part  of  each  day  following  a 
night  retreat,  while  their  pursuers  were  moving  up  to  con- 
front the  new  lines.  At  all  events  the  three  days  of  rest 
given  the  Federals  at  Cassville  were  most  welcome,  and  the 
men  made  good  use  of  their  opportunity.  The  first  thing 
with  most  of  them  was  a  bath  :  the  next  a  thorough  washing 
of  their  clothing.  This  done,  when  they  had  slept  all  they 
cared  to  they  wandered  through  the  pretty,  deserted  village. 
On  going  to  the  town  one  day  Lieutenant-Colonel  fcjmith. 
discovered  some  soldiers  arrayed  in  Odd  Fellows'  regalia. 
In  a  moment  he  called  the  soldiers  to  him  and  quietly  but 
firmly  demanded  the  return  of  their  trophies.  Summoning 
some  brothers  of  the  craft  he  repaired  to  the  lodge  room, 
restored  order  and  secured  the  return  of  all  or  nearly  all  of 
the  regalia  of  the  organization. 

Near  the  camp  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  was  a  Seminary  in 
which  was  a  large  library.  True  the  librarian  was  absent, 
but  as  a  large  proportion  of  the  command  was  of  a  literary 
turn  of  mind,  all  formality  was  waived  and  each  of  those  who 
wished  read  books.  It  was  a  strange  spectacle  to  see  hun- 
dreds of  men  in  uniform  sitting  at  the  desks  in  the  college, 


1864]  CASSVILLE.  341 

each  absorbed  in  some  scientific  book  or  in  some  work  of 
fiction,  or  to  go  outside  and  see  men  similarly  engaged, 
sitting  with  their  backs  against  the  mammoth  shade  trees, 
for  hours  together.  They  were  hungry  for  just  such  an  oppor- 
tunity as  was  here  offered,  and  thoroughly  did  they  improve 
it.  There  was  also  much  visiting  between  the  men  of  the 
various  regiments  in  that  vicinity,  many  of  the  Jo  Daviess 
County  boys  taking  a  long  tramp  to  Kingston  to  call  upon 
acquaintances  in  the  12th  Illinois. 

Friday,  Saturday  and  Sunday  sped  rapidly  by.  The  rail- 
road was  repaired  by  Saturday,  and  trains  brought  forward 
large  amounts  of  rations.  On  Sunday  four  days  rations  were 
issued  to  each  man,  and  twenty  days  rations  for  the  army 
loaded  upon  the  wagons.  The  soldiers  knew  that  this  meant 
a  long  march  away  from  the  railroad,  and  were  curious  as  to 
the  plans  of  their  commander,  but  content  and  confident. 

Religious  services  were  held  in  many  of  the  camps  both 
afternoon  and  evening.  It  was  a  spectacle  upon  which  no 
thinking  man,  however  skeptical,  could  look  unmoved,  to  see 
the  soldiers  gather  around  the  place  designated  for  religious 
meetings.  The  attendance  was  often  large,  and  embraced  a 
few  commissioned  officers.  Nor  was  it  alone  or  mainly  timid 
soldiers  who  were  present,  but  often  the  most  devout  were 
those  whose  presence  in  the  charge  or  upon  the  skirmish  line 
was  an  inspiration.  A  soldier  would  lead  in  some  stirring 
hymn,  and  soon  a  hundred  voices,  blending  beautifully,  would 
make  the  leafy  tabernacle  ring  with  their  grand  music. 
Prayer  would  be  offered,  sometimes  in  a  loud  tone,  and  again 
with  subdued  voice  :  some  with  crude  imagery  and  weird 
petition  for  the  overthrow  of  the  enemies  of  the  country  and 
of  righteousness  :  others  eloquent  in  their  very  simplicity, 
breathing  a  request  that  the  great  " Father  of  us  all"  would 
lead  the  way  through  all  the  darkness  of  the  present  to  the 
day  when  peace  should  brood  above  the  land,  and  war  and 
turmoil  cease — when  soldiers  should  be  permitted  to  forget 
the  camp  and  battle  and  yet  remember  that  they  were  soldiers 
in  the  army  of  the  great  Immanuel,  whose  victories  were 
bloodless  and  whose  captives  were  the  prisoners  of  hope. 


342  HISTORY  or  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

Scripture  would  be  read  or  repeated  by  the  leader ;  a  brief 
discourse  would  follow :  experiences  would  be  related,  and 
then,  as  the  flickering  camp  fires  burned  low  and  the  distant 
bugles  warned  the  worshipers  back  to  camp,  the  grand  melody 
of  Old  Hundred  would  go  up  like  incense  to  the  stars,  the 
soldiers  would  separate  and  in  a  few  moments  quiet  brood 
above  the  sleeping  hosts.  Who  shall  say  they  were  not 
strengthened  by  these  services,  crudely  arranged  and  con- 
ducted though  they  often  were,  or  that  the  God  of  Battles  did 
not  watch  above  them  and  frame  the  answer  to  their  varied 
petitions  while  they  prayed,  leading  them,  as  individuals,  and 
the  Nation  beneath  whose  banner  they  assembled,  into  a 
larger  liberty  than  that  of  which  they  then  conceived  ?  Cer- 
tain it  must  be  that  many  a  weary,  home-sick,  heart-sick  boy, 
took  courage  in  such  gatherings  as  these  and  went  thence  to 
the  battle  nerved  for  deeds  more  daring  than  the  past  had 
seen,  and  felt  himself  sustained  by  the  hope  and  faith  not 
elsewhere  so  certainly  obtained.  Not  a  few  date  their  first 
strong  religious  convictions  from  those  gatherings  in  the  for- 
ests of  Georgia,  and  many  still  cling  to  the  Faith  that  sus- 
tained them  there,  where  they  learned  to  sing : 

"Mine  eyes  have  seen  the  glory  of  the  coming  of  the  Lord  ; 
He  is  trampling  out  the  vintage  where  the  grapes  of  wrath  are  stored  ; 
He  hath  loosed  the  fateful  lightning  of  His  terrible  swift  sword ; 

His  truth  is  marching  on. 

"I  have  seen  Him  in  the  watch-fires  of  an  hundred  circling  camps, 
They  have  builded  Him  an  altar  in  the  evening  dews  and  damps, 
I  can  read  His  righteous  sentence  by  the  dim  and  flaring  lamps, 

His  day  is  marching  on. 

"I  have  read  a  fiery  gospel,  writ  in  burnished  rows  of  steel  ; 
'  As  ye  deal  with  my  contemners,  so  with  you  my  grace  shall  deal ; ' 
Let  the  Hero  born  of  woman  crush  the  serpent  with  his  heel, 

Since  God  is  marching  on. 

"  He  has  sounded  forth  the  trumpet  that  shall  never  call  retreat ; 
He  is  sifting  out  the  hearts  of  men  before  his  judgment  seat ; 
Oh,  be  swift,  my  soul,  to  answer  Him  !  be  jubilant,  my  feet ! 

Our  God  is  marching  on. 

"  In  the  beauty  of  the  lilies  Christ  was  born  across  the  sea, 
With  a  glory  in  His  bosom  that  transfigures  you  and  me  ; 
As  He  died  to  make  men  holy,  let  us  die  to  make  men  free, 
While  God  is  marching  on." 


1864]  ACROSS  THE  ETOWAH.  343 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

A  Bold  Flank  Movement — Across  the  Etowah— Gen.  Johnston  anticipates 
Gen.  Sherman's  Plans — Pumpkin  Vine  Creek — Late  Marches — In 
Reserve — Moving  to  the  Front  Line  Under  Fire— Strong  Breast- 
works— Terrific  Artillery  Fire — New  Hope  Church — Ten  Days  in  the 
Trenches — Sleeping  and  Eating  to  the  Music  of  Musketry — Casual- 
ties Almost  Daily — Miserably  Monotonous — The  Skirmishers  Better 
Natured — Trading  Between  the  Lines — Short  Rations — The  Enemy 
again  Outflanked — The  Union  Forces  reach  the  Railroad — In  Camp 
at  Ackworth — The  Boon  of  a  Three  Day's  Rest — The  Railroad  Re- 
paired— Rations  and  Mails  brought  up — Getting  Rid  of  the  Grey- 
backs — Ready  for  Kenesaw  Mountain. 

TWENTY  years  before  the  events  here  narrated,  and  while 
bearing  the  rank  of  Lieutenant,  Gen.  Sherman  had  accom- 
panied an  Inspector-General  in  the  army  to  Marietta,  Ga.,  on 
an  official  tour,  and  going  thence  on  horseback  to  the  Etowah 
River,  had  become  somewhat  familiar  with  the  region  of 
Kenesaw  Mountain  and  Allatoona.  He  now  remembered 
them  as  well  adapted  for  defensive  operations,  and  concluded 
not  to  risk  a  direct  movement  against  Allatoona.  Fortunately, 
by  a  rapid  movement  made  as  soon  as  Cassville  was  reached, 
the  cavalry  had  succeeded  in  gaining  possession  of  some 
wagon  bridges  across  the  Etowah,  and  Gen.  Sherman  resolved 
to  move  his  army  across  these  and  push  out  toward  Marietta 
and  the  Chattahoochie  river.  His  hope  was  that  this  movement 
might  be  well  advanced  before  the  enemy  should  discover  his 
plans.  Gen.  Johnston  was  on  the  watch,  however,  and  antic- 
ipating the  very  movement  that  would  be  made,  interposed  his 
army  between  the  Union  forces  and  Marietta,  ultimately  aban- 
doning the  strong  position  at  Allatoona  but  preventing  the 
immediate  flanking  of  Kenesaw  Mountain. 

Monday,  May  23,  the  Union  army  moved  by  the  right 
flank,  crossing  the  Etowah  River  by  the  bridges  that  had  been 
wrested  from  the  enemy  and  by  others  that  had  been  impro- 
vised. As  the  Fourth  Corps  had  been  directed  to  move  partly 
in  rear  of  other  troops,  the  Regiment  spent  the  forenoon  in 


344  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  1. 

camp.  A  general  order  was  issued  requiring  every  soldier  to- 
wear  shoes,  and  in  all  cases  where  those  then  in  use  were  not  in 
good  repair  to  draw  new  ones.  Many  of  the  men,  particularly 
those  who  had  been  home  on  furlough  during  the  winter  and 
spring,  had  boots  but  partially  worn,  and  the  order  to  throw 
them  away  was  not  received  with  the  utmost  good  nature. 
However,  they  had  long  since  learned  that  there  was  no 
appeal  from  General  Orders  and  all  complied,  though  not 
without  availing  themselves  of  the  soldiers  inalienable  right 
to  grumble, — the  one  right  they  always  declared  they  did  not 
sign  away  when  they  enlisted. 

At  noon  the  Regiment  filed  out  of  camp,  going  in  a  south- 
westerly direction  and  crossing  the  Etowah  River  at  Gillem's 
bridge,  near  a  little  place  which  took  its  name  from  the 
stream.  The  bridge  gave  evidence  of  an  attempt  to  destroy 
it,  for  the  planks  were  charred  in  one  or  two  places,  but  the 
cavalry  had  moved  too  rapidly  to  allow  the  work  of  destruc- 
tion to  gain  much  headway,  and  but  trifling  repairs  were 
necessary.  The  march  was  at  a  good  pace,  the  weather 
extremely  hot,  and  water  suitable  for  drinking  purposes  unusu- 
ally scarce,  so  that  when  the  column  finally  went  into  camp 
at  ten  o'clock  at  night,  in  a  large  wheat  field  a  little  south  of 
Euharlie,  the  men  were  thoroughly  tired.  The  cavalry,  which 
had  led  in  the  advance,  encountered  the  enemy  at  Stilesboro 
and  a  prolonged  skirmish  ensued,  but  the  infantry  forces  were 
not  seriously  involved.  Meanwhile  Gen.  Schofield  had  effected 
a  crossing  farther  to  the  left  and  nearer  Allatoona,  while  Gen. 
McPherson  had  moved  directly  south  from  Kingston,  on  the 
right  of  Gen.  Thomas,  the  several  columns  moving  by  nearly 
parallel  roads. 

Tuesday,  May  24,  the  Regiment  was  called  out  at  three 
o'clock  and  resumed  the  march  at  six  o'clock,  crossing  Euhar- 
lie Creek  and  making  slow  progress,  as  the  troops  in  front 
were  compelled  to  move  cautiously  to  avoid  being  ambushed. 
The  country  passed  in  the  early  part  of  the  day  was  attractive 
and  well  cultivated,  but  toward  night  a  hilly  region  was 
reached.  A  final  halt  was  made  late  in  the  evening  on  a  spur 
of  the  Allatoona  Ridge,  not  far  from  Burnt  Hickory.  A 


1864]  PUMPKIN  VINE  CKEEK.  3451- 

terrific  thunder  storm  was  raging  at  the  time,  thereby  pre- 
venting any  great  degree  of  comfort,  although  the  men  put 
up  their  shelter  tents,  wrapped  their  blankets  about  them  and 
were  speedily  asleep.  The  storm  lasted  a  considerable  part 
of  the  night,  but  at  daylight  next  morning  the  sky  was  clear. 

Wednesday,  May  25,  the  Regiment  started  at  ten  o'clock, 
marching  the  rest  of  the  day,  most  of  the  time  by  obscure 
roads.  The  Twentieth  Corps,  which  was  at  the  left  of  the 
Fourth,  encountering  the  enemy  in  heavy  force,  pushed 
forward  with  the  purpose  of  reaching  the  main  wagon  road 
leading  from  Dallas  to  Allatoona,  at  a  point  near  New  Hope 
Church.  A  severe  engagement  ensued  and  reinforcements 
being  called  for  ;  a  part  of  the  Fourth  Corps  which  had  been 
marching  directly  toward  Dallas,  was  ordered  to  the  assistance 
of  the  Twentieth,  and  at  four  o'clock  was  hurried  forward  past 
the  trains.  At  a  little  after  five  o'clock  the  NINETY-SIXTH 
crossed  Pumpkin  Yine  Creek  where  the  battle  had  begun,  and 
advanced  rapidly  until  dark,  meeting  large  numbers  of 
wounded  returning  from  the  battle  field.  At  sundown  it 
began  to  rain,  thus  increasing  the  difficulty  of  marching.  The 
Regiment  was  shifted  around  from  place  to  place  and  kept  on 
the  move  until  after  nine  o'clock  when,  weary  and  footsore, 
the  men  lay  down  to  rest,  first  building  a  partial  line  of 
breastworks.  The  losses  in  Hooker's  command  were  heavy, 
but  owing  to  the  difficulty  of  moving  troops  through  the 
forest  and  over  the  hills,  the  Fourth  Corps  was  so  late  in 
arriving  that  it  had  no  opportunity  to  return  the  severe  fire  to 
which  it  was  exposed  in  the  battle  of  Pumpkin  Yine  Creek. 

Thursday,  May  26,  there  was  heavy  cannonading  and 
much  musketry  throughout  the  entire  day.  The  First  Division 
of  the  Fourth  Corps  was  held  in  reserve  and  the  Regiment 
stood  to  arms  most  of  the  time,  being  repeatedly  moved  to 
right  or  left,  with  other  troops,  and  at  one  time  quite  a  distance 
toward  the  front,  but  was  kept  in  a  rear  line  nearly  a  half 
mile  from  where  the  more  active  work  was  going  on.  Night 
brought  orders  to  still  remain  under  arms  and  the  men  lay 
down  with  their  accoutrements  on  but  with  their  waist  belts 


346  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

unbuckled.     There  was  more  or  less  firing  all  night,  but  the 
Regiment  was  not  called  out. 

Friday,  May  27,  orders  came  for  the  First  Division  to  move 
to  the  left  and  relieve  Gen.  Wood's  Division,  and  the  Regi- 
ment took  its  place  in  the  front  line  at  an  early  hour.  The 
troops  thus  relieved  moved  still  farther  to  the  left  and  at- 
tempted to  get  upon  the  right  flank  of  the  enemy.  A  heavy 
engagement  followed,  in  which  the  Union  losses  were  heavy. 
On  the  way,  in  passing  the  crest  of  a  ridge,  the  Rebel  skir- 
mishers apparently  caught  sight  of  the  moving  column  and 
sent  a  volley  toward  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  the  bullets  whistling 
all  about,  but  without  injuring  any  one.  The  Union  lines 
now  extended  from  the  village  of  Dallas  northeasterly  for 
some  miles  and  the  position  to  which  the  Regiment  was 
assigned  was  near  the  left  centre.  The  men  were  gratified  to 
find  a  partial  line  of  breastworks  constructed  for  their  use, 
and  reached  their  station  without  any  casualties,  by  stooping 
low  and  partially  crawling  to  their  places.  A  detail  from  the 
Regiment  relieved  the  skirmish  line  in  front,  under  a  trying 
fire,  and  found  themselves  in  close  proximity  to  the  Rebel 
lines.  The  men  relieved  had  built  snug,  crescent-shaped 
skirmish  pits,  most  of  which  were  provided  with  head-logs. 
From  these  pits  an  almost  constant  racket  was  kept  up,  the 
order  being  to  fire  at  every  moving  object,  near,  or  remote. 
Extra  ammunition  had  to  be  sent  to  the  skirmishers,  although 
each  man  carried  sixty  rounds  or  more  with  him.  Strange 
to  say  there  were  but  two  casualties  on  the  line  that  day, — 
Corporal  James  Murrie,  of  Company  C,  being  shot  in  the  foot 
and  losing  a  toe,  and  Oscar  Rector,  of  the  same  Company, 
being  slightly  wounded  in  the  arm.  During  much  of  the  day 
the  men  in  the  main  line  steadily  used  the  few  shovels  at 
hand.  The  inside  of  the  works  was  built  up  with  heavy  logs 
and  on  the  outside  was  an  embankment  from  two  to  four  feet 
broad.  Much  of  the  dirt  comprising  this  bank  was  thrown 
from  the  inside,  a  broad  ditch  being  excavated,  its  depth  soon 
becoming  such  that  the  men  could  stand  upright  if  called  upon 
to  fire.  Heavy  head-logs  surmounted  these  works.  Later  an 
.abatis  was  constructed  in  front,  most  of  the  work  being  done 


1864]  ON  THE  DALLAS  LINE.  347 

at  night.  This  was  composed  mainly  of  small  trees  cut  for  the 
purpose  and  staked  to  the  ground,  their  limbs  being  sharpened 
and  interwoven  so  as  to  make  a  pretty  serious  obstruction. 
Before  the  campaign  closed  the  men  became  experts  in  this 
work  and  these  obstructions  were  often  as  novel  in  material 
and  construction  as  can  well  be  imagined. 

The  position  of  the  Regiment  on  this  Dallas  line  was  on 
the  brow  of  a  hill  where  a  sharp  angle  in  the  works  was  found 
necessary,  in  order  that  the  troops  might  control  the  ground 
in  their  front.  The  main  lines  of  the  two  armies  were  a  half 
mile  or  a  little  more  from  each  other,  but  the  skirmish  lines 
were  much  nearer.  Toward  evening  on  the  twenty-seventh 
the  Rebels  opened  with  musketry  and  artillery,  enfilading  the 
works  to  some  extent.  The  batteries  devoted  themselves  to 
the  exposed  position  occupied  by  the  NINETY-SIXTH  and  sent 
shot  and  shell  with  great  rapidity  across  the  fields  which  sepa- 
rated the  armies.  For  an  hour  or  more  this  terrible  tempest 
of  iron  was  continued,  shells  exploding  all  about  that  little 
elevation.  Dirt  was  thrown  from  the  side-hill  in  the  faces  of 
the  men,  and  showers  of  leaves  and  limbs  dropped  from  the 
trees  above.  Pieces  of  jagged  iron  were  thrown  in  all  direc- 
tions. Solid  shot  tore  through  the  tree-tops  or,  striking  in 
the  hill-side,  ricochetted  across  the  works,  going  with  fearful 
energy  and  frightful  sound  back  through  the  timber.  The 
exploding  of  shells  at  times  was  almost  constant,  so  rapidly 
did  they  come,  but  fortunately  none  burst  at  the  exact  point 
to  do  great  harm  and  none  struck  with  full  force  upon  the  as 
yet  light  embankments.  Still  the  range  was  close  and  the 
ordeal  a  most  trying  one.  Meanwhile  the  Union  batteries  had 
opened  upon  the  Rebel  lines  and  the  air  reverberated  with  the 
constant  roar  as  piece  after  piece  of  artillery  sent  forth  its 
deadly  messenger.  The  men  clutched  their  muskets  and 
crouched  close  beside  the  earthworks,  confidently  believing 
that  such  a  fearful  cannonading  was  but  the  prelude  to  an 
infantry  charge.  Every  nerve  was  strained  and  each  man 
seemed  resolved  to  do  his  full  duty  to  repel  the  expected 
assault.  But  no  charge  came, — at  least  none  came  to  that 
portion  of  the  line, — and  at  dusk  the  firing  lessened.  As  soon 


348  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

as  the  artillery  ceased  to  fire,  a  portion  of  the  men  were  again 
set  at  work  to  strengthen  the  embankment.  Additional  shovels 
were  procured  and  the  bank  was  soon  from  six  to  ten  feet 
across,  the  ditch  inside  being  widened  and  much  earth  being 
thrown  from  the  outside.  Heavy  trasverses  were  constructed 
from  logs  and  earth  at  frequent  intervals  to  protect  the  com- 
mand from  enfilading  shots.  So  the  work  went  on  far  into 
the  night.  The  artillery  on  either  side  continued  to  send  oc- 
casional noisy  salutations  to  and  fro,  and  the  skirmishers  fired 
almost  constantly.  To  such  music  as  this  the  men  laid  down 
upon  the  bank  just  back  of  the  works  and  slept,  in  reliefs,  one 
third  standing  to  arms  all  through  the  darkness ;  and  those 
who  had  opportunity  did  not  fail  to  sleep.  Two  or  three 
times  during  the  night  the  picket  firing  increased  in  volume 
to  such  an  extent  that  the  entire  main  line  was  aroused,  the 
men  being  kept  up  for  a  half  hour  or  so  ;  then,  when  it  be- 
came evident  that  the  alarms  were  false,  they  would  again 
resume  their  places  on  the  bank,  and  fall  asleep  in  a  moment. 

Saturday,  May  28,  was  another  most  trying  day.  Early 
in  the  forenoon  the  Rebels  again  opened  with  artillery  upon 
the  angle  where  the  Regiment  lay  in  line  ;  and  again  for  an 
hour  or  two  their  iron  missiles  struck  all  about,  but  with  little 
damage.  At  night  there  was  but  little  sleep.  The  skirmish- 
ers were  required  to  advance  their  line  slightly,  and  construct 
new  skirmish  pits,  and  the  main  line  was  kept  awake  much  of 
the  night  in  order  to  be  ready  to  assist  them  should  the  Rebels 
discover  what  was  going  on.  Francis  Johnson,  of  Company 
A,  was  wounded  in  the  foot.  A  heavy  column  of  Rebel  in- 
fantry and  artillery  had  been  seen  marching  toward  Dallas 
during  the  day,  and  this  fact  added  to  the  anxiety,  as  a  night 
attack  was  deemed  probable. 

Sunday,  May  £9,  was  a  beautiful  day  overhead,  but  about 
Dallas  and  New  Hope  Church  it  brought  no  rest.  The  two 
armies  still  confronted  each  other  at  close  range,  and  mus- 
ketry and  artillery  firing  were  the  only  music.  Toward  night 
this  deepened  into  an  almost  continuous  roar  all  along  the 
line,  but  at  dark  lulled  into  an  almost  ominous  quiet.  At  ten 
o'clock  it  was  revived,  and  grew  into  a  terrific  night  fight  far- 


1864]  RESACA.  34-9 

ther  toward  the  right,  where  the  Rebels  assaulted  Gen.  New- 
ton's Division  and  Gen.  McPherson's  forces,  but  were  beaten 
back  with  heavy  slaughter.  Again  the  weary  men  were  kept 
in  line  much  of  the  night.  During  the  day  Edgar  C.  Lang- 
don,  of  Company  1,  was  severely  wounded  in  the  hand. 

Monday,  May  30,  brought  little  change,  except  that  the 
Rebels  opened  two  batteries  upon  the  "  angle"  from  new  posi- 
tions, and  kept  up  a  tire  even  hotter  than  usual  all  through 
the  day.  The  members  of  the  Regiment  in  the  main  line 
hugged  the  ground  closely,  and  felt  pretty  secure  in  their 
strong  line  of  works.  The  skirmishers  had  little  rest,  but  kept 
up  a  heavy  fire  all  day.  Albert  E.  Benton,  of  Company  K, 
was  killed  upon  the  skirmish  line. 

Tuesday,  May  31,  brought  little  change  except  the  addition 
of  another  battery  on  the  Rebel  side.  In  the  morning  three 
batteries  opened  simultaneously  upon  the  devoted  "angle," 
but  in  vain,  though  the  firing  was  very  close  ;  and  once  a  por- 
tion of  Companies  A  and  F  were  almost  buried  in  earth 
thrown  from  their  own  breastworks  by  a  Rebel  shell.  The 
artillery  firing  was  renewed  toward  evening,  and  a  solid  shot 
penetrated  the  embankment  in  front  of  Company  A,  striking 
a  log  and  breaking  it,  severely  jarring  Sergeant  Berg,  Andrew 
Disch,  and  George  Bowman,  who  were  sitting  with  their 
backs  against  it.  Berg  and  Disch  were  struck  on  the  head 
and  considerably  bruised.  On  the  skirmish  line  there  was  hot 
work  much  of  the  day.  First  Sergeant'Scott,  of  Company  G, 
was  wounded  in  the  face,  receiving  a  hard  blow  from  a  bullet 
whose  force  had  been  mainly  spent  against  a  head-log.  Cor- 
poral Henry  H.  Gage,  of  the  same  Company,  was  slightly 
wounded  in  the  face,  the  bullet  passing  through  his  hat-rim. 
William  Noble,  also  of  Company  G,  was  severely  wounded 
in  the  head,  and  taken  to  hospital  at  Nashville,  where  he  died 
from  his  injuries,  July  21. 

When  Sergeant  Scott  was  struck  he  was  rendered  partially 
insensible  for  a  moment.  The  blood  started  from  the  wound, 
and  in  his  confused  condition  he  first  put  up  a  hand  to  feel  the 
cut  and  remarked,  "Here  is  where  the  ball  went  in  ;"  and 
then  raising  the  other  to  the  back  of  his  head,  asked,  "Now, 


350  HISTORY  OF  THE  96™  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  1. 

where  did  it  come  out  ?"  His  companions  in  the  skirmish  pit 
were  greatly  amused,  and  in  a  moment  he  was  laughing  heart- 
ily with  the  rest  at  the  ridiculousness  of  the  inquiry,  knowing 
full  well  that  if  the  bullet  had  gone  through  he  would  hardly 
have  been  left  in  condition  to  make  inquiries  about  it.  The 
bullet  struck  a  hard,  glancing  blow,  but  did  not  penetrate,  and 
he  did  not  leave  the  command,  although  his  face  was  very 
sore  for  a  time. 

Wednesday,  Thursday  and  Friday,  June  1,  2  and  3,  were 
but  repetitions  of  the  days  immediately  preceding.  The  posi- 
tion of  the  Regiment  was  unchanged  ;  the  firing  was  perhaps 
less  constant  and  severe,  and  the  skirmishers  a  little  better 
natured,  venturing  to  talk  to  each  other  back  and  forth  at 
night,  and  even  going  out  between  the  lines  and  exchanging 
newspapers,  "  swapping"  coffee  for  tobacco,  and  trading  jack- 
knives.  The  weather  was  rainy  and  disagreeable,  and  the 
clothing  of  the  men,  from  constant  contact  with  the  red  clay 
soil,  came  to  bear  a  close  resemblance  to  the  uniform  of  their 
opponents.  Rations  became  scarce — three  days'  rations  hav- 
ing to  do  for  four  or  five  days — and  many  of  the  men  actually 
suffered  from  hunger.  There  was  no  opportunity  to  forage, 
for  every  man  was  kept  right  at  the  works  or  in  the  skirmish 
pits.  On  the  third,  Sergeant  Franklin  Pierce,  of  Company 
F,  received  a  wound  in  the  right  shoulder,  but  was  not  long 
disabled.  The  skirmishers  kept  up  a  heavy  fire  much  of  the 
day.  At  one  time  Gten.  Stanley  ordered  them  to  fall  back  to 
the  main  line,  hoping  to  give  the  Rebels  the  impression  that 
the  army  was  falling  back,  and  thus  induce  them  to  come  out 
from  their  works  ;  but  the  Rebels  failed  to  fall  into  the  trap 
set  for  them. 

While  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  with  other  troops  near  the  origi- 
nal left-centre  of  the  line,  had  been  hugging  their  works  so 
closely,  and  keeping  up  so  constant  a  clangor  with  musket 
and  cannon,  other  portions  of  the  army  had  been  on  the  move. 
Gen.  Sherman,  upon  finding  that  Gen.  Johnston  had  antici- 
pated his  movement  and  thrown  the  Rebel  army  between  him 
and  Marietta,  began  moving  troops  from  right  to  left,  at  first 
attempting  to  pass  the  Rebel  right  and  break  it  back, — which,. 


1864]  NEW  HOPE  CHUKCH.  351 

movement  was  not  successful, — and  then  reaching  out  toward 
the  railroad  in  the  neighborhood  of  Ackworth.  Severe  en- 
gagements resulted  on  either  flank,  with  heavy  loss  to  the 
Divisions  engaged.  In  moving  to  this  line  and  iii  the  shifting 
of  positions,  the  engagements  were  so  frequent  and  so  near 
together,  that  it  is  difficult  to  say  where  one  battle  left  oif  and 
another  began ;  and  the  historian  finds  it  impossible  to  separate 
Burnt  Hickory,  Pumpkin  Vine  Creek,  New  Hope  Church, 
Pickett's  Mills  and  Dallas.  The  action  participated  in  by  the 
First  and  Second  Divisions  of  the  Fourth  Corps,  is  generally 
known  as  the  battle  of  New  Hope  Church. 

Saturday,  June  4,  at  three  o'clock  A.  M.,  the  movement  to 
the  left  had  so  far  progressed  that  the  NINETY-SIXTH  was  or- 
dered to  leave  its  works.  Marching  about  a  half  mile  to  the 
left  a  halt  was  made,  and  the  men  told  that  they  could  put  up 
their  tents,  a  privilege  of  which  they  gladly  availed  themselves. 
During  the  day  there  was  considerable  skirmishing  near  by, 
and  the  Regiment  was  held  in  readiness  for  an  anticipated 
assault  from  the  Rebels,  who,  it  was  believed,  would  attempt 
to  break  back  the  Union  right,  but  nothing  serious  resulted. 

Sunday,  June  5,  the  Regiment  was  in  line  at  three  A.  M., 
and  shortly  afterward  learned,  to  their  great  joy,  that  the 
Rebel  breastworks  were  empty,  the  enemy  having  moved  to 
the  rear  and  right  during  the  night.  The  skirmish  line  was 
immediately  advanced,  and  soon  came  in  contact  with  a  light 
line  of  Rebels,  indicating  that  they  were  still  near  enough  to 
compel  vigilance.  They  were  not  pressed,  but  the  Regiment, 
with  other  troops,  remained  in  the  trenches, — this  making  the 
tenth  day  in  which  they  had  been  constantly  under  arms. 
The  weather  was  rainy  and  unpleasant.  The  wounded  who 
had  occupied  tents  just  in  rear  of  the  army  were  placed  in  am- 
bulances and  taken  to  Ackworth  ;  a  most  difficult  matter,  as 
many  of  them  were  terribly  lacerated,  and  the  trip  occupied 
an  entire  day  and  a  portion  of  a  night. 

Monday,  June  6,  an  early  reveille  sounded,  the  Regiment 
drew  three  days'  rations,  with  the  order  that  it  must  last  four 
days,  and  at  sunrise  was  marching  toward  the  left.  A  halt 
was  made  at  one  o'clock  p.  M.  The  weather  was  sultry,  and 


"352  HISTORY  or  THE  96™  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

the  men  so  worn  out  with  their  long  vigil  and  the  rather  rapid 
march,  that  many  gave  out.  Arrived  at  Ackworth,  orders 
were  given  to  clean  up  the  camps  and  take  a  brief  rest.  There 
was  considerable  produce  in  the  neighborhood,  and  owing  to 
the  fact  that  rations  were  short,  the  men  foraged  to  some  ex- 
tent, but  those  caught  at  it  were  made  to  carry  a  rail  at  head- 
quarters. In  view  of  the  hard  service  of  the  past  month,  and 
the  fact  that  this  was  most  decidedly  an  enemy's  country,  it  is 
difficult  to  conceive  why  men  were  punished  for  piecing  out 
their  rations  in  that  region,  and  at  that  time  in  the  war ;  but 
such  was  the  case.  The  men  felt  outraged,  and  made  threats 
to  take  revenge,  unless  their  comrades  were  speedily  released, 
— threats  which  availed,  it  may  be  noted  here. 

Tuesday,  Wednesday  and  Thursday,  June  7,  8  and  9,  were 
in  the  main  days  of  rest.  And  the  rest  was  greatly  needed, 
for  the  month's  campaign  had  been  a  most  trying  one.  The 
casualties  in  the  Regiment  since  leaving  Blue  Springs  had 
numbered  nearly  80,  of  which  thirteen  had  been  fatal,  and 
fifty  so  severe  as  to  take  the  men  to  hospitals.  In  addition, 
fully  one  hundred  more  had  been  prostrated  by  sickness  and 
over  exertion,  and  had  been  sent  to  hospital,  so  that  the  Reg- 
iment now  numbered  but  a  few  more  than  two  hundred  pres- 
ent for  duty.  True  many  other  portions  of  the  army  had  suf- 
fered less  in  action,  and  had  been  less  constantly  in  the 
trenches  and  under  fire,  but  Gen.  Sherman  had  lost  many 
more  men  by  the  campaign  than  he  had  gained  by  the  arrival 
of  two  Divisions  from  the  West ;  while  Gen.  Johnston's 
army  had  received  large  reinforcements,  and  had  lost  fewer  in 
proportion  from  sickness,  as  his  troops  were  thoroughly  accli- 
mated, built  fewer  breastworks, — as  they  had  negroes  at  their 
call, — and  marched  on  shorter  lines,  thereby  wearing  out  fewer 
men  with  fatigue.  The  railroad  bridge  across  the  Etowah 
was  speedily  repaired,  and  by  the  ninth  some  train  loads  of 
rations  and  ammunition  were  unloaded  at  Ackworth,  and  most 
of  the  sick  and  wounded  taken  back  to  Chattanooga  or  farther 
north. 

To  insure  the  presence  of  the  soldiers  and  keep  the  army 
well  in  hand,  dress  parades  were  indulged  in  twice  daily. 


COMPANY   C. 


JOHN  W    BESLEY. 
JOSEPH  ('.  WHITNEY. 


Corp'l  SAMUKL  CLARK. 

Corp'l  WILLIAM  B.  LEWIN. 

HENRY  BATER. 


Corp'l  GEORGE  L.  STEWART. 
WILLIAM  F.  KIDER. 


v    • 


1864]  THE  REST  AT  ACKWOKTH.  353 

The  men  cleaned  up  their  clothing  as  far  as  opportunity 
offered,  killed  off  the  vermin  by  boiling  their  shirts,  or  by  the 
old  plan  of  "  skirmishing,"  and  prepared  for  a  renewal  of  the 
campaign.  Thousands  of  letters  were  received  and  answered, 
the  newspapers  brought  by  the  mails  were  read  until  literally 
worn  out,  the  progress  made  by  the  army  at  the  East  was 
commented  on,  and  the  question  as  to  who  was  to  be  elected 
President  discussed  with  as  much  interest  and  animation  as 
though  the  Illinois  soldiers  in  the  field  were  not  disfranchised. 
In  the  engagements  on  the  Dallas  line  the  following  were 

THE   CASUALTIES. 

KILLED  OK  MORTALLY  WOUNDED. — William  Noble,  Company  G  ; 
Albert  E.  Benton,  Company  K. 

WOUNDED. —  Francis  Johnson,  Company  A,  foot;  Corporal  James 
Murrie,  Company  C,  foot  ;  Oscar  Rector,  Company  C,  arm  ;  William 
Faith,  Company  E,  neck  and  head  ;  Sergeant  Franklin  Pierce,  Company 
F,  shoulder  ;  First  Sergeant  Aaron  Scott,  Company  G,  face ;  Corporal 
Henry  H.  Gage,  Company  G,  face  ;  Edgar  C.  Langdon,  Company  I,  hand ; 
Edward  Graham,  Company  K,  leg  ;  Sergeant  Daniel  Sullivan,  Company 
K,  hip. 

23 


354  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 


CHAPTER    XIX. 


The  Advance  from  Ackworth — The  Country  Full  of  Breastworks — How 
the  Army  was  Fed — Opposite  Pine  Mountain  —  Killed  by  a  Falling 
Tree — Bishop  Folk's  Death — Frequent  Rain  Storms — Losses  by  Cap- 
ture— Approaching  Little  Kenesaw — A  Gallant  Charge — What  Civil 
War  Means — Terrific  Night  Fight — Heavy  Losses  of  Officers  and 
Men — A  Trying  Position — In  Close  Quarters — A  Multitude  of  En- 
gagements— Moving  to  the  Right — Disastrous  Change  of  Tactics — A 
Flag  of  Truce — Skirmishers'  Experiences — The  Flanking  Movement 
Resumed — Kenesaw  Mountain  in  Union  Hands. 

THE  troops  having  become  partially  rested  after  the  severe 
experience  at  New  Hope  Church  and  Dallas,  Gen.  Sherman 
ordered  another  forward  movement.  The  railroad  bridge  at 
Etowah  was  nearty  completed,  and  as  the  march  was  to  be 
directly  to  the  front  and  along  the  line  of  the  road,  the  arrival 
of  the  railway  trains  was  not  waited  for.  Bread,  coffee,  salt, 
and  salt  meats  had  been  brought  forward  in  wagons,  and  beef 
cattle  were  driven  up  to  the  camp  nightly,  men  being  detailed 
from  the  ranks  to  keep  them  bunched,  drive  them  when  the 
army  moved,  and  give  them  opportunities  for  feeding.  There 
was  little  grass  in  that  region,  but  grain  fields  were  sufficiently 
numerous  so  that  the  stock  fared  tolerably  well ;  but  the  wea- 
ther was  hot  and  rainy,  and  the  flies  so  troublesome,  that 
many  of  the  animals  became  poor  before  their  turn  for  slaugh- 
ter. Soldiers  detailed  for  the  purpose  slaughtered  and  cut  up 
the  meat,  which  was  issued  to  the  men  every  second  or  third 
day.  All  through  the  summer  months  there  was  but  an  occa- 
sional and  meagre  ration  of  beans,  rice,  or  other  articles  in 
the  vegetable  line,  and  as  the  men  were  marching  much  of  the 
time,  and  subjected  to  an  unusual  amount  of  night  work,  they 
were  continually  hungry.  Many  times  rations  were  issued  for 
three  days,  with  orders  for  them  to  last  four,  and,  on  a  few 
occasions,  five  days.  When  this  occurred  two  or  three  times 
in  succession,  as  it  did  in  May  and  June,  there  was  some 
actual  suffering. 


1864]  TINE  MOUNTAIN.  355 

The  Rebel  cavalry  were  active,,  and  on  several  occa- 
sions tore  up  the  railroad  and  destroyed  small  bridges,  thus 
delaying  trains  and  making  the  work  of  supplying  the  im- 
mense army  a  task  of  great  magnitude.  Some  of  the  .men 
grumbled  a  little,  but  most  of  them  took  the  rations  good- 
naturedly,  fully  satisfied  to  bear  hunger  as  well  as  danger  and 
fatigue,  if  only  progress  was  made  in  crushing  the  Rebellion. 
There  was  the  utmost  frugality  on  the  part  of  nearly  all. 
Even  the  tails  of  the  slaughtered  cattle  were  skinned  and 
every  piece  of  bone  was  carefully  saved,  soups  being  made 
from  them.  Occasionally,  as  at  Ackworth,  some  foraging 
was  done,  but  as  a  rule  the  Rebel  army  had  so  thoroughly 
used  up  the  supplies  that  but  little  could  be  obtained,  espe- 
cially by  the  troops  in  the  centre,  where  the  Fourth  Corps 
usually  marched  in  each  advance. 

Friday,  June  10,  the  general  forward  movement  from  Ack- 
worth began,  Gen.  McPherson  being  on  the  left,  Gen.  Thomas 
in  the  centre,  and  Gen.  Schofield  on  the  right.  The  Fourth 
Corps  went  pretty  directly  toward  Fine  Mountain,  keeping  to 
the  right  of  Big  Shanty  and  the  railroad.  The  day  was  rainy, 
the  roads  obscure,  and  the  country  broken  and  timbered  ;  as 
a  consequence  the  march  was  a  slow  one.  The  NINETY-SIXTH 
furnished  flankers  or  skirmishers,  but  encountered  no  seri- 
ous resistance,  although  the  firing  was  lively  most  of  the 
day.  When  a  final  halt  was  made  the  Rebel  tents  and  breast- 
works were  in  plain  view,  at  a  distance  of  about  two  miles. 
Their  lines  were  found  to  be  heavily  fortified,  and  extended 
from  Brush  Mountains,  across  Pine  Mountain,  and  past  Gilgal 
Church  to  Lost  Mountain,  a  distance  of  nearly  ten  miles. 
The  weather  continued  rainy,  and  the  moving  of  troops  was 
a  most  difficult  matter.  Batteries  of  artillery,  wagons  and 
ambulances  were  mired  everywhere,  and  details  of  men  were 
made  from  the  infantry  to  help  them  out  of  the  mud,  cut  new 
roads  through  the  timber,  and  corduroy  the  low  ground. 

For  several  days  the  Regiment  occupied  substantially  the 
position  taken  on  the  tenth.  Heavy  works  were  constructed, 
although  the  enemy's  lines  were  at  a  greater  distance  than  at 
New  Hope  Church,  and  the  firing  at  longer  range  and  much 


356  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

less  trying.  On  Saturday  a  portion  of  the  Regiment  was  sent 
to  reconnoitre  the  front,  and  advanced  a  long  distance,  having 
a  severe  skirmish  but  sustaining  no  casualties. 

Throughout  Sunday,  June  12,  there  was  heavy  firing  at 
the  left,  and  an  attack  was  expected.  The  men  slept  with 
shoes  and  accoutrements  on,  but  had  their  shelter  tents  up  to 
protect  them  from  the  severe  storm.  Monday,  the  batteries 
all  along  the  line  kept  up  a  heavy  firing,  and  the  skirmishers 
indulged  in  more  or  less  musketry.  During  a  violent  rain 
storm  a  large,  girdled  tree,  which  stood  upon  the  skirmish 
line,  was  loosened,  the  ground  about  its  roots  having  become 
so  saturated  as  to  no  longer  support  it,  and  without  warning  it 
toppled  over  and  fell  across  a  log  where  some  of  the  skirmish- 
ers were  sitting  beneath  their  dripping  ponchos.  One  of  their 
number  was  Carlisle  Druse,  of  Company  B.  The  ponderous 
tree  fell  partially  upon  him,  and  his  bayonet  was  driven 
through  his  body,  causing  almost  instant  death  ;  and  thus 
while  watching  for  the  enemy,  and  under  their  fire,  he  was 
killed  by  an  accident.  He  was  a  young  man,  a  favorite  in 
the  Regiment,  and  his  sudden  taking  off  seemed  doubly  sad 
because  of  the  unusual  circumstances  attending  it. 

Tuesday  morning  dawned  clear,  but  disagreeably  cold,  and 
the  men  were  much  surprised  at  such  a  severe  change  in  the 
"Sunny  South."  The  first  sound  to  greet  the  ear  was  the 
muttering  of  cannon,  but  it  proved  to  be  mainly  Union  guns 
playing  upon  the  Rebel  lines.  The  day  must  have  been  an 
exceedingly  unpleasant  one  for  the  enemy,  as  a  heavy  fire  was 
maintained  by  the  Union  artillerists.  General  Sherman  rode 
along  the  lines  on  a  tour  of  observation  and  halting  near  the 
Regiment  directed  Captain  Simon  son's  5th  Indiana  Battery 
to  open  fire  upon  Pine  Mountain.  A  group  of  Rebel  officers 
were  reconnoitering  the  lines  at  the  time,  in  plain  view  but  at 
quite  a  distance.  A  well  directed  shot  created  a  commotion 
among  them  and  caused  them  to  scatter.  In  a  few  moments  it 
was  known  by  the  Signal  officers,  who  had  learned  to  interpret 
the  Rebel  signals,  that  a  no  less  distinguished  personage  than 
Bishop  Polk,  then  a  Lieutenant-General  in  the  Confederate 
army,  had  been  struck  by  an  unexploded  shell  and  instantly 


1864]  FINE  MOUNTAIN.  357 

killed.  There  was  heavy  fighting  at  many  points  on  the  line 
during  the  day,  and  once  the  Regiment,  with  other  troops, 
moved  some  distance  to  the  left  to  take  part  in  a  charge  that  it 
was  proposed  to  make  upon  the  Rebel  works.  There  was  a 
vigorous  reconnoissance,  but  the  Rebel  lines  were  found  to  be 
so  strongly  fortified  that  an  assault  was  deemed  unwise  and  the 
troops  returned  to  their  former  position.  The  lines  of  the 
Twentieth  Corps,  as  well  as  those  of  Gen.  McPherson,  were 
crowded  forward,  and  some  gains  made  in  position.  The 
whistle  of  the  locomotive  at  Big  Shanty  gave  evidence  that 
the  Etowah  had  been  bridged,  and  promised  more  abundant 
rations.  When  it  sounded  a  cheer  ran  along  the  lines  for 
many  a  mile. 

Wednesday,  June  15,  a  general  advance  was  ordered  to 
take  place  at  daylight,  with  the  intention  of  "going in"  at 
any  weak  point  that  might  be  discovered,  but  it  was  found 
that  the  enemy  had  again  retreated.  The  Regiment  moved 
forward,  passing  over  the  Rebel  works  and  gaining  about  two 
miles  of  difficult  ground.  Toward  night  the  greater  part  of 
the  Fourth  Corps  was  massed  at  the  left  of  Pine  Mountain, 
and  the  men  anticipated  an  assault.  An  advance  was  made, 
the  Second  Division  leading  and  capturing  the  enemy's  front 
line  of  works.  There  was  also  severe  skirmishing  and  some 
heavy  fighting  on  either  flank.  Later  in  the  day  the  Corps 
was  partially  deployed. 

Thursday,  June  16,  the  Regiment  lay  near  the  enemy  and 
was  severely  shelled.  During  a  heavy  artillery  duel  Capt. 
Simonson,  of  the  5th  Indiana  Battery,  and  Chief  of  Artillery 
for  the  Division,  was  killed.  Toward  evening  heavy  breast- 
works were  again  built,  it  being  evident  that  the  Rebels  were 
strongly  entrenched  in  front.  Sergeant  John  B.  Reynolds,  of 
.Company  I,  was  severely  wounded  in  the  breast  and  shoulder. 

Friday,  June  17,  there  was  another  advance  in  the  centre, 
across  the  entrenched  lines  abandoned  by  the  enemy.  The 
cannonading  was  unusually  severe,  and  heavy  musketry  was 
heard,  not  alone  in  the  distance,  but  near  at  hand,  the  Rebels 
stubbornly  resisting  the  advance.  At  dark  they  withdrew 
across  Mud  Creek,  and  the  army  again  fortified  in  their  front. 


358  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

After  dark  the  Regiment  moved  to  the  front  line,  relieving 
the  3d  Wisconsin.  The  heavy  rains  were  again  resumed,  to 
the  great  discomfort  of  the  men,  as  the  lines  were  so  close 
that  no  fires  could  be  built,  no  tents  erected  and  no  clothing 
or  accoutrements  removed. 

Saturday,  June  18,  the  enemy  having  again  fallen  back, 
the  advance  was  renewed,  the  Regiment  being  on  the  move 
in  one  direction  or  another  most  of  the  day.  The  First 
Division  was  in  reserve  until  evening,  when  it  moved  to  the 
front  line.  The  NINETY-SIXTH  was  ordered  to  take  the  skir- 
mish line  just  after  dark,  which  it  did  under  a  heavy  fire. 
William  Bell,  of  Company  I,  was  wounded  in  the  left  hand. 
There  was  much  uncertainty  as  to  the  situation,  and  as  the 
troops  to  be  relieved  had  moved  out  before  the  new  line 
reached  them,  the  Regiment  was  in  doubt  as  to  its  position. 
The  firing  having  slackened,  Sergeant  Michael  Devlin  and 
Albert  Barney,  of  Company  D,  set  out  to  reconnoitre  the 
front.  Hearing  voices  and  seeing  the  outline  of  an  earthwork 
a  few  rods  ahead,  they  went  up  to  it,  but  to  their  surprise 
and  consternation  found  themselves  covered  by  a  dozen  mus- 
kets, and  were  told,  in  a  low  tone,  to  surrender.  There  was 
no  alternative,  save  almost  certain  death,  and  reluctantly 
they  laid  down  their  muskets  and  consented  to  be  taken  to  the 
Rebel  rear.  Both  endured  a  long  imprisonment,  some  details 
of  which  will  be  found  elsewhere  in  this  volume.  But  while 
their  capture  had  been  made  with  unusual  quiet,  some  of  the 
men  in  the  line  heard  enough  to  know  what  had  happened,  and 
whispered  the  facts  to  the  officers.  Without  immediately 
advancing  farther,  skirmishers  were  deployed,  and  steps  taken 
to  prevent  further  losses.  A  deep,  sluggish  stream  was  near 
at  hand,  and  as  one  of  the  men  undertook  to  cross  it  on  a  log 
he  fell,  with  a  loud  splash,  into  the  water,  whence  he  was 
rescued  by  his  comrades.  His  musket  went  to  the  bottom  and 
was  not  recovered.  Strange  to  say,  for  a  time  neither  line 
ventured  to  fire,  although  but  a  few  yards  apart.  The  nigiit 
was  a  most  anxious  one,  the  troops  getting  little  or  no  sleep. 
Gen.  Thomas  ordered  that  an  assault  should  be  made  in  the 
morning,  should  the  enemy  still  hold  this  line. 


1864]  KENESAW  MOUNTAIN.  359 

Sunday,  June  19,  found  the  Rebels  again  on  the  retreat, 
the  skirmishers  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  occupying  their  vacated 
lines  before  the  day  had  fairly  dawned,  and  capturing  a  few 
prisoners.  These  skirmishers  were  soon  recalled,  and  in  a 
dreary  rain  storm  the  Division  moved  to  the  left  and  front, 
going  in  the  direction  of  Marietta,  the  21st  Kentucky  having 
the  skirmish  line.  The  enemy  was  encountered  near  Wallace's 
house,  and  the  skirmishing  became  very  spirited  in  front.  The 
main  line  was  in  some  timber,  confronting  an  open  field,  which 
the  skirmishers  attempted  to  cross,  but  in  vain,  as  the  enemy 
was  in  strong  force  in  the  woods  just  beyond,  where  they  were 
attempting  to  tear  up  a  corduroy  road  or  bridge  across  a  slug- 
gish stream  or  swamp  known  as  Nose's  Creek.  Word  being 
sent  to  the  reserves,  the  NINETY-SIXTH  was  ordered  forward 
and  rapidly  crossed  the  field,  the  enemy  leaving  their  work 
and  retreating  into  the  timber.  The  Regiment  hastily  crossed 
the  stream,  some  of  them  wading  knee  deep  in  the  mud  and 
water,  and  formed  a  semi-circle  just  beyond.  A  detail  of  two 
men  from  each  Company,  under  command  of  Lieutenant  Daw- 
son,  of  Company  F,  was  immediately  deployed  and  ordered  to 
advance.  The  line  was  now  confronting  one  of  the  foot-hills 
adjacent  to  the  eminence  known  as  Little  Kenesaw.  The  sides 
of  this  hill  were  densely  wooded,  and  the  skirmishers  could  see 
but  little  of  what  was  in  their  front.  At  the  command  they 
moved  forward  for  several  rods.  It  was  dusk,  and  in  the  tim- 
ber but  little  could  be  seen.  William  H.  Ehlers,  of  Company 
C,  passed  near  some  bushes  when  a  big  Rebel  suddenly  sprang 
up  and  demanded  that  he  throw  down  his  gun,  which  he  very 
promptly  did.  Peter  Mowers,  who  was  but  a  few  yards  dis- 
tant, shot  the  Rebel  through  the  leg  and  called  to  Ehlers  to 
run,  but  the  latter  saw  a  dozen  men  spring  up,  each  with  his 
musket  aimed,  and  knowing  that  escape  was  impossible,  ran 
quickly  to  the  Rebel  rear  and  remained  a  prisoner  for  many 
months.  Sergeant  Berg,  of  Company  A,  S.  F.  Vose,  of  Com- 
pany G,  and  others  on  the  line,  were  ordered  to  surrender,  but 
declined,  although  made  the  target  of  many  guns  fired  at  short 
range.  The  line  fell  back  a  few  rods,  each  man  covering  him- 
self as  best  he  conld,  and  in  a  few  moments  darkness  closed 


360  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  1. 

the  scene.  Reuben  Smith,  of  Company  G,  was  mortally 
wounded,  being  shot  through  the  left  shoulder  and  dying  July 
13.  Orskine  Ferrand,  of  Company  B,  was  wounded  in  the 
left  hand,  and  Corporal  Harrison  Gage,  of  Company  I,  was 
severely  injured  by  a  spent  ball  which  struck  him  in  the  back. 
The  position  was  precarious  at  best,  and  as  the  bullets  were 
cutting  wickedly  through  the  bushes,  a  line  of  rifle  pits  was 
constructed,  work  continuing  throughout  the  night.  There 
was  but  little  sleep,  and  all  expected  that  at  daylight  the  Rebels 
would  attempt  to  drive  them  back  across  the  swamp. 

Monday,  June  20,  was  a  memorable  day  in  the  Regiment's 
history.  There  had  been  little  opportunity  for  sleep  for  two 
nights,  and  the  early  dawn  found  the  men  in  line  and  ready 
to  repel  an  expected  assault.  But  the  Rebels  did  not  come, 
although  keeping  up  a  most  annoying  fire.  The  skirmish  line 
was  ordered  forward  with  Company  D,  Lieutenant  Earle  com- 
manding, in  support.  It  was  hoped  that  they  might  be  able 
to  take  and  hold  the  higher  ground  in  front,  but  the  fire  proved 
too  heavy  and  they  were  recalled,  Company  D  taking  the  front 
line.  The  contest  raged  at  the  right  and  left  throughout  the 
day.  Gen.  Stanley,  the  Division  commander,  and  Gen.  Whit- 
taker,  the  Brigade  commander,  reconnoitered  the  position, 
going  on  foot  along  the  line  of  works  behind  which  the  Regi- 
ment was  lying  and  looking  through  the  woods  to  learn  the 
nature  of  the  ground  in  front.  A  reconnoissance  was  deter- 
mined on,  and  the  skirmishers  pushed  forward  until  within  a 
few  rods  of  the  Rebel  skirmish  pits,  which  were  seen  to  be 
very  near  together  and  full  of  men.  The  position  learned,  the 
line  fell  back  to  its  old  place.  This  reconnoissance  was  a 
costly  one  to  Company  D,  for  two  of  their  number — Louis 
Brochon  and  Philip  R.  Clawson — were  killed,  and  four  were 
wounded,  Abner  L.  Chandler  being  shot  in  the  abdomen,  and 
Corporal  A.  R.  Thain,  P.  P.  Melindy  and  James  McCann, 
each  in  the  leg.  Chandler's  wound  was  at  first  thought  to  be 
fatal,  but  fortunately  the  bullet  did  not  penetrate  far,  and  in  a 
few  weeks  he  was  at  his  post  again. 

The  skirmish  officer  reported  the  position  of  the  enemy, 
and  a  charge  was  planned  at  Brigade  headquarters.  The  21st 


1864]  KENESAW  MOUNTAIN.  361 

Kentucky  was  ordered  to  pile  knapsacks,  take  position  in  front 
of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  and  lay  down  until  the  signal  for  the 
charge.  The  51st  Ohio,  which  was  to  move  in  support,  was 
directed  to  lie  down  in  rear  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH.  Meanwhile, 
similar  preparations  were  made  in  front  of  Bald  Knob,  an  ele- 
vation at  the  right,  opposite  the  position  held  by  the  First 
Brigade,  commanded  by  Col.  Kirby.  Col.  Price,  command- 
ing the  21st  Kentucky,  called  for  the  skirmish  officer,  and  just 
as  the  preparations  were  complete  was  making  inquiry  as  to 
the  direction  to  be  taken  to  keep  his  line  parallel  with  the 
Rebel  skirmish  line.  The  bugle  sounding  for  the  advance,  he 
gave  the  necessary  commands,  Lieutenant  Earle  volunteering 
to  guide  his  right.  Hardly  had  the  advance  begun  when  the 
Colonel  fell,  severely  wounded.  But  there  was  no  faltering, 
and  at  a  run  the  gallant  Kentuckians  dashed  up  to  and  over 
the  .Rebel  skirmishers,  capturing  many  of  them.  The  51st 
Ohio  moved  immediately  to  the  captured  line,  and  shortly 
afterward  other  troops  were  ordered  to  their  support.  In 
their  enthusiasm  a  part  of  the  2 1st  Kentucky  ran  beyond 
the  skirmish  pits  and  attempted  to  charge  across  a  ravine 
and  to  the  ridge  beyond,  where  was  the  enemy's  main 
line,  but  the  movement  was  not  contemplated  by  the  com- 
mander and  proved  disastrous  to  the  brave  men  who  under- 
took it,  for  a  number  were  killed  and  wounded,  their  losses 
being  more  than  in  the  charge  upon  the  skirmish  line.  They 
were  speedily  recalled,  and  in  accordance  with  a  promise  made 
by  Gen.  Whittaker,  were  marched  back  to  their  knapsacks 
and  given  a  comparatively  safe  position  in  a  rear  line  during 
the  remainder  of  the  time  the  Brigade  confronted  Little  Kene- 
saw.  Meanwhile,  some  sixty  or  eighty  Rebels  were  brought 
back  under  guard.  Most  of  them  were  from  the  7th  Kentucky, 
and  as  they  crossed  the  works  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  they  were 
chatting  earnestly  with  their  captors  and  asking  numerous 
questions  as  to  mutual  acquaintances.  One  of  the  Regiment 
remarked  to  a  guard  :  "You  seem  to  know  some  of  these  fel- 
lows." "  Know  them  ? "  was  the  reply.  "  Yes,  every  one  of 
them.  I  used  to  play  foot-ball  with  them  in  Lexington.  Got 
my  own  brother  here."  "You  didn't  get  me  until  Igave  you 


362  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

200  rounds  of  cartridges  to-day,  anyhow  ! "  was  the  reply  of 
the  captured  brother.  Thus  they  talked  as  they  passed  to  the 
rear.  And  this  was  civil  war — neighbor  fighting  against 
neighbor,  brother  against  brother. 

The  troops  in  front  speedily  began  the  construction  of 
a  line  of  works,  using  the  material  in  the  captured  skirmish 
pits.  A  few  small  trees  were  felled  and  rolled  into  position, 
and  the  line  was  attaining  a  height  that  would  give  some  pro- 
tection, when  the  skirmishers,  who  had  been  deployed  a  few 
rods  in  front,  shouted  to  the  main  line  that  the  Rebels  were 
coming.  Instantly  the  men  dropped  their  axes  and  shovels, 
seized  their  muskets,  and  formed  in  line  behind  their  hastily 
constructed  works.  With  a  yell  the  enemy  dashed  against 
them,  but  not  in  such  numbers  or  with  such  velocity  as  to 
make  their  charge  successful,  and  the  brave  soldiers  soon 
had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  them  hurled  back  across  the 
ravine.  As  soon  as  it  became  known  that  the  Rebels  were  to 
make  a  charge,  Colonel  Champion,  whose  orders  were  to  sup- 
port the  front  line,  ordered  the  NINETY-SIXTH  forward,  and 
they  arrived  in  time  to  assist  in  repelling  the  assault.  The 
35th  Indiana  was  moved  upon  the  left.  The  regiments 
partially  overlapped  each  other,  and,  the  NINETY-SIXTH  com- 
ing up  behind  them,  made  a  double  line  at  the  point  of 
assault,  and  for  a  short  distance  three  lines  of  men  lay  in  posi- 
tion. Presently  the  Rebels  charged  again,  with  a  determina- 
tion that  did  credit  to  their  bravery.  The  guns  of  the  men  in 
rear  were  loaded  and  passed  to  those  in  front,  and  a  most 
withering  fire  was  poured  upon  the  advancing  hosts.  The 
dense  underbrush  in  front  was  swept  down  by  bullets  as  though 
a  scythe  had  been  used.  The  Rebels  came  across  the  ravine 
and  up  the  slope  almost  to  the  works,  but  their  ranks  were 
so  thinned  and  broken  that  again  they  retreated.  It  was  now 
growing  so  dark  as  to  make  it  difficult  to  discern  between 
friend  and  foe,  except  by  the  direction  of  the  flash  of  the 
muskets.  Soon  there  was  a  third  advance,  but  with  the  inten- 
tion of  deceiving  their  opponents  the  Rebels  marched  backward 
up  the  hill,  firing  blank  cartridges  toward  their  own  works, 
and  calling  to  the  Federals  not  to  shoot  their  friends.  A  re- 


1864]  KENESAW  MOUNTAIN.  363 

connoitering  party  had  been  sent  out  when  the  enemy  retired 
after  their  second  charge,  but  had  passed  to  the  right  and 
returned  to  the  line.  Many  did  not  know  of  their  return,  and, 
supposing  the  advancing  line  to  be  these  men,  not  a  few  at 
first  refused  to  fire,  believing  that  it  was  friends  and  not  foes 
approaching.  All  were  undeceived,  however,  and  again  the 
Rebels  were  driven  back  with  fearful  slaughter.  But  the  posi- 
tion gained  was  deemed  an  important  one,  and  the  Rebels 
determined  to  re-take  it  at  whatever  cost.  The  fact  that  Bald 
Knob,  which  was  carried  by  Col.  Kirby,  had  been  re-taken  by 
the  forces  at  their  left,  stimulated  the  Rebels  in  front  of  the 
NINETY-SIXTH  to  an  almost  frantic  effort.  A  fourth  time  they 
came  against  that  bloody  hill,  but  a  constant  stream  of  fire 
poured  from  the  breastworks  and  beat  them  back.  Mean- 
while, casualties  had  been  frequent  along  the  line,  among 
those  disabled  being  Colonel  Champion,  who  was  severely 
wounded  in  the  face.  The  wound  was  exceedingly  painful,  and 
he  was  compelled  to  go  immediately  to  the  rear.  Sergeant 
Weir,  of  Company  A,  accompanied  him  to  the  field  hospital, 
returning  within  an  hour  or  two. 

After  the  fourth  repulse  the  Rebels  maintained  quiet 
for  a  time.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Smith,  who  had  assumed 
command  of  the  line  when  Colonel  Champion  was  wounded, 
fearing  that  his  flank  might  be  turned,  moved  the  NINETY- 
SIXTH  to  the  right  of  the  51st  Ohio,  extending  his  men  so 
as  to  cover  the  ground  between  that  regiment  and  Nose's 
Creek.  The  bullets  were  flying  through  the  bushes,  and 
as  soon  as  the  position  was  gained  Colonel  Smith  began 
to  reconnoitre  his  front  in  person.  A  moment  later  a  bullet 
tore  through  his  shoulder,  and  he  was  carried  to  the  rear, 
dangerously  wounded.  Major  Hicks  being  temporarily  absent 
because  of  sickness,  Captain  Pollock,  of  Company  C,  took 
command  of  the  Regiment,  and  immediately  associated  with 
him  Captain  Rowan,  of  Company  F.  The  two  looked  along 
the  line,  and  determining  where  breastworks  should  be  built, 
sent  for  the  regimental  pioneers.  But  the  Rebels  were  not 
yet  satisfied,  and  were  preparing  for  their  fifth  charge.  This 
time  they  struck  the  Union  line  a  little  farther  to  their  right. 


364  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  1. 

Moving  silently  until  near  the  breastworks,  they  made  a  rush 
upon  the  35th  Indiana,  killing  its  commander — Maj.  Dufficy 
— and  shooting  and  bayoneting  many  of  the  men  before  they 
could  make  any  organized  resistance.  The  35th  abandoned 
their  works,  some  of  the  men  being  captured  and  others  run- 
ning back  into  the  timber.  Major  D.  W.  Marshall,  of  the  51st 
Ohio,  immediately  called  for  the  NINETY-SIXTH  to  go  and  re- 
take the  works,  but  upon  consultation  it  was  agreed  that  their 
position  was  too  important  to  be  abandoned.  Captain  Pollock 
accordingly  sent  the  three  left  Companies — B,  G  and  K — 
under  Captain  Rowan.  These  Companies  moved  in  rear  of 
the  main  line,  and  before  they  were  aware  that  they  had 
reached  the  spot,  were  fired  upon  by  the  Rebels  just  across  the 
breastworks.  Several  fell  at  the  first  volley,  others  ran  back 
for  shelter,  but  many  remained,  loading  and  firing  as  rapidly 
as  possible,  a  few  using  the  bayonet.  At  this  critical  juncture 
the  40th  Ohio  came  up  in  line  and  re-took  the  works,  sustain- 
ing and  inflicting  considerable  loss.  Lieut. -Col.  Watson,  of 
the  40th,  who  was  Brigade  Officer  of  the  Day,  in  reconnoiter- 
ing  the  position  a  few  moments  before,  was  captured,  a  Rebel 
reaching  over  and  fairly  dragging  him  across  the  earthwork. 
In  the  movement  of  the  three  Companies  to  the  left,  the 
loss  sustained  was  terrific.  Captain  G-ilmore,  of  Company  B, 
was  mortally  wounded,'  being  struck  three  times.  One  shot 
penetrated  his  skull,  another  his  body,  and  a  third  passed 
through  his  thigh.  He  never  regained  consciousness,  and  died 
five  days  later.  Sergeant  Whitmore,  of  the  same  Company, 
was  almost  instantly  killed  ;  David  Wells  was  shot  in  the  hand 
and  arm  and  permanently  disabled,  never  again  joining  the 
command.  Erastus  T.  Cleveland  lost  a  part  of  his  hand,  and 
was  disabled.  In  Company  G,  Captain  James  was  shot  through 
the  shoulder,  and  died  a  month  later.  Dennis  Shupe  was 
struck  two  or  three  times  and  killed  almost  instantly.  Chris- 
topher Booetcher  was  mortally  wounded,  being  hit  seven  times 
and  dying  on  the  twenty-third.  Sergeant  Walter  Drew  had 
his  left  arm  shattered  and  suffered  amputation,  and  Christian 
Knopf  was  permanently  disabled  by  a  shot  through  the  foot. 
In  Company  K,  Corporal  Wallace  W.  Hoover  was  severely 


1864]  KENESAW  MOUNTAIN.  365 

wounded  through  the  left  shoulder,  and  James  Hicks  had  a 
serious  wound  in  the  right  hand. 

The  other  casualties  of  the  day  were  :  Corporal  Henry  P. 
Barnum,  of  Company  C,  who  was  permanently  disabled,  a 
bullet  striking  his  left  cheek,  passing  directly  through  and 
coming  out  of  his  right  cheek  close  beside  the  deep  scar  of  his 
Chickamanga  wound  ;  Corporal  John  H.  Pooley,  of  Company 
E,  who  was  shot  through  the  left  thigh,  and  permanently  dis- 
abled, his  wound  being  a  close  mate  to  one  in  his  right  thigh 
received  at  Chickamauga ;  James  L.  Knox,  of  Company  G, 
who  was  shot  in  the  left  arm  and  side,  and  died  nine  days 
later ;  Corporal  Marcus  J.  Penwell,  of  Company  H,  shot  in 
the  left  hand  ;  Edward  Hancock,  of  Company  F,  and  George 
E.  Smith,  of  Company  D,  both  stretcher  bearers,  and  each 
shot  in  the  ankle.  Hancock  was  disabled  for  five  weeks,  but 
Smith  was  able  to  remain  on  duty. 

After  the  re-taking  of  the  works  the  three  Companies  re- 
turned to  the  Regiment.  The  firing  was  continuous  all  night, 
but  there  were  no  further  assaults.  By  morning,  a  good  line 
of  breastworks  was  well  advanced,  but  the  men  were  entirely 
worn  out  by  their  long  and  constant  vigil.  It  was  said  that 
seventy  thousand  rounds  of  ammunition  were  expended  by 
Gen.  Whittaker's  Brigade  alone  on  the  twentieth.  The  Regi- 
ment had  added  to  its  laurels,  but  at  heavy  cost* 

Tuesday,  June  21,  brought  little  respite.  Daylight  re- 
vealed the  fact  that  the  Rebel  main  line  was  frightfully  near. 
The  Regiment  was  upon  a  hillside  sloping  toward  the  enemy, 
and  almost  at  the  verge  of  the  timber.  In  its  front  was  a 
straggling  cornfield,  dotted  with  girdled  trees.  Its  works 
were  partially  enfiladed  from  Bald  Hill.  So  close  was  the 
enemy  that  a  hat  or  a  hand  raised  above  the  head  logs  was 
sure  to  bring  a  volley  of  musket  balls.  Skirmishers  were 
posted  in  hastily  constructed  rifle  pits,  or  behind  trees,  but 

*The  Historian  of  the  40th  Ohio  declares  the  night  fight  of  June  20,  at  Kenesaw,  the 
severest,  next  to  Chickamauga,  in  the  experience  of  that  Regiment.  With  the  NIMKTT- 
SIXTH  there  were  fewer  slight  wounds  than  in  several  other  engagements,  but  more 
fatalities  than  in  any  other  one  day's  experience,  except  at  Chickamauga,  and,  consid- 
ering the  emallness  of  the  Regiment,  the  number  of  casualties  was  very  large.  Eight 
were  killed  or  mortally  wounded.  A  singular  fact  is  that  all  of  these  were  from  the- 
Lake  County  Companies.  A  number  of  those  wounded  were  permanently  disabled. 


366  HlSTOKY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,   ILL.   Y.   I. 

thirty  or  forty  yards  in  advance.  To  add  to  the  discomfort, 
the  day  was  rainy,  and  as  the  men  were  obliged  to  lay  in  the 
muddy  trenches  their  situation  was  most  disagreeable.*  Coffee 
could  not  be  made  on  the  line,  nor  brought  from  the  rear, 
except  at  night.  Hard  tack  and  raw  salt  meat  was  the  only 
diet.  Major  Hicks,  who  had  been  worn  out  in  the  campaign, 
and  sent  to  the  field  hospital  to  recuperate  a  day  or  two 
before,  came  up  early  in  the  day,  and  took  command  of  the 
Regiment.  The  musketry  was  spirited  all  day,  and  casualties 
numerous  on  either  side.  About  ten  o'clock  two  batteries 
opened  upon  the  Regiment  with  fearful  energy,  and  for  an 
hour  it  seemed  as  if  the  position  must  be  vacated.  The  dis- 
tance was  so  short,  and  the  range  so  close,  that  destruction  to 
the  entire  command  seemed  inevitable.  Shells  screeched  and 
screamed  and  exploded  in  the  treetops,  and  upon  the  ground. 
Girdled  trees  were  struck,  and  their  dried  branches  broken  off 
by  the  shock  and  hurled  backward  toward  the  line.  At  times 
it  seemed  as  if  retreat  must  inevitably  result.  After  a  time 
the  men  concluded  to  change  their  tactics,  and  opened  tire 
upon  the  batteries  with  musketry  from  the  main  line.  The 
effect  was  soon  manifest,  for  one  after  another  the  cannon 
ceased  firing,  the  showers  of  Minie  balls  driving  the  artillerists 
from  their  positions.  Toward  noon  the  First  Brigade  charged 
the  hill  at  the  right  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  which  they  had 
taken  and  lost  the  night  before.  The  Union  batteries  played 
upon  this  hill  for  a  half  hour  before  the  advance.  The 
Rebels  had  a  line  of  works,  but  so  gallant  was  the  assault  that 
it  proved  irresistible.  The  charge  was  in  plain  view,  and  so 
near  at  hand  that  the  members  of  the  Regiment  were  able  to 
give  material  assistance  by  firing  obliquely  toward  the  Rebels, 
both  before  they  left  their  works  and  after  they  began  their 
retreat.  This  movement  partially  stopped  the  enfilading  fire, 
which  had  been  so  severe,  especially  upon  the  skirmishers  of 
the  NINETY-SIXTH,  during  the  early  part  of  the  day.  The 
casualties,  which  were  mainly  sustained  by  the  skirmishers, 

*  Gen.  Sherman  telegraphed  Washington  on  the  21st  :  "This  is  the  nineteenth  day 
of  rain,  and  the  prospect  of  clear  weather  is  as  far  off  as  ever.  The  roads  are  impas- 
sable, and  fields  and  woods  become  quagmires  after  a  few  wagons  have  crossed,  yet  we 
are  at  work  all  of  the  time." 


1864]  KENESAW  MOUNTAIN.  367 

were  as  follows :  First  Sergeant  F.  A.  "Weir,  face  ;  Sergeant 
C.  H.  Berg,  right  arm  ;  F.  J.  Robinson,  left  leg,  by  three 
bullets;  Theodore  Hopp,  left  hand, — all  of  the  foregoing  in 
Company  A, — Sergeant  Samuel  B.  Payne,  Company  C,  shot 
through,  and  died  a  month  later  ;  Henry  Sneesby,  Company 
C,  face  ;  Charles  Spaulding,  Company  D,  thigh  ;  Dominick 
Burke,  Company  D,  face  ;  Wm.  R.  Buchanan,  Company  F, 
mortally ;  Sergeant  George  Dawson,  Company  I,  head  ; 
Peter  Damphouse,  Company  I,  arm  ;  Wm.  W.  Hughes,  Com- 
pany K,  hip. 

Wednesday,  June  22,  the  positions  were  unchanged.  The 
Rebels  again  gave  the  Regiment  a  terrific  shelling,  but  could 
not  drive  it  out.  The  main  works  and  the  skirmish  line  had 
both  been  strengthened,  and  as  the  men  kept  out  of  sight, 
tiring  under  their  head  logs,  and  exposing  themselves  but 
little,  the  casualties  were  less  numerous.  Orlando  Phippin,  of 
Company  E,  was  wounded  in  the  head ;  Corporal  James 
Junken,  of  Company  E,  was  wounded  in  the  neck,  and  died 
next  day  ;  William  Joyce,  of  Company  G,  was  wounded  in 
the  head.  After  dark  the  Regiment,  with  the  rest  of  the 
Brigade,  was  relieved  and  moved  to  the  rear  and  right,  march- 
ing nearly  the  entire  night,  and  relieving  portions  of  the 
Twentieth  Corps,  on  Culp's  Farm,  early  on  the  morning  of 
Thursday,  June  23.  A  heavy  engagement  had  taken  place 
on  this  ground  the  previous  day.  The  enemy's  fire  was  severe 
throughout  the  day,  but  at  longer  range  than  that  to  which 
the  Regiment  had  been  so  recently  exposed.  Toward  night, 
after  a  terrific  artillery  fire  of  an  hour's  duration,  a  charge 
was  made  by  the  Brigade,  and  the  Rebel  skirmishers  were 
driven  in,  about  one  hundred  of  them  being  captured,  many 
of  them  by  the  NINETY-SIXTH.  The  84th  Indiana  captured  an 
eminence  somewhat  in  advance  of  the  rest  of  the  Brigade,  but 
soon  exhausted  its  ammunition,  and  was  withdrawn.  The 
advance  on  the  part  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  was  most  gallantly 
made.  Frank  Redfem^  of  Company  E ;  Robert  Burbridge, 
of  Company  H ;  and  Ross  P.  Rayne,  of  Company  K,  were 
mortally  wounded,  all  dying  within  a  few  hours.  James 
Donehue,  of  Company  G,  on  duty  at  Brigade  Headquarters, 


368  HISTORY  OF  THE  96™  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  1. 

as  an  Orderly,  was  wounded  in  the  leg.     The  main  lines  were- 
now  about  one-third  of  a  mile  apart. 

Friday,  Saturday  and  Sunday  the  Regiment  did  not  move. 
Heavy  firing  occurred  at  intervals,  but  only  the  skirmishers 
were  engaged  upon  that  part  of  the  line.  The  men  shielded 
themselves  as  best  they  could,  and,  as  the  weather  had  im- 
proved, and  the  ground  become  partially  dry,  they  were  far 
more  comfortable  than  on  the  line  occupied  earlier  in  the 
week.  Occasionally  during  the  early  part  of  the  night  the 
skirmishers  of  the  two  armies  talked  back  and  forth  across 
the  brief  space  separating  them-,  or  met  midway  between  the 
lines.  One  evening,  after  the  Rebels  had  assaulted  at  a  point 
where  some  Union  regiments  which  they  supposed  were  made 
up  largely  of  recruits,  were  located,  and  had  been  driven 
back  with  severe  loss,  a  big  Confederate  called  out :  "Oh, 
Yank !  what  troops  were  those  that  repulsed  us  ? "  "  Do  you 
really  want  to  know  ? "  was  answered  back.  ' '  Yes,  of  course. " 
came  in  reply.  "Well,  it  was  a  brigade  of  niggers,"  called 
out  the  Yankee.  The  Rebels  were  angry,  and  fired  a  volley 
to  show  their  indignation,  following  the  volley  with  a  torrent 
of  oaths.  Quiet  was  soon  restored,  when  a  Yankee  called 
out :  ' '  Oh,  Johnny  !  I  forgot  to  say  that  the  niggers  were 
supported  by  hundred-day  men."  In  came  more  bullets 
and  profanity,  and  then  another  period  of  quiet,  which  was 
broken  by  another  call  from  the  Yankee  :  "Honest,  boys,  it 
was  the  Invalid  Corps  that  you  charged."  There  was  no  more 
talking  that  night,  but  lots  of  ammunition  was  wasted.  In 
these  occasional  conversations  a  favorite  question  was  to  ask 
the  Rebels  how  far  it  was  to  Atlanta,  and  the  replies  were  as 
varied  as  can  well  be  imagined.  The  General  Officers  in 
either  army  frowned  upon  these  interviews,  but  could  not 
wholly  prevent  them,  as  the  soldiers  in  the  ranks  felt  that  it 
was  their  war  rather  than  a  contest  between  high  officials. 
The  fatigue  of  laying  in  the  skirmish  pits  for  twelve  or  twenty- 
four  hours  was  terrible,  and  either  side  was  usually  willing  to 
declare  a  truce  for  a  few  hours  during  the  night,  especially  if 
the  lines  had  been  confronting  each  other  for  a  succession  of 
days,  with  no  prospect  of  an  immediate  movement.  Usually 


COMPANY  B. 


First  Lieut.  HOI.I.IN  H.  Tut  >u;n.i.. 
GKORGK  A    BANGS. 


Capt.  GEOBOB  H.  BURNETT. 

Capt.  EVANGELIST  J.  GILMOKE. 

HBNRY  II.  MONTGOMERY. 


MYRON  GILMOUE. 
WILLIAM  D.  WHIT.MORE. 


_^__    >- 

*  ' 


1864]  KENESAW  MOUNTAIN.  369 

one  side  or  the  other  would  call  out:  "Oh,  say!  Stop 
firing  a  little  while  ! "  If  the  proposition  was  favorably 
received  the  musketry  would  soon  cease  for  quite  a  distance 
along  the  line,  and  the  men  would  crawl  out  from  their  pits 
and  sit  upon  the  grass  or  on  the  head  logs  of  their  little  forti- 
fications. At  times  there  would  be  little  or  no  talking.  When 
the  officer  or  non-comrnissioned  officer  in  charge  thought  the 
truce  had  lasted  a  sufficient  time  he  would  so  indicate  to  his 
men,  and  some  one  would  call  out:  "Oh,  Johnny!  hunt 
your  holes,  now  ;  we're  going  to  shoot !  "  and  in  two  minutes 
the  desultory  firing  would  be  renewed.  These  affairs  were 
honorably  conducted,  and  seldom  was  a  shot  fired  until  warn- 
ing had  been  given.  In  trading  between  the  lines  the  men 
went  unarmed.  The  Rebels  were  always  anxious  to  get  coffee, 
but  it  is  to  be  feared  that  they  sometimes  found  the  quality 
poor,  as  the  Yankees  not  unfrequently  boiled  their  coffee  whole, 
extracting  what  strength  they  could  without  grinding,  arid  then 
drying  it  for  trading  purposes.  Tobacco  was  much  sought 
after  by  the  Yankees.  In  exchanging  newspapers  it  was  the 
custom  to  part  with  those  of  the  most  remote  date  possible. 

The  men  almost  insisted  that  these  amnesties  were  a  neces- 
sity, so  severe  had  become  the  physical  strain,  and  as  the 
officers  of  lower  rank  were  as  much  in  need  of  the  respite  as 
were  their  men  these  truces  were  repeated  nightly  until  the 
twenty-seventh. 

Gen.  Sherman  at  last  tired  of  his  tactics,  and  resolved  to 
make  a  change  of  plans.  Keeping  up  a  show  of  moving  to 
the  right,  he  concentrated  a  portion  of  the  army  near  the 
centre,  and  prepared  to  assault  the  enemy's  fortifications. 
Preliminary  to  the  charge,  on  the  morning  of  Monday,  June 
27,  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  with  the  other  troops  of  the  Brigade, 
moved  three-quarters  of  a  mile  to  the  left  and  formed  in 
column  just  in  rear  of  the  Union  works,  with  orders  to  support 
the  Second  Division.  The  experience  was  a  trying  one. 
Almost  before  the  reserves  were  in  position,  the  bugle  sounded 
for  the  charging  columns  to  advance.  The  response  was 
prompt  and  gallant,  two  Brigades  of  Gen.  Newton's  Division 
rushing  forward  from  the  immediate  front  of  the  NINETY- 
24 


370  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  1. 

SIXTH,  and  attempting  to  push  through  the  tangled  abatis 
which  covered  the  Rebel  front ;  but  in  vain,  for  the  barriers 
were  so  formidable  that  they  could  not  be  passed.  The  Rebels, 
standing  behind  their  strong  earth-works,  and  peering  under- 
neath their  head  logs,  gloated  over  their  victims,  mowing  them 
down  by  hundreds  as  they  came  up  to  .the  line  where  the 
tangled  bushes  were  so  interwoven  as  to  absolutely  fence  out 
the  storming  party.  Again  and  again  the  veteran  troops 
attempted  to  go  forward,  and  for  nearly  two  hours  the 
musketry  and  artillery  gave  forth  a  continuous  roar.  Farther 
to  the  right  Gen.  Davis'  Division  made  a  similar  attempt, 
starting  from  the  works  where  the  NINETY- SIXTH  had  lain  for 
three  days,  but  they,  too,  were  driven  back.  At  length  Gen. 
Sherman  became  satisfied  that  success  could  not  result,  and 
ordered  the  troops  to  return.  Many  could  not  leave  their 
advanced  position,  but  lay  there  until  nightfall,  while  some 
who  attempted  to  run  back  were  shot  before  reaching  the 
works.  The  losses  were  frightful,  and  the  gains  of  little 
moment.  It  was  calculated  that  fully  2,500  were  killed  and 
wounded,  among  the  former  being  Gen.  Charles  Harker  and 
Col.  Daniel  McCook,  the  officers  in  command  of  the  Brigades 
which  led  one  of  the  assaults. 

The  part  taken  by  the  Regiment  in  the  day's  fight  was  not 
conspicuous.  It  lay  in  reserve  all  through  the  charge,  mov- 
ing to  front  or  rear,  or  to  right  or  left,  under  a  pitiless  fire,  as 
ordered,  prepared  to  rush  forward  at  the  signal  to  be  given 
when  the  advance  had  broken  the  Rebel  lines — a  signal  that 
was  not  to  be  made.  Men  fell  all  about ;  artillery  horses, 
standing  near  at  hand,  were  wounded,  and,  mad  with  pain, 
dashed  toward  the  lines ;  but  strangely  enough  not  a  man  of 
the  Regiment  was  disabled.  During  the  afternoon  the  Regi- 
ment was  moved  a  short  distance  to  the  rear,  and  allowed  to 
rest  where  there  was  but  little  danger,  an  experience  so  rare  at 
that  time  as  to  be  most  welcome. 

Tuesday,  June  28,  the  Regiment  remained  in  the  woods 
until  dusk,  when  it  moved  to  the  scene  of  the  terrible  fighting 
of  the  day  before.  For  some  reason  difficult  of  comprehen- 
sion, the  troops  were  ordered  to  retain  a  position  across  the 


1804]  KENESAW  MOUNTAIN.  371 

depression  between  the  two  lines  of  works,  so  close  to  the 
enemy  as  to  be  exceedingly  dangerous.  To  this  exposed  line 
the  Regiment  inarched,  under  cover  of  the  darkness.  The 
orders  were  given  in  a  whisper,  and  every  man  was  charged 
to  maintain  silence.  The  night  was  comparatively  quiet,  but 
there  was  no  talking  or  trafficking  between  the  lines.  Many  of 
the  dead  still  lay  along  the  hillside,  but  the  wounded  had  been 
gathered  in  by  daring  men  during  the  previous  night.  Skir- 
mish pits  were  constructed,  a  greater  part  of  the  Regiment 
working  all  night. 

Wednesday,  June  29,  the  early  hours  were  full  of  the  noise 
of  musketry,  but  ere  long  there  came  a  hush,  for  near  at  hand 
a  white  flag  fluttered  in  the  breeze.  It  soon  became  known 
that  Gen.  Sherman  had  asked  a  truce,  and  that  permission  be 
granted  him  to  bear  oft  and  bury  the  dead  from  Monday's 
fight.  The  flag  was  received,  and  four  hours'  time  granted 
for  this  humane  work.  It  becoming  apparent  that  the  task 
could  not  be  completed  within  the  period  named,  an  exten- 
sion was  granted  and  the  truce  continued  until  five  o'clock. 
During  this  time  the  men  of  either  army  flocked  between  the 
lines  by  hundreds,  but  neither  side  ventured,  or  was  allowed, 
to  pass  a  designated  point.  The  enlisted  men  talked  freely 
with  each  other,  exchanged  newspapers  and  other  commodities, 
and  at  parting  shook  hands,  wishing  personal  good  luck,  but 
pronouncing  anathemas  against  the  cause  to  which  they  were 
respectively  opposed.  Many  distinguished  officers  from  either 
side  met  on  the  neutral  ground,  several  of  them  renewing 
acquaintances  formed  at  West  Point. 

At  five  o'clock  the  details  whose  duty  it  had  been  to  gather 
and  bear  away  the  bodies  of  those  who  fell  in  the  disastrous 
charge  announced  that  their  task  was  completed,  the  men  in 
grey  retired  beyond  their  heavy  fortifications,  the  men  in  blue 
withdrew  to  their  works,  each  side  called  to  the  other  the 
ominous  words,  "Are  you  ready  ?  "  and  the  duel  of  the  morn- 
ing was  resumed.  At  dark  the  NINETY-SIXTH  was  relieved, 
and  marched  back  to  the  timber  in  rear  of  the  main  line,  and 
bivouacked.  During  the  night  a  terrific  musketry  broke  out 
almost  immediately  in  front,  and  bullets  flew  around  the  camp, 


372  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

but  without  injury  to  any  one  in  the  command.  All  sprang 
to  arms,  but  in  a  few  moments  the  firing  lessened  and  all  was 
usually  quiet. 

Thursday  and  Friday  passed  without  any  especial  event 
on  that  part  of  the  line.  Gen.  Sherman  continued  to  shift  his 
forces  from  left  to  right,  and  was  preparing  to  cut  loose  from 
the  railroad  and  swing  to  the  rear  of  the  Rebels,  closing  down 
to  the  Chattahoochie,  and  striking  them  on  the  move  if  pos- 
sible. But  his  movements  were  divined  by  the  wary  Johnston, 
and  the  expected  opportunity  for  an  open  field  fight  was  never 
given. 

During  the  evening  of  Friday,  July  1,  the  NINETY-SIXTH 
again  took  the  extreme  front  line,  relieving  the  45th  Ohio,  and 
occupying  the  position  held  during  the  previous  Wednesday. 
The  night  was  uneventful,  but  next  day,  to  cover  his  move- 
ment to  the  right,  Gen.  Sherman  directed  that  an  incessant 
skirmish  fire  be  kept  up,  and  all  through  the  hours  the  roar 
of  musketry  resounded  in  front  and  to  right  and  left  of  the 
position.  The  enemy  was  compelled  to  keep  out  of  sight,  and 
but  few  shots  were  returned.  At  dark  the  Regiment  was 
marched  to  the  left,  relieving  other  troops  in  their  trenches. 
Many  had  lame  arms  and  shoulders  from  firing  their 
muskets  so  constantly,  and  all  felt  that  important  events 
were  at  hand.  Gen.  Whittaker,  who  had  been  relieved  from 
the  command  of  the  Brigade,  was  succeeded  by  Col.  Taylor, 
of  the  40th  Ohio.  The  two  men  were  strikingly  different  in, 
their  characteristics.  The  General  was  fiery,  impulsive, 
passionate,  fond  of  display,  scrupulously  neat  in  his  attire,  and 
accustomed  to  maintain  a  headquarters  superior  in  its  furnish- 
ings to  most  of  the  Division  and  Corps  commanders.  Col. 
Taylor  was  quiet  in  language  and  demeanor,  simple  in  his 
habits,  familiar  with  his  men,  careless  of  dress  and  satisfied 
with  a  shelter  tent  if  no  better  could  be  conveniently  provided. 
He  was  not  disposed  to  trust  the  details  of  his  camp  or  picket 
lines  to  subordinates,  but  attended  to  everything  possible  in 
person.  Often  he  would  walk  along  the  lines,  dressed  in  a 
soldier's  uniform  and  leading  his  old  gray  mare,  while  his- 
staff  officers  and  orderlies,  mounted  in  superb  style,  would 


1864]  KENESAW  MOUNTAIN.  373 

follow  behind,  their  faces  betraying  their  feelings,  which  were 
clearly  that  they  were  a  useless  appendage.  But  the  Colonel's 
bravery  and  coolness  were  well  known,  and  the  men  had  entire 
confidence  in  his  judgment.  He  issued  few  orders,  and  usually 
saw,  in  person,  that  they  were  obeyed.  The  Brigade  was 
well  handled  by  him,  but  it  is  understood  that  he  never 
enjoyed  his  promotion  or  learned  how  to  make  his  staff  officers 
&s  useful  as  the  average  brigade  commander.  Certain  it  is 
that  he  has  never  ceased  to  have  the  best  wishes  of  the  men 
of  the  old  "Iron  Brigade." 

Sunday,  July  3,  found  Kenesaw  Mountain  and  the  long 
line  of  Rebel  entrenchments  abandoned.  There  was  great 
rejoicing,  for  the  three  weeks,  from  Ackworth  to  this  point, 
had  been  full  of  hard  and  dangerous  work.  The  Regiment 
numbered  less  than  two  hundred  effective  men,  although  a 
few  others  were  present  as  pioneers,  musicians,  etc.  But 
little  clothing  had  been  issued,  and  nearly  all  were  ragged. 
The  men  had  grown  thin  and  haggard,  and  very  many  then 
on  duty  were  in  reality  fit  subjects  for  the  hospital.  But  it 
was  necessary  that  all  who  could  should  keep  in  place,  for  the 
casualties  in  Gen.  Sherman's  command  during  the  two  months 
preceding  had  aggregated,  by  the  conservative  figures  of  army 
reports,  7,530,  while  at  least  an  equal  number  had  been  sent 
to  hospitals  because  of  sickness.  The  NINETY-SIXTH  had 
shrunk  almost  one-half,  indicating  that  its  casualties  exceeded 
that  of  the  average  regiment,  and  confirming  the  belief  that 
the  figures  given  for  the  army  were  entirely  too  low. 

Pursuit  of  the  Rebel  army  began  at  once,  even  though  the 
day  was  the  Sabbath,  the  heat  excessive,  and  the  army  in  great 
need  of  rest.  TJie  Regiment,  with  other  troops,  pushed  out 
across  the  heavy  breastworks,  marching  through  the  outskirts 
of  the  pretty  village  of  Marietta,  and  following  the  railroad. 
The  day's  march  was  about  six  miles,  and  the  camp  for  the 
night  in  a  corn  field. 

Monday,  July  4.  the  pursuit  continued,  the  army  hammer- 
ing away  at  the  heels  of  the  retreating  foe,  and  pressing  them 
to  a  line  of  works  at  Smyrna  Camp  Ground.  The  Brigade  to 
which  the  NINETY-SIXTH  was  attached  led  in  a  charge  upon 


374  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

these  works,  and  drove  the  enemy  in  considerable  confusion, 
capturing  a  few  prisoners.  The  losses  in  the  Division  aggre- 
gated fully  one  hundred.  The  day  had  been  a  genuine  Fourth 
of  July  in  its  noise,  but  the  tiring  was  of  shotted  cannon,  and 
in  place  of  the  harmless  cracker,  had  been  the  hurtling  Minie 
ball.  At  night  the  Regiment  took  a  front  line,  under  fire, 
the  men  working  like  beavers  until  morning,  in  constructing 
fortifications,  only  to  find  that  the  enemy  had  again  retreated 
to  another  line  of  works.  Gen.  Sherman,  in  his  Memoirs, 
confesses  that  he  was  greatly  surprised  to  find  the  Rebels- 
again  entrenched  north  of  the  Chattahoochie,  and  says  of  their 
line,  it  "proved  to^be  one  of  the  strongest  pieces  of  field 
fortification  I  ever  saw."  A  thousand  slaves  had  been  at 
work  a  month  or  more  on  these  lines,  the  inner  one  of  which 
was  about  five  or  six  miles  in  length. 

Tuesday,  July  5,  the  Regiment  again  pushed  forward,, 
reaching  the  Chattahoochie  river,  where  a  pontoon  bridge, 
some  wagons  and  a  few  prisoners  were  captured.  The  posi- 
tion occupied  was  out  of  the  reach  of  musketry,  and  the  men 
enjoyed  the  opportunity  of  washing  their  clothing  and  putting 
up  tents,  which  was  possible  on  Wednesday. 

The  remainder  of  the  week  was  spent  in  camp.  At  inter- 
vals the  batteries  played  upon  the  Rebel  lines,  with  great 
vigor,  their  fire  being  responded  to  with  corresponding  earnest- 
ness. Friday  evening  a  terrific  artillery  duel  was  indulged  in. 
During  Saturday  night  the  last  of  the  enemy  crossed  to  the 
south  side  of  the  river.  Many  of  the  men  visited  the  signal 
hill  at  Yining's  Station,  and  took  their  first  look  at  Atlanta, 
nine  miles  distant.  It  seemed  quite  near,  but  two  long 
months  were  to  elapse  before  the  Union  Flag  should  float 
from  its  spires. 

The  operations  about  Kenesaw  Mountain  had  been  at- 
tended by  the  following 

CASUALTIES. 
Field  and  Staff. 

WOUNDED. — Colonel  Thos.  E.  Champion,  face  ;  Lieutenant  Colonel 
John  C.  Smith,  shoulder ;  both  being  practically  disabled  for  further 
field  service. 


1864]  KENESAW  MOUNTAIN.  375 

Company  A. 

WOUNDED.— First  Sergeant  F.  A.  Weir,  face  ;  Sergeant  C.  H.  Berg, 
right  arm  ;  Francis  J.  Robinson,  left  leg  ;  Theodore  Hopp,  left  hand. 

Company  B. 

KILLED  OR  MORTALLY  WOUNDED.— Captain  E.  J.  Gillmore  ;  Sergeant 
William  D.  Whitmore. 

WOUNDED. — Erastus  T.  Cleveland,  left  hand ;  Orskine  L.  Ferrand, 
left  hand  ;  David  Wells,  left  hand. 

Company  C. 

MORTALLY  WOUNDED.— Sergeant  Samuel  B.  Payne. 
WOUNDED. — Corporal  Henry  P.  Barnum,  face,  disabled  for  further 
service  ;  Henry  Sneesby,  face. 

CAPTURED. — William  H.  Ehlers. 

Company  D. 

KILLED. — Louis  Brochon,  Philip  R.  Clawson. 

WOUNDED. — Corporal  Alex.  R.  Thain,  leg  ;  Abner  L.  Chandler,  abdo- 
men ;  P.  P.  Melindy,  leg  ;  James  McCann,  leg ;  Dominick  Burke,  face  ; 
Charles  Spaulding,  right  thigh. 

CAPTURED. — Sergeant  Michael  Devlin,  Albert  Barney. 

Company  E. 

MORTALLY  WOUNDED. — Corporal  James  Junken,  Frank  Redfe 
WOUNDED. — Corporal  John  H.  Pooley,  left  leg ;  Orlando  Phippin, 
head  ;  Wm.  G.  Oberlin,  face  and  eye. 

Company  F. 

MORTALLY  WOUNDED. — Wm.  R.  Buchanan. 
WOUNDED. — Edward  Hancock,  ankle. 

Company  G. 

KILLED  OR  MORTALLY  WOUNDED. — Captain  David  L.  James,  Chris- 
topher Booetcher,  James  L.  Knox,  Dennis  Shupe,  Reuben  Smith. 

WOUNDED. — Corporal  Walter  Drew,  left  arm,  amputated ;  Christian 
Knopf,  right  foot,  disabled  for  further  service ;  William  Joyce,  head  ; 

James  Donohue,  leg. 

Company  H. 

KILLED.— Robert  Burb ridge. 

WOUNDED.— Corporal  M.  J.  Penwell,  left  hand. 

Company  I. 

WOUNDED. — Sergeant  John  B.  Reynolds,  neck;  Sergeant  George 
Dawson,  head  ;  Corporal  Harrison  Gage,  back  ;  William  Bell,  left  hand  ; 
Peter  Damphouse,  right  arm. 

Company  K, 

MORTALLY  WOUNDED. — Ross  P.  Rayne. 

WOUNDED.— Corporal  W.  W.  Hoover,  left  shoulder ;  James  Hicks, 
right  baud  ;  W.  W.  Hughes,  right  hip  ;  Wm.  J.  Edwards,  left  leg;  Har- 
mon Dean,  head  ;  George  C.  Morse,  head. 


376  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 


INCIDENTS   ABOUT   KENESAW   MOUNTAIN. 

The  casualties  in  the  46th  Georgia,  one  of  the  regiments 
that  charged  the  position  held  by  the  NINETY-SIXTH  and  other 
troops  in  Whittaker's  Brigade  during  the  tight  of  June  20, 
must  have  been  very  numerous,  as  many  bodies  were  left 
between  the  lines.  Indeed,  nearly  a  month  afterward,  Cor- 
poral Henry  Gage,  of  Company  G,  visited  that  region  to  call 
upon  friends  in  the  15th  and  45th  Illinois,  and  wrote  home 
that  from  thirty  to  fifty  bodies  were  still  unburied.  The  stench 
from  that  part  of  the  battle-field  was  terrible  during  the  two 
weeks  in  which  the  armies  confronted  each  other,  but  the  lines 
were  too  close  to  permit  of  any  work  being  done  by  burial 
parties  except  under  a  flag  of  truce,  which  was  never  sent  out 
at  that  point. 

Several  men  used  the  bayonet  during  the  night  fight  of 
June  20, — more,  probably,  than  at  any  other  engagement  in 
which  the  Regiment  participated. 

Old  letters  report  but  nine  or  ten  men  able  to  carry  mus- 
kets in  some  of  the  Companies  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  about 
the  time  the  line  was  abandoned  by  the  enemy.  Indeed,  the 
entire  Regiment,  counting  only  effective  men,  was  then  but 
little  larger  than  a  full  Company  at  muster-in.  Every  man 
was  a  soldier,  however,  and  the  command  was  equal  to  any 
emergency  likely  to  arise. 

Dighton  Granger,  of  Company  B,  who  had  recently  been 
detailed  as  teamster,  drove  a  wagon  load  of  artillery  ammu- 
nition up  to  a  battery  on  the  front  line  during  an  artillery  duel 
and  held  his  team  in  place  for  some  time  when  the  officers 
considered  it  too  dangerous  to  permit  their  men  to  unload  the 
wagon,  but  fortunately  the  outfit  escaped  damage. 

George  Barth  had  a  bullet  through  his  coat,  Fred  Worth 
one  through  his  blanket,  Joseph  Roth  one  through  his  pants 
and  poncho,  Edward  Rix  had  his  clothing  cut,  Frank  Rahling 
had  his  hat  shot  through,  Corporal  W.  H.  Richards  had  one 
bullet  strike  his  knapsack  and  another  spoil  the  lock  of  his 
gun,  George  Bowman  had  a  ball  through  his  cartridge  box  and 


1864]  KENESAW  MOUNTAIN.  377 

Milton  Glover  one  through  his  haversack.  Samuel  Buser, 
-on  duty  at  Brigade  headquarters,  stepped  out  of  his  tent  just 
in  time  to  avoid  a  cannon  ball  which  destroyed  the  frail  edifice. 

Charles  Spaulding  and  Dominick  Burke,  of  Company  D, 
were  each  wounded  while  asleep.  Worn  out  with  several 
nights  and  days  of  hard  work,  with  little  opportunity  for  rest, 
they  crawled  out  of  the  trenches  and  tried  to  make  themselves 
a  little  more  comfortable  upon  the  bank,  and  were  sleeping 
soundly,  although  there  was  continuous  firing  all  about  them, 
when  an  over-shot  bullet  wounded  both  of  them. 

The  field  hospital  was  not  so  far  away  from  the  line,  but 
that  it  was  under  fire,  shot  or  shell  passing  over  it  frequently, 
and  occasionally  dropping  among  the  tents,  in  a  few  instances 
with  fatal  results.  Most  of  the  wounded  were  placed  upon  the 
cars  and  taken  to  Chattanooga,  or  points  farther  north.  As 
fast  as  they  recovered  they  were  again  sent  to  the  front,  many 
being  detailed  to  drive  cattle  from  Chattanooga,  and  in  some 
instances  having  stirring  adventures  with  Rebel  cavalry. 
'  On  the  night  of  June  20  a  Rebel  officer  was  shot  just  over 
the  breastworks  in  front  of  Compan}^  B.  William  Joyce 
immediately  jumped  over  the  works  and,  taking  off  the  officer's 
sword  and  belt  returned  safely  with  the  trophies,  although 
repeatedly  fired  at  by  the  Rebels. 

Lieutenant  Blowney  was  sick  in  the  field  hospital  for  a  few 
days,  but  when  Captain  James  was  brought  back  wounded, 
immediately  made  his  way  to  the  front  line  and  took  com- 
mand of  his  Company,  although  so  weak  as  to  hardly  be  able 
to  walk. 

John  Greenwald,  who  had  been  discharged  for  disability 
from  Company  A,  and  reenlisted  in  Company  F,  12th  Illinois, 
was  wounded  no  less  than  seven  times  in  one  of  the  engage- 
ments about  Kenesaw. 

While  carrying  a  box  of  ammunition  to  the  front  line  John 
Golden,  one  of  the  band,  was  severely  injured  by  a  fall. 

Thomas  J .  Moore,  of  Company  E,  had  his  cap  box  exploded 
by  a  bullet. 

A  not  unusual  occurrence  was  for  a  man  to  lose  his  voice, 
.as  a  result  of  sickness.  One  of  those  thus  afflicted  was 


378  HISTORY  or  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

William  R.  Buchanan,  of  Company  F,  who  had  not  spoken 
aloud  for  many  months  until  struck  by  a  bullet  while  on  the 
skirmish  line,  June  21,  when,  the  cords  being  loosened  by  the 
shock,  he  turned  to  Sergeant  Campbell  and  spoke  in  a  loud 
tone,  saying,  "Andy,  I'm  shot."  He  lived  but  a  few  hours, 
but  was  able  to  converse  until  the  last. 

An  old  letter,  written  on  this  line,  says  :  "I  hardly  know 
whether  to  say  that  the  boys  now  with  the  Regiment  are  well 
or  not.  There  are  not  a  great  many  sick,  but  there  seems  to 
be  some  disease  with  which  almost  everyone  is  afflicted. 
Some  call  it  "hives,"  others  scurvy.  It  is  doubtless  caused 
by  heat,  body  lice,  going  day  after  day  and  night  after  night 
without  an  opportunity  to  change  or  even  take  off  clothing, 
dirt  and  want  of  vegetable  diet." 

During  the  fight  of  June  20,  Colonel  Smith  was  watching 
the  Rebels  from  a  small  aperture  in  the  hastily  built  works, 
but  being  unable  to  see  as  clearly  as  he  desired  stepped  upon 
the  works.  As  he  did  so  an  officer  in  the  51st  Ohio  took  the- 
place  the  Colonel  had  vacated,  but  had  no  sooner  placed  his 
eye  to  the  opening  than  a  bullet  struck  him  in  the  head,, 
killing  him  instantly. 


1864]  THE  MARCH  TO  POWERS'  FERRY.  379 


CHAPTER    XX. 


Across  the  Chattahoochie — The  Rest  on  the  Ridge — Peach  Tree  Creek — 
The  General  Forward  Movement — Within  Two  Miles  of  Atlanta — 
The  Battle  on  the  Left — A  Visit  Interrupted — Killed  in  Camp — Four 
Men  Captured — Colonel  Opdyke's  Reconnoissance — Regimental  Pol- 
itics— Strong  Breastworks  and  How  They  were  Built — Promotions 
Among  the  Officers — Frequent  Demonstrations,  One  of  Them  Attend- 
ed by  Heavy  Losses — An  Ominous  Quiet— Mysterious  Movements  on 
Foot — What  will  Gen.  Sherman  do  ?— Casualties  about  Atlanta. 

GEN.  SHERMAN'S  great  ability  as  a  strategist  was  well  dis- 
played along  the  line  of  the  Chattahoochie.  Feigning  to  the 
right  he  deceived  the  enemy,  and  soon  had  control  of  several 
fords  and  ferries  at  the  left,  with  his  army  in  good  positions 
for  crossing.  Some  infantry  forces,  with  Garrard's  Division 
of  Cavalry,  pushed  northeastward  to  Roswell,  where  were 
numerous  and  extensive  cotton,  wool  and  paper  mills,  turning 
out  goods  for  the  Southern  armies.  These  were  destroyed. 
As  early  as  July  8,  a  portion  of  the  Twenty-Third  Corps  effected 
a  crossing,  by  means  of  pontoon  boats,  near  the  mouth  of  Soap 
Creek,  and  having  laid  their  bridge  were  soon  strongly 
intrenched.  Gen.  Johnston  withdrew  his  army  from  the 
north  bank  of  the  river  on  the  night  of  July  9.  Gen.  Sher- 
man, still  feigning  to  the  right  as  if  intending  to  move  to  the 
rear  of  Atlanta  from  the  westward,  ordered  Gen.  McPherson's 
and  Gen.  Schofield's  forces  far  to  the  left,  and  then  wheeled 
them  toward  Atlanta  from  the  neighborhood  of  Decatur. 

Sunday,  July  10,  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  with  other  troops,  was 
enjoying  the  unusual  quiet  and  idling  away  the  time  in  any 
manner  that  suited  the  individual  taste.  The  day  was  an 
excessively  hot  one.  At  noon  a  detail  of  men  was  sent  to 
draw  rations  and  bring  them  to  the  camp.  This  work  was 
about  completed  and  the  Commissary  Sergeant  was  dividing 
the  rations  of  hard-tack,  coffee  and  sugar,  according  to  the 
size  of  the  Companies,  when  suddenly  the  "  general  "  call  was 


380  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

sounded  by  the  Brigade  bugler.  A  moment  later  the  assembly 
sounded  and  then  the  forward.  The  men  who  were  awaiting 
the  division  of  the  rations  gathered  up  the  four  corners  of  the 
blankets  upon  which  the  supplies  had  been  laid  and  ran  with 
-all  speed  to  their  comrades,  who  were  buckling  on  their  accou- 
trements. Soldiers  ran  to  meet  them,  each  eager  to  at  least 
secure  some  crackers,  which  they  crammed  into  their  haver- 
sacks. To  say  the  least  the  division  was  neither  uniform  nor 
formal,  but  nearly  all  obtained  something.  Instantly  the 
straggling  column  began  to  move  at  a  rapid  walk.  The 
Companies  were  scarcely  half  formed  and  the  tardy  ones  came 
up  at  double  quick.  The  direction  was  up  the  river,  the  desti- 
nation being  Power's  Ferry,  where  the  enemy  was  making  a 
demonstration  as  if  intending  to  attack  the  troops  already 
arrived.  The  march  was  one  of  the  most  severe  ever  partici- 
pated in  by  the  command,  and  the  Brigade  was  but  a  small 
battalion  in  size  when  a  final  halt  was  made.  At  one  time 
but  about  thirty  men  were  with  the  colors  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH, 
and  an  old  letter  states  that  but  a  single  commissioned  officer 
was  present.  A  half  dozen  or  more  sustained  partial  sun- 
strokes, among  the  number  being  Adjutant  Blodgett,  who  was 
so  disabled  as  to  be  compelled  to  go  to  the  hospital  and 
remain  for  several  weeks.  He  had  but  partially  recovered 
from  an  illness  of  a  fortnight's  duration  and  was  not  in  condi- 
tion to  endure  the  terrific  heat  of  that  tropical  Sunday  after- 
noon. A  little  before  the  destination  was  reached,  it  being 
ascertained  that  the  danger  which  threatened  the  troops  at 
the  Ferry  had  passed,  a  halt  was  made  and  the  more  resolute 
and  robust  of  those  who  had  fallen  out  came  up  so  that  about 
seventy  muskets  were  stacked  at  camp.  Others  continued  to 
come  up,  and  by  night  nearly  all  were  present.  Several  fatal 
sunstrokes  were  said  to  have  occurred  in  the  Brigade.  Shortly 
after  the  destination  was  reached,  and  before  any  considerable 
number  of  the  exhausted  men  had  put  up  their  shelter  tents,  a 
sudden  and  terrific  thunder  storm  broke  upon  the  camp.  The 
lightning  played  most  vividly  and  several  trees  were  struck 
in  the  immediate  vicinity,  a  number  of  men  being  killed  in 
another  regiment.  The  storm,  which  was  not  of  long  duration, 


1864]  ACROSS  THE  CHATTAHOOCHIE.  381 

cleared  the  air  to  some  extent,  but  the  troops  were  badly  used 
up  and  glad  of  the  opportunity  of  a  quiet  night's  rest. 

Monday,  July  11,  was  given  to  rest.  Tuesday  morning 
the  Regiment  took  up  its  line  of  march  at  daylight,  crossing 
the  Chattahoochie  on  a  pontoon  bridge  and  taking  its  place  in 
line  on  the  right  of  the  Twenty-third  Corps,  along  a  ridge 
near  the  river,  and  establishing  a  good  camp.  The  remainder 
of  the  week  was  spent  at  this  Dlace,  the  men  greatly  enjoying 
the  rest  afforded.  The  river  presented  an  animated  appear- 
ance at  times,  from  the  great  number  who  went  in  bathing. 
Some  desks  and  blanks  were  brought  to  camp,  and  officers 
and  non-commissioned  officers  were  kept  busy  in  making  out 
reports,  so  long  neglected  during  the  campaign.  Thursday 
night  brought  a  terrific  storm,  with  high  wind  and  sharp 
lightning.  All  were  wet,  the  shelter  tents  not  blown  down 
affording  but  little  protection. 

At  this  time  a  special  effort  was  made  to  fill  up  the  thinned 
ranks  of  the  army  before  its  concerted  move  toward  Atlanta. 
Convalescents,  teamsters,  clerks,  detached  men,  all  who  could 
be  spared  from  other  duties,  were  sent  forward ;  and  in  this 
way  every  Regiment  received  a  very  substantial  reinforce- 
ment, the  NINETY-SIXTH  being  increased  to  nearly  three  hun- 
dred effective  men. 

Sunday,  July  17,  brought  Company  inspection,  and  at  two 
o'clock  P.  M.  orders  to  fall  in  and  change  position,  the  new 
line  being  the  one  vacated  by  Gen.  Wood's  Division.  There 
was  considerable  firing  at  the  front  and  on  either  flank,  indicat- 
ing that  the  brief  respite  was  at  an  end  and  the  grand  forward 
movement  toward  Atlanta  begun. 

Monday,  July  18,  brought  the  old-time  three  o'clock  reveille, 
and  at  six  o'clock  the  Regiment  was  moving  toward  the  city, 
the  cannon  knocking  for  admission  at  its  gateways.  There 
was  some  skirmishing  by  the  advance  and  but  slow  progress 
was  made.  After  moving  to  the  left  and  front  about  five  or 
six  miles  the  lines  halted,  the  Regiment  being  near  Buck 
Head. 

Tuesday,  July  19,  the  Third  Division  took  the  front  liner 
and  the  NINETY-SIXTH  lay  in  camp  until  four  o'clock  p.  M.r 


382  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

when  it  moved  to  the  left  and  front,  crossing  the  north  fork 
of  Peach  Tree  Creek,  taking  position  under  fire  and  construct- 
ing a  heavy  line  of  works.  John  Hay,  of  Company  K,  was 
severely  wounded,  having  his  right  thigh  fractured.  He  was 
taken  to  Chattanooga,  where  he  died  a  fortnight  later. 

Wednesday,  July  20,  occurred  the  battle  of  Peach  Tree 
Creek.  There  was  now  a  new  commander  of  the  Confederate 
forces  about  Atlanta.  Gen.  Johnston  was  succeeded  by  Gen. 
Hood,  the  recommendation  of  the  latter  being  that  he  was  a 
great  fighter.  The  Confederate  cause  was  indeed  growing 
desperate,  and  a  change  of  tactics  was  demanded.  That  change 
was  inaugurated  on  the  day  above  mentioned.  It  was  known 
in  the  Union  lines  almost  as  soon  as  among  the  Confederates 
that  there  had  been  a  change  of  commanders,  and  all  were 
warned  that  an  attack  might  be  expected.  Gen.  Sherman  had 
separated  his  forces  somewhat.  Gen.  McPherson  was  on  the 
left,  Gen.  Schofield  next,  and  Gen.  Thomas  on  the  right,  with 
a  gap  between  the  forces  of  the  last  named  commanders. 
These  forces  were  all  feeling  their  way  cautiously  toward  the 
front,  while  the  First  Division  of  the  Fourth  Corps  was  also 
bearing  to  the  left  in  order  to  connect  with  and  support  the 
Twenty-third  Corps.  Some  delay  occurred  at  the  crossing  of 
the  south  fork  of  Peach  Tree  Creek,  as  it  became  necessary 
to  build  a  bridge  to  take  the  place  of  one  destroyed  by  the 
enemy.  Skirmishing  was  heavy  all  along  the  front,  and  at 
the  right  a  heavy  battle  raged  during  the  later  hours  of  the 
afternoon.  At  one  time  the  Regiment  was  halted  near  some 
farm  buildings  on  a  sloping  highway  commanded  by  Rebel 
artillery.  Cannon  balls  struck  the  ground  in  front  and  rico- 
cheted across  the  lines.  One  shot  struck  a  fence  on  which 
some  men  were  sitting,  carrying  away  the  rails  and  dropping 
the  soldiers,  somewhat  frightened  but  entirely  unharmed. 
Another  tore  its  way  corner- wise  through  a  building  around 
which  a  few  were  standing.  It  was  not  always  a  pleasure  at 
such  times  to  hear  the  bugle  sound  the  "forward,"  but  on  this 
occasion  all  were  rejoiced  to  be  speedily  sent  at  double  quick 
across  the  hollow  and  upon  the  front  line,  even  though  the 
skirmishing  was  brisk  and  continuous,  and  bullets  came  pat- 


1864]  PEACH  TREE  CREEK.  383 

tering  through  the  ranks.  Filing  to  the  left,  line-of-battle  was 
formed  under  the  brow  of  the  hill,  and  soon  the  Kegiment 
moved  forward  to  the  ridge.  A  line  of  works  was  constructed 
and  a  charge  was  looked  for,  but  the  main  Rebel  column  did  not 
extend  so  far  to  the  Union  left  as  to  lap  the  command,  although 
their  skirmish  line  pushed  close  up  to  the  Regiment.  During 
the  engagement  Thomas  Kimmons,  of  Company  F,  was 
wounded  in  the  leg ;  Peter  Davidson,  of  Company  H,  in  the 
right  wrist ;  and  George  Deedrich,  of  Company  D,  in  the  leg. 
At  night  the  Regiment  had  the  skirmish  line  and  kept  up  a 
continuous  firing.  The  battle  was  a  victory  for  the  Union 
forces,  the  assaults  of  the  Rebels  being  repulsed  with  heavy 
loss.  The  fighting  was  mainly  on  the  part  of  the  Fourth  and 
Twentieth  Corps.  The  NINETY-SIXTH  fired  about  ten  thousand 
rounds  of  ammunition  during  the  twentieth  and  the  night  suc- 
ceeding. 

Thursday,  July  21,  the  Regiment  was  relieved  on  the 
skirmish  line  by  the  84rth  Indiana,  and  occupied  a  position 
behind  the  breastworks.  The  general  movement  was  a  right 
wheel  of  the  army,  and  as  the  advance  was  slow  little  change 
of  position  was  made  on  the  right.  The  Regiment  was  under 
fire  from  both  infantry  and  artillery,  but  sustained  no  losses. 

Friday,  July  22,  found  the  works  in  front  of  the  right 
evacuated,  and  most  of  Gen.  Thomas'  command  was  able  to 
advance  to  within  a  mile  and  a  half  of  the  city.  This  move- 
ment was  made  at  daylight,  the  troops  marching  in  column 
until  the  skirmishers  found  the  enemy,  when  the  columns 
deployed  and  pressed  forward  to  the  neighborhood  of  the 
White  House.  At  the  final  halt  the  NINETY-SIXTH  was  the 
extreme  left  Regiment  of  the  Corps.  Adjoining  was  a  Brigade 
of  the  Twenty-third  Corps,  in  which  was  the  65th  Illinois,  con- 
taining a  company  from  Lake  County.  Captain  James  S. 
Putnam,  of  Company  F,  of  that  command,  being  on  staff 
duty,  arranged  to  have  the  65th  transferred  to  the  right  of  his 
Brigade,  and  the  Lake  County  men  of  the  two  regiments  were 
enjoying  themselves  in  a  general  visit,  when  with  little  warning 
a  portion  of  the  Twenty-third  Corps  was  hurried  off  to  the  left. 
As  the  65th  was  included  in  the  order  the  visit  terminated 


384  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

very  suddenly.  It  transpired  that  Gen.  Hood  had  sent  a 
portion  of  his  army  far  out  to  his  right  and  over-lapped  the 
Union  left,  making  repeated  assaults,  and  for  a  time  discon- 
certing the  Army  of  the  Tennessee,  whose  commander,  Gen. 
McPherson,  had  fallen  early  in  the  battle.  The  NINETY-SIXTH 
had  no  active  part  in  this  heavy  engagement,  but  lay  in  line 
anxiously  awaiting  the  outcome  of  the  terrible  struggle,  the 
sounds  of  which  indicated  that  the  fighting  was  approaching  so 
near  as  to  make  it  probable  that  all  of  the  troops  would  soon  be 
involved.  The  skirmishers,  under  Captain  Rowan,  advanced 
nearly  to  the  city,  and  sent  word  that  there  was  so  light  a  line  in 
front  that  the  main  works  at  the  north  of  Atlanta  could  be  read- 
ily taken.  However,  those  higher  in  authority,  being  apprehen- 
sive of  disaster  at  the  left,  refused  to  make  a  forward  move- 
ment, and  the  opportunity  to  take  Atlanta  passed  with  the 
coming  of  night.  During  the  day  a  heavy  line  of  earthworks 
was  constructed  about  one  and  one-half  miles  out  from  th& 
city.  During  Saturday,  Sunday  and  Monday  the  Regiment 
did  not  change  position,  but  Monday  night  the  Army  of  the 
Tennessee  was  moved  by  Gen.  Sherman  from  left  to  right  in 
the  endeavor  to  reach  Atlanta  from  the  southwest.  There  was 
heavy  artillery  tiring  on  either  side,  the  Union  batteries  being 
able  to  throw  shot  and  shell  into  the  city. 

Tuesday,  July  26,  the  Regiment  moved  a  short  distance 
to  the  left  and  rear,  and  occupied  some  abandoned  Rebel 
works.  There  was  considerable  shifting  of  position  and  but 
little  opportunity  for  sleep.  Wednesday  the  troops  closed  to 
the  right,  thinning  the  line  somewhat  and  protecting  the  front 
by  constructing  a  heavy  abatis.  This  line  was  occupied  for 
several  days.  Thursday,  orders  were  read  announcing  that 
Gen.  O.  O.  Howard  had  been  relieved  from  the  command  of 
the  Fourth  Corps  and  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  Army 
of  the  Tennessee  ;  that  Gen.  D.  S.  Stanley  had  succeeded  Gen. 
Howard  ;  and  that  Colonel  Gross  had  succeeded  Gen.  Stanley 
in  the  command  of  the  Division.  Gen.  Howard  had  steadily 
grown  in  the  affections  of  the  men,  and  there  was  general 
regret  at  his  loss,  although  all  in  the  First  Division  knew  that 
in  Gen.  Stanley  they  had  an  able  and  worthy  Corps  com- 


COMPANY  C. 


First  Lieut.  JAMES  O.  HAVENS. 
EDWIN  D  KIT  BY 


Corp'l  HENRY  H.  GAGE. 

First  Serg't  AARON  SCOTT. 
Corp'l  DELOSS  ROSE. 


dipt.  JA.MKS  II.  CLAKK. 
NAIIUM  LAMB. 


1864]  ATLANTA.  385 

mander.  A  heavy  fight  took  place  on  the  right  but  did  not 
seriously  involve  the  Fourth  Corps,  although  there  was  contin- 
uous skirmishing  and  heavy  artillery  firing,  not  on  that  day 
alone  but  every  day.  The  engagement  was  the  third  one 
precipitated  by  Gen.  Hood,  and  proved  of  decided  advantage 
to  the  Union  cause.  The  enemy  occasionally  sent  sixty-four 
pound  shells  from  their  large  siege  guns,  but  none  did  serious 
damage. 

Sunday,  July  31,  hostilities  were  almost  entirely  suspended 
for  several  hours,  as  if  by  mutual  consent,  but  about  noon  the 
huge  shells  came  from  the  Rebel  lines  at  frequent  intervals. 
One  of  these  monsters  exploded  in  camp  but  did  no  damage. 
The  Union  batteries  responded,  and  in  the  evening  the  sky 
above  the  city  was  illumined  by  the  bright  blaze  from  build- 
ings set  on  fire  by  exploding  shells. 

Monday,  August  1,  the  Brigade  extended  its  lines  to  cover 
the  ground  previously  occupied  by  the  First  Brigade,  and  at 
night  moved  again,  this  time  to  the  position  of  the  Twenty- 
Third  Corps,  the  Army  of  t&£;0h"ior  being  sent  to  the  extreme 
right.  The  Regiment  was  oii^Chej, move  until  about  ten  o'clock. 
Captain  A.  Z.  Blodge'tky  <3f'  Company  'D^  who  had  been  able 
to  do  but  little  duty  for  some  months,  owing  to  injuries  re- 
ceived at  Chickamauga,  resigned.  First  Lieutenant  Hastings 
succeeded  him  as  Captain,  and  Second  Lieutenant  Clarkson 
was  promoted  to  First  Lieutenant. 

Tuesday,  August  2,  tents  were  put  up,  and  the  men  pre- 
pared to  make  their  stay  comfortable.  The  enemy  was  at 
such  a  distance  that  all  in  the  main  line  felt  comparatively 
safe,  although  the  skirmishers  kept  up  a  desultory  fire.  Occa- 
sionally bullets  reached  the  camp,  and  one  of  them  with  fatal 
effect, — First  Sergeant  Aaron  Scott,  of  Company  G,  being 
struck  in  the  body  and  mortally  wounded.  He  had  assisted 
in  building  a  bunk,  and  when  struck  was  lying  upon  it  engaged 
in  reading  his  bible.  He  suffered  greatly  for  a  few  moments. 
An  officer  standing  near  offered  him  some  stimulants,  which  he 
declined,  remarking  that  he  at  all  events  wished  to  die  sober. 
The  end  soon  came,  and  he  died  as  he  had  lived,  an  exem- 
plary Christian  soldier,  expressing,  with  his  latest  breath,  his 
25 


386  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'rn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

gratitude  at  having  been  able  to  do  something  for  his  country. 
A  hush  fell  upon  the  camp,  and  strong  men  were  moved  to 
tears  when  they  saw  the  manly  courage  of  their  gallant  com- 
rade as  he  gave  his  last  messages  to  those  about  him. 

The  same  day  four  members  of  the  Regiment,  who  had 
gone  to  the  rear  with  a  forage  train,  were  captured  by  Rebel 
cavalry.  They  were  :  Henry  M.  Williams,  of  Company  D ; 
Hugh  Williams,  of  Company  I ;  and  William  W.  Jellison  and 
Wallace  W.  Montgomery,  of  Company  E.  Hugh  Williams 
died  at  Florence,  S.  C. 

Wednesday,  August  3,  the  skirmishers  of  the  Regiment 
made  a  vigorous  demonstration  against  the  Rebel  lines,  in 
which  Myron  Gillmore,  of  Company  "B,  was  severely  wounded 
in  the  left  leg.  He  had  but  recently  returned  to  the  Regi- 
ment after  a  trip  to  his  home  in  Lake  County,  where  he  had 
accompanied  the  remains  of  his  brother,  Captain  E.  J.  Gill- 
more,  who  had  died  from  wounds  received  at  Kenesaw  Moun- 
tain. Myron  was  disabled  for  farther  service,  and  was  dis- 
charged the  following  January.  During  the  day  the  camp 
was  subjected  to  a  severe  shelling. 

Thursday  and  Friday  passed  without  any  change  of  posi- 
tion. Saturday  brought  orders  for  another  strong  demonstra- 
tion on  -the  part  of  the  skirmishers,  which  were  obeyed  with- 
out loss  to  the  Regiment.  These  demonstrations  were  re- 
peated on  Sunday  and  Monday,  the  enemy  being  found  in 
force  each  time.  Some  of  the  officers'  valises  coming  up  there 
were  many  official  reports  made  out  and  forwarded  to  head- 
quarters. 

Friday,  August  12,  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  with  the  38th  and 
74th  Illinois,  made  a  reconnoissance  under  Col.  Opdyke, 
going  out  on  the  left  beyond  the  Augusta  Rail  road,  and  encoun- 
tering a  strong  force  of  the  enemy,  who  undertook  to  ambush 
the  advance,  at  the  same  time  moving  a  column  with  the 
design  of  reaching  the  Union  rear  and  cutting  off  the  retreat 
of  the  three  regiments.  The  Union  commander  was  too  wary 
to  be  thus  entrapped,  and,  after  driving  the  Rebel  skirmishers 
into  their  main  line,  he  withdrew  his  forces.  The  movement 
was  over  the  ground  where  the  severe  fighting  of  July  22 


1864]  ATLANTA.  387 

•occurred.  The  same  day  a  strong  reconnoissance  was  made 
on  the  right  of  the  Union  lines.  In  fact,  every  day  brought 
movements  and  demonstrations  on  some  part  of  the  line,  Gen. 
Sherman  seeking  to  find  some  weak  point  for  an  assault,  while 
still  clinging  to  the  hope  that  he  would  be  able  to  so  far 
•envelope  the  city  as  to  cut  the  Macon  Railroad  at  the  south. 
Rations  were  more  abundant  than  on  the  Dallas  line  or  at 
Kenesaw  Mountain,  and  the  weather  was  less  trying,  although 
showers  were  frequent.  The  lines,  too,  were  more  widely 
.separated,  but  the  danger  was  constant,  as  bullets  and  shell 
passed  through  or  over  the  camp  at  all  hours,  and  more  than 
once  men  were  wounded  while  asleep  in  their  bunks,  close 
beside  the  breastworks.  The  skirmishers  were  considerably 
exposed,  but  long  ere  this  had  learned  how  to  protect  them- 
selves, and  casualties  were  not  very  numerous.  About  one- 
third  of  the  command  was  daily  detailed  for  picket  duty,  and 
from  three  thousand  to  five  thousand  rounds  of  ammunition 
were  used  up  by  the  Regiment  every  twenty-four  hours. 

About  this  time  there  was  great  interest  at  the  North  over 
the  approaching  Presidential  election.  The  soldiers  shared  in 
the  anxiety  as  to  the  political  situation,  and  in  many  com- 
mands there  was  a  formal  canvass  to  know  their  preferences. 
In  the  NINETY-SIXTH  the  Sergeant  Major  and  Sergeant  Cooper, 
of  Company  E,  made  a  canvass,  with  the  following  result  : 
Gen.  Fremont,  1;  Gen.  Butler,  1;  Gen.  McClellan,  2; 
Abraham  Lincoln,  288  ;  not  voting,  20. 

"Practice  makes  perfect,"  and  the  Regiment  had  by  this 
time  acquired  great  proficiency  in  building  breastworks.  Those 
built  on  the  Atlanta  line  were  greatly  superior  to  the  earth- 
works constructed  in  the  early  part  of  the  campaign.* 

*  A  letter  written  from  the  Atlanta  line,  says  :  "  Let  me  tell  you  how  our  works  are 
built  :  We  fell  trees  and  put  the  logs  up  two  or  three  high,  digging  a  ditch  inside,  and 
throwing  the  dirt  outside  against  the  logs.  A  ditch  is  also  dug  on  the  outside.  We  have 
to  throw  about  ten  or  twelve  feet  of  earth  against  the  logs  to  make  the  works  so  that 
they  will  be  proof  against  heavy  artillery.  Then  we  put  what  is  called  a  head  log  on  top 
of  the  works,  raising  it  up  three  or  four  inches,  so  that  the  men  can  fire  without  expos- 
ing their  heads  a  great  deal.  The  headlog  rests  on  skids,  so  that  if  struck  by  a  shot  or 
shell  it  will  roll  off  without  falling  upon  the  men  in  the  works.  When  building  the  works 
we  sharpen  long  stakes  and  place  them  six  inches  apart,  throwing  the  earth  around  them. 
A  few  feet  in  front  of  the  works  is  another  row  of  sharp  sticks,  four  or  five  feet  long, 
and  three  or  four  inches  apart,  set  at  an  angle  of  ninety  degrees.  These  are  held  in  place 


388  HISTORY  OF  THE  96rrn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

Monday,  August  15,  Corporal  Peter  Mowers,  of  Company 
G,  was  slightly  wounded  while  on  the  skirmish  line. 

Tuesday,  August  16,  the  84th  Indiana,  which  had  been- 
with  the  NINETY-SIXTH  for  about  a  year  and  a  half,  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  Third  Brigade.  Gen.  Nathan  Kimball  was 
assigned  to  the  command  of  the  Division,  relieving  Colonel 
Gross. 

First  Lieutenant  Wm.  M.  Loughlin,  of  Company  C,  who- 
had  been  on  detached  duty  for  sixteen  months,  was  transferred 
to  the  First  U.  S.  V.  V.  Engineer  Regiment,  and  Second 
Lieutenant  Charles  W.  Earle  was  promoted  to  fill  the  vacancy. 
Prior  to  this  date  First  Lieutenant  George  H.  Burnett  was 
promoted  to  the  Captaincy  of  Company  B,  vice  Gillmore, 
killed,  and  a  commission  as  First  Lieutenant  awaited  the 
return  of  First  Sergeant  Ambrose  A.  Bangs,  then  a  prisoner 
of  war.  First  Lieutenant  B.  G.  Blowney,  of  Company  G, 
was  promoted  to  Captain,  vice  James,  died  of  wounds,  and 
Second  Lieutenant  James  O.  Havens  was  commissioned  First 
Lieutenant. 

Wednesday,  August  17,  at  a  little  past  midnight  the  Regi- 
ment moved  a  short  distance  to  the  right,  where  it  built  good 
shades  over  the  tents.  At  night  a  detail  of  ten  men  was  sent 
out  from  each  regiment  to  build  fires  in  rear  and  on  the  left, 
and  in  the  morning  some  regiments  and  a  battery  marched 
several  times  around  a  hill  in  rear  of  camp.  All  of  this  work 
was  with  the  intention  of  deceiving  the  Rebels  into  the  belief 
that  the  Union  Army  was  massing  on  the  left,  but  seems  to 
have  been  in  vain,  as  no  important  advantages  resulted. 

Thursday,  August  18,  the  sick  were  sent  to  the  rear  and 
the  troops  ordered  to  be  in  constant  readiness  to  march.  No 
move  was  made,  however,  but  heav}r  firing  took  place  on 
various  parts  of  the  line  on  that  and  the  following  day. 

by  logs,  dirt  being  thrown  in  the  spaces.  Outside  of  these  is  a  tier  of  heavy  limbs,  or 
tree  tops,  sharpened  and  turned  outward,  which  are  piled  thick  and  staked  down.  If 
there  be  timber  in  front — and  there  is  generally  timber  everywhere  at  the  South — we  fell 
it,  also  lopping  over  the  underbrush.  So  you  can  guess  that  it  is  no  easy  thing  to  charge 
and  take  breastworks.  It  would  take  a  line-of-battle  several  minutes  to  climb  over  or 
crawl  through  an  abatis,  by  which  time  most  of  them  would  be  hit.  You  may  think 
that  it  takes  a  good  deal  of  time  to  build  such  works,  but  many  hands  make  light  work, 
and  if  to«l8  and  timber  are  plenty  it  does  not  take  many  hours  to  fortify  a  position." 


1864]  ATLANTA.  389 

Saturday,  August  20,  the  Regiment  made  a  strong  demon- 
stration in  front  of  the  Second  Brigade.  The  command  was 
moved  to  the  skirmish  line  at  four  o'clock,  leaving  camp  in  a 
shower,  and  passing  along  a  ravine  that  served  to  conceal 
it  from  observation.  Six  companies  were  detailed  from  the 
left  and  deployed  as  skirmishers,  the  four  right  Companies, — 
A,  F,  D,  and  I, — being  left  in  reserve.  The  regular  skir- 
mish detail,  embracing  men  from  every  regiment  in  the 
(Brigade,  was  ordered  to  advance  with  the  six  left  companies, 
all  under  command  of  Major  Hicks.  The  orders  were  to  con- 
form the  movement  to  that  of  the  troops  of  the  Brigade  on  the 
Tight,  advancing  with  them  and  charging  the  Rebel  skirmish 
pits.  The  line  moved  out  across  an  opening  and  to  the  timber 
beyond,  in  which  was  the  line  to  be  charged.  At  first  the 
Rebels  seemed  to  be  off  their  guard, — probably  owing  to  the 
rain  which  was  falling  when  the  movement  was  inaugurated, — 
and  the  timber  was  gained  without  loss.  The  troops  at  the 
right  were  noisy  in  their  movement,  cheering  as  they  ran  and 
drawing  a  heavy  fire.  Midway  in  their  course  was  a  rail 
fence,  where  they  halted,  and  bej-ond  which  only  a  few  of  the 
more  daring  ventured.  Their  officers  urged  them  forward, 
but  in  vain,  and  there  they  remained  until  ordered  back  to  the 
works  from  which  they  had  started. 

Meanwhile  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  in  heavy  skirmish  order, 
had  penetrated  much  farther  than  the  line  on  which  they  were 
to  guide,  and  were  ready  to  make  the  final  rush  upon  the 
enemy  whenever  the  others  should  come  forward.  A  terrific 
'fire  now  raged  along  the  line,  the  men  lying  behind  trees  or 
logs,  and  giving  shot  for  shot  to  the  enemy  behind  their  strong 
rifle  pits.  Major  Hicks  was  in  a  quandary  what  to  do.  The 
orders  received  by  him  had  been  explicit  enough,  but  events 
had  not  occurred  as  contemplated.  To  add  to  the  anxiety,  a 
portion  of  the  line  had  misunderstood  his  command  to  "guide 
right,"  and  had  borne  to  the  left,  thus  opening  a  gap  near  his 
•centre.  Word  was  sent  to  those  on  the  left  to  correct  the 
•error,  and  after  a  time  the  line  was  united.  At  length,  it 
being  evident  that  the  troops  on  the  right  would  not  come 
forward,  and  the  casualties  in  the  Regiment  becoming  numer- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

ous,  the  Major  determined  to  withdraw  his  brave  men  before 
the  enemy  could  move  to  his  rear  and  subject  him  to  the  added 
danger  of  capture.  The  retreat  was  a  most  difficult  one,  for 
the  men  were  within  a  few  rods  of  the  enemy's  skirmish  pits, 
and  no  movement  could  be  made  without  drawing  the  fire  of 
the  skirmishers.  There  were  wounded  men  to  be  assisted  to 
the  rear,  and  the  muskets  of  the  killed  and  wounded  to  be 
cared  for.  Orders  for  the  retreat  were  issued,  and  the  men 
crawled  or  ran,  as  their  positions  permitted,  to  the  reserve 
line.  By  some  means,  however,  a  portion  of  the  right  of  the 
line,  including  the  color  guard,  failed  to  hear  the  order,  and 
as  the  underbrush  was  so  thick  as  to  partially  conceal  the 
movement,  did  not  see  their  comrades  leave.  It  was  not  long, 
however,  before  they  discovered  their  peril,  and  made  their 
way  to  the  rear,  just  as  a  volunteer  party  was  being  organized 
to  go  to  their  rescue.  At  dusk  the  Kegiment  moved  to  the 
main  line,  and  the  demonstration  was  at  an  end.  The  results 
seemed  of  little  moment,  although  the  losses  had  been  severe. 
The  men  of  the  Regiment  understood  what  was  expected  of 
them,  and  would  most  surely  have  carried  the  skirmish  pits 
in  their  front  had  the  troops  on  the  right  moved  forward  as 
expected.  As  it  was  they  made  no  attempt  to  charge  the 
works. 

In  this  demonstration  William  A.  Lewis,  of  Company  A, 
who  happened  to  be  on  picket  duty  for  the  day,  and  was  there- 
fore with  the  skirmishers,  instead  of  with  his  Company  in 
reserve,  was  killed  ;  also  Fred  Blackmail,  of  Company  K. 
Those  wounded  were  First  Sergeant  F.  A.  Weir,  of  Company 
A,  right  arm  ;  Ebenezer  Tate,  Company  A,  head  ;  Wm.  W. 
Tower,  of  Company  B,  who  was  wounded  in  the  neck,  and 
died  six  days  later  ;  John  McGill,  Company  C,  slightly,  in 
neck ;  Corporal  Frank  Peppard,  of  Company  D,  hand  ;  Ser- 
geant R.  J.  Cooper.  Company  E,  shoulder  ;  Corporal  Edward 
Malone,  Company  G,  leg ;  William  Joyce,  Company  G,  arm 
and  leg,  disabling  him  for  further  service  ;  Corporal  Robert 
D.  Tarpley,  Company  I,  arm  ;  Corporal  Charles  Shaw,  Com- 
pany I,  side. 

Sunday,  August  21,  the  command  moved  to  the  support  of 


1864]  ATLANTA.  391 

the  Third  Brigade,  which  made  a  feint  upon  the  enemy's 
lines,  and  was  subjected  to  some  annoying  artillery  and  infantry 
fire.  Returning  to  their  works  the  Regiment  enjoyed  com- 
parative quiet  for  a  few  days,  although  a  glancing  ball  on 
Wednesday  seriously  wounded  John  McGill,  of  Company  C, 
in  the  shoulder,  disabling  him  for  further  service.  It  was 
now  apparent  that  a  change  of  plans  was  to  be  made  by  Gen. 
Sherman,  but  what  the  movement  contemplated  could  be  no 
one  seemed  to  know.  The  sick  and  those  not  able  to  make  a 
hard  march  were  sent  to  the  rear,  and  an  air  of  mystery  seemed 
to  envelope  all  in  authority.  All  efforts  to  take  Atlanta,  or  to 
reach  and  cut  the  Macon  Railroad,  had  failed,  and  soldiers 
and  officers  wondered  if  the  effort  was  to  be  abandoned.  The 
Rebel  cavalry  had  cut  the  railroad  toward  Chattanooga,  and 
many  feared  that  the  army  was  to  retire  to  the  line  of  the 
Chattahoochie,  and  act  on  the  defensive  ;  others,  with  implicit 
confidence  in  their  able  and  gallant  commander,  insisted  that 
the  movement  was  to  be  an  aggressive  one,  and  so  it  proved. 
In  the  operations  along  the  Chattahoochie  and  about 
Atlanta  the  Regiment  had  sustained  the  following 

CASUALTIES. 

Company  A. 

KILLED. — William  A.  Lewis. 

WOUNDED. — First  Sergeant  F.  A.  Weir,  arm  ;  Joseph  D.  Young,  left 
leg ;  Ebenezer  Tale,  head. 

Company  B. 

WOUNDED. — Myron  Gillmore,  left  leg  ;  W.  W.  Tower,  mortally. 

Company  C. 
WOUNDED. — John  McGill,  neck  and  shoulder. 

Company  D. 

WOUNDED. — Corporal  Frank  Peppard,  hand  ;  George  Deedrick,  leg. 
CAPTURED. — Henry  M.  Williams. 

Company  E. 

WOUNDED. — Sergeant  R.  J.  Cooper,  shoulder. 
CAPTURED.— Wm.  W.  Jellison,  Wallace  W.  Montgomery. 

Company  F. 
WOUNDED. — Thomas  Kimmons. 


392  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

Company  G. 

KILLED. — First  Sergeant  Aaron  Scott. 

WOUNDED.— Corporal  Edward  Malone,  leg  ;  William  Joyce,  arm  and 
thigh  ;  Corporal  Peter  Mowers. 

Company  H. 

WOUNDED. — Peter  Davidson,  right  wrist. 
Company  I. 

WOUNDED. — Corporal  Robert  D.  Tarpley,  arm  ;   Corporal  Charles 
Shaw,  side. 

CAPTUKED. — Hugh  Williams,  died  while  prisoner  of  war. 

Company  K. 
KILLED  OK  MORTALLY  WOUNDED. — John  Hay,  Fred  Blackman. 


1864]  ATLANTA.  393 


CHAPTER    XXI. 


Preparations  for  a  Grand  Movement — A  Night  March — Building  Breast- 
works again— Destroying  the  Railroad— Fairly  in  Rear  of  the  "  Gate 
City  " — Guarding  a  Wagon  Train— Hurried  to  the  Front— The  Battle 
of  Jonesboro— The  Fight  at  Lovejoy's  Station — Four  Fatalities — 
Anniversary  of  the  Regiment's  Muster-in — "Atlanta  is  Ours,  and 
Fairly  Won  " — Withdrawal  of  the  Forces — Burning  Cotton — In  Camp 
near  the  City. 

THURSDAY  evening,  August  25,  saw  the  grand  movement 
to  the  rear  of  Atlanta  inaugurated.  The  pickets  or  skirmishers 
detailed  the  previous  morning  had  been  instructed  to  take 
their  tents  and  blankets  with  them,  and  everything  indicated 
an  important  movement.  The  men  amused  themselves  by  writ- 
ing letters  to  the  Rebels,  which  they  tacked  to  trees  or  tucked 
in  the  breastworks.  If  these  letters  could  be  reproduced  they 
would  be  most  interesting  reading  ;  but  this  is  impossible. 
Some  were  poetical,  some  defiant.  Advice  of  all  kinds  was 
offered,  and  exaggerations  generously  indulged  in.  A  dozen 
outlines  of  the  coming  campaign  were  written,  the  soldiers 
drawing  upon  their  imaginations,  and  no  two  suggesting  the 
same  destination.  The  Rebels  who  were  so  fortunate  as  to 
gather  up  the  missives  left  by  the  NINETY-SIXTH  must  have 
been  highly  entertained,  for  this  freak  of  letter  writing  seem- 
ingly took  hold  upon  a  majority  of  the  members  of  every  Com- 
pany. 

At  dusk  the  troops  moved  out  upon  the  left  and  marched 
westward  until  two  o'clock  in  the  morning,  bivouacking  in  rear 
of  the  Twentieth  Corps.  A  part  of  the  march  was  extremely 
disagreeable,  being  along  a  road  newly  cut  out  through  heavy 
young  timber,  the  stumps  of  which  caused  much  stumbling 
and  barked  many  shins.  The  Twentieth  Corps  moved  directly 
to  the  rear  and  occupied  works  covering  the  crossing  of  the 
Chattahoochie,  remaining  until  Atlanta  was  evacuated. 

Daylight  of  Friday,  August  26,  found  the  Fourth  Corps 
•closely  massed  on  a  hill  near  Utoy  Creek.  At  eight  or  nine 


394  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

o'clock  the  march  was  resumed.  The  Brigade  was  directed  to- 
guard  the  wagon  train.  The  Rebels  shelled  the  hill  from 
Atlanta,  but  the  morning  was  foggy  and  the  artillery  did  but 
little  damage.  The  march  was  not  rapid,  which  was  fortunate, 
as  the  day  was  hot  and  rainy.  The  Regiment  halted  at  five 
o'clock  and  formed  its  camp  for  the  night  between  Utoy  and 
Sandtown.  During  the  day  the  Fourth  Corps  had  passed  a 
portion  of  the  Fourteenth  Corps,  and  had  learned  that  only  the 
Twenty-third  Corps  held  its  former  position  confronting 
Atlanta. 

Saturday,  August  27,  the  march  was  continued  to  Mount 
Gilead  Church,  near  which  occurred  some  heavy  skirmishing. 
A  line  of  works  was  built  by  the  Regiment  in  a  surprisingly 
short  time,  but  the  enemy  soon  retired  and  a  further  advance 
was  made  to  Camp  Creek.  The  skirmishing  continued  until 
after  dark  and  was  renewed  in  the  morning.  The  Army  of 
the  Tennessee  had  moved  still  farther  to  the  right,  and  the 
entire  movement  of  Gen.  Sherman's  command  took  the  form 
of  a  grand  left-wheel. 

Sunday,  August  28,  there  were  orders  for  an  early  start, 
but  the  Fourteenth  Corps  occupied  the  roads,  and  the  Regi- 
ment was  idle  until  late  in  the  afternoon,  when  it  marched  four 
or  five  miles  and  halted  for  the  night  near  Red  Oak.  The 
Atlanta  and  West  Point  Railroad  being  reached  other  troops 
spent  the  night  in  destroying  the  rails  and  ties,  and  blowing 
up  the  masonry. 

Monday,  August  29,  the  Fourth  Corps  again  advanced 
and  took  its  turn  in  the  work  of  destroying  the  railroad.  The 
work  was  thoroughly  done.  A  regiment  would  halt  and  stack 
arms  beside  the  road,  and  with  a  few  iron  bars  and  wooden 
levers  loosen  the  ties,  when  all  would  lift  the  track,  turning 
it  upside  down  for  a  long  distance.  The  ties  were  then 
loosened  and  piLed  up,  the  rails  laid  across  them  and  fires  kin- 
dled. In  a  short  time  the  rails  would  be  red  hot  in  the  centre, 
and  the  men  would  twist  them  about  trees  or  stumps,  completely 
ruining  them.  In  this  way  many  miles  of  road  were  destroyed 
during  the  movement.  There  was  some  skirmishing  but  no 
heavy  force  was  encountered. 


1864]  JONESBOKO.  395 

Tuesday,  August  30,  the  command  pushed  forward  to  the 
Fayetteville  road.  The  skirmishing  continued  and  at  the  right 
there  were  indications  of  a  battle.  The  march  was  a  leisurely 
one, — the  start  being  late  and  the  halt  at  dusk.  Some  forage 
was  secured,  including  green  corn  and  sweet  potatoes. 

Wednesday,  August  31,  the  advance  was  resumed, — the 
enemy,  with  both  infantry  and  cavalry,  resisting  and  forcing 
the  Regiment  to  do  considerable  skirmishing.  Three  times 
the  resistance  was  so  vigorous  that  halts  were  made  and  breast- 
works begun.  The  enemy  had  good  earthworks,  but  were 
driven  out.  After  resting  a  while  on  the  Rebel  works  the 
Regiment  moved  to  the  Atlanta  and  Macon  Railroad  and 
halted,  the  pioneers  cutting  the  telegraph  wires  and  destroy- 
ing the  track,  working  the  entire  night. 

Thursday,  September  1,  the  Regiment  was  detailed  to- 
guard  a  wagon  train  and  marched  southward  close  beside  the 
railroad  track,  which  was  being  torn  up  by  other  troops.  The 
air  was  full  of  smoke  from  the  fires,  and  the  skirmishing  in- 
creased as  the  day  wore  on.  Toward  night  the  wagons  halted, 
and  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  relieved  from  its  duty  as  train  guard, 
was  hurried  forward  toward  Jonesboro,  passing  close  up  to- 
the  skirmishers  before  swinging  into  line-of-battle,  beside  the 
railroad  track.  This  exposed  position  was  reached  under  a 
galling  fire  just  before  night,  and  about  the  time  of  the  assault 
on  the  part  of  the  Fourteenth  Corps  on  the  right  of  the  rail- 
road. That  assault  was  perhaps  the  most  successful  one  of  the 
Atlanta  campaign,  for  the  Union  forces  swept  entirely  over 
the  Rebel  earthworks,  capturing  a  thousand  prisoners  and  sev- 
eral cannon  and  stands  of  colors.  The  NINETY-SIXTH  was 
probably  the  first  regiment  of  Gen.  Stanley's  command  in  posi- 
tion ;  and  before  other  troops  of  the  Fourth  Corps  were  able  to 
swing  around  upon  the  left  and  join  in  a  general  assault,  night 
closed  in  and  the  lines  halted.  The  Regiment  had  occupied 
an  exposed  position,  close  to  the  enemy's  entrenchments,  and 
been  under  a  heavy  fire,  but  sustained  no  casualties.  The 
troops  slept  on  their  arms,  and  were  startled  during  the  night 
by  what  appeared  to  be  terrific  artillery  firing  in  the  direction 
of  Atlanta.  They  supposed  that  there  had  been  a  night  assault 


396  HISTORY  OF  THE  96™  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

by  the  Twentieth  Corps,  but  learned  next  day  that  the  sounds 
had  proceeded  from  the  explosion  of  ammunition  which  the 
Rebels  wished  to  destroy  before  evacuating  the  city.  The 
Twentieth  Corps  moved  forward  at  daylight,  occupying  the 
city  and  taking  in  charge  the  few  stores  not  destroyed.  Before 
retreating  the  Rebels  had  set  fire  to  many  supplies  and  had 
wrecked  or  burned  a  number  of  locomotives  and  many  cars. 
A  few  prisoners  were  captured.  The  captures  at  Jonesboro 
numbered  nearly  two  thousand,  about  one-half  of  them  being 
wounded.  Three  hundred  Rebel  dead  were  buried  by  the 
Union  forces.  The  losses  on  the  part  of  the  Federal  forces 
engaged  were  about  one  thousand,  mostly  in  the  Fourteenth 
Oorps.  The  NINETY-SIXTH  was  separated  from  the  rest  of  the 
Brigade  in  the  movement  against  Jonesboro,  having  no  time 
to  go  to  its  regular  command  after  being  relieved  from  the 
care  of  the  wagon  train,  but  being  pushed  forward  to  support 
the  charge  in  which  the  17th  New  York  played  so  conspicuous 
a  part,  and  halted  not  far  from  where  the  bright  uniforms  of 
the  gallant  Zouaves  dotted  the  ground  so  thickly  when  the 
battle  closed. 

Friday,  September  2,  found  the  army  jubilant  over  the 
news  which  reached  them  early  in  the  day  that  Atlanta  was 
-occupied  by  Union  troops,  and  there  was  lusty  cheering  all 
along  the  lines.  The  Rebels  had  retreated  from  Jonesboro, 
and  the  soldiers  from  all  commands  flocked  to  see  the  captured 
cannon  and  the  scene  of  the  successful  assaults  of  Thursday 
night.  Early  in  the  day  another  advance  was  made,  the 
Rebels  being  overtaken  and  crowded  rapidly  southward.  The 
NINETY-SIXTH  was  near  the  left  in  the  general  advance  and 
skirmished  briskly,  covering  the  front  of  the  Brigade,  and 
advancing  vigorously  two  or  three  miles,  when  they  came  in 
-sight  of  a  long  line  of  Rebel  entrenchments.  One  Company 
after  another  was  thrown  upon  the  skirmish  line,  until  nearly 
the  entire  Regiment  was  deployed.  By  a  bold  charge  the 
skirmish  pits  near  Lovejoy's  Station  were  captured  by  the  Reg- 
iment and  a  position  gained  close  up  to  the  enemy's  main  line. 
This  advance,  which  was  made  under  the  personal  direction 
•of  Major  Hicks,  was  a  most  gallant  one,  the  men  evincing  .an 


1864]  LOVEJOY'S  STATION.  39T 

enthusiasm  which  called  forth  high  encomiums  from  the  Brigade 
and  Division  Commander.  It  was  attended  by  four  fatalities, 
Andrew  Disch,  of  Company  A,  and  Patrick  Hewitt,  of  Com- 
pany T,  being  killed  and  William  Calvert  and  Andrew  Jelly, 
of  Company  F,  mortally  wounded.  Calvert  died  two  days 
later  and  Jelly  was  conveyed  to  Chattanooga,  where  he  died 
September  10.  John  Lister,  of  Company  F,  lost  a  finger,  and 
Charles  Hawkins,  of  Company  D,  was  wounded  in  the  hand. 
The  firing  was  very  heavy  until  long  after  nightfall  and  so  close 
was  the  range  that  the  men  on  either  side  were  compelled  to- 
hug  the  ground  closely  to  prevent  heavy  loss.  As  soon  as  it 
was  dark,  a  line  of  works  was  constructed,  a  heavy  line  of 
skirmishers  firing  incessantly  to  keep  the  enemy  down  and 
allow  the  work  to  proceed.  So  hot  was  this  fire  that  the 
Rebels  actually  abandoned  their  front  line  before  daylight, 
their  forces  moving  a  hundred  yards  or  more  to  a  second  line 
of  works. 

Saturday,  September  3,  brought  no  forward  movement,  but 
a  continuous  firing  was  maintained  by  both  infantry  and  artil- 
lery on  either  side.  Large  supplies  of  ammunition  were 
required,  and  the  men  cheered  loudly  at  frequent  intervals,, 
at  times  shouting  questions  and  answers  toward  the  still  defiant 
but  evidently  disconcerted  men  in  grey.  The  day  passed 
without  serious  casualties. 

Sunday,  September  4,  was  a  repetition  of  the  previous  day. 
Corporal  Peter  Fleming,  of  Company  E,  was  wounded  in  the 
left  shoulder.  At  night  a  band  came  out  in  the  rear  of  the 
Union  lines  and  played  several  patriotic  airs,  but  their  music 
came  to  a  sudden  termination  when  a  Rebel  battery  let  off  a 
half  dozen  shells  i»  quick  succession. 

Monday,  September  5,  the  second  anniversary  of  the  organ- 
ization of  the  Regiment,  found  the  command  still  under  a 
heavy  fire,  and  the  men  still  responding,  resolutely  and  enthu- 
siastically, to  the  shots  of  the  enemy  they  had  so  long  con- 
fronted. From  the  first  it  had  been  evident  that  the  entire 
Rebel  army  had  successful!}7  eluded  Gen.  Sherman  in  their 
retreat  from  Atlanta,  and  that  all  were  gathered  at  Lovejoy's 
Station.  But  ten  days  rations  had  been  taken  when  the  move- 


398  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

meiit  began,  August  25,  and  these  were  about  exhausted. 
The  weather  was  rain}',  the  roads  bad,  and  the  thirty  miles 
which  separated  the  Army  from  the  city  precluded  the  possi- 
bility of  an  immediate  supply  by  wagon  trains.  For  four  long 
months  the  men  had  been  actively  at  work,  and  were  now 
in  much  need  of  rest.  Gen.  Sherman  therefore  determined 
to  bring  the  long  campaign  to  a  close,  and  on  the  evening  of 
September  5,  began  the  movement  back  to  the  city  of  Atlanta, 
which  had  been  one  of  the  objectives  of  the  campaign.  The 
night  was  dark  and  rainy  and  the  troops  tired,  but  there  was 
no  murmuring  and  few  if  any  left  the  ranks.  Jonesboro, 
which  was  passed  about  one  o'clock  in  the  morning,  presented 
a  weird  sight,  for  hundreds  of  bales  of  captured  cotton  were 
burning  in  the  streets,  details  of  soldiers  being  made  to  see 
that  it  was  destroyed,  and  thus  prevent  it  from  failing  into 
the  hands  of  the  enemy.  A  halt  was  made  at  two  o'clock  in 
the  morning,  the  Regiment,  with  other  troops,  laying  in 
bivouac  all  of  Tuesday  and  Tuesday  night,  and  until  other 
portions  of  the  army  had  passed  on  toward  the  city. 

Wednesday,  September  8,  the  Regiment  marched  back  to 
Rough  and  Ready,  and  on  Thursday,  September  9,  to  Atlanta, 
going  into  camp  some  two  or  three  miles  from  the  city,  near 
the  Augusta  railroad,  and  pitching  its  tents  near  the  graves 
of  the  brave  men  who  fell  with  the  gallant  McPherson,  July 
22.  The  Army  of  the  Cumberland  encamped  in  and  about 
the  city,  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  at  East  Point,  and  the 
Army  of  the  Ohio  at  Decatur. 

The  Atlanta  campaign  had  ended  ;  a  campaign  destined  to 
live  in  history  as  one  of  the  most  remarkable  of  any  clime  or 
time.  And  well  had  the  NINETY-SIXTH  borne  its  part,  and 
sustained  the  record  for  heroism  and  gallantry  won  at  Chicka- 
mauga  and  indorsed  at  Lookout  Mountain.  The  army  hailed 
the  needed  rest  with  pleasure.  The  President,  Congress,  the 
press  and  the  loyal  people  of  the  land  showered  encomiums 
upon  Gen.  Sherman  and  the  gallant  officers  and  soldiers  who 
had  forced  their  way  over  mountains  and  across  rivers  from 
Chattanooga  to  the  "Gate  City,"  and  saw  in  the  successes  of 
the  four  months  a  hope  arising  that  the  long  and  bloody  strug- 


1864]  CLOSE  OF  THE  CAMPAIGN.  399 

gle  would  soon  terminate  in  a  victory  that  should  be  final  and 
complete.  But  there  were  to  be  other  arduous  campaigns  and 
bloody  battles,  and  in  them  the  NINETY-SIXTH  was  to  have  a 
conspicuous  part. 


400  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL,.  Y.  I. 


CHAPTER    XXII. 


The  Gains  and  the  Losses  of  the  Campaign— Plans  for  the  Future— A, 
Skirmish  near  Stone  Mountain — Deaths  by  Disease — Gen.  Hood 
takes  the  Initiative— A  Race  to  the  Rear — Passing  Familiar  Ground — 
In  Sight  of  the  Rebel  Army — Allatoona— The  March  to  Rome- 
Delays  for  want  of  a  Little  Bridge — Calhoun,  Resaca  and  Dalton — 
On  the  Flank  of  the  Enemy— Alternate  Brief  Rests  and  Heavy 
Marches — Southward  to  Gaylesville — A  week  in  Camp  with  Abundant 
Rations — Last  Days  with  Gen.  Sherman. 

THE  stay  at  Atlanta  continued  for  nearly  a  month,  and  was 
comparatively  uneventful  to  the  NINETY-SIXTH.  A  few  men 
were  daily  permitted  to  visit  the  city,  and  in  time  all  who 
cared  to  do  so  had  made  the  circuit  of  the  breastworks,  and 
gone  over  the  numerous  and  now  historic  battlefields  about  the 
town.  The  official  reports  brought  out  the  fact  that  in  the 
campaign  more  than  three  thousand  officers  and  soldiers  in 
the  Federal  army  had  been  killed,  about  sixteen  thousand 
wounded,  and  two  thousand  seven  hundred  captured.  Four 
cannon  had  been  captured  at  Resaca,  ten  at  Rome,  twenty  at 
Atlanta  and  eight  at  Jonesboro.  The  Federal  army  had 
expended  86,611  rounds  of  artillery  ammunition  and  11,815,299 
rounds  of  infantry  ammunition.  More  than  8,000  prisoners 
had  been  taken,  and  2, 1 62  deserters  had  come  within  the  lines. 
But  the  Rebel  army  was  not  destroyed,  and  while  Gen.  Sher- 
man was  planning  for  a  new  and  aggressive  campaign  Gen. 
Hood  was  also  arranging  to  assume  the  offensive,  and  startle 
the  world  by  a  campaign  bold  in  its  conception,  but  destined  to 
be  disastrous  to  the  brave  men  in  his  command. 

Meanwhile  a  spirited  correspondence  sprung  up  between 
the  two  commanders,  growing  out  of  the  question  as  to  what 
should  become  of  the  citizens  in  Atlanta,  and  resulting  in  the 
sending  of  nearly  all  non-combatants  north  or  south,  which- 
ever way  they  chose  to  go.  A  heavy  inner  line  of  works  was 
constructed,  so  that  a  small  force  might  hold  the  city  against 
assault.  The  terms  of  many  of  the  troops  enlisted  in  1861 


COMPANY   C. 


GEOROE  M.  FABNSWOBTH. 
Corp1!  JUDSON  A.  MASON. 


Corp'l  JAMES  HICKCOX. 

Second  Lieut.  HIRAM  W.  FABNSWORTH. 

.IIISIAII  H.  WRIGHT. 


JOSEI-H  PALMEU. 
JOHN  K.  BECK. 


own 


1864]  RESTING  AT  ATLANTA.  401 

were  expiring,  and  these  men  were  sent  north  by  rail.  Gen. 
Thomas  was  sent  to  the  rear  to  look  after  the  defence  of  the 
long  line  of  communications,  and  to  gather  troops  to  resist 
the  raids  of  the  enemy.  Gen.  Sherman  and  Gen.  Grant  were 
in  constant  communication,  and  before  the  close  of  Septem- 
ber the  march  to  the  sea  had  been  proposed.  It  was  expected 
that  Gen.  Hood  would  follow,  or  march  upon  parallel  lines, 
seeking  to  harass  or  annoy  the  Union  forces,  but  instead  he 
assumed  the  initiative  and  threw  his  entire  army  northward, 
crossing  the  Chattahoochie  a  few  miles  west  of  Atlanta. 
Early  in  October  the  enemy  began  the  work  of  destroying  the 
long  lines  of  railroad  between  Atlanta  and  Chattanooga,  thus 
attempting  to  do  to  Gen.  Sherman's  army  precisely  what  the 
latter  was  purposing  to  do  to  Gen.  Hood's. 

During  the  month  of  September  the  health  of  the  Regi- 
ment was  good,  and  its  numbers  were  increased  by  the  return 
of  many  of  those  who  had  dropped  out  because  of  sickness  or 
wounds  during  the  campaign.  ^Lieutenant  Earle,  who  had 
been  acting  as  Adjutant  of  the^'Begimfent  for  a  few  weeks,  was 
detailed  as  Aide-de-Cafet^  jm  I^a^^g^^ff^and  entered  upon 
his  duties  September  23,  serving  as  Aide  and  Inspector  until 
the  close  of  the  war.  Hospital  Steward  Ferguson  was  mus- 
tered as  First  Lieutenant  of  Company  H.  Colonel  Cham- 
pion returned  to  the  Regiment,  and  toward  the  close  of  the 
month  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  Brigade.  His 
wound  had  healed  but  his  health  was  poor,  and  he  looked 
many  years  older  than  when  he  left  the  front  in  June. 

The  number  of  deaths  from  disease,  aside  from  those  occur- 
ring among  prisoners  of  war,  was  much  smaller  than  during  the 
previous  summer.  A.  C.  Tarpley,  of  Company  I,  a  brother 
of  Capt.  Tarpley,  died  at  Bridgeport  May  1-1.  John  R.  Dun- 
more,  a  recruit  to  Company  D,  died  at  Chattanooga  July  1. 
Thomas  Kinreid,  of  Company  G,  died  at  Nashville  June  27. 
William  H.  Bevard,  of  Company  I,  died  at  Nashville,  August  6. 
Corporal  John  Hill,  of  Company  I,  died  at  Atlanta  Septem- 
ber 23. 

On  the  eleventh  the  Regiment  went  out  about  thirteen 
miles  with  a  forage  train,  loading  the  wagons  south  of  Deca- 
26 


402  HISTORY  OF  THE  96™  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

tur.  The  start  was  at  daylight  and  the  return  at  dark,  mak- 
ing a  hard  day's  march. 

Monday,  September  26,  the  Brigade  went  out  with  a  forage 
train,  leaving  carnp  about  noon  and  going  into  bivouac  at  sun- 
down in  an  orchard  near  Stone  Mountain.  Next  day  the 
march  was  continued  for  two  or  three  miles,  when  a  halt  was 
made.  While  the  wagons  were  being  loaded  Kebel  cavalry 
made  their  appearance,  and  a  lively  skirmish  ensued  in  which 
the  21st  Kentucky  had  several  men  wounded.  The  enemy 
were  driven  into  the  timber  and  then,  the  train  being  loaded, 
the  return  march  was  safely  made,  camp  being  reached  a  little 
before  sundown. 

Dress  parades  were  held  daily  for  a  fortnight,  and  on  Fri- 
day, September  30,  there  was  a  Division  review  and  conse- 
quently a  day  of  hard  work.  A  few  officers  and  men  in  each 
regiment  received  twenty  or  twenty-five-day  furloughs.  Gen. 
Whittaker  returned  and  was  for  a  few  weeks  in  command  of 
the  Division.  There  had  been  rumors  of  a  raid  in  the  rear 
for  two  or  three  days,  and  on  Sunday,  October  2,  it  was 
learned  that  the  entire  Rebel  army  had  crossed  the  Chatta- 
hoochie.  Orders  were  issued  by  Gen.  Sherman  to  move  at 
midnight,  the  Twentieth  Corps  to  remain  and  garrison  Atlanta. 
A  heavy  rain  storm  prevailed  during  the  night,  and  the  start 
on  the  part  of  the  command,  to  which  the  NINETY-SIXTH  was 
attached,  was  delayed  until  daylight  of  Monday,  October  3. 
The  column  passed  through  Atlanta  and  out  on  Marietta  street, 
marching  all  day  in  the  rain  and  mud,  crossing  the  Ohatta- 
hoochie  and  camping  for  the  night,  behind  the  breastworks 
which  the  Regiment  had  confronted  three  months  before  at 
Smyrna  Camp  Ground.  The  distance  traveled  was  about 
twenty  miles. 

Tuesday,  October  4,  the  command  remained  in  camp  until 
noon,  and  then  marched  about  nine  miles  northward  past  Mari- 
etta, camping  behind  the  Rebel  breastworks  west  of  Kenesaw 
Mountain,  almost  directly  opposite  the  point  where  the  Regi- 
ment had  its  night  fight  June  20.  It  was  there  learned  that 
the  Rebels  had  possession  of  the  railroad  from  near  Kenesaw 
to  Allatoona  and  had  captured  the  garrisons  at  Big  Shanty 


1864]  FOLLOWING  HOOD'S  ARMY.  403 

and  Ackworth,  among  the  prisoners  being  Jared  Blodgett,  of 
Company  G,  who  had  taken  advantage  of  a  brief  furlough  to 
visit  a  brother  in  the  15th  Illinois,  then  on  duty  at  Ackworth, 
and  who  remained  a  prisoner  until  near  the  close  of  the  war. 

Wednesday,  October  5,  the  Regiment  moved  northward 
about  eight  o'clock,  passing  through  the  breastworks  it  had 
defended  from  June  20  to  June  23.  It  was  evident  that  there 
was  trouble  ahead,  for  the  march  was  a  slow  and  cautious  one 
and  the  troops  were  kept  well  in  hand.  The  column  finally 
halted  and  the  lines  were  formed,  the  NINETY-SIXTH  camp- 
ing on  the  east  slope  of  Pine  Mountain,  behind  the  old 
Rebel  works.  Gen.  Sherman  was  near  at  hand,  watching 
with  anxiety  the  outcome  of  the  engagement  in  progress  at 
Allatoona  Pass,  and  from  a  position  near  the  Regiment,  it  is 
understood,  caused  to  be  signalled  to  Gen.  Corse  the  historic 
message:  "Hold  the  Fort  for  lam  coming!  "  The  smoke  from 
camp  fires  and  from  the  burning  of  railroad  ties  and  fences, 
and  the  more  distant  smoke  from  the  battle  raging  about  Alla- 
toona from  ten  o'clock  A.  M.  until  nearly  two  o'clock  p.  M., 
gave  evidence,  were  any  wanting,  that  the  entire  Rebel  army 
was  in  front.  Gen.  Sherman  directed  the  Twenty-third  Corps 
to  advance  on  the  left,  hoping  to  cut  off  the  retreat  of  the 
enemy,  meanwhile  holding  the  other  troops  in  readiness  to 
move  in  such  direction  as  circumstances  might  require. 

The  battle  at  Allatoona  resulted  disastrously  to  the  enemy, 
the  garrison  repulsing  every  attack  and  compelling  them  to 
retreat.  Eventually  they  took  up  their  line  of  march  and 
moved  northwesterly,  going  toward  Rome.  They  had  done 
their  work  upon  the  railroad  well,  for  35,000  new  ties  and  six 
miles  of  iron  were  required  to  put  it  in  repair  ;  but  ten  thou- 
sand men  were  set  at  work,  and  in  one  week  the  break  was 
closed.  About  this  time  four  companies  of  the  40th  Ohio 
were  mustered  out,  their  term  of  service  having  expired. 

Thursday  and  Friday  the  main  army  still  waited.  Satur- 
day, October  8,  late  in  the  afternoon,  the  bugles  sounded  the 
order  to  move  forward,  and  the  columns  marched  out,  camp- 
ing late  in  the  evening  near  Ackworth.  Gen.  Whittaker  was 
on  Kenesaw  Mountain  when  the  movement  began,  and  for  a 


4:04  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

time  Colonel  Champion  commanded  the  Division.     The  night 
was  unseasonably  cold  and  the  troops  had  a  foretaste  of  winter. 

Sunday,  October  9,  there  was  but  a  short  march,  and  it 
being  given  out  that  the  command  would  perhaps  remain  some 
time,  a  good  camp  was  laid  out  and  fixed  up  during  that  after- 
noon and  the  next  day.  Monday,  at  half  past  three,  the  order 
was  given  to  march  immediately,  and  before  night  the  Regi- 
ment had  passed  Ackworth  and  Allatoona,  going  over  the 
bloody  battle  field  of  five  days  before.  There  was  still  abund- 
ant evidence  of  the  fierceness  of  the  struggle.  Many  of  the 
Regiment  met  and  talked  with  acquaintances  from  the  12th 
Illinois,  who  had  shared  in  the  engagement,  and  from  them 
learned  some  particulars  of  the  fight.  Gen.  George  C.  Rogers, 
then  Colonel  of  the  loth  Illinois,  who  had  many  acquaint- 
ances among  the  Lake  County  boys,  stood  by  the  roadside 
near  the  huge  buildings  where  were  stored  a  million  rations, 
and  to  capture  which  the  Rebels  had  made  the  desperate  and 
repeated  assaults.  As  soon  as  he  recognized  his  former  neigh- 
bors and  friends  he  ordered  a  barrel  of  whisky  from  the  Post 
Commissary,  had  the  head  knocked  in,  and  gave  every  one 
from  Lake  County  an  invitation  to  join  in  celebrating  the  vic- 
tory and  the  unexpected  meeting.  The  men  halted  for  but 
a  moment,  but  somehow  the  word  spread  backward  along  the 
column,  and  it  is  understood  that  every  officer  and  soldier  who 
passed  Allatoona  that  night, — and  there  were  two  or  three 
entire  Corps, — claimed  to  hail  from  Lake  County  and  to  have 
a  personal  acquaintance  with  the  General. 

The  Regiment  crossed  the  Etowah  river  on  the  railroad 
bridge  about  dusk,  and  some  time  after  dark  camped  near 
Cartersville,  having  marched  thirteen  miles.  Rations  were 
issued  a  little  after  midnight,  and  but  little  opportunity  given 
the  ;' government  people"  for  sleep. 

Tuesday,  October  11,  the  command  started  at  daylight, 
passing  near  Cassville,  halting  at  Kingston  at  noon,  and  in  the 
afternoon  marching  through  town  and  out  a  short  distance  on 
the  road  toward  Rome.  Colonel  Champion  was  here  so 
unwell  that  he  could  no  longer  continue  with  his  command, 
but  went  north  by  train  ;  Lieutenant  Colonel  Evans,  of  the  21st 


1864]  FOLLOWING  HOOD'S  ARMY.  405 

Kentucky,  taking  command  of  the  Brigade.  An  immense 
mail  was  distributed,  the  first  for  a  fortnight,  and  the  camp 
rang  with  cheers. 

Wednesday,  October  12,  brought  one  of  the  longest  con- 
tinuous marches  in  the  Regiment's  experience.  The  column 
moved  at  seven  o'clock,  but  was  greatly  delayed  by  the 
wagon  trains  which  crowded  the  road.  After  most  of  the 
wagons  had  passed,  the  infantry  was  ordered  to  the  front, 
and  through  thickets  and  over  rocks  and  hills  at  the  roadside 
made  their  way  past  the  teams,  marching  rapidly  for  some 
time.  Then  came  one  of  those  annoying  experiences  so 
common  when  large  bodies  of  troops  were  marching  on  a 
single  road.  As  it  transpired,  a  broad,  unbridged  creek 
made  its  way  across  the  road.  The  advance,  instead  of 
bridging  the  stream,  broke  into  single  file  and  crossed  on  a 
log.  This  interrupted  the  march,  the  troops  in  rear  halting 
&  moment  and  then  moving  forward  a  rod  or  two,  only  to  be 
halted  again,  and  again  moved  forward.  This  was  continued 
for  hours,  and  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  being  near  the  rear  of  the 
column,  was  thoroughly  tired  out  with  this  annoying 
method  of  marching  when  they  neared  the  stream.  The 
disgust  of  the  men  when  they  found  what  a  trivial  thing  had 
caused  so  provoking  a  delay,  found  expression  in  language 
.not  entirely  elegant.  The  command  was  marching  left  in 
front,  as  the  enemy  was  supposed  to  be  on  the  right  of  the 
road,  and  when  the  stream  was  reached,  Company  B  never 
broke  ranks,  but  waded  through  in  solid  column.  The 
other  companies  followed,  and  the  Regiment  was  the  first  to 
keep  closed  up  in  passing  the  watery  obstacle.  Those  ahead 
were  either  running  or  walking  rapidly  to  close  up  the  long 
column,  which  had  strung  out  for  miles.  Everyone  was 
angry,  and  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  by  a  common  impulse  and 
without  orders,  resolved  to  keep  in  ranks.  It  was  nearly 
sundown  when  the  stream  was  crossed,  and  the  heavy  firing 
in  the  direction  of  Rome,  toward  which  the  column  was 
inarching,  indicated  heavy  work  ahead.  At  a  rapid  walk, 
occasionally  breaking  into  a  double  quick,  the  resolute  men 
pressed  on,  passing  many  stragglers,  and  subsequently  the 


406  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

remnants  of  several  regiments,  until  from  being  the  rear  it 
was  the  front  of  the  Brigade.  For  some  miles  the  fences  on 
one  side  of  the  road  were  on  fire,  and  tired  men  were  resting- 
and  warming  themselves,  the  night  being  cool.  At  nine 
o'clock  the  broad  field  of  light  in  front  indicated  that  the 
troops  in  advance  had  gone  into  camp.  The  rapid  march 
had  continued  up  to  this  time,  although  the  firing  in  front  had 
ceased  as  darkness  came  on.  Gen.  Stanley,  commanding 
the  Corps,  stood  at  the  roadside  as  the  command  neared  its 
designated  camping  ground  two  miles  from  Rome,  and  asked :: 
"  What  brigade  is  this  ?  "  "  This  is  no  brigade  ;  this  is  only 
a  regiment,"  was  answered  by  one  of  the  men.  "  What  regi- 
ment, then  ? "  he  asked  ;  and  on  being  told,  he  remarked  :: 
"  Well,  that  NINETY-SIXTH  must  be  a  good  one,  for  it  numbers- 
more  men  present  than  any  Brigade  that  has  come  in  to- 
night." With  scarcely  a  halt,  except  the  brief  and  annoying 
ones  occasioned  by  the  wagon  train  and  the  unbridged  stream, 
the  Regiment  had  made  twenty-eight  miles,  and  almost  every 
man  was  in  his  place.  They  were  a  tired  lot,  however,  and 
glad  of  an  opportunity  to  rest. 

The  Rebels  had  made  a  strong  demonstration  toward 
Rome,  while  their  main  army  moved  to  Resaca,  as  was  after- 
ward learned,  and  at  two  P.  M.  of  Thursday,  October  13, 
the  Federals  moved  eastward,  retracing  their  steps  for  a 
few -miles  and  then  turning  northward  and  marching  until 
midnight,  making  about  thirteen  miles,  and  camping  south  of 
Calhoun. 

Friday,  October  14,  the  Regiment  marched  seventeen 
miles,  passing  Calhoun  and  Resaca,  and  camping  for  the 
night  at  the  breastworks  it  had  constructed  at  the  opening  of 
the  battle  of  May  14, —  exactly  five  months  before.  The 
Rebels  had  demanded  the  surrender  of  the  garrison  at 
Resaca,  and,  upon  its  being  refused,  had  destroyed  such  of 
the  railroad  as  they  could  reach,  and  then  moved  around  the 
village,  going  northward  and  occupying  Snake  Creek  Gap. 
At  the  same  time  a  force  was  sent  against  Dalton,  where  were 
some  large  hospitals.  Some  slight  defense  was  attempted, 
but  eventually  the  garrison  surrendered,  about  one  thousand 


1864]  FOLLOWING  HOOD'S  ARMY.  407 

prisoners  being  taken.  Among  the  number  was  Edwin 
Drury,  of  Company  G,  who  had  been  in  hospital  for  several 
weeks.  He  remained  at  Dalton,  the  Rebels  not  even  requiring 
a  parole. 

Saturday,  October  15,  an  important  mission  was  assigned 
to  the  NINETY-SIXTH  and  the  other  Regiments  comprising  the 
Corps  of  which  it  was  a  part.  Moving  to  the  right,  it 
inarched  rapidly  up  the  railroad  to  the  vicinity  of  Tilton, 
where  occurred  a  halt  of  two  or  three  hours,  while  a  reconnois- 
sance  was  made.  Then  the  troops  turned  sharply  to  the  left 
and  crossed  Rocky  Face  and  another  ridge,  gaining  the  flank 
of  the  Rebels  in  Snake  Creek  Gap  about  sundown.  As  the 
Regiment  reached  the  top  of  the  second  ridge  the  sight 
was  one  to  stir  them  with  peculiar  emotion.  In  the  valley 
below  were  long  columns  of  the  enemy,  marching  rapidly 
northward,  thousands  of  men  being  almost  in  rifle  range. 
The  Regiment,  with  other  troops,  raised  a  shout  and  dashed 
part  way  down  the  hill,  but  the  officers  in  command,  fearing 
the  small  force  might  be  captured  if  they  ventured  too  far, 
checked  the  advance.  Twilight  was  rapidly  deepening,  and 
the  rear  of  the  Rebel  column  soon  passed  and  disappeared  in 
the  darkness.  The  Regiment  then  descended  into  the  valley 
and  made  its  camp  for  the  night  beside  the  rocky  creek. 
The  distance  traveled  was  about  twelve  miles. 

Sunday,  October  16,  the  Regiment  marched  six  or  eight 
miles,  overtaking  the  Rebel  rear  guard,  capturing  a  few  pris- 
oners and  camping  near  Ship's  Gap,  about  one  mile  from 
Villanow.  The  command  lay  in  camp  all  of  the  next  day, 
other  portions  of  the  army  making  reconnoissances.  Orders 
were  issued  for  all  men  and  animals  not  fit  for  severe  service 
to  be  sent  to  Chattanooga.  Forage  was  abundant,  and  every- 
one had  fresh  meat  and  sweet  potatoes. 

Tuesday,  October  ]8,  the  Regiment  marched  twenty-four 
miles  between  daylight  and  dark,  crossing  Taylor's  Ridge  and 
camping  near  Summerville.  The  men  stood  the  long  march 
remarkably  well,  and  there  were  but  few  stragglers. 

Wednesday,  October  19,  the  command  remained  in  camp 


408  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  EEGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

until  late  and  then  marched  five  or  six  miles,  passing  Sum- 
merville. 

Thursday,  October  20,  twenty  miles  was  accomplished, 
and  the  camp  of  the  Regiment  was  made  at  four  o'clock,  two 
miles  from  Gaylesville,  Alabama.  Here  the  Army  rested  for 
nearly  a  week.  Three  days'  rations  of  bread,  meat  and  coffee 
were  issued,  with  orders  that  they  must  last  five.  This  was 
no  hardship,  however,  as  forage  was  abundant  in  the  rich 
valleys  of  that  pleasant  region.  Details  of  from  twenty  to 
twenty-five  men,  under  competent  officers,  were  sent  out  from 
each  regiment  to  procure  supplies,  and  returned  with  an 
abundance  of  sweet  potatoes,  meat,  molasses  and  honey. 
Strict  orders  were  issued  prohibiting  the  pillaging  of  houses 
or  the  wanton  destruction  of  property  not  of  value  to  the 
armies.  The  guard  duty  was  light,  as  the  troops  were  well 
massed,  and  all  who  spent  that  delightful  October  week  at 
Gaylesville  will  ever  cherish  pleasant  memories  of  the  last 
days  in  which  the  Fourth  Corps  was  under  the  immediate 
command  of  General  Sherman. 


1864]  LAST  DAYS  WITH  SHERMAN.  409 


CHAPTER    XXIII. 


Parting  with  Gen.  Sherman — Abundance  of  Forage — A  Rapid  March 
Northward — Crossing  the  Chickamauga  Battle  Field — At  Rossville 
and  Chattanooga— Westward  by  Cars — The  Trip  to  Athens — Anxiety 
as  to  the  Situation — The  Rebels  Near — Fording  Elk  River — The 
March  to  Pulaski — Ragged  but  Resolute — Entrenching  Again — Paid 
Off. 

ALTHOUGH  the  stay  at  Gaylesville  was  one  of  comparative 
rest  to  the  rank  and  file  of  the  army,  to  their  commander, 
Gen.  Sherman,  it  was  a  period  of  great  activity,  for  he  was 
completing  plans  for  his  March  to  the  Sea.  His  purpose  was 
to  leave  only  the  Fourth  Corps,  with  such  detachments  as  were 
at  Chattanooga  or  points  farther  north  and  west,  for  the 
defense  of  Tennessee.  He  fully  believed  that  Gen.  Hood 
would  be  compelled  to  turn  southward  and  follow  him 
through  Georgia. 

In  pursuance  of  his  plans  Gen.  Sherman  caused  the  railroad 
to  be  repaired  from  Atlanta  to  Chattanooga,  and  ordered  all 
sick  and  wounded  soldiers  to  be  sent  back.  Surplus  artillery, 
wagons  and  animals  were  also  hurried  to  Chattanooga,  and 
the  army  was  put  in  light  marching  order.  The  wagons 
retained  at  the  front  contained  little  except  ammunition  and 
the  more  necessary  rations,  the  latter  not  in  large  supply,  as 
it  was  determined  that  the  soldiers  should  live  mainly  upon 
such  provisions  as  it  was  known  must  be  abundant  in  the  coun- 
try to  be  passed.  The  main  body  of  his  forces  left  Gayles- 
ville toward  the  last  of  October,  the  Fourth  Corps  going 
northward,  the  others  via  Rome  toward  Atlanta.  The  Second 
Division  of  the  Fourth  Corps,  which  had  been  sent  by  rail  to 
Chattanooga  shortly  after  the  fall  of  Atlanta,  was  marched 
southward  to  Alpine  and  then,  meeting  the  other  Divisions  of 
the  Corps,  retraced  its  steps.  Meanwhile  the  Army  was  liv- 
ing better  than  ever  before,  for  the  country  was  full  of  pro- 
duce, and  all  were  instructed  to  "forage  liberally."  Certain 


410  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

it  is  that  the  NINETY-SIXTH  never  lived  so  well  as  during  the 
stay  about  Gaylesville,  and  the  Surgeons  declared  that  the 
complete  change  of  diet  had  done  more  for  the  health  of  the 
Regiment  than  they  had  deemed  possible. 

After  Gen.  Sherman  had  started  southward  it  became  cer- 
tain that  Gen.  Hood  was  still  determined  upon  an  aggressive 
campaign  into  Tennessee  and  was  not  likely  to  follow  the  Fed- 
eral forces  through  Georgia.  Upon  arriving  at  Rome,  at  the 
earnest  solicitation  of  Gen.  Thomas,  who  had  been  sent  to 
Nashville  to  look  after  the  defenses  of  that  region,  the  Twenty- 
third  Corps  was  diverted  from  the  main  column,  marched  to 
the  neighborhood  of  Resaca  and  Dalton,  and  taken  thence  by 
rail  to  Nashville  and  out  toward  Columbia  and  Pulaski. 

At  Atlanta  Gen.  Sherman  reorganized  his  Corps  to  some 
extent,  burned  everything  in  the  city  that  could  make  it  valu- 
able to  the  enemy  as  a  military  point,  destroyed  the  railroad 
to  Chattanooga,  and,  November  16,  set  out  on  his  march  to 
Savannah.  It  was  a  brilliant  movement,  and  one  destined  to 
live  in  song  and  story  to  the  end  of  time.  But  the  troops  left 
in  rear,  to  battle  with  Gen.  Hood,  were  fated  to  endure  harder 
marching,  shorter  rations  and  more  severe  fighting  during  the 
two  months  immediately  succeeding  the  separation  at  Gayles- 
ville than  were  the  soldiers  under  the  immediate  command  of 
Gen.  Sherman.  Indeed  the  two  Corps,  with  a  comparatively 
slight  reinforcement,  were  to  meet,  in  two  desperate  engage- 
ments, almost  the  identical  forces  that  for  four  long  months 
had  resisted  Gen.  Sherman,  with  seven  Corps,  in  his  move- 
ment upon  Atlanta.  Not  only  were  they  to  race  with  them 
upon  the  march  and  meet  them  in  battle,  but  they  were  to 
overthrow  and  send  them,  routed  and  hopeless,  to  the  far 
South. 

But  to  return  to  the  Regiment.  Thursday,  October  27,. 
the  NINETY-SIXTH,  with  the  other  troops  comprising  the  Fourth 
Corps,  left  camp  at  Gaylesville  about  8  o'clock  A.  M.,  and 
marched  to  a  point  a  little  south  of  Alpine,  a  distance  of  fif- 
teen miles.  The  night  preceding  was  rainy  and  the  roads 
were  consequently  in  bad  condition.  Capt.  Burnett,  of  Com- 
pany B,  who  with  fifty  men  had  been  guarding  a  bridge  seven. 


1864]  THE  MARCH  TO  LA  FAYETTE.  411 

miles  from  camp,  joined  the  main  column  that  night,  after  a* 
hard  march  across  the  unfamiliar  country.  Fortunately  their 
orders  and  directions  were  so  explicit  that  they  had  no  trouble 
in  finding  the  way.  Capt.  Rowan,  of  Company  F,  who  had 
been  out  for  a  day  or  two  with  a  foraging  party,  and  whoso 
absence  had  been  so  prolonged  as  to  cause  some  apprehension 
lest  he  and  his  associates  had  fallen  into  Rebel  hands,  came- 
into  camp,  late  at  night,  with  an  immense  amount  of  forage, 
including  nearly  a  barrel  of  honey.  His  men  being  over- 
loaded, a  pair  of  oxen  had  been  impressed,  and  the  wagon  to- 
which  they  were  attached  was  loaded  down  with  bacon,  sweet 
potatoes  and  other  palatable  articles. 

Friday,  October  28,  the  Corps  made  a  march  of  twenty- 
four  miles,  passing  through  and  across  several  rich  valleys  and 
camping  near  La  Fayette. 

Saturday,  October  29,  the  command  marched  at  daylight 
and  made  twenty-three  miles,  passing  along  the  La  Fayette 
road  across  the  Chickamanga  battle  field,  and  camping  at 
Rossville.  It  was  familiar  and  historic  ground,  but  the  march 
was  so  rapid  and  the  men  so  fatigued  that  but  few  ventured  to 
leave  the  ranks  and  go  over  that  portion  of  the  field  where  the 
NINETY-SIXTH  met  its  bloody  baptism  a  little  more  than  a  year 
before,  and  where  so  many  of  its  members  were  sleeping  their 
last  long  sleep  in  unknown  graves. 

There  were  many  marks  of  the  terrific  struggle  all  along 
the  way  from  the  crossing  of  Chickamauga  Creek,  at  Lee  & 
Gordon's  Mills,  nearly  to  Rossville.  The  shattered  trees,  the 
prostrate  or  burned  fences,  the  mounds  where  were  interred 
the  bodies  of  the  Blue  and  the  Gray,  the  skeletons  of  horses, 
the  broken  muskets,  the  disabled  gun  carriages,  were  much  as 
when  the  armies  had  left  the  field,  except  that  a  year  and 
more  had  brought  decay  and  partially  dimmed  the  ghastliness 
of  the  scene.  Strange  and  exciting  memories  were  revived  as- 
the  column  hurried  on.  But  the  soldiers  were  too  practical 
to  lapse  into  sentiment  while  hurrying  toward  new  dangers 
that  seemed  imminent,  for  while  all  was  uncertainty  as  to- 
what  the  present  movement  meant,  somehow  every  one  seemed. 


412  HlSTOKY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,   ILL.  Y.  I. 

to  feel  that  they  were  to  be  sent  from  Chattanooga  on  some 
perilous  mission. 

Sunday,  October  30,  the  command  left  its  camp  at  Rossville 
and  marched  to  Chattanooga,  halted  for  a  time,  and  then 
bivouacked  near  the  base  of  Lookout  Mountain.  A  few 
recruits  joined  the  Regiment  at  this  point.  Capt.  Stephen 
Jeffers,  the  former  Quarter-Master,  who  was  then  stationed  in 
the  city,  bestowed  numerous  favors  upon  the  Regiment.  The 
Third  Division  was  ordered  to  take  the  train  going  west,  and 
reached  Pulaski  November  1. 

Monday,  October  31,  the  train  having  returned,  the 
NINETY-SIXTH,  with  other  troops,  was  loaded  upon  the  cars 
about  noon  and  rode  through  Bridgeport  and  Stevenson  to 
a  point  near  Paint  Rock  without  incident  worthy  of  note.  It 
had  been  reported  that  there  was  heavy  fighting  near  Flor- 
ence and  Decatur,  and  that  the  entire  Rebel  Army  was 
attempting  to  cross  the  Tennessee  River.  This  made  the 
trainmen  somewhat  timid,  and  upon  the  first  indication  that 
the  cavalry  had  been  upon  the  railroad  track  the  train  came 
to  a  standstill.  The  officers  consulted  briefly  and  then  ordered 
a  Company  out  to  reconnoitre  the  front.  A  partially 
destroyed  culvert  indicated  that  the  enemy  had  been  fright- 
ened off  without  completing  their  work.  The  skirmishers 
were  ordered  forward  at  a  rapid  walk,  sometimes  breaking 
into  a  double-quick,  and  the  train  followed  them.  Soon 
another  halt  was  made  and  a  fresh  detachment  sent  out,  the 
tired  men  coming  back  to  the  train.  In  this  way  a  few  miles 
were  made.  The  danger  being  passed,  the  skirmishers  were 
called  in  and  the  train  proceeded  to  the  junction,  and  thence 
northward  to  Athens,  which  point  was  reached  about  seven 
o'clock  A.  M.  of  Tuesday,  November  1.  There  was  no  one 
to  receive  the  troops  or  give  directions  what  to  do  or  where 
to  go,  for  the  small  detachment  of  Union  forces  had  evacu- 
ated the  town  the  day  before.  Pickets  were  posted  and  the 
arrival  of  other  regiments  awaited.  There  was  much  anx- 
iety lest  the  Rebels  should  arrive  first,  but  fortunately  they  did 
not  come.  Tuesday  night  was  cold  and  rainy. 

Wednesday,   November   2,  the  column   marched    at    six 


1864]  PULASKI. 

o'clock  through  the  rain  and  mud  to  Elkton,  making  twenty 
miles.  The  last  act  in  the  day's  drama  was  to  ford  Elk  Riverr 
a  rapid  stream,  so  swollen  by  the  rains  as  to  bring  the  water 
nearly  to  the  armpits  of  the  shorter  men.  Most  of  the  com- 
mand stripped  off  their  clothing,  and  all  carried  their  ammu- 
nition and  watches  in  their  hands.  There  was  much  dis- 
comfort, not  unmixed  with  merriment,  in  the  crossing.  A  col- 
ored man,  who,  being  a  cook  for  some  of  the  officers,  waa 
loaded  down  with  camp-kettles  and  other  commodities,  was 
tripped  up  near  the  middle  of  the  stream  and  so  badly  fright- 
ened that  some  of  the  boys  declared  that  he  actually  turned 
white.  The  night  was  an  exceedingly  stormy  one. 

Thursday,  November  3,  camp  was  broken  in  a  terrific 
rainstorm,  and  the  blankets  and  shelter-tents  were  so  satu- 
rated with  water,  notwithstanding  the  persistent  wringing 
given  them,  as  to  be  exceedingly  heavy.  The  road  was 
muddy,  and  when  the  command  reached  Pulaski,  seventy-five 
miles  south  of  Nashville,  in  the  middle  of  the  afternoon,  all 
were  thoroughly  tired  out.  The  column  passed  the  town  on 
the  right  and  wearily  made  its  way  to  a  long  range  of  hills 
north  of  the  village.  Here  the  NINETY-SIXTH  remained  until 
the  23d.  But  little  clothing  had  been  issued  for  nearly  six 
months  and  the  men  were  absolutely  ragged.  Very  many 
were  barefoot,  and  comparatively  few  had  clothing  at  all  suit- 
able for  picket  duty  in  the  severe  cold,  rainy  weather  that 
ensued.  Cabins  were  put  up  and  they  could  get  along  fairly 
well  in  camp.  This  was  not  enough,  however,  for  the  officers 
were  auprehensive  of  an  attack,  and,  as  a  consequence,  heavy 
picket  lines  were  maintained.  Eighty-four  men  were  actually 
excused  from  duty  at  one  time  because  of  having  insufficient 
clot  hing  to  properly  fit  them  for  the  exposure  insepara- 
ble from  the  picket  line.  This  was  in  a  measure  overcome 
in  a  few  days.  Heavy  lines  of  breastworks  were  built,  and 
for  two  or  three  days  the  right  and  left  wings  alternated, 
working  continuously  in  the  trenches  night  and  day.  The 
baggage  which  had  been  stored  at  Bridgeport  came  up  on  the 
14th  and  the  officers  busied  themselves  with  their  long-neg- 
lected ordnance  reports  and  other  blanks.  The  paymaster, 


414  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  1. 

who  had  not  been  seen  for  about  six  months,  came  to  camp 
and  paid  off  the  several  regiments. 

Friday,  November  18,  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  together  with  the 
45th  Ohio,  went  out  with  fifty  wagons  after  forage,  returning 
without  accident  or  adventure. 

During  the  stay  at  Pulaski  there  was  much  speculation  as 
to  Gen.  Hood's  intentions.  Bad  weather  and  want  of  trans- 
portation and  supplies  had  detained  him,  but  about  the  20th 
it  became  apparent  that  he  was  to  push  northward  into  Ten- 
nessee. The  main  body  of  the  Twenty-third  Corps  had 
reached  Pulaski  by  this  time,  but  the  entire  force  then  num- 
bered but  about  twenty-five  thousand  men,  while  the  rebels  in 
their  front  numbered  more  than  fifty  thousand.  Gen.  Thomas 
was  receiving  considerable  reinforcements  at  Nashville,  many 
of  them,  however,  being  new  recruits,  and  toward  that  city 
lie  ordered  Gen.  Schofield,  then  in  command  at  Pulaski,  to 
retreat  if  it  became  necessary  in  order  to  avoid  a  battle. 


1864]  PULASKI  EVACUATED.  415 


CHAPTER  XXIV- 


'The  Rebels  Advance  —  Pulaski  Evacuated  —  A  Short  Sleep  —  Refugees 
on  the  Road  —  A  Trying  Night  March — A  Sombre  Thanksgiving  — 
Columbia  Reached  —  Again  Outflanked  —  Spring  Hill  —  Close  Prox- 
imity of  the  Enemy  —  A  Halt  on  the  Ridge  —  The  Battle  of  Frank- 
lin —  Another  Night  March  —  Arrival  at  Nashville  —  Two  Nights  on 
the  Front  Line  —  The  Army  Reinforced  —  Waiting  for  the  Battle. 

THE  situation  of  affairs  in  Tennessee  and  Georgia  was  now 
a  most  peculiar  one.  Gen.  Sherman  had  hardly  more  than 
fairly  started  from  Atlanta  when  Gen.  Hood  left  the  line  of 
the  Tennessee  River,  and  the  strange  spectacle  was  presented 
of  two  armies  that  had  long  confronted  each  other,  and  often 
met  in  battle,  marching  in  opposite  directions,  each  intent 
upon  invasion.  Opposed  to  Gen.  Sherman  were  a  few  cav- 
alrymen and  state  troops.  Gen.  Hood  was  confronted  by 
two  Corps  of  Infantry,  a  small  force  of  cavalry  and  a  few 
detached  regiments  that  had  been  doing  garrison  duty  at 
various  points  between  Nashville  and  Decatur. 

By  November  20  the  Rebel  infantry  had  crossed  the  Ten- 
nessee River  and  were  pushing  rapidly  northward,  aiming  to 
go  by  way  of  Lawrenceburg  and  interpose  themselves  between 
Pulaski  and  Columbia,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Lynnville. 
The  Union  cavalry  was  active  and  vigilant,  and  reported  to 
Gen.  Schofield,  then  in  command  at  Pulaski,  and  arrange- 
ments were  speedily  made  for  a  retreat.  Tuesday,  Novem- 
ber 22,  a  part  of  the  Twenty-third  Corps  and  the  Second 
Division  of  the  Fourth  Corps  marched  to  Lynnville,  thus  pre- 
venting the  Rebel  forces  from  reaching  that  point.  Gen. 
Hood  then  directed  his  columns  toward  Columbia,  going  by 
way  of  Mount  Pleasant,  whereupon  the  Union  forces  at 
Lynnville  resumed  their  march  on  the  morning  of  the  23d. 
The  weather,  which  had  been  rainy  much  of  the  time  for  a 
fortnight,  turned  bitter  cold,  the  ground  freezing  and  ice 
.forming  upon  the  smaller  streams. 


416  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  1. 

While  the  campaign  had  been  thus  inaugurated,  a  portion 
of  the  Fourth  Corps  still  remained  in  Pulaski.  Wednesday, 
November  23,  the  Regiment  was  busily  engaged  in  strength- 
ening its  already  strong  intrenchments  when  orders  were 
received  to  march  in  an  hour.  At  noon  the  column  filed  out 
and  marched  to  the  pike,  where  the  entire  Division  remained 
until  nearly  dark,  the  road  being  thronged  with  wagons, 
troops  and  refugees,  hurrying  northward.  All  of  the  refugees 
were  colored  people,  most  of  whom  had  been  quartered  on 
some  abandoned  plantations  not  far  from  Huntsville,  the  Gov- 
ernment having  encouraged  them  to  remain  there  and  raise  a 
crop.  The  advance  of  the  Rebel  Army  had  alarmed  them, 
and,  gathering  up  such  effects  in  the  way  of  clothing  and  bed- 
ding as  they  could  carry,  they  sought  to  escape  from  a  return 
to  slavery,  which  they  imagined  would  surely  follow  if  they 
allowed  the  Confederates  to  overtake  them. 

Pulaski  was  evacuated  early  in  the  evening,  considerable 
amounts  of  clothing  and  provisions  being  burned  to  prevent 
their  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  A  few  buildings 
were  destroyed.  The.  teams  and  artilery,  which  had  come 
from  Chattanooga  by  way  of  Dechard  and  Fayetteville,  were 
loaded  to  their  utmost  capacity,  but  the  transportation  was 
inadequate  to  meet  the  emergency  then  arising,  and  an  im- 
mense bonfire  was  made  necessary.  A  little  before  dark  the 
NINETY-SIXTH  was  on  the  road  and  marched  back  to  Lynnville, 
being  delayed  by  the  troops  and  trains  that  had  preceded. 
There  was  more  or  less  firing  on  the  left,  not  a  great  distance 
from  the  pike.  At  a  late  hour  the  Division  halted  and  went 
into  camp.  Hardly  had  the  tired  men  fallen  asleep  when  the 
bugle  sounded  and  they  were  again  hurried  out  upon  the  pike. 
It  was  reported  that  the  Rebels  had  not  halted,  but  were  mak- 
ing a  night  march,  hoping  to  reach  Columbia  before  Gen. 
Schofield  could  get  his  troops  into  position,  and  all  understood 
that  it  was  a  race  between  the  two  armies.  The  Regiment 
hurried  along  the  road,  until  the  rear  of  the  main  column  was 
overtaken,  when  the  march  was  slower.  The  poor  refugees 
were  overtaken  and  passed.  They  were  most  pitiable  objects, 
having  marched  for  many  hours  with  little  to  eat  and  without 


COMPANY   C. 


* 


Corp1!  PBTER  MOWERS. 
JAMES  DONAHUE. 


Corp'l  JAREU  O.  BLODGETT. 

Second  Lieut.  JOHN  W.  SWANBROUGH. 

LOYAL  CADWELL. 


REUBEN  MILLER. 
SAMUEL  P.  VOSE. 


1864]  COLUMBIA.  417 

daring  to  stop  for  rest.  There  were  hundreds  of  women  and 
children,  the  latter  crying  piteously  from  hunger  and  cold. 
But  the  soldiers  could  give  them  no  assistance,  and  they  were 
compelled  to  halt  beside  the  road  and  let  the  column  pass. 
Fires  were  kindled  in  the  fence  corners,  and  many  of  them 
gave  up  the  march  in  despair,  although  others  kept  on  to 
Nashville.  The  troops  were  given  to  understand  that  an 
attack  might  be  expected  any  moment,  and  none  were  allowed 
to  straggle. 

The  dawn  of  Thursday,  November  24,  found  the  long 
columns  still  toiling  on,  the  one  in  grey  hoping  to  reach 
Columbia  while  their  opponents  were  far  away,  the  one  in  blue 
resolute  in  its  purpose  to  head  off  their  wary  rivals,  if  hard 
and  continuous  marching  could  effect  so  desirable  a  result.  It 
was  the  National  Thanksgiving  Day,  and  throughout  the  loyal 
States  the  people  were  returning  grateful  thanks  to  the  Provi- 
dence that  had  smiled  upon  tl\e  JJni.pjfi  armies,  East  and 
West,  and  were  hopeful  th^peap.e.;0rn(^tin.a,l.yJQfcory  were  near. 
But  to  the  soldiers  of  the  lifct%"aYmy* under  Gen.  Schofield  the 
day  was  filled  with  forebodings,  for  they  were  retreating  over 
ground  reclaimed  more  than  a  year  before,  and  the  haste  of 
the  movement,  the  evident  anxiety  of  their  commanders,  and 
the  occasional  sounds  of  cannon  and  musketry  that  came  from 
the  flank,  where  the  cavalry  was  watching  the  enemy,  made 
them  feel  apprehensive  that  all  was  not  going  well.  At  noon 
the  tired  troops  ahead  left  the  pike  and  moved  into  a  large 
field  for  a  brief  rest,  and  the  members  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH 
were  discussing  the  expected  Thanksgiving  dinner  and  making 
up  impossible  bills-of-fare  as  they  neared  the  halting  place. 
Considering  their  questionable  surroundings  they  were  cer- 
tainly a  very  jolly  lot.  But  as  they  were  about  to  halt,  a  staff 
officer  rode  up  and  ordered  Major  Hicks  to  march  the  Regi- 
ment to  a  high  ridge  on  the  flank,  nearly  a  half  mile  from  the 
pike,  and  keep  a  sharp  lookout  for  Rebels,  returning  when  the 
column  began  to  move.  The  order  was  by  no  means  a  wel- 
come one  after  being  on  the  move  so  long,  but,  knowing  that 
it  was  their  turn  for  duty,  the  men  cheerfully  complied.  It 
was  a  long,  hard  climb.  Just  as  the  head  of  the  Regiment 
27 


418  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

was  uearing  the  summit  some  shots  were  heard,  and  a  moment 
later  a  little  squad  of  cavalry  dashed  out  of  the  woods,  many 
of  them  hatless  and  all  greatly  excited.  Reaching  the  infant- 
ry they  reported  that  they  had  been  ambushed  and  had  lost 
several  men,  killed  or  captured  by  a  large  body  of  the  enemy 
near  at  hand.  This  information  set  the  men  on  their  mettle 
and  a  sharp  lookout  was  maintained.  In  a  few  minutes  the 
teams  had  passed  on  toward  Columbia,  and  the  troops  in  the 
valley  had  finished  their  hurried  dinners.  The  NINETY -SIXTH 
soon  took  up  the  line  of  march,  at  the  rear  of  the  column. 
The  march  was  kept  up  till  almost  night,  the  firing  increasing 
toward  Columbia,  on  the  Mount  Pleasant  road.  At  length  the 
village  was  reached  and  the  race  for  that  day  was  at  an  end. 
The  heads  of  the  opposing  armies  had  reached  the  outskirts  of 
the  town  almost  simultaneously,  but  the  small  force  then  acting 
as  a  garrison  to  the  town  met  and  delayed  the  Rebel  advance, 
thus  giving  the  Union  forces  time  to  partially  deploy  their 
lines.  A  portion  of  the  Twenty-third  Corps  reached  the  town 
about  noon.  There  was  a  sharp  contest,  resulting  in  a  few 
casualties  on  either  side  ;  but  Gen.  Hood  found  himself  check- 
mated, and  night  shutting  down  the  two  armies  moved  into 
position  and  halted.  The  NINETY-SIXTH  was  sent  to  a  position 
in  the  front  line,  and  at  once  threw  up  breastworks,  the  men 
working  diligently,  in  reliefs,  all  night,  notwithstanding  their 
fatigue.  They  had  marched  about  thirty  miles,  with  many 
halts  and  interruptions,  but  with  little  rest,  and  only  the  neces- 
sity of  the  hour  inclined  them  to  the  hard  labor  of  entrenching. 
Columbia  was  situated  on  high  ground  in  a  deep  bend  of 
Duck  River,  and  here  Gen.  Thomas,  who  still  remained  at 
Nashville,  hoped  his  army  would  make  a  final  stand  and  fight 
a  decisive  battle  with  Gen.  Hood.  He  was  expecting  three 
Divisions  of  the  Sixteenth  Corps,  under  Gen.  A.  J.  Smith, 
from  the  Mississippi,  and  also  other  reinforcements,  but  unex- 
pected delays  occurred.  Two  or  three  regiments  and  a  goodly 
number  of  recruits  came  to  the  department  and  were  hurried 
forward  by  rail.  But  Gen.  Hood  remembered  his  experiences 
at  Atlanta  and  Allatoona,  and  decided  to  postpone  any  charges 
upon  the  Yankee  breastworks.  Instead,  while  keeping  up  a 


1864]  A  CRITICAL  DAY.  419 

feint  of  assaulting  the  lines  at  Columbia,  he  rested  his  army 
for  a  day  or  two,  and  then,  moving  by  the  right  flank,  made  a 
bold  push  for  the  Union  rear,  determined  to  interpose  his 
Army  between  Gen.  Schofield  and  Franklin.  The  movement 
was  admirably  conceived  and  well-nigh  successful. 

Meanwhile  the  Union  forces  had  been  disposed  for  defen- 
sive operations.  The  cavalry  was  watching  the  fords  of  Duck 
River  and  attempting  to  hold  the  Rebels  in  check.  A  part  of 
the  Fourth  Corps  moved  slightly  to  the  rear  Friday  evening, 
and  occupied  a  shorter  and  stronger  line  than  the  one  so  hastily 
formed  on  Thursday.  Saturday  brought  heavy  skirmishing, 
but  no  casualties  occurred  in  the  Regiment.  •  At  dark  the 
troops  were  ready  to  move,  but  after  a  delay  of  some  hours  it 
was  learned  that  the  pontoon  bridge  had  broken,  a  portion  of 
the  troops  having  crossed.  The  lines  were  thinned  out  so  as 
to  occupy  the  works  vacated  by  that  portion  of  the  army 
which  had  crossed  ;  a  work  of  great  difficulty,  as  the  night 
was  intensely  dark  and  the  rain  pouring  down  in  torrents. 

Sunday,  November  27,  was  spent  in  the  lines  about  the 
little  city,  but  when  darkness  came,  the  troops,  except  a 
small  force  which  remained  until  daylight  to  cover  the  retreat, 
silently  moved  to  the  rear,  waded  through  the  rnud  to  the 
pontoon  bridge,  and  then  halted  and  fortified,  the  NINETY- 
SIXTH  marching  eastward  up  the  river  two  or  three  miles. 
The  men  were  on  the  move  almost  the  entire  night,  and  when 
they  halted,  near  daylight,  were  called  upon  to  fortify  their 
position.  Captain  Pollock  was  sent  out  with  a  small  force  to 
reconnoitre  the  front,  and  meeting  a  detachment  of  cavalry 
falling  back  before  the  Rebel  advance,  had  a  lively  skirmish. 
During  all  of  Monday  the  Brigade  lay  near  Duck  River,  and 
Monday  night  moved  to  Rutherford's  Creek,  partially  fortify- 
ing another  line,  where  it  remained  for  nearly  twenty-four 
hours,  guarding  the  crossing  while  troops  and  trains  passed 
to  the  rear. 

Tuesday,  November  29,  was  a  critical  day  with  the  army. 
General  Kimball  having  come  up  and  assumed  command  of 
the  Division,  General  Whittaker  took  command  of  the 
Brigade.  There  was  ample  evidence  that  Rebel  infantry  was 


420          HISTORY  or  THE  69ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

marching  past  the  position  held  by  the  NINETY-SIXTH  and 
other  portions  of  the  Division,  for  the  pickets  were  constantly 
reporting  moving  troops  in  sight,  and  were  frequently  fired 
upon.  The  wagon  trains  had  been  ordered  to  Franklin  under 
escort  of  the  Second  Division  of  the  Fourth  Corps,  the 
infantry  taking  the  lead.  Their  march  was  begun  about  eight 
o'clock  A.  M.  Twelve  miles  north  of  Columbia  was  Spring 
Hill,  a  small  village,  where  was  stationed  a  company  or  two 
of  cavalry.  As  the  infantry  approached  the  village  firing 
was  heard,  indicating  that  the  Rebels  had  outmarched  them 
and  were  fighting  for  the  possession  of  the  village  and  pike. 
It  proved  to  be  only  a  cavalry  fight,  at  first,  and  when  the- 
head  of  the  Second  Division  reached  the  scene  the  enemy 
retired.  A  brisk  skirmish  followed,  for  the  Rebel  infantry 
was  close  at  hand  and  made  a  vigorous  attempt  to  gain  a 
position  on  the  highway  and  cut  off  the  troops  that  had  not 
yet  arrived  from  Columbia.  The  Second  Division  was  re- 
peatedly attacked,  and  on  the  right  and  a  little  south  of  the 
village  was  forced  to  retreat  for  some  distance.  Most  of  the 
artillery  was  at  hand  and  aided  in  repelling  the  charges.  For- 
tunately the  Rebels  lacked  the  nerve  to  take  advantage  of  the 
situation,  and  the  day  closed  without  serious  losses.  Most 
of  the  teams  closed  up  at  a  run  when  the  skirmishing  beganr 
and  were  parked  at  the  village.  A  few  went  forward  and 
were  captured  and  burned  by  the  cavalry  near  Thompson'^ 
Station.  Gen.  Hood  seems  to  have  realized  his  opportunity 
and  to  have  made  an  earnest  effort  to  take  advantage  of  it, 
but  Gen.  Cheatham,  in  command  of  his  advance,  with  a  corps 
at  hand  and  another  rapidly  approaching,  delayed,  through 
fear  that  he  was  outnumbered,  the  amount  of  artillery  and  the 
vigor  with  which  General  Stanley  resisted  disconcerting  him 
and  rendering  him  timid.  The  Union  loss  was  about  two- 
hundred  ;  the  Rebel  loss  fully  five  hundred. 

Meanwhile  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  with  the  other  troops  of  the 
Brigade,  had  been  comparatively  idle  at  Rutherford's  Creek, 
but  just  before  night  took  up  the  line  of  march.  The  Regi- 
ment had  the  lead  and  marched  left  in  front.  An  advance 
guard  was  put  out,  and  after  a  time  flankers  were  sent  upon 


1864]  AN  ANXIOUS  NIGHT.  421 

the  right,  marching  through  the  fields  parallel  with  the  main 
•column.  The  utmost  silence  prevailed,  and  all  commands 
were  given  in  low  tones.  There  were  frequent  halts,  and 
more  than  once  men  were  seen  or  heard  leaving  the  pike.  A 
light  barricade  was  found  at  one  point,  the  enemy  disappearing 
in  the  darkness.  Nearing  Spring  Hill  some  horsemen  were 
met,  and  a  brief  parley  ensued,  each  party  being  afraid  the 
others  were  Rebels.  Everything  was  soon  explained,  how- 
ever, for  some  one  soon  recognized  Gen.  Whittaker's  pecu- 
liar voice  and  made  known  the  fact  that  fears  had  been 
entertained  that  the  command  had  been  cut  off  and  pos- 
sibly dispersed  or  captured.  The  march  was  then  continued 
to  Spring  Hill,  where  the  NINETY-SIXTH  was  moved  into  a 
cornfield  on  the  north  side  of  the  pike  and  directed  to  build  a 
line  of  works.  All  were  cautioned  to  maintain  silence,  and 
hardly  a  cornstalk  rustled,  so  careful  were  the  men.  The 
Rebel  camp  fires  were  but  a  hundred  rods  distant,  and  the 
men  could  be  plainly  seen  standing  or  walking  around  them. 
Orders  were  given  not  to  fire  a  gun  unless  the  enemy  should 
be  seen  advancing  in  force  directly  toward  the  pike.  It  was 
stated  as  a  fact  that  some  members  of  the  Regiment,  going 
for  rails,  a  short  distance  in  front,  found  the  Rebels  taking 
rails  from  the  same  fence,  and  Sergeant  Murrie  and  Corporal 
Swazey,  of  Company  C,  going  out  to  reconnoitre,  actually 
passed  between  the  pickets  of  the  enemy,  going  nearly  to  the 
camp-fires  and  returning  without  being  fired  upon.  For  hours 
the  flankers  of  the  two  armies  were  within  a  few  yards  of  each 
other,  but  each  apparently  under  orders  not  to  bring  on  an 
engagement.  It  was  probably  eleven  o'clock  or  after  when 
the  Regiment  was  halted  in  the  cornfield.  A  light  barricade 
was  soon  completed,  and  then  the  men  stood  or  laid  in  line, 
chilled  to  the  marrow,  and  anxiously  awaiting  orders  to  leave 
the  perilous  position. 

Toward  morning,  the  last  wagon  having  got  in  line,  the 
Regiment  moved  to  the  road  and  pushed  northward,  being 
almost  the  rear  of  the  army.  With  the  first  glimmer  of  day- 
light the  firing,  which  had  been  confined  to  an  occasional 
shot,  increased  somewhat,  and  before  sunrise  was  quite  lively. 


422  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

The  NINETY-SIXTH  marched  in  the  fields  much  of  the  way. 
Apparently  there  was  great  confusion,  for  detached  regiments 
from  several  brigades,  groups  of  men  who  had  tired  out  and 
left  their  commands,  a  few  ambulances,  a  part  of  a  battery,  and 
a  group  of  citizens  and  railroad  men  were  all  crowding  for  the 
pike  at  the  same  time.  By  good  management  on  the  part  of 
Gen.  Stanley,  and  because  of  timidity  on  the  part  of  the 
Rebels,  only  a  few  of  the  eight  hundred  wagons  in  the  train 
were  lost,  and  before  daylight  Gen.  Schofield's  advance  was 
crossing  the  Harpeth  River  at  Franklin.  His  rear,  however, 
had  still  about  eight  miles  to  march. 

That  night  had  been  one  of  extremest  peril,  and  it  was  a 
relief  to  the  rear-guard  when,  at  a  little  after  sunrise,  it  became 
apparent  that  the  Rebel  infantry  had  not  marched  during  the 
night,  and  that  its  advance  was  barely  abreast  with  the  Union 
rear  guard. 

The  skirmishing  grew  lively  as  the  hours  wore  on,  but 
the  danger  of  attack  in  flank  was  over.  The  Twenty-third 
Corps  had  reached  Franklin  before  daylight,  and  a  portion 
of  the  Fourth  Corps  soon  followed,  forming  a  line  about  the 
village,  the  flanks  resting  on  the  river.  The  wagons  were 
parked  on  the  north  side  of  the  river,  Gen.  Wood's  Division 
forming  as  a  guard  near  the  ground  where  the  NINETY-SIXTH 
had  encamped  for  several  weeks  in  the  spring  of  1863.  The 
crossing  of  the  river  was  a  difficult  matter,  but  enough  planks 
were  found  to  convert  the  railroad  bridge  into  a  wagon  bridge, 
and  also  to  construct  a  crossing  above. 

But  the  troops  in  rear  were  still  toiling  on,  with  the  Rebel 
rear-guard  closely  following.  Once  at  least,  a  little  north  of 
Thompson's  Station,  they  pressed  so  hard  that  the  NINETY- 
SIXTH  formed  in  line,  faced  to  the  rear,  and  showed  so  bold  a 
front  as  to  compel  them  to  halt  and  deploy  their  lines,  thus 
saving  valuable  time  to  the  retreating  forces.  The  soldiers  of 
either  army  shouted  in  defiant  tones  and  were  repeatedly  so 
near  as  to  be  readily  understood. 

Not  far  from  eleven  o'clock  in  the  forenoon  of  Monday, 
November  30,  the  Regiment  halted  beside  the  pike,  two 
miles  south  of  the  village,  and  prepared  a  hasty  breakfast  from 


1864]  FRANKLIN.  423 

the  well  nigh  empty  haversacks.  Before  all  had  succeeded  in 
boiling  coffee,  an  order  came  to  move  to  a  high  knob  some 
distance  west  of  the  road,  and  prepare  to  resist  the  enemy. 
In  a  moment  the  column  moved  for  its  position,  where  a 
grand  panorama  spread  out  before  them.  Approaching  a 
stone  wall  at  the  foot  of  the  ridge  were  the  skirmishers  of 
the  enemy,  in  so  close  range  that  a  musket  ball  fired  by  one 
of  them  buried  itself  in  the  shoulder  of  Sergeant  Effinger,  of 
Company  0,  inflicting  a  painful  and  dangerous  wound.  Far- 
ther out  to  right  and  left  the  long  columns  of  infantry  were 
rapidly  deploying,  ywith  squadrons  of  cavalry  on  either  liank, 
and  all  advancing  steadily  toward  the  ridge.  Beyond,  the 
covered  wagons  were  going  into  park  in  a  meadow  close  beside 
the  road.  Ambulances  and  artillery  followed  the  infantry,  and 
everything  indicated  that  a  battle  was  near  at  hand.  How- 
ever severely  historians  may  criticise  Gen.  Hood,  no  one  who 
witnessed  the  marshalling  of  that  vast  army  outside  of  Frank- 
lin can  fail  to  give  him  high  praise  for  the  skill  and  rapidity 
with  which  he  formed  his  lines  on  that  eventful  day. 

The  Regiment  hastily  threw  up  a  light  barricade  of  rails 
and  rocks  along  the  summit  of  the  ridge,  the  skirmishers 
responding  to  the  fire  of  the  enemy.  As  soon  as  the  lines  in 
the  rear,  just  at  the  outskirts  of  the  town,  were  well  formed, 
the  Regiment  was  ordered  to  retire  and  was  speedily  marching 
at  a  swinging  gait  along  the  old  familiar  pike,  past  its  picket 
and  reserve  posts  of  1863,  and  through  the  village  to  the  right 
of  the  line,  being  probably  the  last  command  to  pass  the  breast 
works  on  the  Columbia  pike.* 

*  Most  writers  give  to  Col.  Opdyke's  Brigade  the  credit  of  being  the  rear  guard  from 
Spring  Hill  to  Franklin,  and  the  last  troops  to  reach  the  village.  The  editor  finds  some 
conflict  of  testimony  among  the  records  at  command,  but  while  not  claiming  for  the 
NINETY-SIXTH  that  it  acted  as  rear-guard  the  entire  distance,  is  certain  that  it  did  a  part 
of  the  time.  It  was  left  in  its  position  in  the  cornfield  east  of  Spring  Hill  until  all  of  the 
wagons  were  in  line,  and  passed  the  range  of  hills  east  of  Thompson's  Station  after  day- 
light. The  battalion  of  the  40th  Ohio,  embracing  its  non-veterans  and  those  whose  terms 
of  service  had  not  expired,  and  also  the  45th  Ohio,  having  been  on  the  skirmish  line  at 
Rutherford's  Creek,  were  brought  back  by  Lieutenant  Earle,  Brigade  Inspector,  and  were 
among  the  last  troops  to  reach  Spring  Hill,  remaining  with  the  NINETY-SIXTH  for  a  time. 
On  the  ridge,  outside  of  Franklin,  the  NINETY-SIXTH  had  the  right  of  the  line  facing 
south,  and  from  there  in  was  certainly  the  rear-guard.  There  is  little  doubt  that  the  Reg- 
iment was  the  last  organized  command  to  pass  the  breastworks  near  the  Carter 
residence.  The  brigades  of  Lane  and  Conrad  were  constructing  the  works  from 


424  HISTORY  OF  THE  96rrn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

In  leaving  the  ridge,  Albert  Paddock,  of  Company  D,  who, 
tired  out  with  the  long  march,  had  thrown  himself  down 
beside  a  log  and  gone  to  sleep  where  the  Regiment  halted  to 
make  coffee,  was  not  missed,  but  slept  on  until  rudely  awak- 
ened by  the  Rebels  to  find  himself  a  prisoner  of  war. 

Arrived  at  the  right,  after  passing  through  the  village,  the 
Regiment  found  itself  crowded  out  of  the  front  line,  and  bivou- 
acked on  a  little  hill  near  the  cemetery  close  beside  the  river, 
and  not  far  from  the  ford.  Here  the  men  rested,  most  of 
them  cooking,  a  few  sleeping,  and  others  speculating  as  to  what 
the  coming  hours  would  bring. 

For  some  hours  before  the  Regiment  arrived,  the  troops 
of  the  Twenty-third  Corps  occupied  the  main  line  from 
the  river  on  the  left,  two-thirds  of  the  distance  around 
the  town,  crossing  the  Lewisburg  and  Columbia  pikes.  The 
First  Division  of  the  .Fourth  Corps  was  at  their  right,  com- 
pleting the  line  to  the  river  above,  and  nearly  all  on  ground 
favorable  for  defense. 

These  troops  had  lost  no  time  in  rendering  their  position 
defensible  by  the  construction  of  breastworks,  and  the  semi- 
circle, a  mile  and  a  half  in  length,  was  speedily  so  strong  as 
to  afford  protection  from  bullets.  In  the  construction  of  these 
works,  there  being  but  little  timber  accessible,  fences  of  every 
description  were  utilized  and  a  few  barns  and  abandoned 
houses  were  torn  down,  the  boards  being  used  as  a  barricade 
to  hold  the  earth  in  place,  while  the  sills  served  an  admirable 
purpose  as  head  logs.  Near  the  Columbia  pike  an  old  cotton 
press  was  torn  down  and  made  to  do  service.  A  locust  grove 
was  partially  cut  and  used  as  an  abatis  at  the  right  of  the  road, 
and  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Lewisburg  pike  an  osage  orange 

which  they  were  subsequently  driven  when  the  NINETY-SIXTH  passed.  A  brigade, 
which  the  editor  believes  to  have  been  Col.  Opdyke's,  was  bivouacked  near  the 
roadside  in  some  vacant  lots  a  short  distance  in  rear  of  the  works.  Before  its 
arrival  in  Franklin,  the  lines  were  formed  and  the  works  were  well  advanced,  most  of 
the  Division  having  been  there  several  hours.  The  battle  began  within  a  few  moments — 
from  a  half  hoar  to  an  hour— after  the  Regiment  reached  the  right.  Sergeant  Effinger 
declares  it  to  have  been  two  o'clock  when  he  was  wounded,  two  miles  outside  of  Frank- 
lin, but  letters  and  diaries  say:  "About  noon."  Sergeant  Berg's  diary,  written  at  the 
time,  says:  "We  arrived  at  Franklin  about  2  p.  M.  Sergeant  Effinger,  of  Company  C, 
was  wounded  severely  at  noon.  Our  Division  covered  the  retreat  of  the  Army  all  day." 


1864]  FRANKLIN.  425 

hedge  was  lopped  and  converted  into  an  effectual  protection 
against  the  charging  columns. 

On  the  right  and  in  the  immediate  front  of  the  posi- 
tion held  by  the  First  Division  of  the  Fourth  Corps  were 
a  few  houses,  with  lawns  and  gardens  enclosed,  and  farms 
stretching  out  beyond.  In  rear  and  near  the  extreme  right  of 
the  line  was  a  deep  ford,  through  which  many  citizens  made 
their  way  as  the  day  wore  on.  In  rear  of  the  extreme  left  of 
the  line,  upon  the  north  bank  of  the  Harpeth,  stood  Fort 
Granger,  on  which  the  men  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  had  spent  so 
many  days  of  hard  labor  in  the  spring  of  1863.  It  was  now 
well  filled  with  artillery,  and  commanded  the  open  plain 
between  the  Lewisburg  and  Columbia  pikes.  Gen.  Sehofield 
was  in  the  fort  awaiting  the  movements  of  the  enemy.  The 
rank  and  file  of  the  Army  expected  a  battle,  but  the  Com- 
mander and  many  of  his  subordinates  apparently  thought  that 
there  would  be  a  repetition  of  the  tactics  pursued  at  other 
points,  the  enemy,  after  a  strong  demonstration  in  front, 
seeking  to  gain  the  rear  of  the  line  by  fording  the  river 
east  of  town  and  making  a  race  for  Nashville.  With  this 
•expectation  Gen.  Wilson's  cavalry  was  sent  to  the  north 
side  of  the  Harpeth  and  pushed  well  to  the  front,  the  teams 
were  massed  to  await  the  coming  of  night  and  the  Third  Divi- 
sion of  the  Fourth  Corps  was  held  near  Fort  Granger,  in  read- 
iness to  move  to  support  the  cavalry  and  protect  the  train. 
The  troops  were  ordered  to  be  ready  to  march  at  six  o'clock. 

It  proved  that  the  men  in  the  ranks  were  right,  and  that  a 
bloody  battle  was  impending.  For  a  little  time  there  was 
•quiet  along  the  lines,  and  the  air  seemed  humid  with  the  great 
agony  and  sorrow  now  so  near.  During  the  early  afternoon 
the  enemy  swarmed  across  the  hills  from  which  the  NINETY- 
SIXTH  had  retired  after  the  inner  lines  had  been  formed,  and  at 
four  o'clock  attained  the  position  from  which  a  most  desperate 
assault  was  to  be  made. 

It  was  a  splendid  spectacle  as  their  lines  of  infantry,  a  mile 
In  length,  came  out  from  the  timber  which  had  partially  con- 
cealed them,  and  swept  across  the  open  plain  in  full  view  of 
the  Union  forces.  More  than  twenty  thousand  of  the  enemy 


426  HISTORY  OF  THE  96™  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

could  be  seen  at  one  time  by  the  troops  upon  the  higher 
ground.  Slowly  at  first,  and  then  more  rapidly,  they  swept 
forward,  at  length  breaking  into  a  run  and  rushing  toward  the 
Union  lines  in  a  broad  torrent  that  it  seemed  could  not  prove 
otherwise  than  irresistible. 

By  some  strangely  interpreted  order  two  Brigades  of  the 
Second  Division  of  the  Fourth  Corps  had  been  left  outside 
the  continuous  line  about  the  village,  across  the  field  from  the 
Carter  residence,  one  at  the  right,  the  other  at  the  left  of  the 
Columbia  pike.  They  had  built  a  light  breastwork  but  both 
flanks  were  in  air.  As  the  long  line  came  sweeping  toward 
them  they  poured  a  volley  into  the  troops  in  their  front,  check- 
ing them  for  a  moment.  But  the  enemy  was  passing  them  on 
either  flank  and  their  only  safety  lay  in  flight.  Several  hun- 
dred surrendered  at  this  point.  The  others  ran  to  the  rear, 
those  not  killed  or  wounded  in  the  movement  falling  breath- 
less on  the  outside  of  the  works  or,  leaping  over  the  line, 
turning  and  joining  in  the  attempt  to  hold  in  check  the  oncom- 
ing foe.  In  this  wild  race  the  Blue  and  the  Grey  were  so 
mingled  that  for  a  time  the  troops  in  the  main  line  feared  to- 
fire  lest  they  should  kill  or  wound  their  friends.  At  the  pike 
the  advance  of  the  enemy  reached  and  crossed  the  works  sim- 
ultaneously with  the  fugitives,  and  the  line  was  borne  back- 
ward, the  breastworks  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy  for 
a  distance  of  three  hundred  yards.  But  if  the  leaving 
of  Lane's  and  Conrad's  Brigades  in  front  had  been  a  great 
misfortune,  it  happened  that  Col.  Opdyke's  Brigade  of  the 
same  Division  had  been  most  fortunately  placed  in  some 
vacant  lots  a  hundred  yards  in  rear  of  the  works,  and  were 
quickly  hurried  to  the  front  under  the  personal  leadership  of 
Col.  Opdyke  and  of  the  Corps  Commander,  General  Stanley, 
who  remained  with  them  even  after  being  severely  wounded 
in  the  neck  and  shoulder.  These  troops  charged  gallantly  for- 
ward and  retook  a  portion  of  the  works,  battering  the  edge  of 
the  entering  wedge  that  had  come  so  near  hopelessly  severing 
the  Union  line,  and  holding  in  check  the  Rebel  columns  as- 
they  sought,  again  and  again,  to  take  advantage  of  the  slight 
break  and  compel  the  Union  forces  to  retreat. 


1864]  FRANKLIN.  427 

The  main  body  of  Rebels  retired  after  a  vain  struggle  to 
maintain  their  advantage,  but  a  few  still  clung  to  the  breast- 
works at  the  right  of  the  pike  with  a  tenacity  that  bespoke 
their  desperate  valor.  Soon  the  columns  formed  again  and 
moved  in  another  charge  upon  tlfe  works.  There  were  a  few 
pattering  shots,  and  the  artillery  upon  the  line  and  in  Fort 
Granger  opened  upon  the  level  plain.  A  volley  was  heard, 
and  then  the  deafening  and  continuous  roar  as  thousands  of 
muskets  belched  forth  their  deadly  fire.  The  moments  length- 
ened, and  the  smoke  hung  suspended  in  the  quivering  Autumn 
air  as  if  to  shut  out  the  dreadful  carnage.  Rebel  officers  rode 
to  the  very  breastworks,  seeking  to  inspire  their  men  with  the 
idea  expressed  by  Gen.  Hood  before  the  charge  began: 
"Break  that  line  and  there  is  nothing  between  you  and  the 
Ohio  river."  But  even  such  reckless  valor  could  not  avail. 
The  leaders  went  down  until  twelve  Generals  had  been  killed 
or  wounded,  and  one,  who  rode  straight  across  the  works,  had 
been  captured.  One  of  the  officers  mortally  wounded  was 
Brigadier  General  Carter,  whose  father  owned  the  brick  house 
just  in  rear  of  the  works.  He  fell  close  to  the  works,  and  upon 
the  very  farm  where  he  had  spent  the  early  years  of  his  life. 
Gen.  Clebourne  was  killed  near  the  cotton  press  and  almost 
upon  the  Union  works.  The  firing  slackened  and  a  cheer 
arose,  which  was  taken  up  and  carried  around  the  lines. 
Darkness  was  now  settling  down  upon  the  scene,  but  the  enemy 
still  pressed  upon  the  Union  lines,  seeking  to  penetrate  with 
hundreds  where  thousands  had  failed.  Acres  of  the  level 
field,  at  the  right  and  left  of  the  Columbia  pike,  were  almost 
covered  with  the  dead  and  dying.  The  muskets,  so  fouled 
that  it  was  almost  impossible  to  load  them,  belched  out  their 
red  fire  long  after  darkness  came.  A  hundred  wagon  loads 
of  ammunition  were  expended  during  that  single  afternoon 
and  evening. 

The  position  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  at  the  opening  of  the 
battle,  has  already  been  described.  A  few  moments  pre- 
viously a  staff  officer  had  called  for  a  detail  to  take  the  skirmish 
line.  Thirty  men  were  furnished,  and  reporting  near  the  right 
of  the  line  were  counted  off  and  deployed.  Thomas  Craig,  of 


428  HISTORY  or  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  1. 

Company  I,  was  among  the  number,  and  chancing  to  be  in 
the  file  with  some  men  from  another  regiment,  went  forward 
through  a  door-yard  and  past  a  group  of  cedars  where  were 
•clustered  a  few  of  the  enemy's  dismounted  cavalry.  He  had 
not  been  absent  from  the  line  five  minutes  before  he  was  told 
to  lay  down  his  gun,  and  finding  himself  completely  at  the 
mercy  of  the  Rebels  he,  with  a  few  others,  surrendered  and 
was  hurried  off  across  the  field.  Craig  had  been  with  the 
Regiment  but  a  month,  having  come  to  it  as  a  recruit  at  Chat- 
tanooga, after  a  three  years'  service  with  the  19th  Illinois. 

Edwin  Potter,  of  Company  B,  shot  a  Rebel  from  his  horse 
in  front  of  the  skirmish  line.  The  horse  kept  right  on  and 
was  secured  by  the  Union  forces.  After  dark  the  skirmishers 
were  repeatedly  fired  on  by  the  pickets  of  the  Third  Division, 
from  across  the  river. 

Simultaneously  with  the  opening  of  the  battle  on  the  left 
a  vigorous  demonstration  was  made  upon  the  right,  in  front 
of  the  First  Division,  by  a  body  of  dismounted  cavalry.  The 
NusjETY-SiXTH  instantly  fell  in  and  moved  through  a  depres- 
sion, and  up  to  the  spot  toward  which  the  attack  was  appar- 
ently to  be  directed.  The  bullets  flew  thick  and  fast,  and 
John  H.  Holden,  of  Company  A,  was  wounded  in  the  head, 
quite  seriously  but  not  so  badly  but  that  he  insisted  on  remain- 
ing with  the  command.  The  Regiment  was  halted  in  reserve, 
just  back  of  the  main  line,  near  the  left  of  the  Brigade,  until 
about  twelve  o'clock,  being  called  up  once  or  twice  with  the 
expectation  of  going  to  the  left,  the  movement  never  becom- 
ing necessary,  however.  The  fire  of  the  Rebel  left  was  annoy- 
ing at  times,  but  did  not  prove  especially  severe.  Occasion- 
ally overshot  bullets  from  the  neighborhood  of  the  Carter 
residence,  nearly  a  mile  distant,  and  others  from  near  the 
Carter's  Creek  pike,  struck  uncomfortably  near,  and  it  was  a 
continual  wonder  that  casualties  were  not  more  numerous. 

When  the  first  charge  occurred  the  view  from  the  elevated 
position  of  the  cemetery  was  a  grand  one.  Looking  across  the 
village  the  field  was  in  plain  sight  and  the  long  lines  of  Rebels 
could  be  distinctly  seen  as  they  emerged  from  the  woods  and 
pressed  back  the  brigades  occupying  the  advanced  position.  A 


1864]  FRANKLIN.  429 

volley  came,  bul  before  the  sounds  reached  the  ear  the  smoke 
obscured  the  view.  Then  the  cloud  lifted  and  the  lines  could 
be  seen,  partially  disorganized  but  rapidly  pressing  forward 
with  a  wild  yell.  Other  volleys  followed,  and  then  the  con- 
stant, deafening  roar,  increasing  in  volume  until  it  reached 
proportions  such  as  are  seldom  attained  in  any  battle.  The 
smoke  now  totally  obscured  the  scene,  and  for  a  time  it  was 
doubtful  which  side  had  won,  but  soon  there  arose  the  unmis- 
takable Union  cheer  which,  sweeping  around  the  lines,  wa& 
caught  up  by  brigade  after  brigade  until  every  man  seemed 
to  be  participating. 

A  crowd  of  fugitives,  mainly  citizens,  white  and  black, 
ran  back  from  the  town  when  the  battle  opened,  many  cross- 
ing the  ford  near  the  cemetery.  Among  the  number  were  two 
gentlemen,  in  a  buggy,  with  a  little  girl  between  them.  They 
had  reached  the  middle  of  the  stream  when  a  dull,  sick- 
ening thud  was  heard  and  the  innocent  child  sunk  down, 
doubtless  killed  outright.  Apparently  the  bullet  which  struck 
her  came  from  where  the  main  charge  was  taking  place,  al- 
most a  mile  away.  Other  casualties  occurred  momentarily, 
but  none  seemed  so  terrible  as  the  one  by  which  that  little 
child  was  struck  down. 

The  charges  made  after  dark  were  with  less  vigor  than 
those  which  at  first  proved  so  nearly  fatal  to  the  Union  forces, 
and  by  nine  o'clock  there  was  comparative  quiet  along  the 
line,  although  the  firing  was  continued  at  intervals  until 
eleven  o'clock.  Most  of  the  wounded  Federals  were  placed 
in  ambulances  or  in  the  empty  ammunition  wagons,  but  a  few 
had  to  be  left,  some  in  houses,  and  others  where  they  had 
fallen. 

The  scene  in  front  of  the  works,  where  the  main  fighting 
occurred,  beggars  description.  Wounded  men  begged  for 
water  or  assistance,  and  in  many  instances  their  wants  were 
supplied,  brave  men,  at  great  peril,  going  between  the  lines 
with  canteens  of  the  fluid  always  so  precious  at  such  times. 

Shortly  after  nine  o'clock,  orders  were  issued  to  leave  the 
lines  at  midnight.  Long  before  this  the  trains  had  been 
started  for  Nashville.  The  flanks  were  first  retired,  and  after 


430  HISTORY  OF  THE  96™  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

that  the  centre.  A  building  was  set  on  fire  and  threatened 
to  so  light  up  the  town  as  to  make  the  movement  visible  to 
the  watchful  enemy,  but  an  old  fire  engine  was  found  and  the 
flames  were  soon  extinguished.  Both  of  the  bridges  were 
piled  with  kindling  early  in  the  evening  and  made  ready  for 
burning.  Little  time  was  occupied  in  the  movement  to  the 
north  side  of  the  river,  the  skirmishers  in  front  retiring 
to  the  breastworks  as  soon  as  they  were  vacated,  and  in  a  few 
moments  moving  silently  across  the  bridges.  The  NINETY 
SIXTH,  with  the  other  troops  comprising  the  First  Division, 
crossed  by  the  wagon  bridge.  Most  of  the  Twenty-third 
Corps  passed  over  on  the  railroad  bridge.  Even  before 
the  last  of  the  skirmishers  were  across,  the  bridges  were  set 
on  fire.  The  Rebels  were  not  long  in  discovering  the  move- 
ment, and  hurr\ed  through  the  town,  but  attained  no  advant- 
age, as  the  Third  Division  still  defended  the  crossings  and 
gave  them  a  noisy  reception.  Two  hundred  Federal  wounded 
were  left  in  the  village. 

The  retreat  from  Franklin  to  Nashville,  a  distance  of 
eighteen  miles,  was  a  most  tedious  march.  It  should  be 
remembered  that  for  a  full  week  the  troops  had  been  almost 
constantly  on  the  road,  or  building  breastworks  and  fight- 
ing. For  a  night  or  two  at  Columbia  there  was  some  brief 
opportunity  for  sleeping,  but  very  little  afterward.  All  were 
thoroughly  tired  out  and  greatly  in  need  of  rest.  But  there 
was  no  alternative,  and  wearily  the  long  column  moved  for- 
ward along  the  only  pike  leading  northward.  The  usual  vex- 
atious delays  occurred,  an  unbridged  stream  being  the  prin- 
cipal cause.  This  was  some  distance  out,  and  as  every  team 
had  to  be  whipped  into  it,  the  column  was  continually  stop- 
ping and  starting.  Knowing  that  if  an  attack  was  made  it 
would  be  from  the  east,  the  battalions  marched  left  in  front. 
These  annoying  delays  occurred  frequently  for  two  or  three 
hours,  and  so  exhausted  were  the  men  that  at  each  brief  halt 
nearly  all  would  drop  down  in  the  road  and  instantly  fall 
asleep.  A  whispered,  "  Fall  in,  boys  !  "  would  as  quickly 
rouse  them,  and,  more  asleep  than  awake,  they  staggered 
rather  than  marched  forward.  Indeed,  many  of  them  slept 


1864]  THE  RETREAT  FROM  FRANKLIN.  431 

soundly  as  they  walked  along,  and  at  each  halt  would  bunt 
against  the  man  next  ahead  of  them.  Field  and  staff  officers 
slept  for  miles  in  their  saddles,  and  even  the  horses  staggered 
as  they  walked  along. 

Stragglers  were  numerous,  many  being  so  tired  and  lame 
that  they  could  not  walk.  Some  of  them  lay  in  the  fence  cor- 
ners, sound  asleep.  On  one  occasion,  toward  morning, 
occurred  a  halt  somewhat  longer  than  usual  and  several  of 
these  sleepers  were  awakened,  partly  for  sport.  One  of  them 
could  not  be  aroused,  so  soundly  was  he  sleeping,  and  mem- 
bers of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  actually  picked  him  up,  lifted  him 
over  the  fence  and  placed  him  on  the  ground  again  without 
awakening  him.  The  rear-guard  must  have  had  many  trying 
experiences  in  forcing  the  multitude  of  worn  out  men  to  fall 
in  and  move  forward.  Captains  Pollock  and  Blowney  became 
so  exhausted  that  they  determined  to  sit  still  for  a  five-min- 
utes' rest  after  the  column  moved  on,  and  speedily  fell  asleep, 
to  be  awakened  only  when  the  rear  guard  shook  them  and 
ordered  them  to  move  on. 

Daylight  came  at  last  and  a  little  later  all  halted  at  Brent- 
wood,  when  the  inevitable  coffee  pot  was  brought  out  and 
breakfast  prepared.  Then  the  troops  again  took  the  road, 
marching  leisurely  and  reaching  the  outskirts  of  the  city 
about  noon. 

It  was  a  thoroughly  tired  out  lot  of  men  that  reached  Nash- 
ville that  Thursday.  But  it  was  a  relief  to  know  that  the 
Rebels  had  not  followed  closely,  having  so  many  dead  to  bury 
and  so  many  wounded  to  care  for  that  the  day  was  consumed 
at  Franklin.  Most  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  busied  themselves 
with  cooking,  some  rested  and  slept  and  others  cared  for  their 
lacerated  feet.  Major  Hicks  and  Adjutant  Blodgett  rode  to 
town  and  all  were  hoping  for  a  good  night's  rest  when  a  staff 
officer  rode  up  and  announced  that  the  Regiment  must  go 
upon  the  skirmish  line  and  picket  the  front  of  the  Brigade. 
Captain  Pollock  took  command  and  marched  the  tired  men 
out  a  few  hundred  yards,  established  as  few  picket  posts  as 
was  deemed  safe,  and  began  to  fortify  a  line  on  either  side  of 
the  pike.  The  Major  and  Adjutant  soon  returned  and  joined 


4:32  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

the  command.  That  night  on  picket  was  a  trying  one  and 
only  by  constant  vigilance  on  the  part  of  a  few  could  the  men 
be  kept  awake.  Relief  guards  were  sent  out  with  more  than 
ordinary  frequency  and  would  even  then  find  the  pickets 
sleeping. 

The  forenoon  of  Friday,  December  2,  passed,  and  no  relief 
having  been  offered,  the  Major  sent  word  that  his  men  must 
be  taken  from  the  line  and  given  an  opportunity  for  rest. 
The  message  served  its  purpose,  and  the  Regiment  soon 
marched  back  to  the  main  line,  where  the  men  threw  them- 
selves down  and  in  a  moment  were  asleep.  The  afternoon 
was  wearing  away,  when  of  a  sudden  firing  began  directly 
in  the  front.  There  was  an  immediate  commotion  all  along 
the  line,  for  it  was  evident  that  the  Rebels  had  moved  up  from 
Franklin.  Officers  and  men  questioned  whether  Gen.  Hood 
would  repeat  his  tactics  of  two  days  before  and  assault  the 
line  of  works  which  the  Union  army  had  thrown  up  about  the 
city. 

"Where's  the  NINETY-SIXTH?"  shouted  Gen.  Whittaker, 
as  he  dashed  along  the  line  a  moment  later.  "  Here  it  is  !  " 
responded  Major  Hicks,  as,  hatless  and  coatless,  he  raised  up 
and  threw  off  the  blanket  under  which  he  had  been  sleeping. 
"Fall  in  your  Regiment  and  move  to  the  skirmish  line 
immediately  !  "  was  the  order.  "  But,"  protested  the  Major, 
"  we  have  just  come  from  the  skirmish  line  and  my  men  need 
sleep!"  "There  will  be  no  sleep  for  anyone  to-night," 
shouted  the  General.  "Take  your  men  out  there  at  once  t 
The  whole  Rebel  army  is  there,  and  i  must  send  the  best 
Regiment  in  the  Brigade  ! "  The  Major  knew  that  further 
protest  was  useless,  and  accepting  the  implied  compliment, 
prepared  as  speedily  as  possible,  and  moved  the  men  over 
the  breastworks  and  out  to  the  front,  taking  position  at  the 
right  of  the  pike,  about  in  line  with  the  skirmish  reserves. 
A  new  line  of  works  was  at  once  constructed,  the  Rebels 
meantime  keeping  up  a  skirmish  fire,  and  pressing  forward 
until  seemingly  satisfied  that  the  Yankees  would  not  retreat  far- 
ther unless  compelled  to  do  so.  .  Their  lines  were  soon  formed, 
extending  far  around  to  right  and  left,  but  they  made  no 


MAJP   OF  THEI 

Battlefield  of  Franklin,  Tenn, 


NOVEMBER  30th,  1864. 


• 

Sarriian  *Z 


1864]  ARRIVAL  AT  NASHVILLE.  433 

charge.  The  Regiment  lay  behind  its  barricade  that  night, 
every  man  with  his  musket  clutched,  but  all  sleeping  soundly, 
except  that  a  single  guard  was  stationed,  hourly,  to  wake  the 
officers  should  there  be  an  alarm  from  the  pickets. 

The  night  passed  quietly,  however,  and  the  next  day  the 
Regiment  was  relieved  and  sent  to  the  main  line.  The  works 
having  been  filled  while  the  command  was  absent,  there 
seemed  to  be  no  place  for  it,  and  Gen.  Whittaker  directed,  as 
a  special  favor,  that  it  be  camped  in  the  beautiful  grounds  of 
the  Acklin  place,  partially  out  of  range  of  the  picket  firing, 
and,  in  view  of  its  arduous  services  and  its  two  nights  on  out- 
post duty,  that  no  pickets  should  be  called  for  from  its  ranks 
until  further  orders.  Here,  on  the  night  of  December  2,  for 
the  first  time  in  nine  successive  days,  the  men  felt  at  liberty 
to  remove  their  accoutrements,  build  good  camp  fires,  and  take 
oft  such  of  their  clothing  as  December  weather  and  an  out- 
door camp  would  permit. 

The  battle  of  Franklin  was  of  decided  advantage  to  the 
Union  forces.  Gen.  Hoo^WMktT  ftjfo^^t  •$]$&  than  three- 
fourths  of  his  entire  army  into  action,  and  after  assaults  as 
desperate  and  determined  as  any  of  the  war,  had  been  re- 
pulsed with  frightful  loss.  A  thousand  prisoners  and  the  few 
flags  captured  from  Lane's  and  Conrad's  Brigades  were 
meager  compensation  for  the  loss  of  thirteen  general  officers, 
thirty  stands  of  colors,  1,750  men  killed,  4,000  wounded  and 
700  captured.  The  Union  losses,  mainly  in  the  Second  Divis- 
ion of  the  Fourth  Corps,  were  reported  at  189  killed,  1,033 
wounded  and  1,104  missing.  The  Union  Army  had  gained 
confidence,  while  the  Confederates,  appalled  at  their  unex- 
pected repulse  and  their  almost  unprecedented  losses,  were 
much  dispirited,  and  approached  Nashville  with  far  less  con- 
fidence than  that  felt  as  they  n eared  Franklin. 

Perhaps  this  chapter  cannot  be  better  closed  than  by  the 
following  extract  from  the  official  report  of  Gen.  Stanley.  In 
speaking  of  the  breaking  of  the  Union  line  on  the  Columbia 
pike,  and  the  gallant  charge  of  Col.  Opdyke's  Brigade,  by 
which  they  were  restored,  he  says  :  "  The  moment  was  critical 
beyond  any  I  have  known  in  any  battle." 
38 


434  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

In  describing  the  march  from  Franklin  to  Nashville,  he 
says  : 

"Our  men  were  more  exhausted,  physically,  than  I  have  ever  seen 
on  any  other  occasion.  From  November  23,  when  we  left  Pulaski,  until 
arriving  at  Nashville,  we  had  been  constantly  in  the  immediate  presence 
of  an  enemy  we  knew  to  be  vastly  superior  to  us  in  numbers,  closely 
watching  to  attack  us  at  disadvantage.  With  us,  both  mind  and  body 
were  kept  at  full  stretch,  and  it  was  only  by  night  marches  and  the  con- 
stant use  of  intrenchments  that  we  could  hope  to  save  ourselves.  Many 
of  our  men  were  overtaxed  and  broke  down,  unable  to  travel  any  longer. 
They  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  On  two  occasions  the  enemy 
was  very  near  attaining  the  advantage  he  sought  of  us.  The  first  was 
when  Cox  drove  back  his  advance,  just  about  entering  Columbia.  The 
second  and  greatest  escape  for  us  was  at  Spring  Hill,  when,  with  a  whole 
corps  in  line  of  battle,  the  left  of  the  line  within  six  hundred  yards  of 
the  road,  they  allowed  all  our  army,  except  Wagner's  Division,  which 
had  fought  them  during  the  day,  to  pass  them  with  impunity  during  the 
night." 


1864]  NASHVILLE.  435 


CHAPTER  XXV. 


The  Siege  of  Nashville  —  Reinforcements  Arrive  —  Recruits  Received  — 
Citizens  Building  Breastworks —  The  Country  Anxious  —  Reason  of 
the  Delay —  An  Ice  Storm  — The  Weather  Grows  Milder  — The  Bat- 
tle Begins — First  Day's  Work  —  Important  Gains  —  Night  on  the 
Battlefield  —  The  Second  Day's  Battle  —  A  Charge  on  the  Skirmish 
Line  —  Long  Hours  Under  Fire  —  A  Gallant  Charge  —  Four  Guns  and 
Many  Prisoners  Taken  —  A  Glorious  Victory  —  Incidents  of  the  Bat- 
tle —  The  Gains  and  the  Losses  —  The  Casualty  List. 

THE  position  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  during  the  siege  of 
Nashville  —  if  siege  it  could  be  called  —  was  a  fairly  comfort- 
able one.  The  camp  was  pleasant,  the  guard  duty  light, 
and  the  position  but  little  exposed  to  the  enemy's  fire. 
Rations  were  ample,  and  included  many  sanitary  supplies  sent 
from  the  North.  Clothing  was  issued  in  abundance,  and  a 
few  passes  were  given  out  daily,  so  that  in  time  all  who  cared 
to  do  so  were  permitted  to  visit  the  city. 

Gen.  Thomas,  having  assumed  the  immediate  command 
of  the  army,  Gen.  Schofield  returned  to  the  Twenty-third 
Corps.  Gen.  Stanley  relinquished  the  command  of  the  Fourth 
Corps,  owing  to  the  wound  received  at  Franklin,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Gen.  Wood,  commander  of  the  Third  Division. 
The  115th  Illinois,  which  had  been  doing  garrison  duty  at 
Resaca  and  points  near  by,  from  the  time  of  the  battle  at  that 
place,  rejoined  the  Brigade.  The  remaining  six  companies  of 
the  40th  Ohio,  having  completed  their  term  of  enlistment, 
were  mustered  out  and  left  for  home,  their  veterans  and 
recruits  being  assigned  to  the  51st  Ohio.  A  few  other  regi- 
ments whose  terms  of  service  had  expired  were  sent  north- 
ward, but  there  was  not  a  large  number  of  such,  and,  on  the 
whole,  the  army  at  Nashville  was  very  largely  reinforced. 
Simultaneously  with  the  arrival  of  the  Fourth  and  Twenty- 
third  Corps  from  the  front,  Gen.  A.  J.  Smith  came  by  river 
from  the  rear  with  three  divisions  of  the  Sixteenth  Corps, 
and  other  detached  troops.  A  considerable  number  of  cav- 


436  HISTORY  OF  THE  96rrn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  1. 

airy  regiments  also  arrived,  not  all  of  them  being  moimtedr 
however.  Men  from  almost  every  regiment  then  with  Gen- 
Sherman  were  sent  from  the  various  camps  and  hospitals,  and 
with  the  recruits  and  detailed  men,  organized  into  a  "Provis- 
ional Division,"  which  was  placed  under  command  of  Gen. 
J.  B.  Steedman.  Sergeants  were  given  command  of  the 
improvised  companies,  and  line  officers  of  the  battalions  thus 
formed.  Several  colored  regiments  also  came  up  and  took 
their  place  in  the  line.  By  December  10  the  army  under 
Gen.  Thomas  comprised  about  fifty-five  thousand  effective 
men  of  all  arms. 

Eighty-six  recruits  joined  the  NINETY-SIXTH  on  the  10th, 
most  of  them  coming  from  Jo  Daviess  county,  and  being  en- 
listed for  one  year.  There  was  great  anxiety  in  Galena  and 
vicinity  for  a  few  days,  owing  to  a  report  that  all  of  these 
newly  enlisted  men  had  been  captured  between  Louisville  and 
Nashville,  a  report  that  happily  proved  untrue.  The  recruits 
were  an  excellent  body  of  men,  most  of  them  being  young, 
and  all  of  them  taking  hold  of  their  army  duties  with  enthu- 
siasm. Almost  one  third  of  them  had  brothers  in  the  com- 
mand, and  nearly  all  acquaintances  or  near  friends.  A  num- 
ber of  men  who  had  been  in  hospital  or  on  detached  service 
came  up,  and  the  Regiment  had  four  hundred  men  present 
for  duty  when  the  advance  from  Nashville  finally  took  place,. 
—  a  larger  number  than  at  any  time  for  seven  months. 
Among  the  recruits  were  Allen  B.  Whitney,  formerly  Cap- 
tain of  Company  B  ;  and  Reuben  L.  Root,  formerly  Second 
Lieutenant  of  Company  H  ;  both  of  whom  were  now  enlisted 
as  privates. 

A  large  ."number  of  recruits  for  the  45th  Illinois  came  to 
the  camp  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  their  regiment  being  with 
Gen.  Sherman.  Having  many  acquaintances,  they  obtained 
permission  to  remain  with  the  Regiment  for  two  or  three 
days,  but  were  then  attached  to  Gen.  Steedman's  command. 

Gen.  Hood  completed  the  formation  of  his  lines  Decem- 
ber 3,  and  made  occasional  demonstrations  on  the  front,  but 
almost  immediately  sent  a  portion  of  his  cavalry  with  a  few 
regiments  of  infantry  to  operate  against  Murfreesboro  and 


1864]  NASHVILLE.  437 

points  in  that  vicinity.    These  detached  Kebel  forces  met  with 
heavy  losses  without  achieving  any  marked  results. 

Many  citizens  from  Nashville  came  out  to  visit  the  army 
and  look  over  the  lines,  but  none  cared  to  repeat  the  visit,  as 
all  were  put  at  work  in  the  intrenchments  ;  the  officers  argu- 
ing that  of  all  persons  in  the  world  those  resident  in  Nashville 
•were  interested  in  its  defense,  and  ought  to  be  willing  to  at 
least  use  so  harmless  an  implement  as  a  shovel.  Some  took 
the  order  good  naturedly,  while  others  complained,  but  there 
was  no  appeal,  and  all  had  to  work  for  at  least  a  few  hours. 

The  weather,  which  was  rainy  during  the  early  days  of 
the  month,  turned  extremely  cold  on  the  8th,  causing  much 
discomfort.  The  men  were  fairly  provided  for  in  the  way  of 
blankets,  and  took  what  comfort  they  could  out  of  the  thought 
•that  the  Rebels  were  not  as  well  protected  as  they.  Fuel 
soon  became  scarce  in  the  camp,  and  rigid  economy  was 
necessary  in  its  use.  On  one  of  the  coldest  days  a  loud  cheer 
was  heard  in  the  Rebel  lines,  and  the  men  sprang  up  in 
anticipation  of  an  assault.  A  moment  later  a  dog,  with  a  tin 
pan  attached  to  his  tail,  was  seen  coming  with  great  speed 
toward  the  Federal  lines,  and  then  the  Yankees  cheered, 
while  the  frightened  animal  leaped  the  works  and  sped  on 
toward  Nashville. 

Thursday,  December  8,  the  Regiment  was  called  in  line 
and  prepared  to  move  to  the  front,  the  enemy  having  driven 
in  the  pickets  on  the  left,  but  the  skirmish  pits  were  speedily 
retaken  without  any  assistance  from  this  command.  Once  or 
twice  afterward  there  were  'alarms,  which  kept  the  men  in 
line  for  a  time.  Colonel  Smith,  Captain  Hastings,  Captain 
Taylor,  and  other  wounded  officers,  visited  the  camp  repeat- 
edly, and  were  warmly  greeted.  Captain  Burnett  was  so  for- 
tunate as  to  secure  leave  of  absence  and  went  home  for  his 
first  visit.  Captain  Blowney  was  taken  seriously  ill,  and 
went  to  hospital,  where,  after  a  partial  recovery,  he  also 
obtained  a  leave  of  absence.  The  three  left  companies, — B, 
<or  and  K, — were  commanded  by  Sergeants  Wait,  Swanbrough 
and  Luke. 

During  the  two  weeks  in  which  he  confronted  Nashville, 


438  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  EEGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

Gen.  Hood  was  sparing  of  artillery  ammunition.  This  wasr 
no  doubt,  partially  due  to  the  fact  that  he  had  to  bring  it  so- 
far,  and  that  his  transportation  was  limited,  for  although  he 
had  repaired  the  railroad  from  Pulaski  to  Franklin,  he  had 
but  two  locomotives  and  a  very  few  cars  at  his  command, 
most  of  these  having  been  captured  at  Spring  Hill. 

The  country  became  exceedingly  anxious  over  matters  in 
Tennessee,  even  before  the  retreat  from  Franklin  ;  and  now, 
although  the  railroad  was  kept  open  from  Louisville  and  boats- 
were  arriving  frequently,  coming  up  the  Cumberland,  the 
public  generally  seemed  to  regard  Nashville  as  in  a  state  of 
siege,  and  to  anticipate  that  Gen.  Hood  would  flank  the 
forces  out,  and  compel  Gen.  Thomas  to  make  a  race  with  him 
for  the  Ohio  river.  Gen.  Grant  shared  in  this  anxiety,  and 
telegraphed  for  a  forward  movement  on  the  sixth  ;  and  as  his 
orders  were  not  obeyed,  intimated  that  he  should  direct  Gen. 
Schofield  to  take  command.  Subsequently  he  ordered  Gen. 
Logan  to  proceed  to  Nashville  and  take  charge  of  affairs  in 
the  Department,  and  that  officer  had  proceeded  as  far  as 
Louisville,  when  word  come  that  an  advance  had  been  made. 
While  Gen.  Logan  was  on  the  road,  Gen.  Grant  even  left  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  then  confronting  Petersburg,  and  had 
reached  Washington,  with  the  avowed  purpose  of  going  to- 
Nashville  and  taking  charge  in  person,  when  a  telegram  an- 
nounced the  exceedingly  satisfactory  result  of  the  first  day's 
battle. 

But  Gen.  Thomas  had  been  neither  idle  nor  indiiferent, 
and  felt  that  his  knowledge  of  affairs  in  the  Department  jus- 
tified his  delay.  Many  of  the  recruits  were  still  unarmed. 
A  large  number  of  horses  were  arriving  daily,  and  were 
greatly  needed  by  his  cavalry,  almost  one-half  of  whom  were 
still  dismounted.  The  newly  arrived  horses  had  to  be  shod, 
and  saddles  and  bridles  had  to  be  taken  from  the  depot  to  the 
camps.  Preparations  were  so  far  completed  that  an  advance 
was  promised  on  the  9th,  but  a  heavy  rain  storm,  turning  into 
sleet,  left  the  roads  and  fields  so  icy  that  neither  men  nor 
horses  could  keep  their  feet.  The  cold  continued  for  several 
days,  but  on  the  14th,  the  weather  having  moderated  and  the 


1864]  NASHVILLE.  439 

ice  disappeared,  orders  were  issued  to  move  the  following 
morning. 

Up  to  this  time  Gen.  A.  J.  Smith's  command  had  occu- 
pied the  right  of  the  line,  with  the  Fourth  and  Twenty-third 
Corps  and  Steedman's  Division  successively  on  its  left,  either 
flank  resting  on  the  Cumberland  River.  The  Rebel  line  was 
somewhat  shorter,  but  its  flanks  were  guarded  by  cavalry 
and  heavy  earthworks,  well  supplied  with  artillery,  and  com- 
manded the  country  to  the  river. 

Thursday,  December  15,  reveille  sounded  at  four  o'clock, 
and  before  daylight  the  Union  forces  were  moving  out  upon 
the  right.  The  plan  of  the  battle  was  a  grand  left  wheel, 
the  right  of  the  line  to  be  so  extended  as  to  overlap  the 
enemy's  left,  and  take  it  in  flank  and  rear.  The  Twenty- 
third  Corps  early  left  its  place  in  the  line  and  was  moved  to 
the  right,  detachments  from  Gen.  Steedman's  command  tak- 
ing its  place.  Under  cover  of  a  dense  fog  the  cavalry  moved 
out  upon  the  Harding  and  Hillsboro  pikes,  and  as  Gen. 
Smith  advanced,  extended  the  swinging  column.  The  Fourth 
Corps  moved  out  simultaneously  and  was  soon  engaged.  The 
First  Division  had  the  centre  of  the  Corps  and  was  in  double 
line, — the  first  deployed  and  the  second  in  column.  It  hap- 
pened that  for  the  day  the  NINETY-SIXTH  had  the  second  line. 

The  plan  of  the  battle  was  admirably  carried  out.  Gen. 
Steedman  made  a  strong  demonstration  on  the  left,  deceiving 
the  enemy  into  the  belief  that  the  main  attack  was  to  be 
made  at  that  point,  and  causing  him  to  weaken  his  left  and 
centre.  The  fog  served  as  an  admirable  shield,  and  when  it 
began  to  lift,  Gen.  Hood  was  surprised  to  find  great  masses 
of  soldiers  in  blue  lapping  his  left  and  breaking  across  his 
front  with  rapid  musketry  and  tumultuous  shouts.  The  cav- 
alry still  bore  to  the  right,  and  soon  made  way  for  the 
Twenty-third  Corps.  Meanwhile  the  First  Division,  marching 
forward  between  the  Hillsboro  and  the  Granny  White  pikes, 
pressed  the  enemy  back  to  his  main  line,  and  shortly  after 
was  shouting  and  charging  with  the  troops  on  the  right.  The 
NINETY-SIXTH  followed  on,  sometimes  under  heavy  fire  from 
both  musketry  and  artillery,  but  without  an  opportunity  to 


440  HISTORY  OF  THE  96rrn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  1. 

take  position  in  the  front  line  or  to  return  the  fire.  There  were 
protracted  halts,  the  men  hugging  the  ground  to  avoid  the 
ever-present  danger.  Occasionally  a  fine  opportunity  was 
offered  for  those  curiously  inclined  to  watch  the  maneuvering 
of  the  long  lines  of  battle  from  the  elevations  gained,  the 
country  being  comparatively  open. 

The  fog  being  dispelled,  all  could  see  that  the  Federals 
were  achieving  a  grand  success,  the  heavy  breastworks, 
although  guarded  by  formidable  abatis,  not  being  proof 
against  the  vigorous  assaults  of  the  resolute  and  confident 
soldiers.  In  front  of  the  First  Division  a  fortified  hill,  with 
artillery,  was  taken,  and  a  long  column  of  prisoners  filed  to  the 
rear.  The  same  scene  was  witnessed  at  other  points,  and  by 
night  the  enemy  had  been  forced  to  leave  its  original  line  and 
defend  a  new  position,  its  right  upon  Overton's  Hill,  its  left 
extending  to  some  elevations  known  as  the  Harpeth  Hills,  but 
with  heavy  skirmish  lines  still  in  their  front.  The  Hillsboro 
and  Granny  White  pikes  were  both  clear,  and  when  night 
closed  upon  the  scene,  and  the  brilliant  successes  of  the  day 
were  telegraphed  over  the  country,*  the  Federals  were 
noisy  and  exultant  in  their  extended  camps,  while  the  Con- 
federates, sullen  and  dispirited,  were  contracting  their  lines 
and  building  new  earthworks. 

All  night  the  pickets  could  hear  the  sounds  of  preparation 
in  their  front.  The  skirmishers  were  bold,  and  kept  up  a  vig- 
orous response  whenever  they  were  pressed.  Trees  were 
being  felled,  and  the  orders  shouted  to  the  moving  troops,  as 
they  massed  for  their  last  grand  stand,  could  be  plainly  heard. 
While  their  defeat  had  been  so  marked  the  day  before  as  to 
make  the  outcome  of  a  second  day's  battle  almost  certain  to 
be  a  victory  for  the  Union  forces,  yet  Gen.  Hood  seems  to 
have  conceived  the  idea  that  upon  the  shorter  and  stronger 
line  he  had  now  chosen  he  could  resist  all  direct  assaults, 

*  President  Lincoln  telegraphed  Gen.  Thomas  next  morning  :  "Please  accept  for 
yourself,  officers  and  men,  the  Nation's  thanks  for  your  work  of  yesterday.  You  made 
a  magnificent  beginning.  A  grand  consummation  is  within  your  easy  reach.  Do  not  let 
it  slip." 

Gen.  Grant  telegraphed  at  midnight:  "Your  dispatch  of  this  evening  just 
received.  I  congratulate  you  and  the  army  under  your  command  for  to-day's  operations, 
and  feel  a  conviction  that  to-morrow  will  add  more  fruits  to  your  victory." 


1864]  NASHVILLE.  441 

punish  the  Federals,  as  his  forces  had  been  punished  at 
Franklin,  and  then,  by  a  night  movement  to  the  left,  gain 
the  rear  of  the  Union  lines,  as  he  had  sought  to  do  at  Atlanta 
and  Peach  Tree  Creek. 

The  Federals  made  only  meagre  preparations  for  defense, 
confident  that  the  enemy  would  not  attack.  It  was  a  sight  to 
be  remembered  as  the  troops  lay  down  to  sleep  that  night, 
scattered  about  and  covering  every  level  spot.  Each  kept  on 
his  clothing  and  accoutrements,  ready  'at  the  order  to  fall  in 
for  work  of  any  kind.  None  doubted  that  there  would  be  a 
renewal  of  the  battle  on  the  morrow,  or  that  the  Regiment, 
'having  been  with  the  reserves  the  day  before,  would  lead  in 
the  advance  next  morning  ;  but  none  seemed  unhappy,  or  to 
delay  the  hour  of  retiring  to  indulge  in  gloomy  forebodings. 

Friday,  December  16.  Long  before  daylight  the  troops 
-were  ready  for  action,  and  the  grand  left-wheel  of  the  main 
army  was  resumed.  The  Brigade  to  which  the  NINETY-SIXTH 
was  attached,  maneuvered  for  a  time,  and  when  an  advance 
was  ordered  was  the  left  battalion  of  the  Brigade,  and  in  the 
front  line.  At  its  left,  separated  by  a  space  of  several  rods, 
was  the  Third  Brigade,  Col.  Grose  commanding.  But  little 
time  was  lost  in  preparation,  and  then  the  line  swept  forward, 
past  farm-buildings  and  through  fields  and  openings,  for  a  mile 
or  more,  the  Division  gradually  swinging  to  the  right,  until 
the  left  of  Grose's  Brigade  rested  upon  the  Franklin  pike. 
The  enemy's  batteries  had  begun  playing  long  ere  this,  and 
their  skirmish  fire  was  growing  uncomfortable,  when  the  lines 
halted  near  the  verge  of  some  timber,  and  lay  down  directly 
in  front  of  a  battery,  which  fired  rapidly  over  them.  Across 
the  open  field  in  front  could  be  seen  a  fringe  of  willows, 
marking  the  course  of  a  creek,  along  which  the  Rebel  skir- 
mishers had  taken  refuge  as  the  Union  lines  advanced,  and 
beyond  it  their  main  works  were  visible.  Soon  word  came 
to  cross  this  open  field  and  drive  the  skirmishers  still  farther 
back.  Leaving  the  cover  of  the  timber,  the  long  line  of  blue 
pushed  steadily  but  rapidly  across  a  gently  sloping  ploughed 
field  and  meadow,  the  NINETY-SIXTH  having  no  shelter  and 
no  support  upon  its  left.  How  wickedly  the  bullets  came 


442  HISTORY  OF  THE  96™  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

humming  across  the  field  !  Occasionally  a  man  raised  his; 
musket  and  fired,  as  a  peculiarly  tempting  offer  presented 
itself,  but  most  of  them  went  forward  with  their  Enfields  at  a 
right  shoulder  shift ;  at  first  silently,  and  then  with  a  rousing 
cheer.  There  was  no  hesitation  anywhere,  although  the 
skirmishers  on  the  left  were  soon  firing  almost  lengthwise  of 
the  line  and  at  short  range.  John  Washburn,  of  Company 
JB,  was  shot  through  the  body,  being  among  the  first  hit,  and 
with  a  single  exclamation  staggered  forward  a  few  steps  and 
fell  dead,  before  one  half  the  distance  across  the  field  had 
been  traversed.  Poor  fellow  !  With  a  presentiment  of  what 
was  to  come  he  had  handed  his  watch  and  pocketbook  to 
Nile  Wynkoop,  of  the  same  Company,  that  very  morning, 
and  requested  him  to  forward  it  to  his  wife  when  the  battle 
was  over.  His  comrades  laughed  at  his  fears,  but  could  not 
dissuade  him  from  his  purpose.  Bravely  he  went  forward 
and  met  a  soldier's  death.  His  brother,  Volney  Washburn, 
who  had  joined  the  command  as  a  recruit  but  a  few  days 
before,  went  back  with  a  comrade  and  bore  the  body  from  the 
field,  giving  it  such  burial  as  he  could. 

Sergeant  Swanbrough,  commanding  Company  G,  turned 
to  give  some  word  of  encouragement  to  his  men,  when  a  bul- 
let disabled  his  left  hand,  giving  him  a  wound  that  proved 
painful  and  compelled  him  to  go  almost  immediately  to  the 
rear.  Sergeant  Miller  at  once  ran  bravely  to  the  front  and 
assumed  command,  the  line  moving  forward  without  a  break. 
A  little  further  on,  Corporal  Hamilton,  of  Company  C,  who 
had  been  terribly  wounded  through  the  face  at  Chickamauga, 
was  struck  squarely  in  the  forehead  by  a  bullet,  and  fell  dead 
without  a  groan.  The  bullet  passed  entirely  through  his  head 
and  entered  the  shoulder  of  Sergeant  Vandervoort,  of  Com- 
pany H,  who  chanced  to  be  a  step  in  his  rear,  inflicting  a 
severe  wound.  Others  were  also  wounded  and  compelled 
to  go  to  the  rear.  As  the  creek  was  neared,  the  opposing 
line  gave  way,  running  back  to  another  depression,  and  thence 
to  some  fences  and  buildings,  where  they  secreted  themselves 
and  kept  up  a  most  annoying  fire. 

This  charge  was  made  about  nine  o'clock.     The  men  were 


1864]  NASHVILLE.  443 

ordered  to  halt  at  the  creek,  the  bank  affording  some  pro- 
tection, although  the  position  was  uncomfortable,  owing  to 
the  mud  and  water.  A  few  rods  in  front  of  the  stream,  and 
on  slightly  higher  ground,  was  a  rail  fence,  separating  the 
meadow  from  a  cornfield  in  which  the  stalks  were  still  stand- 
ing, and  to  this  fence  the  line  soon  made  its  way  and  began 
to  fortify.  Grose's  Brigade  moved  up  and  took  position, 
about  on  a  line  with  the  NINETY-SIXTH.  Here  the  troops  lay 
for  several  hours,  a  light  breastwork  being  soon  constructed. 
Looking  across  the  cornfield,  the  Rebel  breastworks  could  be 
plainly  seen,  the  flags  planted  upon  them  being  so  numerous 
as  to  indicate  a  heavy  line.  A  continuous  but  not  a  rapid 
fire  was  maintained.  Soon  there  was  a  wild  cheer,  and  a 
heavy  musketry  fire,  a  little  beyond  the  Franklin  pike,  oft 
to  the  left,  where,  as  it  proved,  a  brigade  of  colored  troops, 
who  had  driven  the  enemy  from  the  Nolensville  pike,  were 
assaulting  the  Rebel  intrenchments  at  Overton's  Hill.  This 
assault,  which  was  participated  in  by  the  Second  Division  of 
the  Fourth  Corps,  failed,  but  was  renewed  and  repeated  sev- 
eral times,  always  without  success.  In  these  charges,  Lieu- 
tenant Woodruff,  formerly  First  Sergeant  of  Company  I,  but 
who  had  been  commissioned  in  a  colored  regiment,  bravely 
met  his  death,  and  Captain  Collier,  formerly  First  Sergeant 
of  Company  D,  but  who  had  been  commissioned  in  the  same 
brigade  with  Woodruff,  was  wounded. 

Meanwhile  the  troops  on  the  right  had  driven  the  enemy 
from  several  strong  positions,  not  only  gaining  valuable 
ground,  but  making  numerous  captures  of  prisoners  and 
artillery. 

The  position  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  was  not  only  under  a 
severe  fire  from  the  front,  but  became  most  uncomfortable 
because  of  the  firing  of  a  battery  in  its  rear,  the  artillerists 
cutting  almost  every  fuse  so  short  as  to  cause  the  shells  to 
explode  long  before  reaching  the  Rebel  lines.  One  of  these 
shells  exploded  near  the  right  of  the  Regiment  and  wounded 
Sergeant  Sullivan,  of  Company  F,  so  severely  as  to  cause  his 
death  three  weeks  later.  To  add  to  the  discomfort,  a  cold 


444  HISTORY  OF  THE  96rrH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

rain   set  in,  making  the  ground  upon  which  the  men  were 
lying  extremely  muddy. 

The  right  having  driven  the  enemy  back  upon  his  main 
line,  orders  were  given  to  press  at  all  points,  and  command- 
ing positions  in  front  of  each  corps,  were  selected  to  be 
assaulted.  Major  Hicks  passed  along  the  line,  telling  the 
men  that  they  were  expected  to  break  the  line  in  their  front 
should  a  charge  farther  to  the  right,  and  then  about  to  be 
made,  prove  successful.  Instantly  the  men  prepared  for 
action.  There  soon  came  to  their  ears  the  rattle  of  musketry 
and  all  were  on  their  feet.  Some  of  the  bolder  ones  jumped 
upon  the  breastworks  to  watch  the  result  of  the  charge.  An 
instant  later,  and  without  waiting  for  the  order,  all  jumped 
the  works,  and  with  a  loud  and  continuous  cheer,  began 
charging  forward.  For  a  hundred  rods  the  route  lay  through 
a  muddy  cornfield  ;  beyond  was  a  deep  creek,  a  farm  house, 
with  its  yard  and  gardens,  some  outbuildings,  a  clump  of 
cedars,  a  high  rail  fence, — partially  thrown  down  at  the  right, 
but  a  formidable  obstruction  on  the  left  ; —  then  a  raise  of 
ground,  with  a  network  of  abatis  ;  then  a  ditch,  deep  and  wide 
in  many  places ;  then  a  strong  line  of  works,  filled  with  armed 
men.  Just  at  the  left,  upon  a  commanding  eminence,  stood  a 
four-gun  battery,  which  had  been  throwing  shot  and  shell  at 
intervals  all  day  long. 

At  a  brisk  run  the  line  pressed  on,  entirely  outstripping 
every  other  regiment  in  the  Brigade.  The  merciless  bullets 
cut  through  the  cornfield,  each  one  striking  many  of  the 
stalks,  and  giving  the  impression  of  a  hailstorm  of  lead. 
Men  fell  out  wounded  here  and  there  along  the  way.  At  the 
cedars  a  tempest  of  grape  swept  above  them,  mowing  off  the 
evergreen  verdure,  and  dropping  it  in  showers  upon  the  gal- 
lant men  below.  The  house  and  outbuildings  were  swarming 
with  Rebel  skirmishers  when  the  charge  began,  some  of 
whom  kept  up  a  fire  as  the  line  advanced,  while  others  ran 
out  and  sought  to  escape  to  the  main  line.  A  few  were  shot, 
but  a  majority  surrendered.  A  squad  of  the  new  men,  whose 
softer  muscles  and  heavier  knapsacks  had  prevented  them  from 
keeping  up  with  the  main  line,  came  upon  these  prisoners, 


1864]  NASHVILLE.  445 

and  when  the  latter  began  waving  their  hats  and  handker- 
chiefs, some  of  these  men,  not  understanding  that  it  was  in 
token  of  surrender,  but  supposing  that  the  Rebels  were  mak- 
ing fun  of  them  because  they  were  recruits,  actually  resented 
the  supposed  insult  by  firing  upon  them,  but  with  such  indif- 
ferent aim  that  only  two  or  three  were  hit.  At  the  fence  the 
rails  were  splintered  by  the  fire  from  the  main  line.  "  Boys, 
their  guns  are  empty  ! "  shouted  an  officer  as  the  volley 
passed.  Everyone  seemed  to  catch  the  idea  suggested,  and 
to  resolve  to  reach  the  works  before  they  had  time  to  reload. 
The  abatis  offered  little  resistance,  and  in  a  moment  the  fore- 
most men  were  upon  the  works  and  shouting  to  the  occupants 
of  the  long  line  to  surrender.  With  rare  exceptions  the 
enemy  threw  down  their  guns  and  ran  to  the  rear. 

Sergeant  John  Vincent,  of  Company  A,  who,  from  the 
time  of  Color-Sergeant  Swanbrough's  promotion  to  First 
Sergeant,  the  previous  August,  had  carried  the  stars  and 
stripes,  bravely  mounted  the  works  and  ran  along  the  parapet, 
only  halting  when  the  battery  was  reached,  and  then  but  for 
an  instant,  when  he  jumped  over  the  heads  of  the  Rebels  in 
the  works  and  joined  his  comrades,  who  had  crossed  the 
line  farther  to  the  right,  swinging  the  flag  to  indicate  to  the 
troops  in  rear  that  the  Rebel  line  had  been  broken.  The  flag 
was  hit  by  bullets  several  times,  but  the  gallant  color-bearer 
escaped.  The  battery  fired  when  the  men  were  swarming 
almost  up  to  the  guns,  and  the  commander  was  shot  as  he 
turned  to  strike  one  of  his  men  because  he  would  not  again 
load  his  piece.  Corporal  Henry  H.  Cutler,  of  Company  C, 
who  was  one  of  the  foremost  in  the  charge,  after  crossing  the 
works,  was  mortally  wounded,  dying  within  a  few  hours. 
Corporal  John  McCusker,  of  Company  B,  was  badly  wounded 
near  the  battery  and  while  shouting  to  his  comrades  to 
come  on.  William  Kimball,  of  Company  K,  and  Francis 
S.  Bailey,  of  Company  F,  both  recruits,  were  also  mortally 
wounded.  Lieutenant  William  Dawson,  of  Company  F,  who 
for  some  breach  of  discipline  had  been  placed  under  arrest  a 
few  days  before,  went  into  action  carrying  a  club.  He  was 
one  of  the  most  conspicuous  for  his  bravery,  and  the  sword 


446  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

,he  had  so  gallantly  won  was  returned  to  him  at  the  close  of 
the  battle.  William  J.  Fuller,  of  Company  B,  who  had 
served  in  a  batten-  for  a  time,  stopped  at  the  captured  guns 
and  called  to  some  of  his  comrades  to  assist  him  in  turning 
them  upon  the  enemy,  but  most  of  the  men  were  too  eager 
in  the  pursuit  to  halt,  and  after  one  or  two  gun-stocks  had  been 
broken  in  the  vain  attempt  to  turn  the  heavy  wheels  about  in 
the  mud,  the  effort  was  abandoned.  Most  of  the  artillery 
horses,  which  had  been  standing  in  a  depression  at  the  rear 
of  the  battery,  were  disabled  or  captured,  but  a  few  were 
.mounted  by  their  postillions  and  ridden  to  the  rear.  It  would 
be  impossible  to  say  who  was  first  across  the  works.  A  dozen 
men  mounted  them  almost  simultaneously,  most  of  them 
leaping  over  the  heads  of  the  foe  and  then  rushing  directly 
toward  the  battery.  The  guns  proved  to  be  four  twelve- 
pound  Napoleons,  and  all  were  hot  and  the  smoke  was  still 
issuing  from  their  muzzles  when  the  men  laid  their  hands 
.upon  them. 

Notwithstanding  the  great  fatigue  incident  to  the  long  run 
and  the  climbing  of  numerous  obstacles, — the  men  all  carry- 
ing their  knapsacks  and  considerable  extra  ammunition, — 
the  Regiment  pressed  on,  capturing  scores  of  the  enemy. 
The  Rebels  shook  their  hats  and  handkerchiefs  from  behind 
every  log  and  tree,  and  were  promptly  invited  to  step  out  and 
run  to  the  rear. 

The  Union  battery  in  the  rear  seemed  not  to  under- 
stand that  the  charge  had  proved  successful,  although  the  flag 
was  displayed  where  they  should  have  seen  it,  and  continued 
to  play  upon  the  hill,  fortunately  without  injuring  any  of  the 
Regiment.  A  few  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  ran  toward  the 
Franklin  pike,  directly  in  rear  of  the  Rebel  works,  gathering 
in  many  prisoners,  among  them  numerous  officers,  all  of 
whom  were  directed  to  report  at  the  battery.  But  little  for- 
mality was  observed,  but  a  portion  of  the  prisoners  were 
grouped  together  and  sent  under  guard  to  the  rear.  It  is 
probable  that  the  prisoners  taken  by  the  NINETY-SIXTH  num- 
bered nearly  eight  hundred.  Lieutenant  Pepoon  secured  a 
receipt  for  the  captured  battery,  which  he  still  retains  among 


1864]  NASHVILLE.  447 

his  highly  prized  army  relics.  Two  other  batteries  were  cap- 
tured by  other  regiments  of  the  Brigade. 

It  happened  that  the  formation  of  the  Rebel  works  was 
such  as  to  bring  the  NINETY- SIXTH  nearer  than  other  por- 
tions of  the  Brigade,  and  as  they  were  the  first  to  start  in  the 
charge  they  crossed  the  breastworks  first,  secured  many  more 
prisoners,  and  suffered  heavier  loss  than  the  troops  on  their 
right.  Col.  Grose's  Brigade  came  forward  after  the  line  was 
broken,  but  not  with  the  impetuosity  that  had  characterized 
the  movements  of  Gen.  Whittaker's  command,  and  lost  a 
grand  opportunity  to  make  large  captures,  for  a  brigade  or 
more  of  Rebels  were  massed  close  beside  the  pike,  for  the 
purDoae,  it  was  said,  of  making  a  counter-charge  upon  the 
Union  lines.  These  troops  immediately  retreated  in  consid- 
erable confusion,  and  had  the  brigade  on  the  left  moved  for- 
ward simultaneously  with  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  most  of  the  Con- 
federates on  the  Franklin  pike  would  have  been  captured.  As 
it  was,  the  NINETY-SIXTH  spread  out  along  their  flanks,  annoy- 
ing them  with  a  constant  and  telling  fire,  and  dropping 
many  of  them  as  they  ran  back  along  the  road.  The  lines 
opposite  Overton's  Hill,  soon  charged  forward,  capturing  some 
artillery  and  prisoners. 

Captain  Rowan  and  Adjutant  Blodgett  pushed  on  to  the 
right  with  a  few  men,  pursuing  a  brigade  and  a  battery  nearly 
two  miles,  and  when  near  the  Brentwood  hills  captured  a 
number  of  prisoners.  Discovering  a  drove  of  beef  cattle  that 
the  Rebels  were  attempting  to  drive  off  they  succeeded  in 
stampeding  them  toward  the  Union  lines.  Farther  to  the 
right  the  enemy  was  completely  routed,  and  an  attempt  was 
made  to  push  the  Union  cavalry  forward  to  the  pike  near 
Brentwood  so  as  to  completely  cut  off'  their  retreat.  In  this 
movement  many  guns,  prisoners  and  colors  were  taken,  num- 
erous wagons  and  teams  were  captured,  and  the  enemy  was 
sent  fleeing  through  the  woods,  toward  Franklin,  in  wild 
dismay. 

But  the  short  December  day  was  drawing  to  a  close,  and 
darkness  came  too  soon  to  complete  the  flanking  movement. 
When  there  could  be  no  farther  advance  in  safety  the  exult- 


44:8  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

ant  Federal  army  halted  for  the  night,  the  NINETY-SIXTH 
being  about  one  mile  from  Brentwood.  It  was  a  chilly,  rainy, 
winter  evening,  and  there  were  many  vacant  places  in  the 
ranks,  but  so  complete  had  been  the  victory  to  the  Union 
arms  and  so  thorough  the  overthrow  of  the  vast  host  that  had 
exultantly  pressed  them  back  from  the  Tennessee  river  so 
short  a  time  previously  that  the  camps  rang  with  shout  and 
song,  all  rejoicing  most  heartily,  and  none  more  heartily  than 
the  recruits,  who  had  all  day  vied  with  the  old  veterans  in 
valor  and  zeal,  and  moved  gallantly  in  the  final  charge. 

At  no  other  time  did  it  happen  in  the  four  years  of  war 
that  an  army  was  so  completely  routed  as  at  the  battle  of 
Nashville.  Their  line  of  retreat  was  lined  with  everything 
that  could  be  thrown  away,  indicating  precipitate  haste  and 
utter  discouragement.  One  major-general,  three  brigadiers, 
two  hundred  and  eighty  officers  of  lower  rank,  more  than  four 
thousand  enlisted  men,  fifty-three  pieces  of  artillery,  and 
twenty-five  battle  flags  were  captured  during  the  two  days. 
The  Federal  losses  were  stated  at  about  three  thousand. 
Few  battles  of  the  war  were  fought  upon  such  open  ground, 
or  where  the  maneuvering  of  either  army  was  so  open  to  the. 
observation  of  the  other.  , 

The  losses  in  the  NINETY-SIXTH  were  much  less  in  number 
than  might  be  supposed  from  the  work  accomplished,  but 
were  more  than  were  sustained  by  a  majority  of  the  regiments 
engaged.  The  swiftness  of  the  final  charge,  the  fact  that  the 
last  volley  of  the  enemy  in  the  breastworks  was  from  higher 
ground  than  that  on  which  the  advancing  line  was  moving, 
and  consequently  passed  mainly  over  their  heads,  and  the  rush 
that  followed  so  quickly  that  the  line  was  upon  them  before 
they  could  reload,  were  the  factors  that  conspired  to  make  the 
aggregate  loss  so  light.  The  following  were 

THE  CASUALTIES. 

Company  A. 
WOUNDED.— Eugene  Langdon,  thigh. 

Company  B. 
KILLED.— John  Washburn. 


MAP    OF.  THE 

Battlefield   of 
Nashville. 

'\  T)ec.  15 -Kith.  1864. 


1864]  NASHVILLE.'  449 

WOUNDED.— Corporal  John  McCusker,  left  ankle  ;  Orskine  Ferrand, 
hand  ;  Joel  Grove,  left  hand. 

Company  C. 

KILLED  OR  MORTALLY  WOUNDED. — Corporal  Henry  H.  Cutler  ;  Cor- 
poral Norris  Hamilton. 

Company  F. 
MORTALLY  WOUNDED. — Sergeant  Michael  Sullivan,  Francis  S.  Bailey. 

Company  G. 
WOUNDED. — First  Sergeant  John  W.  Swanbrough,  left  hand. 

Company  H. 
WOUNDED. — Sergeant  H.  S.  Vandervoort,  shoulder  ;  R.  L.  Root,  neck. 

Company  K. 
MORTALLY  WOUNDED.— William  Kimball. 


rfi&fi 


29 


450  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I 


CHAPTER    XXVI. 


The  Pursuit  of  Hood  —  The  Pontoon  Train  Missent  —  A  Halt  at  Frank 
lin  —  Condition  of  Affairs  in  the  Village— A  Stern  Chase  — Delays 
at  Rutherford's  Creek  and  Duck  River — Last  Volley  at  the  Enemy 
—  Floundering  in  the  Mud  —  How  Christmas  passed  —  Waiting  for 
Rations  —  Forward  Again  — The  Enemy  Escapes  Across  the  Tennes- 
see—  Results  Achieved  in  the  Campaign  —  General  Thomas'  Con- 
gratulatory Order. 

SATURDAY,  December  17,  the  troops  were  early  on  the  road 
and  pursuing  the  flying  enemy.  All  were  in  the  best  of 
spirits,  notwithstanding  that  the  rain  continued.  Wounded 
men  were  found  in  several  houses  about  Brentwood,  and  num- 
erous stragglers  were  picked  up,  most  of  them  in  a  pitiable 
condition  for  want  of  shoes  and  clothing,  and  all  professing 
to  believe  .their  cause  now  hopeless.  Doubtless  their  punish- 
ment at  Franklin,  and  their  utter  defeat  at  Nashville,  made 
the  outlook  gloomy,  and  dreading  the  long  march  back  to 
the  Tennessee  River  and  the  possibility  of  other  battles,  these 
stragglers  concluded  to  leave  the  service.  The  road  was 
strewn  with  camp  equipage  for  many  miles.  The  cavalry  in 
advance  soon  overtook  the  enemy's  rear  guard,  and  had  a 
lively  fight,  capturing  about  four  hundred  prisoners  and  three 
stands  of  colors  at  Hollow  Tree  Gap.  At  Franklin  there  was 
another  skirmish,  but  the  enemy  was  soon  in  retreat.  The 
NINETY-SIXTH  reached  the  north  bank  of  the  Harpeth  River 
shortly  after  noon.  The  cavalry  was  able  to  ford  the  stream 
and  press  on  toward  Spring  Hill,  but  the  water  was  too  deep 
and  cold  for  the  infantry,  and  they  were  ordered  to  bivouac. 
By  a  mistaken  order  the  pontoon  train  took  the  Murfreesboro 
pike,  and  had  to  be  recalled,  so  that  nearly  a  day  was  lost  in 
the  pursuit.  The  troops  that  crossed  the  river  found  a  terri- 
ble condition  of  things  in  Franklin.  All  of  the  public  build- 
ings and  many  private  residences  had  been  turned  into  hos- 
pitals, and  two  or  three  thousand  wounded  were  to  be  cared 


1864]  CHASING  HOOD  SOUTHWARD.  451 

for,  although  the  resources  at  command  were  of  the  most  lim- 
ited character.  The  Federal  wounded  from  the  Franklin 
tight  were  quite  numerous,  but  all  were  given  such  attention 
as  was  possible,  regardless  of  the  color  of  their  uniforms,  and 
many  were  removed  to  Nashville  within  a  few  days. 

Sunday,  December  18,  a  bridge  having  been  laid  during 
the  night,  the  infantry  again  set  out  for  the  front.  The 
approaches  to  the  bridge  were  terribly  muddy,  and  as  a  con- 
sequence the  column  was  badly  strung  out.  The  NINETY- 
SIXTH  was  near  the  rear  of  the  Division,  and  as  soon  as  the 
bridge  was  crossed  was  obliged  to  make  an  exceedingly  rapid 
march.  The  roads  were  soaked  with  rain,  and  the  pike,  cut 
through  by  the  trains  and  troops  that  had  passed  over  it,  was 
in  a  terrible  condition.  Through  the  town,  although  march- 
ing almost  at  a  double  quick,  the  soldiers  noted  many  marks 
of  the  recent  battle.  On  the  plain  just  outside  the  village  the 
graves  covered  several  acres,  and  the  unburied  carcasses  of 
the  horses  killed  in  the  engagement  were  very  numerous, 
many  of  them  lying  close  to  the  breastworks. 

With  occasional  brief  halts  for  rest,  the  column  made  its 
way  southward  over  the  familiar  ground,  many  giving  out 
because  of  the  bad  roads  and  the  rapidity  of  the  march.  The 
recruits  suffered  most,  but  all  were  greatly  fatigued,  when  a 
halt  was  made  for  the  night  in  a  muddy  cornfield,  about  three 
miles  south  of  Spring  Hill.  The  Sixteenth  and  Twenty-third 
Corps  followed,  but  were  kept  a  day's  march  or  more  in  the 
rear.  During  the  night  the  camp  was  fairly  inundated  by  the 
terrible  storm. 

Monday,  December  19,  the  troops  again  moved  out  in  the 
rain  and  mud,  but  only  made  about  two  miles,  halting  near 
Rutherford's  Creek,  where  that  day  and  a  part  of  T.uesday 
were  occupied  in  constructing  a  bridge  ;  the  troops  succeeding 
in  crossing  Tuesday  afternoon,  marching  to  Duck  River  and 
camping  behind  their  old  works.  The  rains,  which  had  been 
almost  incessant,  now  gave  way  to  a  snow  storm,  followed  by 
extreme  cold  weather.  Much  delay  was  experienced  in 
bridging  Duck  River,  and  it  was  not  until  late  in  the  evening 
•of  Thursday,  December  22,  that  the  Regiment  reached  the 


452  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

south  bank  of  the  stream,  and,  after  a  march  of  two  milesr 
went  into  camp  a  short  distance  south  of  Columbia. 

Friday,  December  23,  Gen.  Whittaker  took  leave  of  the 
Brigade  and  started  northward  on  a  leave  of  absence,  Col. 
Moore,  of  the  115th  Illinois,  succeeding  to  the  command. 
During  the  stay  at  Nashville,  a  fund  was  raised  among  the 
officers  and  men  of  the  Regiment,  amounting  to  one  hundred 
and  ten  dollars,  and  an  elegant  gold-headed  cane  was  pur- 
chased for  presentation  to  Gen.  Whittaker.  There  was  a 
delay  in  having  the  proper  inscription  made,  and  the  formal 
presentation  did  not  occur  until  Christmas  Day,  when  Colo- 
nel Smith  met  the  General  in  a  hotel  at  Nashville,  and  after 
a  brief  address  handed  him  the  testimonial, —  as  complete  a 
surprise,  perhaps,  as  the  General  ever  experienced. 

From  Duck  River  south  the  chase  was  as  vigorously 
pushed  as  the  weather  and  roads  would  permit.  The  cav- 
alry were  compelled  to  take  the  pike,  so  deep  was  the 
mud  upon  the  dirt  road  and  in  the  fields.  They  pressed 
forward  as  rapidly  as  possible,  but  Gen.  Hood  had  organized 
a  strong  rear  guard  of  his  best  forces,  and  could  readily  delay 
the  advance,  for  any  movement  in  the  fields  was  exceedingly 
difficult.  The  infantry  did  not  break  camp  until  noon,  and 
within  a  few  miles  came  in  range  of  the  enemy's  artillery. 
The  Rebels  had  halted,  and  were  stubbornly  resisting  the 
advance,  when  the  NINETY-SIXTH  and  the  115th  Illinois  were 
deployed,  and  pushed  gallantly  forward  in  line-of-battle. 
The  enemy  stood  their  ground  for  a  time,  and  the  firing 
became  spirited  on  either  side.  The  men  of  the  Regiment 
never  faltered  for  an  instant,  but  swept  across  the  open  field 
and  up  the  ridge,  killing  a  Rebel  captain  and  capturing  five 
prisoners,  when  the  opposing  line  gave  way  and  fled  precipi- 
tately through  the  woods  in  their  rear.  ,Here  were  fired  the 
last  shots  at  the  enemy  by  the  Regiment  as  an  organization. 
The  pursuit  was  continued  until  dark,  the  Regiment  being 
kept  in  line  until  a  guard  detail  could  be  organized,  when  it 
was  relieved  and  went  into  bivouac  for  the  night.  Next  day 
the  march  was  resumed  at  noon,  and  was  without  incident. 


1864]  CHRISTMAS  ON  THE  MARCH.  453 

Lynnville  was  passed  and  a  halt  made  two  or  three  miles  south 
of  the  diminutive  village,  after  dark. 

Sunday,  December  25,  the  Regiment  left  camp  at  eight 
o'clock.  The  enemy  was  pressed  back  rapidly  through 
Fulaski.  Here  the  Corps  left  the  pike  and  marched  south- 
westerly over  terrible  roads.  By  a  quick  movement  on  the 
part  of  the  advance,  the  bridge  over  Richland  Creek  was 
secured  and  the  troops  thus  saved  from  a  long  delay.  The 
cavalry  made  a  vigorous  fight,  and  were  once  driven  back 
with  the  loss  of  one  piece  of  artillery,  but  quickly  rallied  and 
succeeded  in  capturing  a  few  wagons  and  a  considerable  num- 
ber of  prisoners.  The  afternoon  was  rainy,  and  the  roads 
were  bottomless.  Five  or  six  miles  southwest  of  Pulaski  a 
halt  was  made,  about  nine  o'clock  at  night,  the  Regiment 
.going  into  camp  on  a  hill-side,  where  the  ground  was 
so  sloping  and  the  stones  so  numerous  that  it  was  almost 
impossible  to  sleep.  The  Christmas  had  been  strangely 
passed.  Instead  of  the  holiday  feast  there  had  been  a  posi- 
tive shortage  of  food.  The  rations  issued  three  days  before 
were  meagre  at  best,  and  active  campaigning,  then,  as  always, 
made  the  men  extremely  hungry.  A  few  had  absolutely 
nothing  left,  and  were  dependent  upon  the  generosity  of  their 
comrades,  who  had  been  so  prudent  as  to  save  a  hard  tack  or 
two.  The  country  had  been  stripped  of  every  article  of  food 
for  miles  on  either  side  of  the  road,  and  it  being  impossible 
for  the  army  to  proceed,  the  pursuit  was  practically  aban- 
doned at  this  point,  although  the  cavalry  followed  the  enemy 
to  the  Tennessee  River. 

Monday,  December  26,  the  infantry  lay  idly  in  camp, 
awaiting  the  arrival  of  the  supply  train.  A  cornfield,  which 
had  been  carefully  harvested,  was  visited  by  hundreds  of  sol- 
diers, and  every  nubbin  secured.  An  ear  of  respectable  size 
was  regarded  as  a  valuable  prize,  even  though  it  might  have 
been  trodden  in  the  ground,  or  besmeared  with  mud,  for  it 
could  be  washed  and  made  "clean  enough  for  a  soldier." 
This  corn  was  parched  in  the  universal  frying-pan  or  skillet, 
.and  served  to  partially  appease  the  hunger  which  had  taken 
possession  of  every  man.  The  wagons  did  not  arrive  until 


454  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

after  dark,  and  the  early  hours  of  the  night  were  occupied  inr 
issuing,  dividing  and  consuming  rations.  The  recruits  had 
looked  pretty  doleful  during  the  day,  but  cheered  up  as  the 
coffee-pots  began  to  boil  and  the  pork  to  sputter  over  the 
ruddy  camp  fires,  their  happiness  being  increased  by  the 
arrival  of  a  large  mail. 

Tuesday,  December  27,  the  march  was  resumed  at  day- 
light, over  the  terrible  roads,  and  in  a  pitiless  rainstorm. 
The  country  was  broken  and  timbered.  At  three  o'clock 
p.  M.  the  columns  halted  and  went  into  camp,  a  mile  south 
of  Sugar  Creek. 

Wednesday,  December  28,  the  command  left  camp  at  ten 
o'clock  and  halted  at  five,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Lexington, 
where  it  was  ascertained  that  the  Hebels  had  succeeded  in 
crossing  the  river.  The  Corps  remained  at  Lexington  until 
Saturday,  December  3 1,  when  it  marched  nearly  to  Elk  river, 
a  distance  of  fourteen  miles.  This  long  delay  —  from  Wed- 
nesday until  Saturday  —  was  necessary  in  order  that  rations 
might  be  brought  up.  the  deeper  streams  made  passable  by 
the  construction  of  bridges,  and  plans  for  the  future  partially 
perfected.  The  country  was  scoured  for  forage  and  consider- 
able amounts  secured. 

The  twenty-seventh  saw  the  last  organized  force  of  the 
army  under  Gen.  Hood  cross  the  Tennessee  river  in  discom- 
fiture. With  pleasant  weather  and  better  roads  it  is  probable 
that  the  Federal  Army  would  have  captured  or  dispersed  the 
greater  part  of  them,  but  considering  the  conditions  the  pur- 
suit had  been  as  vigorous  and  as  fruitful  in  results  as  could 
have  been  reasonably  expected.*  Exclusive  of  stragglers  who 
voluntarily  left  the  command,  Gen.  Hood's  Army  had  lost,  in. 
their  final  invasion  of  Tennessee,  more  than  thirteen  thousand 
men  by  capture  alone,  including  seven  general  officers,  sixteen 

*  Major  Sanders,  of  the  Confederate  Arrnj',  writing  of  this  campaign  in  the  Southern 
Bivouac,  of  September,  1885,  said:  "  General  Wood,  commanding  the  Fourth  Corps,  pur- 
sued the  rear-guard  with  idomitable  resolution  and  untiring  energy.  He  was  incited  to 
make  his  wonderful  infantry  march  to  Pulaski  by  the  indications  of  demoralization, 
distress,  and  the  hopeless  condition  of  the  retreating  army  that  abounded  all  along  the 
line  of  Hood's  retreat.  *  *  *  *  His  troops  responded  to  the  demands  made  on  their 
endurance,  and  achieved  for  themselves  a  reputation  that  will  live  forever  in  the  mili- 
tary annals  of  their  country." 


1864]  CONGRATULATORY  ORDER.  455 

colonels  and  nearly  one  thousand  officers  of  lower  grade. 
Seventy  stands  of  colors,  seventy-two  pieces  of  artillery  and 
many  wagons  and  other  valuable  material  had  been  captured. 
There  were  also  many  deserters,  and  it  is  safe  to  conclude  that 
fully  one-half  of  the  entire  force  that  marched  so  hopefully 
northward  in  November  were  never  again  in  line  after  their 
rear  guard  crossed  the  Tennessee  at  Bainbridge.  The  Union 
losses  during  the  same  period  numbered  about  ten  thousand, 
very  many  of  whom  were  slightly  wounded  and  soon  returned 
to  their  commands. 

Gen.  Thomas  announced,  in  General  Orders,  the  termina- 
tion and  results  of  the  campaign,  as  follows  : 

PULASKI,  December  29, 1864. 

SOLDIERS  : — The  major-general  commanding  announces  to  you  that  the  rear-guard 
of  the  flying  and  dispirited  enemy  was  driven  across  the  Tennessee  river,  on  the  night  of 
the  27th  instant.  The  impassable  state  of  the  roads,  and  consequent  impossibility  to 
supply  the  army,  compels  a  closing  of  the  campaign  for  the  present. 

Although  short,  it  has  been  brilliant  in  its  achievements,  and  unsurpassed  in  its 
results  by  any  other  of  this  war,  and  is  one  of  which  all  who  participated  therein  may 
be  justly  proud.  That  veteran  army  which,  though  driven  from  position  to  position, 
opposed  a  stubborn  resistance  to  much  superior  numbers  during  the  whole  of  the  At- 
lanta campaign,  taking  advantage  of  the  absence  of  the  largest  portion  of  the  army  which 
had  been  opposed  to  it  in  Georgia,  invaded  Tennessee,  buoyant  with  hope,  expecting 
Nashville,  Mnrfreesboro,  and  the  whole  of  Tennessee  and  Kentucky  to  fall  into  its 
power,  an  easy  prey,  and  scarcely  fixing  a  limit  to  its  conquests.  After  having  received, 
at  Franklin,  the  most  terrible  check  that  army  has  received  during  this  war,  and  later,  at 
Murfreesboro,  in  its  attempt  to  capture  that  place,  it  was  finally  attacked  at  Nashville, 
and,  although  your  forces  were  inferior  to  it  in  numbers,  was  hurled  back  from  the  cov- 
eted prize,  on  which  it  had  been  permitted  to  look  from  a  distance,  and  finally  sent  flying, 
dismayed  and  disordered,  whence  it  came,  impelled  by  the  instinct  of  self-preservation, 
and  thinking  only  of  how  it  could  relieve  itself  for  short  intervals  from  your  persistent 
and  harrassing  pursuit,  by  burning  the  bridges  over  the  swollen  streams,  as  it  passed 
them,  until,  finally,  it  had  placed  the  broad  waters  of  the  Tennessee  river  between  you 
and  its  shattered,  diminished  and  discomfited  columns,  leaving  its  artillery  and  battle 
flags  in  your  victorious  hands— lasting  trophies  of  your  noble  daring,  and  lasting  monu- 
ments of  the  enemy's  disgrace  and  defeat. 

You  have  diminished  the  forces  of  the  Rebel  army  since  it  crossed  the  Tennessee 
river  to  invade  the  State,  at  the  least  estimate,  fifteen  thousand  men,  among  whom  were 
killed,  wounded,  and  captured  eighteen  general  officers. 

Your  captures  from  the  enemy,  as  far  as  reported,*  amount  to  sixty-eight  pieces 
of  artillery,  ten  thousand  prisoners,  as  many  stand  of  small  arms  —  several  thousand  of 
which  have  been  gathered  in  and  the  remainder  strew  the  route  of  the  enemy's  retreat  — 
and  between  thirty  and  forty  flags,  besides  compelling  him  to  destroy  much  ammunition 
and  abandon  many  wagons  ;  and,  unless  he  is  mad,  he  must  forever  abandon  all  hope  of 
bringing  Tennessee  again  within  the  lines  of  the  accursed  rebellion. 

A  short  time  will  now  be  given  you  to  prepare  to  continue  the  work  so  nobly  begun. 

By  Command  of  Major-General  Thomas. 

W.  D.  WHIFFLE,  Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

*  Subsequent  reports  materially  increased  the  number  of  prisoners,  cannons  and  flags. 


456  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

Subsequently  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United  States  of 
America  passed  the  following  : 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  Congress  are  due  and  are  hereby  tendered  to  Major- 
Qeneral  George  H.  Thomas,  and  the  officers  and  soldiers  under  his  command,  for  their 
skill  and  dauntless  courage,  by  which  the  Rebel  army  under  General  Hood  was  signally 
defeated  and  driven  from  the  State  of  Tennessee. 

Similar  resolutions  were  adopted  by  Congress  on  but  two  or  three  occasions  during 
the  war. 


THE  MARCH  TO  HUNTSVILLE.  457 


CHAPTER   XXVII. 


New  Year's  Day  Celebrated  —  The  March  to  Huntsville  —  Going  into 
Winter  Quarters  —  The  Army  Dispersed  —  Incidents  of  the  Stay  at 
Huntsville  —  How  Brick  and  Lumber  were  Obtained  —  Drill  and 
Dress  Parades  Resumed  —  Changes  and  Promotions  —  Bollenbach's 
Capture  and  Escape  —  Music  in  Camp  —  A  Sermon  that  was  not  En- 
joyed—  Winter  Amusements  —  The  Division  Reviewed  —  Rumors  of 
a  Movement. 

NEW  YEAR'S  Day,  1865,  found  the  army  jubilant  over  the 
announcement  of  the  result  of  the  campaign,  as  detailed  in 
the  preceding  chapter,  and  at  daylight  the  men  of  the  Iron  Bri- 
gade began  tiring  off  their  guns  by  way  of  introduction  to  the 
welcome  anniversary,  increasing  the  noise  by  cheering  and 
shouting.  The  officers,  apparently,  did  not  approve  of  these 
demonstrations,  and  ordered  them  discontinued,  but  with  only 
partial  success,  until  the  long  column  filed  out  upon  the  road. 
Once  out  of  camp,  the  men  were  required  to  halt  and  "lay 
around  "  until  afternoon,  when  they  crossed  the  fields  for  a 
couple  of  miles,  and  halted  for  the  night,  remaining  in  camp 
during  Monday,  in  order  that  a  bridge  might  be  constructed 
across  Elk  River. 

Tuesday,  January  3,  the  troops  began  crossing  the  river 
at  eleven  o'clock,  and  marched  until  four,  halting  at  Athens. 
Next  day  the  column  started  at  daylight,  and  marched  seven- 
teen miles,  camping  seven  miles  from  Huntsville. 

Thursday,  January  5,  the  march  was  resumed  at  daylight, 
and  at  nine  o'clock  the  troops  passed  through  the  pretty  vil- 
lage of  Huntsville.  Their  camp  was  located  about  a  mile 
from  town,  and  the  Regiment  was  not  obliged  to  change  its 
quarters  until  March  13, — being  much  the  longest  continuous 
stay  in  any  one  camp  during  its  term  of  service. 

When  the  Fourth  Corps  started  in  pursuit  of  Gen.  Hood, 
on  the  morning  following  the  close  of  the  battle  of  Nashville, 
Gen.  Steedman  marched  a  portion  of  his  command  to  Mur- 
freesboro,  going  thence  to  Stevenson  by  rail ;  gathering  up 


458  HISTORY  OF  THE  96in  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

such  forces  as  he  could  at  the  latter  place  and  marching  to 
Decatur,  hoping  to  intercept  the  enemy  at  the  Tennessee 
River.  In  this  he  was  disappointed,  but  pushing  forward 
with  his  mounted  forces,  he  captured  many  prisoners,  des- 
troyed a  large  number  of  wagons,  and  returned  safely  with 
his  command. 

The  Twenty-third  Corps,  which  had  followed  the  Fourth 
Corps  as  far  as  Pulaski,  directed  its  course  to  Clifton,  Ten- 
nessee, where  it  embarked  on  transports,  and  was  conveyed 
to  the  army  then  operating  with  Gen.  Sherman,  going  by  way 
of  Washington,  and  thence  to  North  Carolina.  Portions  of 
the  "  Provisional  Division  "  were  also  sent  to  Gen.  Sherman, 
and  Gen.  A.  J.  Smith's  command  was  sent  to  Eastport,  Mis- 
sissippi, and  thence  to  the  gulf.  The  cavalry  was  dispersed  to 
various  points,  the  greater  portion  being  again  gathered  in  a. 
few  weeks  for  extended  raids  through  Mississippi  and  Ala- 
bama, including  in  their  work  the  capture  of  Jeff  Davis.. 
The  Fourth  Corps  was,  therefore,  alone  in  that  region,  but 
the  enemy  had  been  so  thoroughly  whipped  that  the  com- 
mand was  not  seriously  molested  at  any  time.  Portions  of 
the  Corps  were  camped  at  Athens,  Decatur,  and  other  points 
near  by. 

Upon  the  arrival  of  the  First  Division  in  Huntsville,  a 
requisition  was  made  for  clothing  and  other  necessary  articles. 
The  long  march  had  worn  out  the  shoes  of  the  men,  and  one 
hundred  and  fifty  pairs  were  required  to  meet  the  immediate 
needs  of  the  Regiment.  Four  hundred  pairs  of  socks,  and 
other  articles  in  proportion,  were  also  needed.  Provisions 
were  scarce  for  some  time,  and  for  a  week  or  more  only  half 
rations  were  issued,  but  in  time  the  railroad  bridges  were 
rebuilt  and  the  trains  soon  began  to  run  ;  thereafter  supplies 
were  abundant.  The  first  work  was  to  lay  out  a  camp  and 
construct  cabins  for  winter  quarters.  Abandoned  houses  and 
barns  were  torn  down,  the  lumber  being  conveyed  to  camp 
on  the  shoulders  of  the  men  or  by  wagons.  Usually  four 
soldiers  would  unite  and  put  up  a  "shebang"  about  eight  by 
ten  feet  in  size.  The  walls  would  be  three  or  four  feet  in 
height,  with  boards  for  such  part  of  the  roof  as  was  not  cov- 


1865]  IN  WINTER  QUARTERS  AT  HUNTSVILLE.  459 

ered  by  the  shelter  tents.  The  weather  being  cold,  fire-places 
were  a  necessity,  but  material  for  their  construction  was  at 
first  by  no  means  abundant.  A  large  unfinished  brick  build- 
ing, intended  for  a  college,  stood  in  sight,  a  half  mile  or  so 
from  the  camp.  This  was  eyed  by  the  men  for  a  day  or  two  ; 
then  some  one  devised  a  battering  ram,  and  knocked  out  a 
few  bricks  from  one  corner.  Instantly  the  building  was 
doomed,  for  the  entire  Division  flocked  to  the  scene  and 
began  to  knock  ont  brick.  An  officer  finally  took  charge  of 
this  work,  to  prevent  accidents,  and  soon  the  walls  toppled 
over  with  a  great  crash.  Everyone  was  after  the  brick,  car- 
rying them  in  blankets  or  on  boards,  and  in  a  day  or  two 
hardly  a  piece  the  size  of  a  biscuit  remained.  Mortar  was 
made  by  wetting  up  the  native  soil,  and  in  a  short  time  excel- 
lent fire-places  were  constructed,  those  who  were  short  of 
brick  extending  the  tops  of  their  chimneys  with  barrels  or 
boxes  procured  from  the  Quarter-Master.  Doors  were  impro- 
vised, bunks  built  and  seats  and  tables  made.  The  little 
houses  were  warm  and  comfortable,  and  presented  a  home- 
like appearance.  The  grounds  were  nicely  cleaned,  ditches 
dug,  and  an  air  of  comfort  prevailed  in  a  very  few  days. 

Water  had  to  be  carried  quite  a  distance,  and  wood  soon 
became  so  scarce  that  details  of  men  with  teams  had  to  be 
sent  out  daily  to  supply  the  needs  of  the  camp.  After  a  time 
dress  parade  was  resumed,  and  later  the  men  were  required  to 
drill  once  or  twice  daily.  Major  Hicks  having  been  detailed  as 
Judge  Advocate  General  on  general  court  martial,  the  com- 
mand of  the  Regiment  devolved  upon  Captain  Rowan  for  a 
time,  Captain  Pollock  being  absent,  sick,  at  Pulaski,  for  a  few 
weeks.  Subsequently  Captain  Pollock  came  up  and  took  com- 
mand. A  number  of  men  were  permitted  to  visit  home  dur- 
ing the  winter. 

Saturday,  February  4,  a  man  of  the  51st  Ohio  had  his 
head  shaved  and  was  drummed  about  camp  with  a  placard  on 
his  back  bearing  the  word  "skulker.''  Washington's  birth- 
day was  observed  by  an  artillery  salute.  A  review  of  the 
Division  was  ordered  for  the  afternoon,  and  the  troops  were 


4:60  HISTORY  OF  THE  96rrn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

forming  when  a  rain  storm  sent  them  back  to  camp  at  a  double 
quick. 

The  Huntsvitte  Union  was  issued  at  the  village,  under 
charge  of  the  military,  Sergeant  Berg  and  John  Connor,  of 
Company  A,  working  a  week  or  more  at  their  old  trade  as 
compositors.  A  few  recruits  joined  the  Regiment,  bringing 
two  Companies  up  to  the  minimum  number  and  permitting  of 
some  promotions.  First  Sergeant  Franklin  W.  Pierce,  of 
Company  F,  and  First  Sergeant  John  Long,  of  Company  I, 
were  commissioned  and  mustered  as  Second  Lieutenants. 

Occasionally  foraging  and  scouting  expeditions  were  sent 
into  the  country,  and  not  unfrequently  Rebels  were  seen. 
February  1,  a  small  mounted  party  went  out  several  miles, 
when  some  Rebels  gave  chase  and  captured  Gustavus  Bollen- 
bach,  of  Company  B,  whose  mule  gave  out,  or  refused  to  run 
with  sufficient  speed  to  carry  its  rider  into  camp.  "Gus" 
was  taken  into  the  mountains,  where  were  a  squad  of  strag- 
glers from  Hood's  army,  but  was  able  to  make  his  escape  in 
the  night,  after  about  a  fortnight  of  alternate  starving  and 
freezing.  His  return  to  camp  was  heartily  cheered,  for  he 
was  always  a  favorite,  and  few  believed  that  he  had  escaped 
the  hanging  promised  by  the  Rebels  to  men  who  should 
indulge  in  foraging.  Charles  Sammons,  of  Company  C,  who 
had  fallen  out  on  the  march  southward  from  Nashville,  and 
concluded  to  rest  for  a  few  days  at  a  private  house,  was  also 
captured  by  some  strolling  cavalry  and  threatened  with  hang- 
ing. His  extreme  youth  probably  saved  him,  for  after  a  pro- 
longed discussion  of  his  case  the  Rebels  permitted  him  to  sign 
a  lead-pencil  parole  and  then  turned  him  loose.  He  soon 
made  his  way  to  camp  and  was  afterward  cautious  about  leav- 
ing the  command. 

A  glee  club  was  organized,  and  many  were  the  rehearsals, 
most  of  the  songs  being  of  a  patriotic  nature  or  relating  to 
home.  Religious  services  were  held  in  town,  and  every  Sab- 
bath morning  and  evening  a  long  procession  filed  out  of  camp 
and  visited  the  various  churches.  On  one  occasion  they  re- 
turned greatly  incensed,  a  local  pastor  having  preached  a  ser- 
mon entirely  too  pro-slavery  to  receive  the  endorsement  of 


1865]  LAST  DAYS  AT  HUNTSVILLE.  461 

Union  soldiers.  They  refrained  from  any  disturbance  of  the 
service,  but  did  not  again  honor  the  preacher  with  their  pres- 
ence. 

Horse  racing  was  one  of  the  amusements  indulged  in, 
almost  every  pleasant  day  seeing  a  running  race.  Adjutant 
Blodgett's  saddle  horse  was  one  of  the  favorites.  Dr.  Evans 
lost  his  favorite  saddle  mare  from  sickness,  an  animal  that  he 
had  ridden  for  two  years  or  more.  Dinner  parties  were  fre- 
quently given  by  the  officers,  and  the  men  imitated  their 
example  to  such  extent  as  their  limited  quarters  would  permit. 

The  old  members  of  the  Regiment  enjoyed  excellent  health. 
as  a  rule,  but  there  was  considerable  sickness  among  the 
recruits.  However,  the  deaths  that  winter  were  mainly  among 
the  veterans.  Nelson  Huson,  of  Company  B,  a  member  of 
the  band,  was  left  at  Columbia,  on  the  march  southward,  and 
died  in  hospital  at  that  place  January  4.  .  James  Telford,  of 
Company  F,  died  at  Washington,  D.  C.  Samuel  Wilcox,  of 
Company  H,  died  at  Huntsville,  Jan.  28.  William  N.  Bates, 
a  recruit  of  Company  K,  died  at  Huntsville,  February  16. 
William  Saulsbury,  of  Company  A,  died  at  Chicago,  Jan.  9. 

March  5,  there  was  an  imposing  review  of  the  Division, 
and  immediately  following  it  came  rumors  of  a  movement. 

The  news  from  the  East  was  of  the  most  encouraging  char- 
acter during  the  last  days  of  the  long  stay  at  Huntsville,  and 
the  troops  were  in  the  highest  spirits.  All  were  in  doubt  as 
to  where  they  were  to  be  sent,  but  knew  that  the  long  period 
of  idleness  must  soon  come  to  an  end,  and  the  Fourth  Corps 
bear  its  part  in  bringing  the  Rebellion  to  a  close. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 


CHAPTER   XXVIII. 


.Leaving  Winter  Quarters  —  By  Rail  to  East  Tennessee  —  A  Glimpse  of 
Parson  Brownlow  —  Arrival  at  Strawberry  Plains  —  Russelville  — 
Visiting  School — Dancing  Parties  — Scouting  Experiences  —  Cap- 
tain Sizemore  and  his  Methods  —  Glad  News  from  the  East  —  Rich- 
mond is  Taken  —  Lee  and  his  Army  Surrender  —  How  the  News  was 
Received  —  The  Celebration  at  Shields'  Mills  —  A  Hush  on  the  Camp 
—  The  Appalling  News  of  Lincoln's  Assassination  —  Its  Effect  on 
the  Soldiers. 

EARLY  in  March  it  was  determined  to  move  the  Fourth 
Corps  into  East  Tennessee,  and  place  it  in  position  where  it 
could  readily  march  forward  toward  Richmond,  the  Rebel 
capital,  from  the  West.  In  pursuance  of  this  plan,  the 
NINETY-SIXTH  abandoned  its  winter  quarters  at  Huntsville,  on 
Monday,  March  13,  marched  to  the  village,  and  at  dark 
boarded  the  freight  cars.  From  forty  to  tifty  men  were 
placed  in  each  car.  Captain  Pollock  continued  to  command 
the  Regiment,  Major  Hicks  being  detained  a  few  days,  in 
order  that  he  might  complete  his  duties  with  the  court-mar- 
tial. Col.  Moore  commanded  the  Brigade.  Whitesides  was 
passed  at  daylight  next  morning,  and  Chattanooga  reached  at 
seven  o'clock.  After  a  delay  of  an  hour  or  two  at  the  latter 
place,  the  train  moved  forward,  passing  Cleveland  and  Lou- 
don.  The  men  were  crowded,  and  many  rode  on  top  of  the 
cars  until  driven  inside  by  a  cold  rainstorm.  At  Concord  the 
train  came  to  a  halt,  which  lasted  almost  twenty-four  hours. 
The  road  was  in  a  wretched  condition,  and  several  accidents 
occurred  ;  fortunately  none  to  the  train  bearing  the  NINETY- 
SIXTH. 

Knoxville  was  reached  Wednesday  evening,  March  J5. 
After  a  two  hours'  delay  at  the  depot, — during  which  the  men 
had  a  glimpse  of  that  sturdy  old  Unionist,  Parson  Brownlow, 
and  other  notables,  who  called  upon  Gen.  Thomas,  the  latter 
having  come  by  a  special  train, — the  command  was  ordered 
forward.  At  eight  o'clock  that  evening  the  train  made  a  final 


1865]  EAST  TENNESSEE.  463 

halt  at  Strawberry  Plains,  twenty  miles  east  of  Knoxville, 
the  men  clambering  from  the  cars  and  making  themselves  as 
comfortable  as  possible  on  the  bleak,  wind-swept  field,  where 
was  their  temporary  camp. 

All  along  the  route  through  East  Tennessee  the  loyalty  of 
the  people  was  manifest  by  the  waving  of  hats  and  handker- 
chiefs at  every  village  and  hamlet,  the  people  of  every  age 
and  color,  and  of  either  sex,  manifesting  a  pleasure  not  often 
shown  at  the  presence  of  Union  soldiers  in  other  portions  of 
the  South. 

That  first  night  in  camp  at  Strawberry  Plains  was  a  most 
cheerless  one.  There  was  little  or  no  fuel  at  hand,  and  when, 
after  a  long  search  for  poles,  the  tents  were  put  up,  the  wind 
blew  them  down  again,  so  that  by  daylight  all  were  thor- 
oughly soaked  by  the  cold  rainstorm  that  prevailed  for  more 
than  thirty  hours.  The  command  remained  at  Strawberry 
Plains  until  Saturday,  March  25,  changing  its  camp-ground 
on  the  17th  to  a  former  battlefield.  On  the  25th  it  marched 
thirteen  miles  along  the  railroad,  passing  New  Market, 
•whither  the  Third  Division  had  preceded  it,  and  camping  at 
Mossy  Creek. 

Sunday,  March  26,  the  command  marched  twenty  miles 
to  Russelville.  Next  morning  the  other  regiments  of  the 
Brigade  went  forward  to  Bull's  Gap,  the  NINETY-SIXTH 
remaining  to  guard  a  railroad  bridge.  The  camp  was  on  a 
beautiful  slope,  just  at  the  outskirts  of  the  village,  and  the 
fortnight's  halt  in  that  pretty  and  loyal  town  a  pleasant  epi- 
sode in  the  Regiment's  history.  The  farmers  brought  many 
articles  of  produce  to  the  camp,  selling  them  at  prices 
regarded  as  low  at  that  time,  although  butter  was  fifty  cents 
a  pound,  eggs  twenty-five  cents  a  dozen,  chickens  a  half  dol- 
lar each,  and  other  articles  in  proportion.  Many  arranged 
with  families  to  cook  for  them,  and  enjoyed  the  luxury  of 
sitting  in  boughten  chairs,  at  tables  spread  with  linen,  and 
eating  their  meals  from  earthen  plates.  The  citizens  were 
glad  of  the  opportunity  to  take  boarders,  especially  as  the 
boarders  furnished  the  provisions  and  paid  good  prices  for 
the  work. 


464  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

A  good  school  was  in  progress,  and  the  lady  principal  had' 
many  visits  from  the  numerous  ante  helium  teachers  in  the 
ranks.  At  the  first  visit  she  seemed  startled,  and  hardly  able 
to  believe  that  the  soldiers  could  be  what  they  claimed  to  be, 
—  experienced  teachers, —  but  she  was  readily  convinced  of 
the  genuineness  of  their  claim,  although  never  overcoming  her 
native  timidity.  A  school  in  progress  was  something  not 
elsewhere  encountered  south  of  Kentucky,  except  in  the  larger 
cities,  and  the  novelty  was  such  that  many  members  visited  it. 

The  officers  of  the  Regiment  gave  two  balls  at  Russel- 
ville,  the  citizens  quite  generally  attending.  The  soldiers 
also  gave  parties,  and  greatly  enjoyed  the  opportunity  of 
u  tripping  the  light  fantastic  toe,"  many  of  them  for  the  first 
time  since  leaving  Illinois.  Much  ingenuity  was  displayed 
in  preparing  such  suppers  as  were  deemed  fit  accompani- 
ments for  these  festive  occasions  ;  but  the  experienced  army 
cooks,  with  the  assistance  of  the  ladies,  arranged  very  respect- 
able banquets. 

Captain  Sizemore,  a  noted  Union  cavalryman  and  scout, 
had  headquarters  in  the  village  at  this  time,  and  with  six  or 
eight  associates,  was  endeavoring  to  rid  the  region  of  a  gang 
of  Rebel  bushwhackers  and  guerrillas,  who  were  annoying 
the  loyal  citizens,  and  conscripting  men  of  all  ages  for  service 
in  the  Rebel  Army.  He  was  familiar  with  every  road  and 
by-path,  and  had  a  reputation  for  daring  unexcelled  in  that 
region,  where  few  escaped  thrilling  adventures.  Recently 
an  own  brother, —  a  mere  lad, —  had  been  taken  from  his 
home  and  shot  by  these  bushwhackers,  and  the  Captain 
vowed  revenge.  Saturday,  April  1,  a  volunteer  party  of 
fifty  men,  under  Captains  Rowan  and  Burnett,  accompanied 
Sizemore  and  his  men  on  an  extended  trip  in  search  of  the 
party,  but  returned  without  finding  them,  although  capturing 
their  horses  and  tearing  down  some  of  their  houses.  Some 
of  the  members  of  the  Regiment,  learning  where  a  large 
amount  of  tobacco  belonging  to  a  leading  citizen  of  secession 
proclivities  was  stored,  organized  a  second  expedition,  and 
brought  a  wagon  load  of  it  to  camp,  supplying  those  who- 
used  the  weed  with  all  they  wished  to  carry. 


I  £ 

c      > 


s   > 


1865]  A  SCOUTING  EXPEDITION.  465 

Tuesday,  April  4,  Captain  Sizemore  again  asked  for  a 
scouting  party,  and  ninety  men,  under  command  of  Captain 
Townsend,  of  Company  K,  volunteered  for  the  duty.  At  nine 
o'clock  A.  M.  they  set  out,  Sizemore  with  eight  mounted  men 
leading  the  way.  The  Holston  river  was  crossed  in  dug-outs, 
and  the  first  halt  made  about  two  o'clock  at  some  farm  houses, 
the  large  party  being  assigned,  a  few  in  a  place  ;  the  people 
being  ordered  to  prepare  a  good  dinner  for  all  without  delay. 
The  citizens  all  knew  and  feared  the  leader,  and  implicitly 
obeyed  him.  At  one  house  he  took  a  little  boy  as  a  hostage, 
telling  the  family  that  the  lad  should  be  returned  next  day  if 
the  father  did  not  leave  the  house,  adding,  significantly  :  "I 
shall  know  it  if  you  do  leave  ! "  Dinner  over,  the  men  again 
assembled  and  marched,  by  obscure  roads,  eight  or  nine  miles 
farther,  when  they  were  again  quartered  upon  the  farmers  and 
secured  good  suppers.  At  midnight  the  march  was  resumed, 
the  party  going  three  miles  beyond  Rodgersville,  the  county 
seat,  and  resting  until  the  approach  of  daylight,  when  they 
surrounded  four  houses  where  'Borne,  .df  the  bushwhackers 
lived.  But  their  game  had  .flown^-tlttfe  Jiebelsuevidently  hav- 
ing been  warned  just  before,  as  'breakfast  was  found  partially 
prepared  at  some  of  the  houses. 

After  a  hasty  lunch  the  party  returned  to  Rodgersville,  a 
pretty  village  that  had  escaped  the  ravages  of  war.  There  the 
citizens  prepared  breakfast  for  all.  The  meal  being  over  the 
soldiers  marched  out  of  the  village  at  ten  o'clock,  giving  the 
people  to  understand  that  they  should  at  once  return  to  Rus- 
selville. 

This  was  not  their  purpose,  however,  for  when  a  few 
miles  out  they  left  the  main  road  and  secreted  themselves  in 
some  cedars  upon  a  high  hill,  near  the  river,  intending  to  rest 
until  night-fall  and  again  raid  the  houses  of  the  bushwhackers. 
They  had  been  in  their  hiding  place  but  a  short  time  when 
one  of  the  party  discovered  some  men  in  the  distance.  Calling 
their  leader's  attention  to  them  he  soon  announced  that  they 
were  a  portion  of  the  band  for  whom  they  had  been  searching. 
Calling  upon  the  infantry  to  deploy,  the  mounted  scouts  rode 
rapidly  away,  to  cut  oft  the  retreat  of  the  enemy  and  drive 
30 


466  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

them  into  a  large  bend  of  the  river,  opposite  the  temporary 
bivouac.  The  line  deployed  and  moved  rapidly  forward, 
advancing  so  far  before  being  discovered  that  the  enemy  could 
not  retreat.  A  running  tight  ensued  in  which  two  of  the 
bushwhackers  were  killed,  two  captured  ;  and  their  leader,  who 
swam  the  river,  mortally  wounded,  dying  next  day,  as  was 
afterward  learned. 

The  men  captured  were  a  part  of  what  was  called  the 
Hodgkins  gang,  and  well  known  to  Captain  Sizemore,  being 
of  the  party  who  shot  his  brother.  The  Captain  had  an  angry 
conversation  with  one,  ending  by  shooting  him.  One  of  his 
scouls, —  a  mere  boy  of  sixteen, — rode  forward  and  shot  the 
other,  giving  as  a  reason  that  the  man  had  driven  him  away 
from  home  and  killed  some  of  his  near  friends. 

The  soldiers  were  inured  to  all  the  horrors  of  war,  but  the 
shooting  of  these  two  men,  after  they  had  surrendered, 
was  regarded  as  a  stretch  of  military  law  not  fully  justified  by 
the  surroundings,  and  there  was  a  little  disinclination  to  vol- 
unteer for  future  expeditions  under  the  leadership  of  the  Cap- 
tain. Still,  there  is  no  doubt  that  the  men  thus  summarily 
dispatched  were  ruffians  of  the  most  notorious  character,  who 
had  for  months  persecuted  Union  men,  forced  scores  of  them 
into  the  Confederate  army  ;  and  shot  down,  in  cold  blood,  such 
as  they  could  not  intimidate.  They  richly  deserved  the  very 
fate  that  overtook  them,  but  regularly  enlisted  soldiers  from 
Illinois  were  disposed  to  at  least  allow  a  court  martial  to  hear 
and  decide  the  fate  of  even  known  desperadoes. 

The  shooting  over,  the  men  marched  to  a  mill,  where  they 
rested  for  the  night.  Citizens  were  notified  to  go  and  care 
for  the  four  dead  bodies,  and  Captain  Sizemore  rode  to  the 
house  of  one  of  the  men,  and  calling  the  widow  by  her  given 
name,  told  her  what  had  occurred  and  promised  to  see  that 
she  did  not  suffer  for  food,  assuring  her  that  she  and  her  fam- 
ily should  not  be  molested.  He  even  promised  to  provide 
seed  and  a  horse  so  that  she  might  raise  a  crop.  Three  of  the 
horses  of  the  Rebels  were  found  and  taken  charge  of,  the  men 
halting  for  dinner  at  Sinclair  and  going  from  there  to  Russel- 
ville.  The  boy-hostage  was  left  at  his  home. 


1865]  NEWS  RECEIVED  OF  LEE'S  SURRENDER.  467 

This  incident  will  serve  to  show  the  deplorable  condition 
of  affairs  in  East  Tennessee,  and  at  many  other  points,  during 
the  years  of  the  war.  Nearly  all  of  the  male  population  out- 
side the  Union  lines  were  forced  into  the  Rebel  army,  and 
such  as  did  not  go  were  obliged  to  hide  in  the  woods,  or  turn 
bushwhackers  for  their  own  protection. 

After  the  Regiment  left  Russelville  the  Rebels  made  a 
dash  upon  the  town,  killing  some  of  the  Union  scouts,  and 
losing  some  of  their  own  men.  Captain  Sizemore  escaped  for 
a  time,  but  a  few  months  later  was  killed  by  some  of  the 
friends  of  the  men  whom  he  had  so  summarily  disposed  of 
when  the  detail  from  the  NINETY-SIXTH  were  with  him. 

It  was  while  the  Regiment  was  at  Russelville  that  news 
was  received  of  the  capture  of  Richmond  and  Petersburg,  and 
the  subsequent  surrender  of  Gen.  Lee  and  his  army  at  Appo- 
mattox.  It  is  impossible  to  picture  the  scenes  in  camp  as  the 
cheering  news  was  received,  day  by  day,  each  dispatch  re- 
counting some  gratifying  success.  The  men  were  wild  with 
joy  and  daily  shouted  themselves  hoarse.  They  indulged  in 
the  most  extravagant  actions,  firing  off  their  guns,  burying 
powder  in  canteens  and  then  exploding  it,  upsetting  each 
other's  bunks  and  tents,  hugging  each  other,  and  in  every  man- 
ner conceivable  giving  expression  to  the  great  pleasure  that 
must  have  vent. 

The  same  scenes  were  enacted  at  Bull's  Gap  and  Green- 
ville, whither  the  main  body  of  the  Corps  had  marched,  but 
on  a  larger  scale.  At  Greenville  Gen.  Stanley  directed  a 
grand  illumination  of  the  houses,  and  ordered  the  Quarter- 
master to  provide  the  citizens  with  candles  for  the  purpose. 
A  few  citizens  who  declined  to  compty  with  the  order  were 
provided  witli  buckets,  and  forced  to  carry  water  from  a  dis- 
tant spring  for  several  hours,  and  mockingly  water  a  long  row 
of  evergreens  that  had  been  sawed  off  and  set  up  for  the  pur- 
pose of  shading  the  headquarters  tents. 

The  celebration  lasted  far  into  the  night  of  April  tenth, 
when  the  news  of  Lee's  surrender  was  verified  by  official  tele- 
grams, and  those  wooded  gaps  and  mountain  passes  witnessed 
a  scene  that  pen  cannot  describe. 


468  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  1. 

Tuesday,  April  11,  the  day  following  the  reception  of  this 
news,  the  Regiment  marched  thirteen  miles,  joining  the  Bri- 
gade at  Shields'  Mills,  on  Lick  Creek.  Lieutenant  Dawson, 
of  Company  F,  with  twenty-five  men  of  the  Regiment,  was 
left  at  Russelville  as  a  guard  for  the  bridge,  remaining  there 
for  several  weeks,  and  joining  the  command  at  Nashville. 

Friday,  April  14,  the  victory  was  celebrated  by  the  army 
amid  the  rugged  mountains  of  East  Tennessee.  All  of  the 
troops  in  the  vicinity  were  massed,  by  order  of  Gen.  Stanley. 
In  the  First  Division  there  was  elegant  music  by  a  veteran 
band,  prayer  by  the  Chaplain  of  the  45th  Ohio,  and  addresses 
by  Gen.  Kimball,  Col.  Waters,  Col.  Moore,  Major  Hicks  and 
Chaplain  Crissey.  The  Battle  Cry  of  Freedom  was  sung, 
thousands  of  voices  joining  in  the  glad  refrain  ;  then  a  hush, 
until  the  voices  again  swelled  out  with 

"  Praise  God  from  Whom  all  blessings  flow." 

The  occasion  was  one  to  be  remembered  for  a  life-time.  All 
nature  was  smiling  ;  the  orchards  were  in  blossom  ;  the  fields- 
and  woods  donning  their  robes  of  green  ;  the  air  seemed  full 
of  the  very  spirit  of  Liberty.  The  day  ended  delightfully,  and 
far  into  the  night  were  heard  the  sounds  of  music  and  the  glad 
shouting  of  the  happy  soldiers. 

Saturday,  April  15,  dawned  cold  and  cloudy,  but  the 
spirits  of  the  men  rose  above  the  outward  gloom  and  every- 
where there  was  shouting,  cheers,  starting  at  any  point,  run- 
ning along  the  line  for  miles  and  then  returning,  until  every 
one  seemed  wild  with  joy.  But  there  came  a  change.  Some 
teams  were  approaching  from  Bull's  Gap  with  supplies.  An 
officer  or  orderly  accompanying  them  rode  ahead  and  in  low 
tones  reported  to  some  officers  the  terrible  words  that  had  just 
come  over  the  wires  from  the  Nation's  Capital, — "LINCOLN 
is  ASSASSINATED  ! "  The  words  passed  quickly  from  man  to 
man.  A  hush  fell  on  the  camp.  Men  fairly  caught  their 
breath.  A  great  sorrow  welled  up  in  every  heart.  There 
seemed  a  mighty  pain  tugging  away  in  every  throat.  In  low 
breath,  between  deep  sobs,  the  brief  but  terrible  details  were 
recited  by  the  messenger.  The  day  before  had  seemed  to 
these  brave  veterans  the  gladdest  in  all  their  lives  ;  and  now 


1865]  DEATH  OF  PRESIDENT  LINCOLN.  469 

an  unspeakable  grief  had  blotted  out  their  happiness  and  a 
gloom  that  seemed  well-nigh  impenetrable  was  upon  them. 
All  day  they  stood  about  their  camp  fires,  speaking,  if  at  all, 
in  quiet  undertones.  All  the  gladness  was  gone.  Hope  for 
a  time  seemed  dead.  As  the  heavy  hours  wore  on,  one  word 
alone  seemed  to  give  relief: — "  Revenge  !  "  To  all  the  Pres- 
ident seemed  a  loved  father,  and  now  that  he  was  stricken 
down,  by  the  hand  of  a  foul  assassin,  in  the  very  hour  of  the 
Nation's  victory  —  at  the  supreme  moment  when  he  saw  the 
grand  sun-burst  dispelling  the  clouds  that  had  enshrouded  all 
the  years  in  which  he  had  sat  at  the  Nation's  helm,  and  held 
the  Ship  of  State  along  its  troubled  course  —  there  were  few 
in  all  that  vast  army  but  felt  that  they  had  sustained  an  over- 
whelming personal  loss. 


470  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 


CHAPTER    XXIX. 


Again  at  Russelville  —  Ordered  to  Nashville  —  Camp  Harker — Beside  the 
Cumberland — Camp  Rumors — The  Good  News  Continues — Changes 
and  Promotions — Grand  Review  of  the  Corps — Torch  Light  Parade 
— Preparing  for  Muster-Out — Gen.  Kimball's  Congratulatory  Order — 
The  Recruits  Transferred — Good  Bye  to  Tennessee — The  March  to 
New  Albany — Cattle  Cars  or  Passenger  Coaches  ? — Colonel  Smith  vs. 
the  Railroad  Authorities — Arrival  in  Chicago. 

THE  announcement  of  the  surrender  of  the  army  of  Gen. 
Lee  changed  the  entire  aspect  of  affairs  in  Tennessee.  There 
was  no  large  force  in  the  front  of  the  Fourth  Corps  ;  it  was 
distant  from  its  base  of  supplies,  and  was  not  in  position  for 
a  rapid  movement  should  it  become  necessary  to  send  it  to  the 
trans-Mississippi  department  to  aid  in  a  campaign  against 
Gen.  E.  Kirby  Smith.  The  bands  of  Rebel  cavalry  near  the 
eastern  borders  of  the  State  learned  speedily  of  the  surrender 
at  Appomattox  and  quickly  dispersed,  many  coming  daily  to 
the  Union  camps,  and  being  sent  to  Knoxville.  There  many 
of  them  were  paroled  and  provided  with  transportation  to  any 
point  desired  on  the  lines  of  road  then  in  operation.  Not  a 
few  of  them  were  hardly  less  pleased, —  albeit  somewhat  less 
demonstrative, — at  the  news  that  the  war  was  practically  overr 
than  were  their  late  opponents.  Others  were  glum  and  de- 
jected, answering  questions  in  monosyllables,  and  evidently 
surprised  that  the  collapse  of  the  rebellion  had  come  so  soon. 

The  Corps  was  soon  ordered  to  rendezvous  at  Nashville. 
Sunday,  April  16,  the  Regiment  changed  camp.  Next  day 
it  returned  to  Russelville,  thirteen  miles,  and  took  posses- 
sion of  its  old  camp.  As  rapidly  as  trains  could  be  secured 
the  different  regiments  were  started  for  Nashville.  The 
NINETY-SIXTH  took  the  cars  Thursday  night,  and  reached  their 
destination  at  eight  o'clock  on  the  evening  of  Saturday,  April 
22,  having  been  on  the  road  more  than  forty-eight  hours. 
The  bivouac  for  the  night  was  about  two  miles  outside  the- 
city.  On  Sunday,  April  23,  they  marched  to  a  point  about 


1865]  CAMP  HARKEB.  471 

five  miles  from  Nashville,  going  out  on  the  Charlotte  pike 
and  camping  about  one-fourth  of  a  mile  from  the  Cumberland 
river,  in  a  beautiful  field,  nicely  shaded  and  admirably  car- 
peted with  a  profusion  of  white  clover. 

This  rendezvous  was  named  Camp  Harker,  in  honor  of 
Brigadier  General  Charles  Harker,  of  the  Second  Division, 
who  fell  in  the  fatal  charge  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  J  nne  27, 
1864.  It  was  a  delightful  spot,  and  would  have  been  greatly 
enjoyed  but  for  the  anxiety  of  the  soldiers  to  be  mustered  out 
and  sent  home. 

For  a  time  there  was  much  speculation  as  to  the  future, 
and  camp  rumors  were  as  numerous  as  it  is  possible  to  con- 
ceive. One  day  it  would  be  reported  that  the  Corps  was 
to  be  sent  to  Texas  ;  the  next,  Mobile  was  the  point  desig- 
nated ;  another  day,  Atlanta,  Selma  or  Montgomery  were 
mentioned  :  but  all  of  the  time  there  was  a  strong  hope  that 
those  whose  terms  of  service  were  to  expire  during  the  sum- 
mer would  be  mustered  out  and  sent  home.  There  were  nu- 
merous new  regiments  of  one-year's  men  in  the  field,  and  the 
soldiers  argued  that  if  the  fighting  was  actually  over  these  new 
troops  would  be  sufficient  to  care  for  the  public  property  until 
such  time  as  the  civil  authorities  or  the  Regular  Army  could 
be  organized  for  its  protection. 

The  announcement  that  Gen.  Johnston's  army  in  North 
Carolina  had  surrendered  to  Gen.  Sherman  came  early  in 
May,  and  was  the  signal  for  great  rejoicing.  This  was  speed- 
ily followed  by  intelligence  of  the  capture  of  Jeff  Davis.  A 
little  later  official  dispatches  announced  the  surrender  of  Gen. 
Richard  Taylor,  and  the  last  organized  army  east  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi, and  then  the  glad  news  that  Gen.  E.  Kirby  Smith 
and  the  main  army  west  of  the  Mississippi,  —  the  last  body  of 
troops  in  the  alleged  Confederacy, —  had  accepted  the  situa- 
tion and  laid  down  their  arms. 

The  soldiers  now  felt  pretty  certain  that  they  would  be 
speedily  mustered  out,  and  there  were  many  demonstrations 
of  the  pleasure  which  this  prospect  afforded,  although  the 
excitement  was  less  intense  than  that  manifested  at  the  news 
of  Gen.  Lee's  surrender. 


472  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'rn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  1. 

Colonel  Champion  visited  the  Regiment,  but  did  not  re- 
main permanently  in  camp.  His  health  was  somewhat 
improved,  but  he  was  far  less  robust  than  when  he  entered  the 
service.  Deciding  to  remain  South  arid  settle  at  Knoxville, 
Tenn.,  he  tendered  his  resignation,  which  was  accepted  to 
date  June  7,  but  subsequently,  that  he  might  have  the  benefit 
of  a  special  law  giving  a  month's  extra  pay  to  commanders  of 
companies  and  regiments  serving  until  the  muster-out  of  their 
commands,  to  cover  light  losses  of  ordnance  or  of  camp  equip- 
age, the  date  was  changed  to  June  10.  He  left  Nashville  in 
advance  of  the  command  and  settled  at  once  in  Knoxville. 
Colonel  Smith,  who  had  been  in  Nashville  for  several 
months,  at  first  healing  wounds,  and  subsequently  on  duty  as 
President  of  a  Military  Commission,  his  health  being  too  seri- 
ously impaired  to  permit  him  to  take  the  field,  came  out  to 
camp  and  resumed  command  of  the  Regiment.  Mrs.  Smith 
and  the  children  accompanied  him,  remaining  in  camp  until 
the  final  muster-out. 

During  the  month  of  May  there  were  several  changes  and 
promotions  among  the  officers.  Companies  A  and  K  having 
been  recruited  to  the  requisite  number  during  the  winter  and 
spring,  k 'irst  Sergeants  F.  A.  Weir  and  G.  W.  Luke  were  pro- 
moted to  the  rank  of  Second  Lieutenant.  Captain  W.  W. 
Hastings,  of  Company  D,  having  resigned,  First  Lieutenant 
Theodore  F.  Clarkson  was  promoted  to  Captain,  and  First 
Sergeant  J.  H.  Linklater  to  First  Lieutenant.  Five  Com- 
panies were  without  Second  Lieutenants,  being  below  the  min- 
imum number.  Just  before  the  final  muster-out  of  the 
command  commissions  as  Second  Lieutenants  were  issued  as 
follows  :  First  Sergeant  George  Wait,  in  Company  B ;  Ser- 
geant Major  C.  A.  Partridge,  in  Company  C ;  Sergeant 
Michael  Devlin,  in  Company  D  ;  First  Sergeant  E.  P.  Todd, 
in  Company  E  ;  First  Sergeant  John  W.  Swanbrough,  in 
Company  G. 

Colonel  Thomas  E.  Champion,  although  long  since 
recommended  for  promotion  to  the  rank  of  Brigadier  General, 
could  not  be  appointed,  as  the  list  was  full,  but  was  made  a 
Brigadier  General  by  Brevet.  Lieutenant  Colonel  John  C. 


1865]  CAMP  BARKER.  473 

Smith  was  made  a  Colonel  by  Brevet,  and  Major  George  Hicks 
was  brevetted  Lieutenant  Colonel,  all  of  the  above  to  date 
February  20,  1865.  Subsequently  Colonel  Smith  was  raised 
to  the  rank  of  Brevet  Brigadier  General,  Major  Hicks  was 
brevetted  Colonel,  the  Adjutant  and  several  of  the  Captains 
were  brevetted  Major,  and  a  number  of  the  First  Lieutenants 
were  raised  to  the  brevet  rank  of  Captain.  Lieutenant  Yates, 
of  Company  H,  who  had  been  a  prisoner  of  war  for  many 
months,  having  been  captured  at  Chickamauga,  returned  to 
the  command  and  was  heartily  welcomed. 

While  the  health  of  the  old  members  of  the  Regiment  was 
generally  excellent  many  of  the  recruits  were  sick  and  several 
deaths  occurred.  In  Company  A,  Isaac  M.  Wilcox  died  at 
Russelville,  Tenn.,  April  16,  Thomas  Bray  April  26,  Nich- 
olas Tippit  May  3,  James  Richards  May  9,  Thomas  Metcalf 
May  16, — the  four  last  named  at  Nashville.  John  W.  Stewart, 
of  Company  K,  died  at  Huntsville  May  10,  and  Nicholas  Hefty, 
of  the  same  Company,  at  Nashville,  May  28. 

The  rules  of  Camp  Harker  were  easily  obeyed.  Drilling 
was  not  attempted,  roll  calls  were  infrequent,  and  the  guard 
duty  light.  Dress  parade  was  held  daily  in  pleasant  weather. 
The  grounds  were  thoroughly  policed,  and  the  utmost  clean- 
liness required, —  not  so  much  by  the  order  of  the  officers  as 
by  the  demands  of  the  men,  who  took  the  law  into  their  own 
hands  if  any  of  their  number  became  slovenly  in  habits  or 
appearance.  Crowds  bathed  daily  in  the  river,  and  a  few 
soldiers  from  other  commands  were  drowned. 

Tuesday,  May  9,  there  was  a  grand  review  of  the  Corps, 
General  George  H.  Thomas  and  a  brilliant  galaxy  of  dis- 
tinguished army  officers  riding  the  lines,  each  regiment  stand- 
ing at  "present  arms"  as  they  passed.  The  Corps  having 
been  inspected,  the  reviewing  officers  took  position  on  the 
stand,  past  which  the  troops  marched.  It  was  a  splendid 
sight  as  the  long  line  of  gallant  men  marched  down  the  slope 
and  passed  the  reviewing  stand  at  a  swinging  gait, — each  regi- 
ment in  column  by  divisions,  and  at  close  distance, —  and 
then  on  over  another  hill  to  the  ground  designated  for  dis- 
missal. They  were  the  heroes  of  all  the  battles  fought  in 


474  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

Kentucky,  Tennessee  and  Georgia,  and  represented,  not 
scores,  but  hundreds  of  engagements.  They  had  come  out  ta 
honor  their  beloved  commander,  General  George  H.  Thomas, 
and  endured  the  fatigue  of  the  long  march  of  ten  or  twelve 
miles  necessary  to  carry  out  the  programme  with  entire 
cheerfulness,  feeling  that  it  was,  in  all  probability,  their  last 
review.  The  post  band  of  Nashville  furnished  the  music 
for  the  Iron  Brigade. 

Tuesday  evening,  May  17,  the  First  Division  organized  a 
grand  torch-light  procession,  and  marched  to  Corps  Head- 
quarters. The  affair  was  planned  and  managed  almost  ex- 
clusively by  enlisted  men,  and  five  thousand  were  in  line. 
Gen.  Stanley,  Gen.  Kimball  and  others  made  speeches,  and 
a  brass  band  provided  music.  A  very  natural  portrait  of 
Gen.  Stanley,  made  by  the  Adjutant  of  the  21st  Illinois, 
with  no  other  material  than  boot  blacking  and  a  piece  of  a 
shelter-tent,  was  carried  in  the  procession.  Underneath  the 
portrait  was  inscribed,  "The  Hero  of  Franklin."  A  trans- 
parency carried  in  the  First  Brigade  was  a  very  correct  repre- 
sentation of  the  taking  of  Bald  Knob,  near  Kenesaw  Moun- 
tain, by  that  command,  June  21,  1864,  and  was  inscribed  with 
Gen.  Stanley's  order  to  the  brigade  commander, — "Take 
that  hill,  Kirby. "  A  representation  of  Jeff  Davis  in  woman's 
clothes ;  a  wagon,  covered  with  canvas,  bearing  the  inscrip 
tion,  "The  War  is  over,  now  for  home,"  and  scores  of 
others,  were  in  the  line.  All  were  improvised  in  a  few  hours 
from  old  muster-rolls  or  pieces  of  tent,  with  ink,  charcoal  or 
blacking,  and  nearly  all  showed  artistic  merit.  The  night 
was  still  and  candles  were  used  for  torches.  The  procession 
broke  up  about  midnight,  after  an  extended  parade  and  a 
most  jolly  time. 

There  is  no  doubt  that  while  the  chief  motive  in  organiz- 
ing the  parade  was  to  testify  the  good-will  of  the  enlisted 
men  toward  their  commanders,  there  was  back  of  it  the  hope 
and  intention  of  securing  some  expression  that  might  be 
deemed  official  as  to  the  plans  and  prospects  for  the  future. 
Gen.  Stanley  surmised  as  much,  at  all  events,  and  assured 
the  men  that  he  knew  absolutely  nothing  as  to  whether 


1865]  CAMP  HARKER.  476- 

they  were  to  be  speedily  mustered  out,  or  required  to  remain 
until  their  terms  of  service  had  expired.     Each  of  the  speak- 
ers expressed  great  pleasure  at  the  demonstration,  and  were 
exceedingly  complimentary  in  their  allusions  to  the  men  com 
prising  the  long  procession. 

Following  this  demonstration  there  were  rumors  in  abun- 
dance as  to  the  purpose  of  the  commanders  regarding  the 
future  movements  of  the  Corps,  new  and  full  of  romance, 
every  day,  but  it  was  not  until  June  had  been  ushered  in  that 
any  reliable  information  was  received.  Then  word  came  that 
all  troops  whose  terms  of  service  expired  before  October  1 
were  to  be  mustered  out.  As  the  time  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH 
would  expire  September  5,  there  was  great  rejoicing,  for  all 
dreaded  being  sent  to  New  Orleans  or  Texas  at  that  season 
of  the  year.  To  a  majority  of  the  recruits  the  intelligence 
was  by  no  means  pleasant,  as  their  terms  generally  ran  past 
that  date,  and  it  was  certain  that  they  would  be  sent  among 
strangers.  When  the  order  finally  came  for  the  muster  out 
of  the  command,  these  recruits,  to  the  number  of  about  one 
hundred  and  fifty,  were  transferred  to  the  21st  Illinois, — 
Gen.  Grant's  first  regiment, —  in  accordance  with  the  follow- 
ing order : 

HEADQUARTERS  FIRST  DIVISION,  FOURTH  ARMY  CORPS, 

CAMP  HABKER,  TENN.,  June  9,  1865. 
Special  Order  No.  115: 

The  enlisted  men  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  Regiment  Illinois  Infantry 
whose  term  of  service  does  not  expire  prior  to  October  1st,  1865,  are  as- 
signed to  the  21st  Regiment  Illinois  Infantry. 

The  Assistant  Commissary  of  Musters  of  this  Division  will  prepare 
the  necessary  rolls  for  this  purpose. 

By  command  of  Brevet  Major  General  Kimball. 

ED.  D.  MASON, 
Brevet  Lieut.  Col.  and  A.  A.  Gen' I. 

When  it  was  finally  announced  that  the  Regiment  was  to- 
be  mustered  out,  General  Nathan  Kimball,  commanding  the 
Division,  issued  the  following 


476  HISTORY  or  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

CONGRATULATORY   ORDER. 

HEADQUARTERS  FIRST  DIVISION,  FOURTH  ARMY  CORPS, 

CAMP  HARKER,  TENN.,  June  1,  1865. 

Brevet  Colonel  J.   C.  Smith,   commanding  Ninety-Sixth  Illinois  Volunteer 
Infantry. 

You,  with  the  officers  and  men  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  Illinois,  after 
three  years  gallant  devotion  to  the  cause  of  our  common  country,  in  this 
war  against  rebellion,  are  now  about  to  return  to  your  homes,  with  honor 
unstained,  and  with  reputation  bright  with  glory.  Your  deeds  will  live 
forever.  In  nearly  every  battle  of  the  southwest  you  have  been  engaged, 
from  Fort  Donelson  through  Shiloh,  Corinth,  Perrysville,  Stone  River, 
Chickamauga,  Resaca,  Rocky  Face,  Dallas,  New  Hope,  Kenesaw,  Jones- 
boro,  Lovejoy,  Atlanta,  Franklin  and  Nashville  ;  you  have  borne  the  flag 
of  the  Union  and  the  banner  of  your  noble  State  to  victory,  over  the  foe 
who  would  have  destroyed  the  Government  and  Union  made  by  our 
fathers.  God  has  given  you  the  victory.  Remember  Him.  And  now 
that  the  war  is  over,  the  rebellion  at  an  end,  remember  those  whom  you 
have  conquered.  Use  victory  as  becomes  true  men  and  brave  soldiers  ; 
return  to  your  homes  with  enmity  toward  jone,  and  charity  for  all. 

I  know  that  you  will  be  the  best  of  citizens,  because  I  know  that  you 
have  been  the  best  of  soldiers.  While  we,  enjoying  the  honor  and  priv- 
ileges which  your  valor  has  won  and  saved,  let  us  ever  cherish  as  the  idols 
of  our  heart  the  memory  of  our  comrades  who  have  given  up  their  lives 
for  the  salvation  of  our  country;  who  fell  by  your  sides,  battling  for  the 
right.  Remember  the  widow  and  the  orphan  of  our  dead  comrades. 
Be  true  to  them  as  our  comrades  were  true  to  us  and  to  our  country. 

My  comrades,  accept  my  gratitude  for  your  devotion  to  me  person- 
ally: you  have  been  true  and  noble  soldiers,  and  brave  men.  May  God 
ever  bless  you  and  crown  your  lives  with  happiness,  and  each  of  you  with 
honor,  peace  and  plenty.  Be,  as  you  have  ever  been,  true  to  God,  to 
country,  friends,  and  to  yourselves. 

Good  bye,  comrades;  again,  God  bless  you. 

NATHAN  KIMBALL, 

Brevet  Major  General. 

Several  paymasters  soon  arrived  in  camp,  and  began  the 
work  of  paying  off  the  veteran  regiments  which  were  to  go 
south.  Most  of  these  regiments  received  nine  months'  pay, 
being  up  to  the  close  of  April.  The  regiments  soon  to  go 
home  were  told  that  they  must  wait  for  pay  until  they  reached 
their  own  states.  The  mustering  officers  were  exceedingly 
busy  with  their  work,  and  as  eight  copies  of  the  muster-out 
roll  of  each  company  had  to  be  made,  and  because  of  the 
further  fact  that  the  officers  to  whom  had  been  assigned  the 


1865]  GOOD-BYE  TO  DIXIE.  477 

work  of  mustering  out  the  troops  at  Nashville  could  not 
agree  as  to  the  manner  of  making  out  the  returns,  each  send- 
ing orders  conflicting  with  the  instructions  of  the  other,  sev- 
eral days  were  occupied  in  the  work.  The  rolls  were  finally 
completed  on  the  9th,  and  on  Saturday,  June  10,  1865,  the 
Regiment  was  declared  to  be  mustered  out. 

The  contrast  between  the  muster-out  and  the  muster-in 
was  very  marked.  At  the  former  all  were  inspected  by  sur- 
geons, and  required  to  sign  something  like  a  half  dozen 
enlistment  papers,  and  be  sworn  on  each.  Now  they  merely 
had  to  await  the  completion  of  the  rolls,  with  no  inspection, 
signing  or  swearing  necessary,  except  that  all  had  to  affix 
their  signatures  to  the  pay-roll. 

Sunday,  June  11,  the  Regiment  formed  in  line,  and  with 
hearty  cheers  for  the  Union  and  the  flag,  for  their  comrades 
who  had  been  transferred  to  the  21st  Illinois,  for  the  Brigade, 
the  Division  and  the  Corps,  for  their  commanders  of  every 
grade  and  for  themselves — in  fact  with  cheers  for  everybody 
who  was  loyal  and  patriotic, — they  filed  out  of  Camp  Harker, 
with  wild  enthusiasm,  the  band  playing  "Get  out  of  the 
Wilderness,"  and  the  men  shouting  and  singing  as  they 
marched  toward  Nashville  and  the  train  that  was  to  bear  them 
to  "God's  country."  Many  of  the  recruits  followed  to  the 
train,  and  it  was  a  matter  of  sincere  regret  to  the  veterans  that 
all  could  not  be  sent  home.  Some  of  these  men  had  served 
from  October,  1862,  and  others  from  early  in  1864,  sharing  in 
many  campaigns  and  battles,  and  ifr  is  not  to  be  wondered  at 
that  tears  flowed  down  many  a  manly  cheek  as  the  final  good 
byes  were  said. 

After  a  night  ride  in  freight  cars  the  command  reached 
Louisville.  So  many  troops  were  going  northward  that  trans- 
portation became  exceedingly  scarce,  and  there  was  a  prospect 
of  a  delay  of  some  hours  and  a  ride  to  Chicago  in  a  freight 
train.  A  railroad  official  said  to  Colonel  Smith  that  if  the 
men  would  march  to  New  Albany  they  could  be  provided 
with  passenger  cars  and  could  leave  for  the  North  at  once. 
The  matter  was  put  to  vote,  and  notwithstanding  that  the  dis- 
tance was  four  miles  and  the  day  excessively  hot,  it  was  unani- 


478  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

• 

mously  agreed  to  make  the  march.     The  trip  was  fatiguing, 
but  the  men  were  in  high  spirits  and  none  complained. 

Arrived  at  New  Albany  it  was  found  that  no  passenger 
train  was  ready,  and  that  only  a  train  of  cars  from  which  ice 
and  cattle  had  just  been  unloaded,  and  which  still  contained 
the  offal  of  the  cattle  or  the  wet  sawdust  in  which  the  frigid 
commodity  had  been  packed  were  available.  The  Colonel 
demanded  of  the  officials  that  the  promise  made  at  Louisville 
should  be  kept,  but  in  vain.  It  was  at  last  agreed  that  if  the 
men  would  ride  in  the  freight  cars  to  Bloomington,  Indiana, 
where  a  return  train  would  be  met,  passenger  cars  would  be 
provided.  This  being  arranged  the  offal  and  the  dripping 
sawdust  was  shoveled  out,  and  late  in  the  afternoon  the  men 
crowded  into  the  damp  cars  and  the  train  pulled  out.  Bloom- 
ington was  reached  about  midnight,  but  the  Colonel  soon 
became  convinced  that  the  promise  of  the  railroad  people  was 
not  to  be  kept  unless  he  compelled  it,  but  that  the  intention 
was  to  move  the  empty  passenger  cars,  which  had  been  met 
as  expected,  out  of  reach.  Stationing  himself  at  a  switch 
which  was  blocked  by  the  train  on  which  the  conimand  had 
come  from  New  Albany,  he  demanded  that  the  promise  be 
kept,  and  refused  to  allow  the  engineer  to  move  the  train.  The 
railroad  men  at  first  laughed  at  him,  then  blustered  and  threat- 
ened, but  he  held  the  fort,  and  in  the  course  of  a  few  hours 
compelled  an  unconditional  surrender.  The  transfer  to  the 
passenger  cars  being  made,  the  train,  bearing  the  command, 
moved  northward  early  next  morning. 

It  was  an  outrage  for  the  railroad  officials  to  attempt  to 
ship  men  in  the  damp,  seatless  cars.  The  Colonel's  action 
was  denounced  by  the  railroad  men  as  "high  handed,"  and 
he  was  threatened  with  arrest  and  prosecution  ;  but  the  men 
of  his  command  thought  the  more  of  him  for  standing  up  for 
their  rights,  and  the  threats  of  the  company  were  never  car- 
ried into  effect.  Among  the  General's  relics  are  copies  of  sev- 
eral exceedingly  spicy  telegrams  that  passed  between  himself 
and  the  officials  on  that  occasion. 

The  trains  ran  slowly  in  those  days,  but  at  about  one 
o'clock  A.  M.,  of  Wednesday,  June  14,  1865,  Chicago  was 


1865]  ARRIVAL  IN  CHICAGO.  479 

announced,  and  the  command  disembarked  in  the  old  Union 
Depot,  at  the  foot  of  Lake  Street. 

The  trip  had  been  safely  made  and  the  soldiers  were 
almost  home.  What  strange  memories  came  trooping  up,  as 
they  alighted  from  the  train  and  gazed  around  them.  How 
eventful  had  been  the  years  since  they  passed  through  that 
great  city  en  route  for  the  front.  How  marked  was  the  con- 
trast between  the  surroundings  then,  when  the  sky  seemed 
lurid  with  impending  peril,  and  now  when  the  victory  was 
complete.  But  at  what  frightful  cost  had  that  change  been 
brought  about !  The  long  line  of  almost  one  thousand  men 
now  counted  but  little  more  than  four  hundred.  One  fourth 
of  all  who  went  so  proudly  to  the  front  were  numbered  with 
the  unreturning  braves  ;  and  more  than  one-fourth,  disabled 
by  wounds  and  disease,  had  preceded  them  to  the  homes 
from  which  they  had  gone  forth.  Then  the  banners  were 
bright  and  new  ;  now  the  smoke  of  scores  of  skirmishes  and 
battles  hung  in  their  tattered  folds.  Then  the  uniforms  were 
new  and  clean  ;  now  they  were  travel-stained  and  battle- 
grimed.  Then  the  faces  were  mainly  young  and  fair ;  now 
all  were  bronzed,  and  many  prematurely  old.  Thoughts  of 
the  toilsome  march,  of  the  long  watchings  on  the  distant 
lines,  of  the  slow  tread  to  the  music  of  the  muffled  drum,  as 
comrades  were  carried  to  their  final  resting  place,  of  the 
dreary  lying  in  the  hospital,  of  the  benumbing  cold  of  winter, 
or  the  terrific  heat  of  the  almost  torrid  sun,  were  with  them. 
Fancy  brought  again  the  hunger  and  the  thirst,  the  stockade 
and  the  intrenchment,  the  camp  and  the  bivouac,  the  review 
and  the  parade.  There  came  glimpses,  in  their  imagination, 
of  the  foul  prison  pen.  Memory  brought  again  the  long 
days  that  grew  to  weeks  and  months  under  the  pitiless  fire  of 
the  now  vanquished  foe.  They  again  felt  the  thrill  that 
stirred  them  when  the  battle  raged  ;  they  heard  the  Rebel 
yell,  the  Union  cheer,  the  glad  shoutings  when  the  victory 
was  won.  They  recalled  the  forms  and  faces  that  had  dropped 
out  along  the  weary  way.  But  hark!  "Fall  in,  boys!" 
u  Stack  arms!"  "  Rest  at  will !"  commanded  the  Colonel. 
The  men  stood  almost  bewildered  for  a  moment ;  then  a  few 


480  HISTORY  OF  THE  96rn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

scattered  to  hotels  near  by  ;  but  the  major  part,  wearied  with 
the  long  ride,  spread  out  their  well-worn  blankets  and  lay 
down  to  sleep  upon  the  depot  platform. 


COMPANY    C. 


•H?j 


W.M.    McCLEI.LAN. 

I. CHI. in. IN   MADDEN. 


HENKY  C.  PAYNE. 

First  Serg't  SAMUEL  B.  PAYNK. 

WATSON  MAUKLEY. 


Sen; 't  JAMES  MI-RKIE. 


1865]  CHICAGO'S  WELCOME.  481 


CHAPTER  XXX. 


Chicago's  Welcome — What  the  Newspapers  Said — Reception  at  the  Sani- 
tary Fair  —  George  C.  Bates' Address  —  Colonel  Hicks'  Response  — 
General  Sherman  Speaks  —  What  Hon.  John  Wentworth  and  Judge 
Bradwell  Said  —  Cheers  for  the  Soldiers  —  Cheers  for  the  Ladies  — 
Cheers  for  Everybody. 

THE  dawn  of  Wednesday,  June  14,  found  the  men  astir. 
They  were  fatigued  with  the  long  trip,  and  might  have  slept 
under  a  brisk  skirmish  fire,  or  amid  the  noises  of  the  camp, 
but  the  unaccustomed  sounds  of  traffic,  the  unusual  noises  of 
the  great  busy  city,  drove  sleep  from  their  eyes  and  sent  them 
out  to  reconnoitre.  Every  man  was  asking  himself  as  to  the 
future,  when  the  bugle  or  the  drum  beat  should  no  longer  tell 
him  when  to  get  up  and  when  to  retire,  or  notify  him  when 
to  go  to  see  the  doctor  and  when  to  go  to  work  ;  when  he 
should  no  longer  be  able  to  get  his  clothing  by  means  of  a 
requisition  upon  the  Quarter-Master,  and  the  Commissary 
department  should  cease  to  provide  his  rations ;  when  the 
Paymaster  should  discontinue  his  visits, —  albeit  those  visits 
had  been  at  long  drawn  intervals  and  the  amounts  bestowed 
by  him  had  been  but  meagre.  They  were  to  be  thrown  out 
into  the  great  busy  world  ;  to  grapple  with  its  work,  each  in 
his  own  way.  Could  they  do  it  ?  Could  they  meet  the  com- 
petitions of  active  business  life  ?  Could  they  enter  the  marts 
of  trade  and  win  success  ?  Could  they  take  up  again  the  pro- 
fessions dropped  three  years  before?  Could  they  re-enter  the 
schools  and  colleges  from  which  they  had  gone  out '(  Could 
they,  after  so  long  a  period  in  the  thronging  camps,  take  up 
with  life  upon  the  quiet  farm'?  These  and  a  thousand  other 
queries  came  to  them.  They  answered  :  "  Yes,  we  can,  and 
will."  The  years  bear  witness  that  they  answered  well. 

The  Regiment's  reception   in   Chicago  was   unexpectedly 
cordial.     The  patriotic  men   and  women  of  that  great  city 
never  lost  heart  or  hope  through  all  the  years  of  the  war,  and 
31 


482  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

now  that  it  was  over  were  giving  glad  welcome  to  the  soldiers 
as  they  came  through  the  city  to  their  homes.  The  great 
Northwestern  Sanitary  Fair,  which  had  for  its  primary  object 
the  collecting  and  forwarding  of  needed  supplies  for  the  hos- 
pitals, was  still  in  progress,  and  lent  its  aid  to  the  project  for 
feeding  the  returning  soldiers.  Breakfast  was  provided  for 
the  NINETY-SIXTH  at  the  Soldiers'  Rest,  as  the  immense  cara- 
vansary connected  with  the  Fair  was  called.  The  day  was  a 
prolonged  ovation  to  the  command,  and  its  experiences  can 
best  be  told  by  a  reproduction  of  the  newspaper  reports.  The 
Chicago  Evening  Journal,  of  June  14,  published  the  following  : 

ARRIVAL  AND  RECEPTION  OP  THE  NINETY-SIXTH 
REGIMENT. 

The  NINETY-SIXTH  ILLINOIS  REGIMENT,  Brevet-Colonel  J.  C.  Smith 
commanding,  reached  Chicago  at  one  o'clock  this  morning,  on  the  Mich- 
igan Central  Railroad,  and  was  temporarily  quartered  at  the  Soldiers' 
Rest.  The  Regiment  left  Nashville  last  Sunday  evening,  at  which  place 
it  was  mustered  out  several  days  since,  but  will  be  paid  and  disbanded 
here. 

The  NINETY-SIXTH  is  composed  of  six  companies  from  Jo  Daviess 
county  and  four  from  Lake  county.  It  was  organized  at  Galena,  in  Sep- 
tember, 1862,  and  went  into  camp  at  Rockford.  It  left  that  place  for 
Chicago  on  the  9th  of  October  ;  remained  here  but  a  few  hours,  and  then 
departed  for  the  field.  Its  original  commander  was  Colonel  T.  E.  Cham- 
pion, but  that  officer  being  subsequently  brevetted  Brigadier  General, 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Clarke  assumed  command.  The  latter  did  not  long 
lead  the  Regiment.  He  fell  at  Chickamauga,  while  gallantly  doing  his 
duty  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight.  Lieutenant  Colonel  J.  C.  Smith  was 
then  brevetted  Colonel,  and  has  been  in  command  of  the  Regiment  ever 
since. 

The  NINETY-SIXTH  has  always  belonged  to  the  Fourth  Army  Corps. 
Its  history  has  run  parallel  with  that  of  the  88th  (which  was  briefly 
sketched  in  yesterday's  Journal),  except  that  the  former  did  not  enter 
the  service  quite  so  soon  as  the  latter.  Side  by  side  these  two  regiments 
have  followed  the  old  flag  through  hardships  and  perils,  and  now  they 
return,  with  others,  to  receive  the  welcoming  plaudits  of  a  grateful 
people. 

The  first  and  severest  battle  in  which  the  NINETY-SIXTH  participated 
was  at  Chickamauga,  where  it  bore  an  honorable  part,  losing  no  less 
than  two  hundred  of  its  members.  At  Lookout  Mountain,  Mission 
Ridge,  Franklin,  and  wherever  the  gallant  Army  of  the  Cumberland 
went,  there  was  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  doing  faithful  service  for  the  coun- 
try. Its  losses  by  the  casualties  of  war  have  been  heavy.  It  left  Chicago 


1865]  CHICAGO'S  WELCOME.  483 

in  the  autumn  of  1862,  numbering  nine  hundred  and  eighty  men,  rank 
and  file; — it  comes  back  decimated  to  the  number  of  four  hundred. 

Though  not  a  Chicago  regiment,  yet  the  NINETY  SIXTH  was  received 
and  treated  to-day  by  our  citizens  in  all  respects  as  if  its  members  were 
our  own  sons  and  brothers.  Under  the  management  of  Thomas  B. 
Bryan,  Esq.,  and  Colonel  J.  H.  Bowen,  arrangements  were  made  this 
morning  for  giving  the  war-worn  "boys  in  blue"  a  formal  reception. 

AT  THE  PAIR. 

Accordingly,  at  half  past  ten  o'clock,  the  Regiment  was  paraded  on 
Michigan  Avenue,  and  when  the  necessary  preparations  had  been  made 
in  Union  Hall,  marched  in  from  Washington  Street,  to  the  tune,  "When 
Johnny  Comes  Marching  Home."  On  entering,  the  Regiment  was  loudly 
applauded  by  ladies  as  well  as  gentlemen,  which  compliment  the 
"soldier  boys"  acknowledged  by  hearty  cheers.  Making  a  detour  of 
the  main  hall,  the  command  was  formed  in  two  solid  columns,  facing 
the  balcony,  when  Mr.  Bryan  announced  George  C.  Bates,  Esq.  Mr. 
Bates  then  delivered  a  short  welcoming  speech,  replete  with  patriotic 
thoughts  and  eloquent  words,  which  elicited  frequent  applause.  In  the 
name  and  on  behalf  of  the  Sanitary  Fair,  the  citizens  of  Chicago,  and  the 
people  of  the  United  States,  the  speaker  welcomed  the  brave  defenders 
•of  our  country's  flag.  His  words  of  welcome  were  greeted  with  several 
"  rounds"  of  vocal  thunder  from  the  Regiment. 

At  the  conclusion  of  Mr.  Bates'  remarks,  Brevet  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Hicks,  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  was  introduced,  and  made  an  eloquent 
reply  to  the  welcoming  speech  of  Mr.  Bates.  The  Colonel  said  he  would 
attempt  no  sketch  of  the  Regiment's  deeds;  they  were  already  on  record 
and  the  country  would  not  forget  them.  He  desired  simply  to  tender 
the  heartfelt  thanks  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  REGIMENT  to  the  managers  of 
the  Fair,  and  to  the  citizens  of  Chicago,  for  their  expressions  of  respect 
and  love  to  the  men  who  were  now  coming  home  from  the  war.  The 
Colonel's  speech  was  exceedingly  well-timed,  and  loudly  applauded. 
When  he  had  finished  speaking  he  led  off  in  six  rousing  cheers  for  Chi- 
cago, and  the  officers  and  ladies  of  the  Sanitary  Fair,— the  entire  Regi- 
ment uniting  as  with  one  voice  in  this  wild  outburst  of  soldierly  grati- 
tude towards  those  whom  they  know  to  be  their  true  friends.  The  brave 
boys  were  then  invited  to  spend  an  hour  or  more  in  examining  the  great 
exhibition,  with  which  they  seemed  delighted.  At  half  past  one  o'clock 
they  were  treated  to  an  excellent  dinner  at  the  Soldiers'  Rest. 

The  Chicago  Tribune,  of  June  15,  also  published  the  ros- 
ter of  the  officers  of  the  Regiment,  and  a  brief  sketch  of  its 
history.  Its  report  of  the  reception  was  as  follows  : 

The  NINETY-SIXTH  REGIMENT  OP  ILLINOIS  VOLUNTEERS  arrived  at 
2  o'clock  yesterday  morning,  and  awaits  final  payment.  Yesterday  morn- 
ing the  boys  paraded  through  the  streets,  amid  drenching  rain,  to  Union 
Hall,  where  they  were  received  very  enthusiastically.  After  a  little  hand- 


484  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I 

shaking  and  a  good  deal  of  shouting,  they  were  drawn  up  in  front  of  the- 
platform  and  briefly  addressed  by  T.  B.  Bryan,  Esq.,  President  of  the 
Executive  Committee  of  the  Fair.  Mr.  Bryan  introduced  George  C. 
Bates,  Esq  ,  who  spoke  for  about  fifteen  minutes,  welcoming  the  boys 
home  again,  complimenting  them  on  their  well-earned  reputation,  and 
telling  them  how  welcome  they  were  to  every  heart  in  the  great 
Northwest. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Hicks,  of  the  gallant  regiment  then  present,  was 
introduced  by  Mr.  Bryan,  and  was  received  with  tremendous  cheers.  He 
very  feelingly  thanked  the  people  for  their  kindness  in  giving  them  so 
cordial  a  reception  ;  it  was  a  pleasure,  but  it  did  not  surprise  them  ;  no 
one  from  any  part  of  the  great  Northwest  ever  felt  himself  a  stranger  in 
Chicago  ;  they  were  on  their  way  home,  but  that  greeting  made  them  feel 
at  home  already.  The  Regiment  had  been  praised  highly  by  the  previous 
speaker,  but  not  more  highly  than  it  deserved.  He  remembered  well 
how,  when  the  call  was  made  for  men  three  years  ago,  in  a  little  more 
than  five  days  the  Regiment  (his  Company  ?)  was  raised  in  Galena  and 
marched  to  Rockford,  there  to  be  organized  and  marshalled  against  the 
foe.  The  Regiment  returns  now  with  joy,  though  its  flag  is  draped  in 
mourning  for  the  many  brave  comrades  who  had  been  left  in  the  valley 
of  the  river  of  death.  At  Chickamauga,  at  Lookout  Mountain,  all 
through  Georgia,  their  bones  lay  buried,  alas  !  they  knew  not,  in  many 
cases,  where.  The  blessings  achieved  by  this  war  were  infinite,  but  the 
sacrifice  by  which  it  was  purchased  was  also  infinite,  and  nothing  but  the 
object  in  view  would  warrant  such  a  sacrifice.  None  understood  its 
value  more  fully  than  the  soldiers.  Now  that  they  have  returned,  they 
would  once  more  enter  upon  their  civil  duties.  The  people  need  not  fear 
them,  for  the  good  soldier  must  necessarily  be  a  good  citizen.  He 
returned  hearty  thanks  to  the  ladies  for  their  efforts  in  the  struggle. 

Three  rousing  cheers  were  then  given  for  the  noble  soldiers  of  the 
gallant  NINETY-SIXTH,  after  which  they  were  invited  to  walk  into  the 
Horticultural  Hall  and  enjoy  themselves  for  awhile.  They  next  visited 
Bryan  Hall,  where  Judge  Bradwell  addressed  them  in  a  brief,  fitting 
speech,  that  drew  forth  round  after  round  of  cheering.  The  boys  were 
then  marched  to  the  "Soldiers'  Rest,"  where  a  bountiful  collation  was 
spread  for  them,  to  which  they  did  ample  justice,  and  they  were  then 
marched  back  to  Camp  Douglas.  Their  reception  was  not  so  agreeable 
physically  as  it  would  have  been  had  the  weather  been  fine  ;  but  the  boys 
could  not  have  met  with  a  more  hearty  reception,  and  they  all  expressed 
themselves  highly  pleased  with  the  way  in  which  they  were  entertained. 

The  most  extended  report  of  the  addresses  was  by  the 
Chicago  Republican,  of  June  15,  and  is  given  herewith  in  full, 
except  that  the  sketch  of  its  history  and  the  roster  of  officers 
is  omitted  : 


1865]  CHICAGO'S  WELCOME.  485 


OUR  RETURNING  SOLDIERS. 


ARRIVAL  OP  THE  NINETY-SIXTH  REGIMENT. 


THE  RECEPTION  SPEECHES  OP  GENERAL  SHERMAN,  HON.  JOHN  WENT- 
WORTH,  AND  LIEUTENANT  COLONEL  HlCKS. 


The  NINETY-SIXTH  ILLINOIS  INFANTRY  arrived  in  the  city,  as  already 
announced  in  the  Republican,  at  one  o'clock  yesterday  morning,  by  the 
Michigan  Central  Railroad,  and  took  up  quarters  temporarily  at  the  Sol- 
diers' Rest.  At  an  early  hour  in  the  morning  it  was  determined  that  the 
gallant  NINETY-SIXTH,  although  not  a  Chicago  regiment,  should  be 
received  and  welcomed  home  to  Illinois  in  a  befitting  manner,  and  under 
the  management  of  Thomas  B.  Bryan  and  James  H.  Bo  wen,  Esqs.,  the 
arrangements  for  the  occasion  were  speedily  perfected. 

RECEPTION  AT  THE  FAIR. 

At  half-past  ten  o'clock  in  the  forenoon  the  Regiment  marched  to 
the  Fair  buildings,  and  entered  Union  Hall  by  the  Washington  Street 
entrance,  amid  the  deafening  cheers  of  a  large  concourse  of  spectators 
who,  notwithstanding  the  short  and  insufficient  notice  given,  had  assem- 
bled to  participate  in  the  ovation  to  the  returning  veterans. 

Making  a  detour  of  the  hall,  the  Regiment  was  formed  in  two  columns, 
facing  the  gallery,  when  Mr.  Bryan  spoke  as  follows  : 

Officers  dnd  Soldiers  of  the  Ninety-Sixth  Illinois  Volunteers  :  I  cor- 
dially welcome  you  home  and  to  this  Fair.  It  is  not  my  intention  to 
detain  you  with  a  speech.  I  have  brought  a  Chicago  citizen  who  has  a 
son  in  the  army,  and  he  has  a  heart  and  tongue  ready  to  respond  to  the 
emotions  of  your  owu  hearts.  I  will  leave  it  to  the  Hon.  George  C.  Bates 
to  address  you. 

Mr.  Bates  then  delivered  a  short  welcoming  speech,  replete  with 
patriotic  thoughts  and  eloquent  words,  which  elicited  frequent  applause. 
In  the  name  and  on  the  behalf  of  the  Sanitary  Fair,  the  citizens  of  Chi- 
cago, and  the  people  of  the  United  States,  the  speaker  welcomed  the 
brave  defenders  of  our  country's  flag.  His  words  of  welcome  were 
greeted  with  several  "rounds"  of  vocal  thunder  from  the  Regiment 

At  the  conclusion  of  Mr.  Bates'  remarks,  Brevet  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Hicks,  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  was  introduced,  and  made  an  eloquent 
reply  to  the  welcoming  speech  of  Mr.  Bates.  The  Colonel  said  he  would 
attempt  no  sketch  of  the  Regiment's  deeds  ;  they  were  already  on  record, 
and  the  country  would  not  forget  them.  He  desired  simply  to  tender  the 
heartfelt  thanks  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  REGIMENT  to  the  managers  of  the 
Fair,  and  to  the  citizens  of  Chicago,  for  their  expressions  of  respect  and 
love  to  the  men  who  were  now  coming  home  from  the  war.  The  Colonel's 
speech  was  exceedingly  well-timed  and  loudly  applauded.  When  he  had 


486  HISTORY  or  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

finished  speaking  he  led  off  in  six  rousing  cheers  for  Chicago  and  the 
officers  and  ladies  of  the  Sanitary  Fair — the  entire  Regiment  uniting  as 
with  one  voice  in  this  wild  outburst  of  soldierly  gratitude  towards  those 
whom  they  knew  to  be  their  true  friends.  The  brave  boys  were  then 
invited  to  spend  an  hour  or  more  in  examining  the  great  exhibition,  with 
which  they  seemed  highly  delighted. 

AT  THE   TREMONT   HOUSE. 

After  leaving  the  Fair  buildings  the  Regiment  re-formed  on  Michigan 
Avenue,  and,  marching  up  Lake  Street,  proceeded  to  the  Tremont  House 
for  the  purpose  of  serenading  Major  General  Sherman.  The  Regiment 
was  accordingly  drawn  up  in  line,  facing  the  north  balcony  of  the  hotel, 
and  the  band  struck  up  a  patriotic  air. 

GENERAL   SHERMAN'S   ADDRESS. 

General  Sherman  appeared  upon  the  balcony,  amid  the  enthusiastic 
cheers  of  the  soldiers,  and,  as  soon  as  quiet  had  been  restored,  addressed 
the  Regiment  as  follows  : 

Well,  boys,  I  am  very  glad  to  see  you  in  Chicago.  I  little  thought, 
when  we  parted  at  Gaylesville,  we  would  meet  in  Chicago.  However,  it 
is  all  the  better.  I  knew  we  were  going  to  meet  somewhere  ;  I  knew 
that  we  were  bound  to  come  together  again  ;  but  I  did  not  suppose  it 
would  be  so  far  north  as  this.  But  still  I  am  more  pleased  to  meet  you 
now,  just  as  you  are  arriving  at  your  homes,  because  we  are  certain  now 
that  there  are  no  more  "rebs"  to  shoot  and  no  more  "rebs  "  to  shoot  us. 
Now,  there  are  some  people  who  like  to  be  shot  at ;  but  I  think  we  have 
had  our  share,  and  for  the  rest  of  my  life  I  am  perfectly  contented  to  live 
in  peace.  If  any  of  the  people  of  Chicago  wish  to  be  shot  at,  let  them 
go  and  take  a  hand.  (Cheers.)  This  Regiment  has  been  now  four  years 
at  work — nearly  four  years.  Every  one  of  you  have  been  in  some  eight 
or  ten  pitched  battles,  and  in  a  hundred  skirmishes.  There  is  not  one  of 
you  but  whose  life  is  saved  by  a  miracle.  I  have  seen  you  for  more  than 
a  hundred  days  under  continued  firing,  and  there  is  not  one  of  you  but 
ought,  for  the  rest  of  your  days,  to  be  freed  from  every  danger,  except 
what  nature  demands.  (Cheers.)  And  I  do  not  believe  you  will  have  to 
be  called  upon  to  risk  your  lives,  and  your  health,  and  bear,  and  forbear, 
as  much  as  you  have  done,  again  on  this  continent.  And  I  believe  there 
will  be  no  cause  in  any  other  part  of  the  world  in  which  to  encounter  the 
dangers  of  the  field. 

I  wish  that  every  one  of  you  may  now  go  home  to  a  farm,  or  the  old 
employment  you  had  before  the  war,  and  live  in  peace  and  fraternity  with 
your  neighbors.  The  people  of  Chicago  have  welcomed  you.  I  was 
informed  that  you  were  here,  and  I  have  simply  come  to  see  you  here,  to 
add  my  voice  to  welcome  you  home  to  your  old  Illinois.  There  is  room 
for  you  all  here.  There  is  room  for  us  all. 

You  are  welcome  in  the  hearts  of  every  human  being  in  the  State  of 
Illinois.  (Cheers.)  I  do  not  know  what  part  of  the  state  you  are  going 
to,  but  it  makes  no  difference  where  you  go.  You  may  go  to  any  part  of 
the  United  States.  You  may  go  back  to  Tennessee  again,  and  you  will 
meet  a  friend.  You  belong  to  the  army  which  has  rescued  the  country 
from  danger,  and  the  peace  can  never  be  disturbed  again.  You  are  en- 
titled to  the  thanks,  you  are  entitled  to  the  praise  of  all  good  Americans, 
and  good  people  all  over  the  world.  I  am  glad  to  see  you,  and  I  hope  I 
shall  meet  you  wherever  I  go. 

The  General  retired  amid  the  most  hearty  applause. 


1865]  CHICAGO'S  WELCOME.  487 

HON.  JOHN  WENTWORTH, 
Hon.  John  Wentworth  being  called  upon,  spoke  as  follows: 

Fellow  citizens  (for  as  such  I  address  you),  the  war  is  over.  You 
have  done  your  duty  nobly.  None  have  done  any  better.  You  have 
proved  that  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States  is  the  supreme  law  of 
the  land,  and  that  the  South  have  got  to  bow  their  heads  to  it  as  well  as 
the  North.  You  have  also  done  another  thing.  You  have  established 
the  fact  from  this  time  henceforth  and  forever  that  not  a  slave  treads 
American  soil.  (Great  cheering.)  Whoever  God  made  is  a  free  man 
from  this  time  forth.  And  this  fact,  which  you  have  established  by  bay- 
onets, you  have  got  hereafter  to  support  at  the  polls.  And  what  is  more, 
you  will  do  it.  While  the  traitors  of  the  South  ask  to  come  back,  ask 
yourselves  this  question:  What  shall  be  done  with  the  loyal  blacks? 
The  question  now  before  the  people,  the  war  being  over,  is,  whether  a 
loyal  black  is  not  better  than  an  infamous  traitor  who  assassinates  our 
President?  My  fellow  citizens,  if  I  should  talk  to  you  all  day  I  could 
not  express  to  you  the  gratitude  we  owe  you.  God  alone  can  reward 
you. 

The  speaker  concluded  by  moving  three  cheers  for  the  NINETY- 
SIXTH  REGIMENT,  which  were  given  with  great  enthusiasm.  The  Regi- 
ment then  proceeded  to  Bryan  Hall. 

AT  BRYAN  HALL. 

The  visitors  in  the  hall  were  suddenly  startled  by  the  sound  of  drum 
and  fife,  and  the  NINETY-SIXTH  marched  into  the  Arms  and  Trophies 
Department.  They  filled  the  room;  they  occupied  the  staging,  and  their 
long  drawn  out  numbers  crowded  the  already  well  attended  hall.  Their 
faces  were  tanned.  If  it  had  not  been  for  the  blue  jackets,  they  looked 
like  tough  and  sinewy  farmer  boys  at  the  end  of  harvest.  They  gazed 
listlessly  on  the  shot  and  shell,  on  the  specimens  of  grape  and  canister; 
all  that  they  had  seen  long  before.  The  flags  dangled  over  their  heads. 
These,  too,  they  had  seen;  they  had  a  flag  of  their  own;  and  this  display 
of  flags  for  purposes  of  show,  this  holiday  insignia  of  war  had  no  charms 
for  the  men  who  had  "been  there."  They  stood  at  rest,  making  sly 
remarks  to  each  other  as  some  special  matter  caught  the  eye,  and  reply- 
ing modestly  and  half  strangely  to  the  venturesome  questions  of  some 
sympathizing  women.  Suddenly  the  drums  gave  a  rub-a-dub,  animation 
pervaded  the  ranks,  and  Judge  Bradwell,  who  had  ascended  the  plat- 
form, called  the  attention  of  the  Regiment. 

THE   WELCOME. 

Hon.  J.  B.  Bradwell  said:  "I  am  very  happy  to  meet  the  returned 
veterans  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH.  The  welcoming  of  returned  soldiers  is  to 
me  a  very  welcome  duty  always.  I  am  glad  to  do  it.  As  the  Scotch- 
man's heart  is  said  to  warm  toward  the  tartan,  so  my  blood  stirs  when  I 
see  a  regiment,  bearing  its  bayonets,  and  proudly  displaying  its  scarred 
colors.  I  remember  your  regiment  well.  You  went  through  our  city  as 
volunteers,  defenders  of  your  country,  to  go  down  where  the  fight  was, 
the  conflict  and  the  battle.  To-day  you  come  back  to  us  as  victors. 
The  laurel  hangs  upon  your  brows,  and  your  banner  is  decked  in  ama- 
ranthine wreath.  The  foe  that  raised  his  hand  against  our  Union  is  put 
down,  and  your  proud  boast  is  that  during  that  putting  down  Sherman 
led  you.  Your  clothes  have  the  faded  looks  that  tell  of  the  campaign. 
Your  faces  are  bronzed  with  exposure,  and,  worn  and  weary,  you  are 


488  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

looking  homeward  for  a  rest  after  your  toil.  But  remember  this,  that  no 
words  of  anyone  can  tell  how  much  we  owe  to  you  and  to  those  who 
commanded  you.  That  is  a  debt  no  words  can  set  forth.  I,  and  all  of 
us  here,  and  the  country  everywhere,  must  ever  remain  in  your  debt. 

Your  Colonel  we  know  as  a  man,  as  a  noble  fighter,  as  one  who 
always  faces  the  music  under  any  and  all  circumstances.  But  your 
Lieutenant  Colonel,  who  also  has  a  reputation  in  the  field,  has  this  ad- 
vantage over  his  superior, — that  he  is  a  speaker,  also.  To  those  who 
may  not  know  him  personally,  I  now  introduce  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Hicks,  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH.  (Applause.) 

THE   RESPONSE. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Hicks  came  forward  amid  the  applause,  and  as 
as  soon  as  silence  was  restored,  said: 

This  enthusiastic  reception  of  our  Regiment  is  to  be  taken  simply  as 
the  public  feeling  toward  a  victorious  army,  and  of  ourselves  as  part  of 
that  army.  The  record  of  the  army  is  glorious,  and  our  happy  fortune  is 
that  we  can  in  that  record  fairly  claim  a  mention. 

I  wish  to  thank  you,  sir,  and,  through  you,  the  citizens  of  Chicago, 
for  this  munificent  ovation.  We  were  not  of  you,  not  sent  forward  by 
you,  not  your  personal  friends,  and  yet  we  feel  that  in  coming  here  we 
are  coming  home,  and  that  every  loyal  man  is  our  brother.  We  carne 
here  on  our  return,  thinking  only  of  our  own  personal  homes;  thinking 
that  no  one  here  knew  us  personally,  that  no  one  cared  for  us.  The 
events  of  to  day  prove  io  us  that  we  were  indeed  fighting  for  the  Union, 
and  that  every  loyal  man  in  Chicago  is  a  brother  to  us. 

You  tell  us  that  we  have  done  well.  I  wish  to  have  no  false  pride  about 
this,  but  I  can  answer  for  the  Regiment  that  I  think  they  have  not  done  ill. 
I  think  that  Chicago  nor  the  State  will  ever  have  occasion  to  blush  when 
they  behold  that  flag,  and  remember  where  it  has  been  borne  and  how  it 
has  been  borne.  (Applause.)  There  it  is  (pointing  to  the  flag.)  It  has 
some  tears  in  it;  it  has  some  bullet  holes  in  it;  but,  boys,  that  flag  is  un- 
sullied. You  remember  when  they  thought  they  had  Sherman  (Thomas?) 
at  Nashville,  we  waited  till  the  snow  melted.  The  orders  came  to  start, 
and  I  think  you  may  safely  say  that  when  the  NINETY-SIXTH  Regiment 
is  ordered  to  start  it  generally  goes.  It  started  for  the  cannon  of  the 
enemy.  That  flag  ahead  of  the  Regiment,  ahead  of  the  Brigade,  ahead 
of  everything,  was  planted  right  upon  the  enemy's  battery,  while  the 
cannon  were  yet  hot  with  firing,  hidden  in  curling  smoke,  and  the  balls 
plunged  thick  and  heavy  right  among  us.  That  flag,  believe  me,  has 
never  been  a  disgrace  to  the  State  of  Illinois,  and  we  are  glad  to  say  to 
the  State  that  we  have  sought  to  do  our  duty,  and  so  far  as  we  know 
have  done  it.  and  can  fairly  be  classed  among  the  many  regiments  from 
this  glorious  State,  and  from  the  country,  who  have  done  well  and  nobly 
in  this  war.  If  we,  and  our  companions  of  the  88th,*  are  deemed  worthy 
of  such  companionship,  that  is  all  we  ask  of  our  friends  in  Chicago, — 
all  we  ask  of  the  world. 

(The  speaker  here  turned  toward  the  catafalque  in  which  Lincoln's 
remains  were  deposited  while  in  state  in  Chicago.)  I  would  indulge  in 
the  most  exuberant  language  at  the  great  victory  that  has  been  achieved; 
at  the  peace  that  has  been  secured;  at  the  glorious  prospect  that  this  is 
to  become  the  best  country  that  God's  sun  ever  shone  upon;  at  the  new 
career  before  it,  in  the  attempt  to  conceive  which  the  mind  staggers;  I 
should  indulge  in  the  most  joyful  accents  and  strike  the  most  sounding 
p*ans,  were  it  not  that  these  surround  me.  And  as  I  read  the  name  of 
our  great  martyr,  I  think  of  our  own  comrades  who  have  gone  from  us, 
sacrificed  to  the  country,  and  I  feel  more  like  weeping  than  rejoicing. 

*  The  88th  Illinois  had  been  given  a  reception  the  day  before. 


1865]  CHICAGO'S  WELCOME.  489 

We  have  had  many  heroes, — Grant,  and  Sherman,  and  Thomas,  and 
Sheridan,  and  our  own  unnumbered  heroes, — but  the  greatest  hero  of 
them  all  is  he  whose  name  is  emblazoned  there,  and  whose  coffined  body 
rested  on  that  pillow.  Oh  !  how  that  man  loved  us  !  If  he  met  a  poor 
soldier  from  the  ranks  passing  him  in  the  street,  he  felt  in  his  heart  as  if 
he  would  take  off  his  hat  and  revere  him. 

So  full  was  his  love  for  the  soldier  that  he  could  not  make  a  speech, 
could  not  give  an  address,  could  not  hold  a  familiar  conversation,  without 
adverting  to  the  fact  that  to  the  soldier  in  the  ranks  the  country  was 
indebted  for  its  deliverance  and  preservation,  and  that  to  them  the  honor 
was  to  be  given. 

Remembering  his  death,  remembering  that  great  sacrifice  and  the 
sacrifice  of  our  own  comrades,  let  us,  for  all  the  future,  hold  more  sacred 
than  ever  the  priceless  blessings  which  are  secured  to  us  because  they 
have  fallen.  Let  us  remember,  let  it  never  escape  any  memory,  that 
their  precious  blood  is  the  price  paid  for  the  blessings  of  peace  we  are 
to  enjoy. 

Citizens  of  Chicago,  and  you,  sir,  please  accept  on  behalf  of  the  Regi- 
ment, and  on  behalf  of  Colonel  Smith,  in  whose  name  I  speak,  accept 
our  thanks. 

The  feeling  which  Lieutenant  Colonel  Hicks'  speech  called  forth  had 
hardly  subsided,  when  Judge  Bradwell  proposed  that  the  audience  give 
three  hearty  cheers  for  the  NINETY- SIXTH,  leading  off  himself  with  a 
"  hip,  hip."  To  the  surprise  of  all,  a  few  cheers  only  were  heard  faintly 
coming  up  from  separate  corners ;  each  seemed  to  be  expecting  his 
neighbor  to  cheer,  while  he  himself  listened  and  enjoyed.  The  ladies, 
bless  their  souls,  waved  their  handkerchiefs,  and  gave  a  faint-muttered 
utterance  ;  but  the  fact  remained  that  the  cheers  were  a  failure.  Judge 
Bradwell  looked  blank.  The  soldiers-  laughed.  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Hicks,  with  a  sly  twinkle  in  his  eye,  caught  the  attention  of  the  Regi- 
ment, and  proposed  three  cheers  for  "the  citizens  of  Chicago."  The 
soldiers,  who  had  had  nothing  to  say  so  far,  revenged  themselves  by  their 
cheer.  The  roof  rose  two  inches  between  each  cheer,  settling  quietly 
down  in  the  intervals.  The  tiger  followed,  and  the  drums  crackled  away 
like  a  croaking  raven  reduced  of  his  wits.  The  cheering  ceased,  but  the 
sound  kept  echoing  in  the  ceiling  among  the  flags,  which  had  been  set  in 
flutter.  Everybody  felt  in  good  humor.  The  "  Ladies  of  Chicago,  three 
cheers  for  them,"  somebody  halloed  out,  and  the  idea  seemed  to  hit  the 
exact  place.  Those  cheers  were  given.  Said  Judge  Bradwell  :  "  In  this 
hall,  boys,  are  the  trophies  that  have  been  gathered  by  you  of  the  army, 
and  your  dead.  Your  losses,  your  dangers,  your  sufferings,  and  the  asso- 
ciations connected  with  you  in  the  field,  are  all  that  makes  them  valu- 
able. Here  is  the  lock  of  Libby  Prison.  (Three  groans  were  given  for 
the  man  who  opened  and  shut  it  by  means  of  a  key).  There  have  been 
some  men,"  said  the  Judge,  "  whom  this  lock  nor  key  kept  in."  (Cries 
came  up  from  the  Regiment,  "They  are  here.  Two  of  them  are  here.") 

Lieutenant  Earle  came  forward,  after  repeated  calls,  and  stated  that 
he  saw  among  the  collections  some  bricks  taken  by  Colonel  Streight  from 
the  hole  dug  by  him  through  the  walls  of  that  prison.  He  was  one  of 
those  who  followed  Colonel  Streight  through  the  hole  made  by  the 
removal  of  those  brick.  As  he  made  this  statement  his  face  glowed  with 


490  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'rn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

a  modest  triumph  more  genial  than  the  vaults  of  the  prison  could  have- 
been  gloomy  and  terrible.  He  rang  the  bell  which  used  to  toll  for  the 
slaves  on  Jeff  Davis'  plantation. 

A  choral  band  of  the  members  of  the  Regiment  struck  up  and  sang 
amid  much  applause. 

Their  curiosity  being  satisfied,  the  boys  seemed  eager  to  smell  the 
fresh  air,  and  upon  a  moment's  notice  arms  were  seized  and  the  steady 
tramp  of  men  was  heard ;  a  moment  more  and  the  NINETY-SIXTH  had 
gone,  and  the  hall  resumed  its  wonted  occupation.  This,  which  takes 
but  the  minute  in  its  telling,  occupied  nearly  two  hours.  The  occasion 
was  a  success ;  so,  too,  has  been  the  past  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  ;  and 
such,  too,  is  the  expectation  of  the  public  as  to  its  members,  as  it  now 
meets  it  returning,  and  bids  it  all  hail  and  farewell. 


1865]  AT  CAMP  DOUGLAS.  491 


CHAPTER   XXXI. 


At  Camp  Douglas  —  Two  Deaths  When  Almost  Home  —  Settling  up  — 
Paid  Off  and  Disbanded  —  The  Last  Good  Byes  —  The  Receptions  — 
At  Waukegan  —  At  Warren  —  At  Galena. 

THE  formal  and  unexpectedly  hearty  reception  over,  the 
NINETY-SIXTH  made  its  way  to  the  barracks  at  Camp  Douglas, 
where  its  headquarters  were  to  be.  So  busy  were  the  Pay- 
masters with  the  regiments  that  had  preceded  the  NINETY- 
SIXTH  that  a  fortnight  elapsed  before  it  could  be  paid  off  and 
disbanded.  During  this  period  the  Lake  county  boys  very 
generally  visited  their  homes,  but  the  majority  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Jo  Daviess  county  Companies  remained  in  the 
historic  camp,  or,  tired  of  army  rations  and  the  ennui  of  bar- 
rack life,  spent  their  time  with  friends  or  at  the  hotels. 

Two  sad  events  occurred  in  the  command  while  at  Camp 
Douglas.  Corporal  Harrison  Gage,  of  Company  I,  who  had 
been  a  model  soldier  through  all  the  years,  and  rarely  absent 
from  the  command,  was  taken  sick  and  died  in  the  hospital. 
Herrick  Millett,  of  Company  E,  while  crossing  the  railroad 
track  on  his  way  to  the  lake,  for  the  purpose  of  bathing,  was 
struck  by  a  locomotive  and  killed.  It  seemed  hard  that  two 
good  soldiers  who  had  dared  and  suffered  so  much,  should 
come  to  their  deaths  when  almost  in  sight  of  home  ;  but  fate 
so  decreed  it,  and  their  comrades  sadly  escorted  their  remains 
to  the  place  of  interment. 

The  officers  were  kept  exceedingly  busy  with  their  ord- 
nance reports,  turning  over  their  camp  and  garrison  equipage, 
and  making  settlement  with  the  government.  This  was 
about  completed  when  the  Paymaster  announced  his  readiness 
to  pay  off  the  men.  On  Wednesday,  June  28,  1865,  the 
Regiment  was  paid  and  disbanded.  The  Lake  county  Com- 
panies were  paid  first,  in  order  that  they  might  take  a  special 
train,  and  reach  Waukegan  in  time  for  a  reception  during  the 
afternoon.  Colonel  Hicks  accompanied  them,  but  returned  to- 


492  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

Chicago  the  same  evening.  The  Jo  Daviess  county  Companies 
were  paid  off  tbe  same  day,  but  did  not  leave  for  their  homes 
until  Thursday  morning.  There  was,  perhaps,  less  formality 
in  the  good-byes  at  the  final  disbandment  than  might  have 
been  expected,  but  the  careful  observer  must  have  detected 
an  undertone  of  tenderness  in  many  of  the  farewells,  and  seen 
an  occasional  lip  quivering  with  emotion  that  could  not  be 
entirely  suppressed.  There  were  tears  in  many  eyes,  and 
others  were  kept  dry  only  by  most  earnest  efforts.  But  with 
cheers  for  each  other, —  with  good-byes  and  God-bless-yous, 
that  meant  something, —  the  men  from  the  two  counties 
parted.  The  following  account  of  the  reception  of  Companies 
B,  C,  D  and  G,  at  Waukegan,  is  copied  from  the  Waukegan 
Gazette,  of  Saturday,  July  1,  1865. 


RECEPTION  OF  THE  NINETY-SIXTH  REGIMENT. 


SPEECHES,  INCIDENTS,  ETC. 


WELCOME   TO   THE   HEROES. 


On  Wednesday  morning  last,  the  NINETY-SIXTH  ILLINOIS  REGIMENT, 
which  arrived  in  Chicago  two  weeks  ago,  were  paid  off,  and  received  their 
final  discharge  from  the  service.  For  several  days  previous,  our  citizens 
had  been  on  the  alert  to  give  the  four  Lake  County  companies  of  the 
NINETY-SIXTH  a  fitting  and  formal  reception,  but  the  day  and  time  for 
their  arrival  here  was  not  known  until  two  or  three  hours  before  their 
departure  from  Chicago.  A  telegram  was  sent  to  Captain  Aziel  Z.  Blod- 
gett,  about  nine  A.  M.,  Wednesday,  stating  that  a  special  train  had  been 
provided  for  the  use  of  the  boys,  and  that  they  would  arrive  here  about 
three  P.  M.  The  glad  words  sped  from  tongue  to  tongue,  and  in  a  few 
moments  the  whole  town  was  astir,  preparing  for  the  pleasing  event. 

The  ladies  having  in  hand  the  preparation  of  the  repast  for  the  sol- 
diers were  taken  almost  unawares,  but  at  once  went  to  work  to  make  up 
by  industry  what  they  lacked  in  time,  and  right  worthily  they  redeemed 
the  hours. 

A  subsequent  telegram  announced  that  the  soldiers  would  not  arrive 
until  twenty  minutes  before  four  o'clock.  Shortly  before  this  time  the 
reception  committee  of  fifty  citizens  formed  in  procession,  under  the 
direction  of  the  Marshal,  and  preceded  by  a  band  of  martial  music,  and 
followed  by  crowds  of  citizens,  proceeded  to  the  depot,  while  thousands 
of  citizens  lined  the  brow  of  the  bluff.  Soon  the  locomotive  whistle  was 


1865]  RECEPTION  AT  WAUKEGAN.  493 

heard,  and  the  cry  arose,  "Here  they  come!"  and  presently  they  were 
with  us, —  nay,  not  all  of  them;  a  fraction,  rather. —  of  the  four  proud 
companies,  numbering  nearly  four  hundred,  who  went  from  us  in  Sep- 
tember, 1862,  reduced  by  battle,  death  and  disease,  to  a  little  more  than 
six  score.  As  the  cars  came  to  a  halt,  our  one  little  gun  gave  forth  its 
notes  of  welcome;  the  bells  rang  out;  the  ladies  waved  their  white  hand- 
kerchiefs,—  the  emblems  of  truce  and  peace, —  the  men  doffed  their  hats 
and  broke  forth  in  cheering  long  and  loud.  As  the  sturdy  boys,  browned 
under  Southern  suns,  leaped  upon  the  platform,  their  valiant  hands  were 
grasped  with  an  earnestness  that  spoke  louder  than  words  the  heartiness 
of  the  welcome. 

The  procession  was  formed  as  follows: — First,  music;  then  the  recep- 
tion committee;  then  the  soldiers;  next,  the  citizens.  In  this  order  it 
proceeded  to  the  top  of  the  bluff,  where  two  long  lines  of  fair  young 
ladies  were  formed  in  open  ranks,  through  which  the  committee  and  sol- 
diers passed;  the  young  ladies  showered  boquets  upon  the  veterans  as 
thick  as  the  honors  they  had  won,  and  then  formed  in,  next  to  the  sol- 
diers, and  remained  in  the  ranks.  The  procession  passed  up  Washington 
Street  to  Utica  Street,  along  Utica  to  Clayton,  thence  down  Clayton  to 
Genesee,  through  Qenesee  to  Washington,  and  to  and  in  front  of  Dickin- 
son Hall,  where  a  stand  was  improvised  for  speaking.  C.  W.  Upton, 
Esq.,  made  the  reception  speech,  formally  welcoming  the  boys  to  their 
homes,  and  to  the  enjoyments  of  peace  which  they  had  won  by  their 
own  prowess.  The  speech  was  excellent,  and  substantially  in  the  follow- 
ing words: 

Soldiers  of  the  glorious  old  NINETY-SIXTH  REGIMENT  ILLINOIS  VOLUN- 
TEERS, heroes  of  the  Army  of  Liberty: 

In  behalf  of  your  fellow  citizens  of  this  city,  county,  State  and 
Nation,  I  bid  you  welcome,  welcome  home;  welcome,  thrice  welcome, 
to  the  dear  ones  you  left  behind  you;  welcome  to  the  state  you  have  so 
heroically  defended;  welcome  to  the  people  you  have  so  nobly  honored; 
welcome,  yes,  from  our  hearts  we  bid  you  welcome  home. 

We  forget  not  that  you  left  us  less  than  three  years  ago  full  980 
strong  ;  we  forget  not  the  terrible  scenes  of  carnage  and  conflict  through 
which  you  have  since  passed,  for  we  watched  the  record  of  your  progress 
with  fluttering  hearts  and  tearful  eyes ;  aye,  we  followed  your  every 
footstep  with  our  prayers,  and  to-day  the  joy  of  our  meeting  is  saddened 
by  the  painful  fact  that  but  450  of  your  original  number  return  to  us, — 
530  gone— 258  dead.  Oh,  what  a  fearful  record  ;  how  eloquently,  ter- 
ribly it  speaks  of  dangers  encountered,  of  toilsome  march,  of  hunger 
and  thirst,  of  summer's  heat  in  Southern  clime,  of  winter's  biting  frosts, 
of  death  in  hospital  and  camp,  and  the  terrific  shock  of  battle.  Yet 
those  martyred  heroes  still  live,  though  their  bones  may  rest  in  unknown 
graves,  nor  monumental  stone,  nor  marble  slab  may  mark  the  place 
where  rests  their  uncofflned  dust,  their  names  and  memory  shall  be  cher- 
ished, deep  graven  on  a  Nation's  heart  forever;  and  the  startling  glory  of 
their  heroic  achievements  and  brilliant  deeds  shall  live  embalmed  in  story 
and  in  song  while  earth  has  a  historic  record,  or  tradition,  or  man  a  love 
of  liberty.  But,  dying  that  we  might  live,  these  martyr  heroes  have 
bequeathed  to  us  a  priceless  legacy.  The  widows,  the  fatherless  babes, 
oh,  let  it  be  ours  to  protect,  support  and  comfort  the  one,  educate,  coun- 
sel and  sustain  the  other,  and  "  with  charity  for  all,  with  malice  toward 


494:  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

none,"  doing  always  the  right  by  these  sorrowing,  stricken  ones,  "as 
God  gives  us  to  see  the  right,"  that  they  may  know  of  a  truth,  "It  is 
sweet  for  one's  country  to  die." 

Soldiers  of  the  Republic  of  Freedom,  I  need  not  recount  your  strug- 
gles with  the  foe,  or  make  mention  of  the  fields  made  immortal  by  your 
deeds  of  heroic  valor  ;  they  once  were  yours  ;  now,  written  in  letters  of 
blood  on  the  tablet  of  the  past,  one  and  all,  they  belong  to  history,  and 
there  let  them  remain,  a  priceless  legacy  of  bravery  unsurpassed,  of 
heroism  unequalled,  the  crowning  glory  of  the  nineteenth  century — yes, 
of  recorded  time. 

Soldiers  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  no  more,  citizens  of  the  land  you  have 
helped  to  save,  welcome,  welcome  home.  And,  as  in  the  fiery  charge  on 
the  field  of  battle,  amid  the  dying  and  the  dead,  or  baring  your  breasts 
to  the  storm  of  death,  as  you  held  some  key-point  to  victory,  though 
earth  rocked  with  the  thunders  of  battle,  and  the  heavens  were  lurid 
with  its  glare,  the  men  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  never,  no,  never,  once 
turned  their  backs  to  the  foe.  So  now  in  civil  life;  God  and  humanity 
call  upon  you  to  face  the  enemies  of  your  country  over  again,  and  never 
turn  your  back  upon  your  foe  until  it  is  established  forever,  that  the 
bayonet  and  the  ballot  are  alike  the  hand-maids  of  freedom  and  Chris- 
tian civilization,  and  that  he  who  is  called  to  carry  the  one  shall  not  be 
denied  the  other.  Let  your  pass-word  and  countersign  ever  be,  equal 
and  exact  justice  to  all  men,  black  as  well  as  white  ;  that  in  coming  time, 
when  age  shall  have  bleached  your  locks  to  snowy  whiteness,  as  the 
anthem  of  praise  shall  be  chanted  again  and  again  for  that  freedom  of 
all  men,  black  as  well  as  white,  which  you  so  nobly  have  helped  secure 
for  our  own  land,  and  as  you  shall  behold  the  glorious  banner  of  the 
stars,  symbolizing  and  emblematic  of  a  Christian  civilization,  and  equal- 
ity of  all  men,  actual  and  existent  here,  floating  in  every  breeze,  hon- 
ored, beloved  and  revered,  jusst  beneath  the  Cross  of  Christ  ;  then,  oh, 
then,  next  to  the  consolations  of  His  glorious  Gospel,  shall  break  in 
mild  radiance  on  your  departing  souls  that  sum  of  human  glory — I,  too, 
was  a  soldier  of  that  Republic. 

^  On  behalf  of  the  Regiment,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Hicks  made  a  most 
fitting  and  eloquent  response,  recounting  the  many  dangers  through 
which  the  Regiment  had  passed,  the  many  valiant  acts  which  it  had  per- 
formed, and  thanking  the  citizens  of  Lake  County  for  the  honors  which 
they  were  doing  their  brave  boys. 

He  said  that  these  men  went  out  at  a  time  when  it  was  known  what 
war  was.  The  horrors  of  war  had  become  a  national  experience.  They 
took  the  field  knowing  what  was  before  them — to  fill  up  shattered  ranks, 
to  sustain  the  brave  boys  who  had  gone  before. 

He  spoke  of  his  personal  knowledge  of  what  these  boys  had  done 
and  suffered  for  their  country  ;  he  had  been  an  eye  witness  of  their  con- 
flicts and  triumphs. 

He  told  the  citizens  of  Lake  county  that  they  could  make  no  ade- 
quate return  for  the  brave  deeds  and  noble  sacrifices  they  had  endured, 
and  congratulated  them  upon  the  return  of  such  men  to  the  peaceful 
pursuits  of  citizens — men  who  knew  the  value  of  their  country  and  her 
free  institutions. 

He  then  bade  farewell  to  the  boys  with  whom  he  had  fought  so  long, 
once  soldiers  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  now  citizens  of  Illinois ;  he  spoke 
touchingly  of  the  dead  they  had  left  behind  them,  and  said  that  in  the 
glory  of  these  martyred  heroes  they,  the  living,  had  a  share. 


1865]  RECEPTION  AT  WAUKEGAN.  495 

At  the  conclusion  of  Colonel  Hicks'  remarks,  the  soldiers  were  filed 
into  the  hall  and  placed  at  the  table,  which  actually  groaned  beneath  the 
weight  of  the  choicest  viands,  prepared  on  a  notice  which,  though  short 
indeed,  yet  in  variety,  excellence  and  profusion,  has  scarcely  ever  been 
equalled  by  the  ladies  of  Waukegan,  who  are  so  noted  for  their  superior 
taste  and  judgment  in  the  preparing  of  public  collations. 

After  the  feast,  cigars  were  provided,  and  while  the  boys  were  regal- 
ing themselves  therewith,  H.  W.  Blodgett,  Esq.,  addressed  the  assembly, 
giving  a  concise  history  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  and  its  glorious  record 
since  it  entered  the  service,  and  once  more  welcoming  them  home.  In 
the  course  of  his  remarks  Mr.  Blodgett  alluded  to  the  ladies,  who,  from 
the  going  forth  to  the  coming  home  of  the  soldiers,  have  worked  so 
incessantly  for  their  welfare.  This  brought  out  Colonel  Hicks  again, 
who  paid  the  ladies  all  sorts  of  pretty  and  appropriate  compliments. 
The  soldiers  here  gave  three  rousing  cheers.  Three  cheers  were  then 
given  by  the  citizens  for  the  private  soldiers  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  (the 
officers  had  been  previously  complimented),  which  were  given  with  a 
will,  and  the  boys  were  allowed  to  break  ranks. 

As  quite  a  number  of  the  returning  soldiers  failed  to  come  up  on  the 
special  train,  the  committee  and  young  ladies,  with  the  music,  were  at 
the  depot  when  the  six  o'clock  train  arrived,  which  brought  about  twenty 
more  of  the  heroes.  They  were  escorted  to  the  hall  and  regaled  as  the 
others  had  been,  and  welcomed  in  appropriate  and  elegant  addresses  by 
Col.  E.  B.  Payne  and  Hon.  E.  M.  Haines. 

With  a  tear  for  those  who  will  ne'er  be  returned  to  us,  but  will  ever 
be  held  in  memory  dear,  and  a  heartfelt  welcome  home  to  those  who 
have  returned,  we  say,  God  bless  all  of  the  boys  of  the  gallant  NINETY- 
SIXTH. 

Companies  A,  E,  F,  H,  I  and  K  left  Chicago  on  Thurs- 
day, June  29,  by  special  train.  Many  of  the  men  left  the 
train  at  Warren,  Apple  River,  and  other  points,  but  a  major- 
ity went  through  to  Galena.  At  Warren  there  was  a  formal 
reception,  but,  unfortunately,  the  local  paper  made  no  report 
of  what  was  said  or  done  on  the  occasion. 

At  Galena,  the  soldiers  were  greeted  and  banqueted  by 
the  citizens.  The  report  which  follows  is  from  the  Galena 
Gazette,  of  Tuesday,  July  4  : 


496  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 


GLORIOUS   RECEPTION   OF   THE   NINETY-SIXTH    REGI- 
MENT ILLINOIS  VOLUNTEERS. 


SPLENDID  BANQUET  AT  THE  DESOTO  HOUSE. 


SPEECHES,  SENTIMENTS,  ETC. 


That  portion  of  the  gallant  old  NINETY-SIXTH  which  went  from 
our  city,  and  this  section  of  the  county,  in  accordance  with  the  public 
expectation,  arrived  on  the  half  past  five  train  from  Chicago,  Thursday 
afternoon.  The  twelve-pounder,  "General  Grant,"  made  our  hills  to 
echo  with  the  announcement  that  our  conquering  heroes  were  coming. 
An  immense  crowd  assembled  at  the  depot  on  the  arrival  of  the  train, 
and  cheer  after  cheer  went  up  as  the  brave  boys  came  out  of  the  cars.  A 
procession  was  immediately  formed,  under  the  direction  of  Col.  Rowley, 
and  accompanied  by  the  Council  Hill  Band  and  the  Dubuque  Band,  the 
Regiment  was  escorted  by  the  Citizens'  Committee  to  the  DeSoto  House. 
It  then  formed  on  Green  Street.  The  house  was  beautifully  decorated 
with  evergreens,  and  the  following  mottoes  were  hung  out: 

"WELCOME  TO  OUR  BRAVES." 
"You  HAVE  SAVED  THE  COUNTRY." 

On  the  balcony  a  most  attractive  sight  was  presented, —  thirty-six 
beautiful  young  ladies,  dressed  in  white,  waved  a  welcome  to  the  war- 
worn veterans,  each  one  bearing  the  American  flag. 

After  a  patriotic  song  by  Richard  Seal,  Esq.,  and  others  of  our  best 
singers,  the  Regiment  was  then  welcomed  by  Mr.  Washburne. 

ADDRESS   BY   HON.  E.  B.  WASHBURNB. 

Officers  and  Soldiers  of  the  Ninety-Sixth  Regiment  of  Illinois  Volunteers: 
The  loyal  and  patriotic  citizens  of  Galena  have  devolved  on  me  the 
pleasant  duty  of  extending  to  you,  in  their  behalf,  a  heartfelt  and  cordial 
welcome.  Brave,  noble  and  patriotic  men;  three  years  ago  you  found 
your  beloved  country  assailed  by  perfidious  and  black-hearted  traitors, 
not  only  in  the  states  then  in  open  rebellion  against  our  God-given  gov 
eminent,  but  by  traitors  in  our  own  midst.  Responding  to  the  call  of 
duty  and  patriotism,  you  left  your  homes  and  hearthstones,  and  rallied 
around  the  insulted  flag  of  your  country.  The  loyal  men  of  Galena,  and 
of  the  county,  have  watched  the  brilliant  career  of  your  Regiment  with 
a  pride  that  has  never  been  subdued,  and  a  faith  that  has  never  faltered. 
We  have  gloried  over  the  victories  you  have  contributed  so  much  to  win, 
and  mourned  over  the  many  brave  and  noble  men  who  went  out  with 
you  and  who  fell  in  the  service.  I  am  proud  to  be  able,  in  this  presence, 
to  bear  testimony  to  the  good  standing  which  the  NINETY- SIXTH  has 
always  had.  not  only  in  the  field  of  active  service,  but  in  Washington. 
In  recognition  of  its  fighting  qualities  and  of  its  soldierly  deportment  on 
every  field,  the  Secretary  of  War,  kindly  responding  to  my  suggestion, 
honored  four  of  its  officers  by  brevetting  them  from  General  to  Major, 
and  never  were  honors  more  gallantly  and  justly  won,  or  more  worthily 


COMPANY  C. 


First  Sergeant  LEWIS  H.  BRYANT. 
JOSEPH  SAVAGE. 


Sergeant  MARTIN  EFINGER. 
Corporal  HENRY  H.  CUTLER. 


LEONARD  S.  DOOLITTLE. 
HIRAM  CLARK. 


1865]  RECEPTION  AT  GALENA.  497 

bestowed.  Going  out  from  a  city  and  county  that  have  given  to  the 
country  that  unrivaled  and  heroic  soldier  and  incorruptible  citizen, 
Lieutenant  General  Grant,  whose  marvelous  combinations  and  splendid 
military  triumphs  made  to  succumb  the  gigantic  and  hideous  rebellion, 
and  gave  us  peace  and  a  restored  union,  it  is  a  proud  consolation  to  know 
that  in  your  hands  his  laurels  have  never  been  withered.  During  your 
long  and  devoted  service  to  your  country,  in  which  you  have  passed 
through  more  battles  and  skirmishes  than  many  of  you  can  count 
years,  you  have  borne  in  triumph  and  glory  the  proud  banner  you  now 
bring  back  to  us  stained  by  no  act  unworthy  of  a  soldier  of  the  Re- 
public, torn  by  shell,  riddled  by  bullets,  blackened  by  the  smoke  of  a 
hundred  battles,  you  can  proudly  point  to  it  as  the  most  glorious  evi 
dence  of  the  courage  and  heroism  of  the  noble  men  who  have  carried  it 
in  sunshine  and  in  the  storm-cloud  of  battle  alike,  through  long  years  of 
desperate  and  bloody  conflict.  Alas!  how  much  precious  blood  has  been 
poured  out  beneath  its  ample  folds;  but  never  was  blood  shed  in  a  more 
holy  cause,  for  it  has  watered  the  tree  of  liberty  so  it  will  grow  and 
flourish  forever.  You  have  wept  over  the  fresh  green  graves  of  many 
of  your  companions  slain  in  battle;  over  the  dead  body  of  your  brave 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Clarke,  and  of  others,  falling  bravely  fighting  on  so 
many  bloody  fields. 

"  When  a  soldier  weeps  o'er  a  brother's  bier, 

You  may  know  that  the  brave  is  dead, 
For  never  yet  was  a  soldier's  tear 
Shed  over  a  craven's  head." 

Returning,  as  you  do,  after  all  your  perils,  through  battles  and 
marches  and  sieges,  protected  by  the  hand. of  Providence,  and  spared  to 
come  again  among  us,  we  embrace  and  congratulate  you  all,  while  we 
weep  for  the  unreturning  brave,  lostjto  vta'and  to  the  country,  giving  up 
their  lives  that  the  nation  might  be.sgO'^aC'-/"  tX/CTO 

"  Nor  wife,  nor  children  more  shall  they  behold, 
Nor  friends  nor  sacred  home." 

How  many  of  them  have  lingered  and  died  in  hospitals  !  How  many 
of  them  languished  and  starved  in  rebel  prisons  !  How  many  of  them, 
maimed  and  wounded,  will  have  to  drag  out  a  painful  existence,  and 
alas  !  how  many  of  them  now  till  bloody  and  undistinguished  graves, 
hastily  buried  upon  the  battle  field  by  their  companions,  in  the  very  spot 
where  they  fell,  and  amid  the  roar  of  cannon  and  the  clash  of  resound- 
ing arms  ! 

"  Slowly  and  sadly  they  laid  them  down, 

On  the  field  of  their  fame,  fresh  and  gory, 
They  carved  not  a  line,  they  raised  not  a  stone, 
But  they  left  them  alone  in  their  glory." 

With  our  rejoicings  over  your  return,  and  over  a  country  saved,  we 
mingle  our  tears  for  the  noble  dead  of  your  Regiment  who  have  fallen  in 
the  Nation's  defence.  We  will  cherish  their  memory  in  our  hearts. 
Their  deeds  shall  survive  and  be  honored  so  long  as  liberty  has  a  votary 
among  us. 

Soldiers,  again  I  bid  you  welcome  to  your  homes.  You  come  back 
to  us  covered  with  immortal  renown  and  bringing  the  untold  blessings  of 
peace,  conquered  by  your  brave  hearts  and  strong  arms.  Coming  out  of 
the  wilderness  of  civil  war,  you  bring  to  us  a  restored  Union  and  a 
country  "  redeemed,  regenerated  and  disenthralled  by  the  genius  of  uni- 
versal emancipation."  Achieved  at  such  frightful  cost  of  blood,  of  treas- 
ure, and  of  tears,  these  priceless  results  will  be  cherished  forever  in  the 
Nation's  heart. 

Men  of  the  heroic  NINETY-SIXTH,  welcome  !  welcome  ! 

32 


4:98  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

Colonel  Smith,  briefly  thanking  the  loyal  people  of  Galena  for  the 
magnificent  ovation,  called  upon  Lieutenant  Colonel  Hicks  for  a  more 
full  expression  of  the  sentiments  of  the  Regiment. 

ADDRESS   OF   LIEUTENANT  COLONEL   HICKS. 

Citizens  of  Galena  : 

I  am  requested  by  Colonel  Smith  to  express  to  you  the  thanks  of  the 
Regiment  for  the  generous,  hearty  welcome  you  have  extended  to  us. 
We  are  pleased  to  be  with  you,  and  to  receive  your  congratulations  that 
our  mission  of  warfare  is  ended.  We  rejoice  with  you  that  the  long, 
fierce,  terrible  conflict  is  over. 

Three  years  ago  we  went  out  from  among  you,  cheered  by  your 
words  of  encouragement  and  kindly  sympathy.  Although  the  blood  of 
patriot  heroes  had,  at  that  time,  been  profusely  shed  in  the  war,  although 
their  graves  were  scattered  by  hundreds  along  the  Tennessee,  and  were 
crowded  together  by  thousands  in  the  swamps  of  the  Chickahominy,  yet 
treason  presented  a  bolder  front  than  ever,  and  had  developed  itself  into 
the  most  thoroughly  organized  rebellion  of  which  history  makes  men- 
tion. In  that  crisis  of  her  fate  our  country  summoned  these  soldiers  to 
reinforce  her  decimated  armies,  to  "fill  the  vacant  ranks  of  their  broth- 
ers gone  before,"  and  to  breast  the  tide  of  treason  which  was  surging 
northward  and  already  approaching  the  Ohio  River.  You  remember 
how  prompt  was  the  response  to  that  summons.  These  men,  and  their 
compatriots,  rushed  to  arms  as  if  in  literal  response  to  the  call  of  the  old 
Scottish  chieftain,  for  they  came 

"  — as  the  winds  come 
When  forests  are  rended," 
came 

"  — as  the  waves  come 
When  navies  are  stranded." 

They  came,  not  in  the  flush  of  victory,  but  in  the  hour  of  gloom. 
They  came,  after  we  had  learned  what  a  terrible  scourge  civil  strife  is, 
after  the  sword  had  cut  away  the  mask  of  martial  glory  from  the  face 
of  "grim-visaged  war,"  and  he  presented  himself  in  his  most  hideous 
aspect.  In  that  hour  of  need  these  soldiers  enlisted,  resolved  to  dare  all, 
to  venture  all,  upon  the  field  of  battle,  that  their  country  might  live. 
With  that  high  purpose  they  left  you,  cheered  by  your  words  of  encourage- 
ment and  sympathy. 

Now,  after  three  years  of  varied  experience  as  soldiers,  on  the 
march,  in  skirmish  and  battle,  in  bivouac  and  camp,  in  hospital,  and, 
some  of  them,  in  prison,  they  have  returned  to  receive  your  congratula- 
tions that  their  work  is  done  and  well  done.  The  rebellion  is  completely 
conquered,  and  they  may  justly  feel,  what  has  been  so  eloquently  ex- 
pressed, that  they  have  done  their  full  share  and  suffered  their  full  pro- 
portion in  effecting  that  result.  Few  regiments  will  claim  to  have  borne 
a  distinguished  part  in  three  battles,  more  conspicuous  in  the  annals  of 
the  war,  or  more  important  in  their  bearing  upon  its  issue,  than  the  bat- 
tles of  Chickamauga,  Lookout  Mountain  and  Nashville.  And  hardly 
any  campaign,  considering  the  number  of  battles  fought,  the  leagues 
marched,  the  miles  of  fortifications  built,  and  the  months  of  unremitting 
skirmishing,  day  and  night,  will  be  replete  with  greater  interest  than 
that  campaign  against  Atlanta,  in  whose  opening  these  soldiers  partici- 
pated in  their  skirmish  at  Rocky  Faced  Ridge,  in  whose  progress  they 
were  constantly  engaged  with  the  enemy;  and  whose  closing  was  marked 
by  their  capture  of  the  enemy's  rifle  pits  at  Lovejoy's  Station.  When 
the  historian  tells  the  story  of  Chickamauga;  how  disaster  and  ruin 
seemed  inevitable  to  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland;  how  Thomas  was 
barely  holding  the  foe  in  check,  fearing  every  moment  the  lines 


18C5J        ,  RECEPTION  AT  GALENA.  499 

would  give  way;  how  the  reserve  corps,  at  that  critical  moment  was 
rushed  to  the  front,  as  a  forlorn  hope,  and  successfully  stayed  the  further 
progress  of  the  enemy,  and  in  the  words  of  Thomas,  "saved  the  army  ": 
when  he  tells  that  story,  he  may  truthfully  add  that  the  NINETY-SIXTH, 
more  than  any  other  one  regiment  of  the  reserves,  contributed  to  that 
result.  You,  our  old  friends,  will  permit  me  to  repeat  here  what  General 
Steedman,  our  commander  in  this  battle,  has  frequently  said, —  that  he 
owes  his  double  stars  to  the  bearing  of  this  Regiment  at  that  time,  and 
that  he  never  saw  men  fight  as  these  soldiers  fought  at  Chickamauga. 
But  then,  he  had  never  seen  the  45th,  nor  any  other  regiment  from  this 
region,  in  action,  and  did  not  know  what  sort  of  material  you  were  ac- 
customed to  send  to  our  armies.  And  when  the  poet  sings  the  song  of 
the  "battle  above  the  clouds,"  where  the  contest  was  waged  on  the 
heights  of  Lookout,  while  the  great  opposing  armies  on  the  plains  below 
watched  it  with  wondering  gaze,  he  should  not  overlook  the  fact  that 
the  NINETY-SIXTH, — climbing  up  to  the  base  of  the  precipitous  cliff,  and 
working  their  way  along  the  side  of  the  mountain,  where  a  foothold 
could  scarcely  be  found, —  by  a  successful  flank  movement,  drove  the 
enemy  from  his  strongest  position,  and  made  the  evacuation  of  the  entire 
mountain  certain.  And  the  orator,  when  he  would,  in  future  times, 
incite  his  fellow  citizens  to  emulate  the  heroism  displayed  in  this  war, 
can  hardly  choose  a  nobler  incident  than  the  part  borne  by  these  soldiers 
in  the  battle  of  Nashville, — where  an  entire  Rebel  army  was  annihilated. 
The  capture  of  the  enemy's  works  by  this  Regiment,  together  with  a 
battery  and  hundreds  of  prisoners,  while  our  flag  was  borne  most  gal- 
lantly ahead  of  us,  is  an  incident  of  which  any  battalion  might  be  proud. 

For  their  bravery  in  these  battles,  and  throughout  their  campaigns, 
you,  sir,  have  poured  into  their  ears  words  of  unqualified  praise.  I 
shall  disclaim  not  one  word  of  that  praise,  which  has  been  spoken 
of  the  men  in  the  ranks,  and  their  officers  of  the  line,  many  of  whom 
rose  from  the  ranks.  They  deserve  it  all,  and  more.  You  can  never 
know, — you  can  never  express, —  the  worth  of  such  services  as  theirs. 
When  you  have  in  every  possible  way  shown  forth  your  high  regard, 
your  admiration,  your  gratitude,  your  love  for  these  returning  soldiers, 
who  have  fought  your  battles,  you  will  have  fallen  far  short  of  the  full 
measure  of  their  worth.  I  know  whereof  I  speak,  for  I  have  witnessed 
these  men, — your  sons,  brothers,  neighbors,  friends, —  day  after  day,  ex- 
hibit a  gallantry,  a  valor,  a  noble,  self-sacrificing  devotion,  equaled  only 
by  the  most  illustrious  examples  of  heroism  in  the  annals  of  mankind. 

It  is  exceedingly  joyous  to  know  that  their  valor  need  be  no  further 
tested.  It  is  indeed  a  pleasure  that,  new  at  home  once  more,  they  can 
rejoice  with  you  over  the  victory  won,  the  country  saved,  the  nation 
redeemed,  and  freedom  disenthralled. 

We  are  reminded,  in  the  midst  of  our  joy,  that  many  who  received 
with  us  your  parting  benisons,  as  we  went  to  the  wars,  have  not  returned, 
and  will  never  return,  to  share  with  us  in  your  welcoming  plaudits.  Oh, 
if  the  country  could  have  been  saved  by  the  expenditure  of  money  and 
material  only,  how  gladly  would  we  have  doubled,  have  quadrupled  our 
immense  national  debt.  But,  since  the  world  was,  there  has  been  no 
salvation  but  by  the  shedding  of  blood;  and,  since  governments  were 
instituted,  the  tree  of  Liberty  (as  has  been  said  by  him  who  welcomed 
us),  has  taken  deep  root  only  in  soil  enriched  by  the  blood  of  martyrs! 
How  largely  has  the  NINETY-SIXTH  added  to  the  list  of  those  martyrs! 
How  extensive  is  the  field  fertilized  by  their  blood!  Our  fallen  brothers 
are  lost  to  us,  but,  sir,  you  said  truly,  their  names  shall  not  be  forgotten. 
Their  memories,  forever  blessed,  shall  be  forever  cherished,  and  their 
graves  held  sacred  as  the  shrines  of  Freedom.  Their  graves?  Ah,  in  the 
Valley  of  the  Chickamauga,— that  "River  of  Death," — th6  bodies  of 
many  of  them  moulder  to  the  dust,  and  "  no  man  knoweth  of  their  sep- 
ulchre unto  this  day."  They  lie  there,  somewhere  on  that  ensanguined 


500  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I* 

field,  in  an  unmarked  tomb.  It  may  not  be  for  us  to  plant  the  laurel 
with  the  cypress  upon  their  grave;  our  tears  may  not  fall  upon  it,  nor 
our  requiem  be  chanted  over  it.  Yet  shall  that  unknown  grave  be  cared 
for.  The  creeping  grass  shall  search  it  out  and  bedeck  it  with  loveliest 
verdure;  the  blessed  dews  of  Heaven  shall  discover  it  and  bathe  it  with 
nature's  tear-drops;  the  gentle  winds,  songhing  through  the  pines,  shall 
surely  find  it,  and  wail  an  oft-repeated  requiem  over  their  tomb,  while 
the  pleasant  sunlight  shall  shine  upon  it,  and  shed  an  eternal  halo  of 
glory  around  it.  Their  sepulchre  is  unknown,  and  the  stranger  may  pass 
thoughtlessly  over  it,  and  rude  sounds  of  toil  and  mirth  break  in  upon 
the  sacred  quiet  of  the  place.  They  will  heed  it  not;  they  will  sleep  in 
peace.  Aye,  my  fallen  brothers,  hero  martyrs,  you  may  sleep  on  in  peace; 
for  the  crack  of  the  slave-driver's  lash,  and  the  clank  of  human  fetters 
shall  never  be  heard  to  disturb  your  repose,  nor  shall  the  footsteps  of  a 
slave  ever  echo  above  your  heads!  Their  place  of  sepulchre  is  hidden, 
yet  not  so  hidden  but  it  shall  be  found  when  the  archangel's  trump  shall 
summon  their  bodies  to  rise  in  triumph  and  be  clothed  upon  with  glory. 
We  will  not  regret  that  their  last  resting  place  is  somewhere  on  that  his- 
toric field;  for  few  routes  from  Earth  to  Heaven  are  more  direct  than 
those  which  have  for  their  terrestrial  termini  the  battlefields  of  Freedom. 

We  mourn  for  our  brothers  fallen  in  battle — and  not  for  them  only. 
We  remember,  as  you,*sir,  did  not  forget,  the  more  pitiable  fate  of  those 
who  have  been  wasted  by  disease  and  wounds,  and  lingered  in  hospitals 
until  their  sufferings  ended  in  the  quiet  of  the  grave.  They  were  not 
only  deprived  of  the  tender  care  of  loved  ones  at  home,  but  were  also 
debarred  from  the  companionship  of  their  comrades  in  the  field.  The 
excitement  of  battle  was  not  present  to  nerve  them  to  greater  endurance, 
nor  were  their  hearts  animated  by  the  cheers  of  their  fellow-soldiers. 
Alone  among  strangers,  with  patient  fortitude  they  suffered  and  died  in 
the  service  of  their  country.  They  were  as  truly  martyrs  to  their  country 
as  if  they  had  been  slain  on  the  field  of  battle  by  an  open  rebel  foe,  or 
in  some  secluded  chamber  by  a  secret  rebel  assassin. 

Most  pitiable  of  all  was  the  fate  of  those  who,  prostrated  by  sick- 
ness, were  compelled  to  endure  the  "  tender  mercies  "  of  a  foe  who  had 
reduced  cruelty  to  a  system.  Disease,  at  best,  is  misery  ;  how  supremely 
miserable,  then,  must  have  been  the  lot  of  our  hapless  comrades  who 
suffered  from  disease  in  the  prisons  of  the  South.  Far  away  from  all 
friends,  beyond  the'  reach  of  succor,  supplied  with  neither  needful  care 
nor  nutriment,  the  little  delicacies  sent  for  their  use  under  the  sacred 
white  flag  cruelly  withheld  from  them,  even  the  blessed  sunlight  and  the 
pure  breath  of  heaven  doled  out  to  them  in  stinted  measure — how  utterly 
desolate  was  their  fate.  Their  prayer  every  morn  must  have  been,  "  Oh. 
that  the  even  were  come,"  and  at  eventide,  "Oh,  that  the  morn  were  come!" 
To  them  Death  came,  not  as  the  King  of  Terrors,  but  rather  as  a  friend 
to  remove  them  from  such  hells  as  Andersonville  and  Florence.  We  can 
not,  we  will  not,  hold  the  arch  traitor  of  all  guiltless  of  the  horrid 
cruelties  practiced  in  his  prisons,  where  our  comrades  were  deliberately 
murdered  with  cold  torture.  His  friends  are  urging  that  mercy  be 
extended  to  him.  Mercy  ? 

"  Mercy  to  him  that  shows  it,  is  the  rule  ; 
And  he  that  shows  none,  being  ripe  in  years, 
And  conscious  of  the  outrages  he  doth  commit, 
Shall  seek  it,  and  not  find  it,  in  his  turn." 

When  we  sum  up  all  the  sacrifices  of  this  Regiment  during  the  war, 
the  aggregate  is  frightful.  Death  has  been  our  constant  companion. 
He  joined  us  as  we  left  our  first  camp  at  Rockford,  and  when  we  reached 
our  last  rendezvous  at  Chicago,  even  there  he  would  not  leave  us  nor 
forego  his  demands.  Ours  is  but  one  Regiment,  and  when  we  remember 
that  the  history  of  its  sacrifices  is  but  one  of  a  thousand  similar  his- 


1865]  RECEPTION  AT  GALENA.  501 

tpries,  we  can  form  some  estimate  of  the  infinite  price  paid  for  the  salva- 
tion and  redemption  of  our  country. 

Thank  God  the  sacrifice  has  not  been  in  vain  !  Thank  God  that, 
even  at  such  a  cost,  our  country  has  been  saved  and  purified.  In  four 
years  of  war  the  work  of  centuries  of  peace  has  been  accomplished  for 
us.  The  blessings  in  store  for  our  land  are  beyond  computation,  nor  can 
we  conceive  how  far-reaching  will  be  their  beneficent  influences.  You 
do  well,  fellow  citizens,  to  remember  that,  under  God,  you  owe  these 
blessings  to  the  soldiers.  Because  you  have  thus  remembered  these  sol- 
diers to-day,  I  again  return  you  their  thanks.  And  they  would  thank 
3pou,  not  for  this  reception  only,  but  for  the  kind  interest  you  have  always 
manifested  in  the  career  of  the  Regiment.  And  we  do  not  forget  that 
you  have  had  work  to  do  at  home,  to  maintain  peace  here,  while  the  sol- 
diers were  battling  for  peace  in  the  field.  To  you,  the  loyal  men  of 
Galena,  we  feel  deeply  grateful ;  but  for  those  who  have  had  no  word  of 
encouragement  for  the  soldier,  who  have  not  lifted  so  much  as  a  finger  to 
cheer  and  assist  those  who  were  fighting  the  battles  of  their  country, 
who  would  have  thwarted  every  effort  to  save  the  nation,  the  returning 
soldiers  can  feel  only  an  indignant  contempt. 

Let  me  tax  your  patience  a  little  longer,  while  I  say  a  few  words  of 
farewell  to  my  fellow  soldiers. 

My  friends  and  comrades,  the  three  years  of  our  companionship  are 
ended.  For  us  no  more  the  reveille  shall  sound,  nor  awakening  drum 
call  us  to  drill  and  parade,  nor  bugles  blow  the  onset  to  the  charge.  The 
musket  is  to  be  exchanged  for  the  maul  and  the  mallet ;  the  sword  is  to 
be  hung  up  to  rust,  while  sickles  are  brightened  with  renewed  use. 

It  seems  a  long  time  that  we  have  been  associated  .together.  It  is  a 
long  time ;  for 

"  We  live  in  deeds,  not  years  ;  in  thoughts,  not  breaths  ; 
In  feelings,  not  in  figures  on  a  dial. 
We  should  count  time  by  heart-throbs." 

Counting  time  by  "heart-throbs,"  how  have  the  years  of  our  sol- 
dierly experience  been  lengthened  out !  I  trust  those  years  are  to  you, 
as  to  me,  full  of  pleasant  memories,  and  free  from  bitter  recollections. 
The  great  contest,  which  blended  our  different  pathways  of  life  into  one, 
is  ended,  and  those  paths  again  diverge,  and  we  go  our  separate  ways 
into  the  world.  But  we  will  not  forget  one  another.  Our  remembrances 
of  each  other  cannot  cease  with  our  parting.  The  ties  which  bind 
together  the  mystic  brotherhood  are  fragile  compared  with  those  which 
unite  in  fellowship  soldiers  who,  side  by  side,  have  breasted  the  storm  of 
battle, 

"  'Mid  death  shots  falling  thick  and  fast." 

No  longer  soldiers,  you  are  now,  as  citizens,  to  mingle  with  your 
fellow  citizens,  and  join  with  them  in  pursuing  the  arts  of  peace,  and 
maintaining  the  blessings  of  our  land.  Those  blessings  are  theirs  and 
yours  in  common;  theirs  by  inheritance,  but  yours  by  purchase,  and, 
knowing  the  dear  price  of  that  purchase,  you  will  not  fail  to  maintain 
them  inviolate.  I  need  not  urge  you  to  the  fulfillment  of  every  duty 
which  pertains  to  the  citizen.  I  know  you  will  cherish  your  reputations 
as  soldiers  so  highly  that  you  will  be  especially  careful  to  do  nothing 
which  will  in  the  least  tarnish  or  efface  it. 

I  congratulate  you  upon  your  return  "home  again  "  to  those  loved 
ones  whose  hearts,  "whose  sympathies,  whose  prayers  have  been  with  you 
always,  and  who,  with  you,  will  enjoy  the  blessings  of  reestablished 
peace.  Few  will  appreciate, —  few  have  reason  to  appreciate, —  those 
blessings  more  highly  than  the  mothers  and  wives  of  those  who  have 
fought  the  battles  of  their  country.  My  comrades,  we  know  but  little  of 
the  sacrifices  of  woman  in  this  war.  The  anxious  care  that  slowly  wears 
the  life  away,  the  sorrow  for  which  there  is  no  balm;  the  anguish  that 


502  HISTORY  OF  THE  96xH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

breaks  the  heart-strings,  have  fallen  mainly  to  her  lot.  Believe  me,  the 
sufferings  you  have  endured  have  not  been  so  acutely  felt  by  yourselves 
as  by  those  whose  lives  were  bound  up  in  yours.  But  the  supreme  joy 
of  this  moment  of  your  safe  return  more  than  compensates  for  all  the 
weary  hours  of  sorrow  occasioned  by  your  absence.  They  have  long 
watched  and  prayed  and  waited  for  your  coming;  and  now  that  you  have 
come,  victorious,  their  joy  is  perfect.  There  are  those  who  may  watch 
and  pray  and  wait  never  so  long,  yet  will  never  be  gladdened  by  the 
sight  of  loved  ones  returning  from  the  war.  When  mothers  ask  me  for 
their  sons,  whom  I  took  with  me  to  the  battle  field,  but  did  not  bring 
back,  what  can  I  answer  ?  I  can  only  say  that  when  our  roll  was  called 
and  their  names  were  spoken,  the  response  was — not  such  as  the  com- 
rades of  the  first  grenadier  of  France  were  wont  to  give,  "  Dead  on  the 
field  of  honor  f" — not  that,  but  this  :  LIVING  IN  THE  REALMS  OP  GLORY  ! 
Not  here,  but  yonder  shall  be  the  triumphant  meeting  of  mothers  with 
their  martyred  sons.  Do  they  feel  that  their  light  of  life,  their  joy,  their 
strength,  their  comfort  is  gone,  and  that  they  must  bear  their  burdens  of 
sorrow  to  the  grave,  unsupported,  desolate,  and  alone  ?  Let  me  assure 
them  that  while  soldiers  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  live,  the  bereaved  mothers 
of  our  fallen  comrades  shall  not  lack  for  sons. 

My  comrades,  when  you  were  about  to  enlist  in  the  service  of  your 
country,  you  were  told  that  you  would  be  rewarded  for  your  services. 
You  will  be.  Not  with  wealth.  Had  wealth  been  your  object,  you 
would  never  have  been  known  as  soldiers.  Wealth  could  not  reward 
you.  Not  all  the  riches  of  Croesus  could  tempt  a  sane,  reasonable  man, 
knowingly,  to  pass  through  the  scenes  in  which  you  have  borne  a  part ; 
to  stand  where  you  have  stood,  facing  the  foe  ;  to  fight  as  you  have- 
fought. 

Nor  will  you  be  rewarded  by  Fame.  Fame  blew  herself  hoarse  in 
the  first  few  months  of  the  war,  and  has  since  utterly  despaired  of  trum- 
peting forth  the  merits  of  an  one-hundredth  part  of  the  heroes  of  our 
land.  What  can  fame  do,  when  every  fourth  man  you  meet  is  a  hero  ? 

Nor  will  your  highest  reward  come  from  the  people.  However  much 
they  may  admire  you  ;  whatever  they  may  seek  to  do  for  you — (and  such 
a  welcome  as  you  have  received  proves  that  what  they  can  they  will  do 
for  you) ;  the  people  can  never  adequately  reward  you.  Indeed,  to  a 
considerable  extent,  you  are,  yourselves,  the  people. 

Yet  you  will  be  rewarded.  As  the  stream  of  time  flows  along,  bear- 
ing you  on  its  course,  and  the  events  of  to-day  recede  somewhat  into  the 
distance,  giving  you  a  larger  and  broader  view  of  them,  enabling  you  to 
perceive  how  transcendently  great  they  are,  the  consciousness  that  you 
bore  no  insignificant  part  in  those  events  will  be  your  reward.  As  you 
behold  the  old  flag,  not  a  star  lost,  many  a  star  added,  every  star  shining 
brightly  in  the  constellation ;  as  you  see  in  its  stripes  only  the  pure 
"  streakings  of  the  morning's  light,"  and  no  more  the  emblems  of  the 
degradation  of  millions  in  our  land  ;  when  you  see  that  flag  waving  in 
triumph,  the  knowledge  that  it  does  wave  in  triumph,  because  you  and 
soldiers  like  you  have  borne  it  bravely  over  many  a  hotly  contested  field, 
will  be  your  reward.  When  you  watch  the  renewed  growth  of  our  land,  as  it 
becomes  the  strongest,  freest,  happiest,  best  land  God  ever  blessed,  you 
will  have  your  reward.  As  you  learn  how,  throughout  the  wide  world, 

"  Humanity,  with  all  its  fears, 
And  all  its  hopes  of  future  years," 

was  "[hanging,  breathless"  on  the  issue  of  our  contest  ;  as  you  witness 
the  influence  of  our  free  institutions  pervading  the  earth,  weakening  the 
power  of  tyranny,  strengthening  the  hands  of  the  free,  giving  hope  to 
the  down-trodden,  and  making  liberty  possible  in  the  old  world,  the 
remembrance  that  you  did  not  fail  your  country  and  humanity  in  their 
hour  of  peril,  will  be  your  reward.  •  When  you  think  how  thoroughly 


1865]  RECEPTION  AT  GALENA.  503 

you  would  have  despised  yourselves  had  our  land  passed  through  its 
great  trial  unassisted  by  you,  the  fact  that  you  acted  the  part  of  true 
men  will  be  your  reward.  Yes,  the  consciousness  of  duty  performed,  of 
sacrifices  unselfishly  made  for  the  sake  of  right,  will  be  your  all  sufficient 
reward.  Every  day  you  will  be  the  happier  for  it ;  every  night  your 
sleep  will  be  the  sweeter  for  it,  and  your  dreams  more  blessed.  You  will 
ever  feel  that  your  manhood  has  been  vindicated,  strengthened,  ennobled. 
You  would  not  barter  away  that  consciousness  for  all  the  gifts  that  the 
great  and  powerful  of  earth  can  bestow.  You  surely  have  your  reward. 

Nor  shall  I  fail  of  reward  for  aught  I  may  have  done,  if  my  hopes 
are  realized  that  you  will  retain  for  me,  as  your  fellow  citizen,  that  kind 
regard  which  you  have  uniformly  manifested  toward  me  as  your  officer. 

My  comrades,  I  bid  you  farewell.  May  Heaven's  richest  blessings 
ever  be  upon  you ;  may  the  added  years  of  your  life  be  years  of  happi- 
ness ;  and  while  you  live,  wherever  your  lot  may  be,  GOD  BE  WITH  YOU — 
GOD  BLESS  YOU  ! 

AT  THE  SUPPER  TABLE. 

After  the  conclusion  of  the  speech  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Hicks,  the 
Regiment  then  formed  and  proceeded  to  the  splendid  dining  hall  of  the 
DeSoto,  where  Mr.  Baldwin,  the  excellent  landlord,  had  prepared  a  mag- 
nificent repast.  The  hall  was  decorated  with  innumerable  flags  and  ban- 
ners, arranged  with  exquisite  taste.  At  the  end  of  the  hall  was  hung 
the  portrait  of  Lieutenant  General  Grant.  But  what  added  most  to  the 
interest  of  the  occasion,  was  one  of  the  most  touching  and  graceful  com- 
pliments of  the  kind  ever  paid  to  a  returning  soldier.  The  tables  were 
waited  on  by  the  wives  and  daughters  of  our  citizens,  distinguished  for 
their  beauty,  grace  and  patriotism,  vicing  with  each  other  to  do  ready 
honor  to  the  bravery  of  the  noble  soldiers,  who  had  done  so  much,  not 
only  to  put  down  the  rebels  of  the  South,  but  the  rebels  at  home. 

At  the  table  Mr.  Washburne  presided,  having  on  his  right  Colonel 
Smith,  and  on  his  left  Lieutenant  Colonel  Hicks.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Blinn 
invoked  a  blessing.  After  the  supper  was  over,  many  sentiments  were 
given.  To  the  sentiment  :  "To  the  returned  braves  of  the  gallant 
NINETY-SIXTH.  They  have  the  thanks  and  gratitude  of  all  loyal  hearts. 
Health,  happiness,  prosperity,  and  length  of  days  be  with  them,"  all  the 
citizens  present  arose  and  responded  with  nine  hearty  cheers. 

To  the  sentiment  offered  by  Colonel  Smith  :  "The  thanks  of  the 
NINETY-SIXTH  to  the  patriotic  citizens  of  Galena  (and  particularly  the 
ladies),  for  their  cordial  and  heartfelt  welcome,"  the  brave  boys  gave 
such  a  "  three  times  three  and  a  tiger  "  as  soldiers  only  can  give. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Hicks  proposed  the  following,  which  was  received 
with  applause  and  enthusiasm  : 

The  Hon.  E.  B.  Washburne,  our  Representative  in  Congress,  every- 
where and  at  all  times  the  faithful  friend  of  the  citizen  soldier. 

Mr  Washburne  proposed  the  following  sentiment : 

Our  distinguished  fellow  citizen,  Lieutenant  General  Ulysses  S. 
Grant,  the  unrivaled  soldier,  the  incorruptible  public  servant,  the  honest 
man.  A  nation's  gratitude  will  bestow  on  him  the  highest  honors  of  the 
Republic. 

This  sentiment  was  received  with  the  most  unbounded  enthusiasm. 
The  entire  company  arose  and  responded  with  nine  hearty  cheers,  the 


504  HISTOKY  OF  THE  96xH  B,EGiMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

ladies  waving  their  handkerchiefs  and  the  band  striking  up  "  Hail  to  the 
Chief,"  etc. 

The  following  is  the  beautiful  poem  welcoming  home  the  Regiment, 
by  Rev.  J.  F.  Yates. 

COME  HOME. 

Come  home  !  old  glorious  NINETY-SIXTH, 

The  three  years'  work  is  done  ; 
Your  proud  war-record  is  complete, 

Our  country's  cause  is  won  ! 

Come  home  !  for  spirits  such  as  yours, 

No  idle  camp  life  suits — 
We  want  you  to  enjoy  your  fame, 

And  reap  its  precious  fruits. 

Come  back  !  you  need  not  fear  that  word, 

Which  all  the  last  three  years, 
Both  rebels  North,  and  rebels  South, 

Have  shouted  in  your  ears. 

Come  back  !  come  back  !  the  shameless  hounds 

Who  howled  upon  your  track, 
Until  you  crushed  foul  treason  out, 

Now  dread  your  coming  back. 

But  in  our  welcome  proud  unite, 

With  mother,  child  and  wife, 
With  sister  or  the  dearer  one, 

The  nation— saved  to  life. 

Aye,  come,  and  bring  the  tattered  flags, 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Hicks  ; 
You  led  our  boys  in  deadly  days, 

How  fares  the  NINETY-SIX  ? 

We  know  full  well  how  went  the  day, 

When  you  led  on  the  strife 
And  paid  for  priceless  victory, 

With  many  a  priceless  life. 

Nine  hundred  strong  you  proudly  marched 

In  Eighteen  Sixty-two, 
How  War's  hot  furnace  melts  brave  men, 

These  ranks  are  witness  true  ! 

But  God  be  praised,  ye  still  survive, 

We  feared  you'd  never  come, 
Brave  remnant  of  old  NINETY-SIX 

Three  times  thrice  welcome  home  ! 

Welcome  from  Chickamauga's  field, 
Where  first  you  fleshed  your  swords, 

And  though  repulsed  and  sadly  rent, 
Held  back  the  rebel  hordes — 

And  kept  a  heart  as  true  as  steel, 

A  heart  no  fear  destroys, 
Tho'  on  that  plain  the  NINETY-SIXTH, 

Left  twice  a  hundred  boys  ! 


1865]  RECEPTION  AT  GALENA.  505 

Come  home  from  Moccasin  Bend,  sad  spot, 

Where  horrors  girt  you  round, 
Where  famine,  foe  and  fell  disease 

Made  camp  a  burial  ground. 

Come  back  from  Buzzard's  Boost,  the  place — 

If  rumor  truly  saith — 
Where  Charles  and  Harry  Menzemer, 

Met  capture — worse  than  death. 

Come  back  from  Lookout  Mountain,  too, 

Where,  wrapped  in  ether  shrouds, 
You  won  the  wondrous  heights  and  placed 

Our  flag  above  the  clouds  ; — 

•    Above  the  clouds  that  wreathed  the  mount, 

Above  the  cloudy  fears, 
That  had  o'erhung  our  trembling  hearts 
For  two  long,  doubtful  years. — 

Come  home  from  Rocky  Face's  Ridge, 

Where,  tithing  blood  again, 
You  paid  for  God  and  Liberty, 

Near  half  a  hundred  men  ! 

Come  home  from  famed  Resaca, 

Come  from  the  Mount  of  Pines, 
From  Kenesaw's  dread  field  of  death, 

March  home  the  shattered  lines. 

Come  back  from  proud  Atlanta, 

From  Lovejoy's  Station  come, 
From  Franklin  late,  from  Nashville  last, 

Old  NINETY-SIX  come  home  ! 

Come  home  from  Libby  Prison  house, 

From  Anderson's  foul  grave, 
Come  from  the  bloodhounds'  cruel  chase 

Our  Menzemer  the  brave. 

We  hail  each  war-worn  private, 

Ye  all  are  chiefs  to-day, 
Our  laurel  wreaths  are  one  for  each, 

We  crown  you  chiefs  for  aye. 

All  hail  the  gallant  Colonel  Smith  ! 

Wounded  one  cruel  night, 
Chafing  like  lion  in  his  cage 

To  be  kept  back  from  fight. 

High  record  his,  and  nobly  writ 

In  type  the  bullet  set ; 
Unniail  his  breast — that  ghastly  scar  % 

Shows  how  he  earned  "brevet." 

Welcome  brave  Rowan,  ne'er  before 

Did  shoulder  wear  the  sign 
Of  noble  rank,  more  nobly  won, 

Than  that  brave  breast  of  thine  ! 

Our  children  know  how  in  the  fight 
You  scorned  the  rebel  hail, 


506  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

And,  when  imprisoned,  undermined 
Libby's  infernal  jail. 

And  Captains  and  Lieutenants  all, 
Who  won  the  glittering  bars, 

Proud  symbols  these— but  prouder  far, 
The  soldier's  glory-scars. 

With  you  we  welcome  o'er  again 
Our  late  come  honored  wards, 

Survivors  of  the  Ninetieth, 
The  loyal  Ryan  Guards. 

And  here  and  there  amid  this  throng 

Of  glorious  war-worn  boys, 
We  hail  the  shattered  fragments 

Of  the  Nineteenth  Illinois. 

Our  hearts  are  calling  other  sons — 

From  patriot  banishment, 
Why  wait  they  so  ?    What  ho  !  the  guard  T 

Surround  the  General's  tent. 

Arrest  the  chiefs — take  John  E.  Smith, 
And  bring  the  prisoner  forth — 

Stop  Maltby  going  to  new  command, 
And  turn  him  toward  the  North. 

Bring  Rawlins  back,  bring  Chetlain  back, 

And  let  us  see  our  men, 
The  high  in  rank,  with  rank  and  file — 

All  level  once  again. 

And  O,  come  home,  thou  wondrous  man,. 

Who  .never  said  I  can't — 
We  wait,  we  look,  we  long  for  you, 

Come  back  Ulysses  Grant ! 

Call  out  the  roll  of  NINETY- Sue, 
What  means  this  sileace  dread  ? 

O  God  !  the  scores  who  answer  not 
Are  f  urloughed — to  the  dead  ! 

And  come  they  not  for  calling  them  ? 

Are  they  not  with  us  too  ? 
In  heart  and  thought — they  are,  and  more,. 

I'll  call  them — so  shall  you. 

Come  back,  ye  fallen  brothers,  come, 
We  mourn  you  long  in  vain, 

You  fought  with  brothers  here,  and  fell, 
Come,  sit  with  us  again  ! 

Hist !  Hist  !  I  hear  a  shadowy  tread, 
Like  souls  of  soldiers  slain, 

'Tis  them  !  I  feel  the  living  dead 
Are  coming  back  again. 

They're  filing  past  us  through  this  hallr 

They  beat  no  muffled  drum, 
In  arms  of  Victory  they  died, 

And  victor-like  they  come  ! 


1865]  RECEPTION  AT  GALENA.  507 

Hark  !  they  are  speaking,  and  the  words 

That  to  my  soul  are  borne — 
Are  these — "  One  boon  we  ask  of  you 

Who  honor,  love  and  mourn — 

' '  Hold  dear  the  trust  we  bought  with  life, 

Dearer  than  your  life-breath — 
Give  mercy  to  the  blinded  crew, 
But  give  their  leaders  DBA  TH!" 

The  company  then  voted  their  thanks  to  the  Council  Hill  Band,  for 
their  patriotic  conduct  in  coming  to  the  reception,  and  discoursing  their 
eloquent  music  on  the  occasion. 

The  "Battle  Cry  of  Freedom"  and  "John  Brown"  were  sung  with 
great  spirit,  and  amid  thunders  of  applause.  Cheer  upon  cheer  went  up 
for  Grant,  Logan,  Sherman,  and  other  brave  Generals,  and  all  our  heroic 
private  soldiers.  At  nine  o'clock  the  company  separated  with  nine 
cheers  for  the  "  Union,  now  and  forever,"  all  seeming  happy  and  delighted 
with  the  satisfactory  and  joyful  manner  with  which  everything  had 
gone  off. 

The  gallant  soldiers  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  must  have  been  satisfied, 
that  while  Galena  is  notorious  for  traitors,  that  nowhere  do  more  loyal, 
generous  and  patriotic  hearts  beat  than  in  our  own  rock-bound  city. 

A  ball  was  given  in  the  evening  to  the  boys  of  the  Regiment  at  the 
DeSoto,  which  was  one  of  the  largest,  the  most  brilliant  and  successful 
we  have  ever  attended  in  this  city.  Everything  went  off  happily  and 
gloriously  till  the  wee  small  hours  of  morning. 

Too  much  credit  cannot  be  bestowed  on  Mr.  Baldwin,  for  the  very 
handsome  and  creditable  manner  in  which  he  got  up  the  supper,  and 
made  all  the  arrangements  connected  therewith. 

Editorially  the  Galena  Gazette  said  : 

THE  RECEPTION. 

The  reception  given  to  the  NINETY-SIXTH  Regiment  on  Thursday, 
was  far  from  being  a  mere  flourish  of  words  or  display  of  flags  and  ban- 
ners. The  cordial  shaking  of  hands,  the  cheerful  smile  upon  every 
countenance  in  the  room,  nnd  the  tears  of  gladness  which  rolled  down 
the  cheeks  of  the  father  and  mother  as  they  grasped  the  hand  of  the 
brave  son,  were  far  more  expressive  than  any  outward  display.  These 
warm  greetings  welled  up  from  the  hearts  of  our  citizens  and  reached 
the  hearts  of  our  noble  boys.  We  never  before  attended  so  happy  a 
meeting.  It  was  an  occasion  which  no  participant  is  likely  ever  to  forget. 


£08  HISTORY  or  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 


CHAPTER   XXXII. 


PRISONS  AND  PRISONERS. 

BY   LIEUTENANT  CHARLES   W.  EARLE,  CHICAGO. 

Prisoners  of  War — Two  Men  Captured  at  Franklin — Two  Captured  from 
Hospital  —  Captain  Rowan  Attempts  to  Escape  —  Capture  of  the 
Wounded  at  Chickamauga — Companies  C  and  H  Surrender  on  Mission 
Ridge — Fate  of  the  Prisoners — Personal  Narratives  of  Survivors. 

As  I  commence  the  chapters  assigned  to  me  by  the  Editor 
of  our  Regimental  History,  I  realize  fully  that  it  is  not  of  bril- 
liant campaigns  and  glorious  assaults  that  I  am  to  write. 

In  the  daily  life  of  the  soldier,  while  with  his  own  com- 
mand, there  is  much  to  create  enthusiasm,  and  the  privations 
which  are  incident  to  every  one  in  any  war  are  largely  as- 
suaged and  relieved  by  the  rapid  changes  and  the  varied 
scenes  and  experiences  of  a  soldier's  life. 

With  the  prisoner,  however,  it  is  different.  Separated 
from  his  command,  exposed  to  the  vicissitudes  of  weather, 
deprived  of  proper  food,  and  insulted  by  tyrannical  guards, 
his  sufferings  are  indescribable,  and,  in  large  part,  must  remain 
hidden  in  his  own  breast. 

But  few  now  live,  however,  to  tell  the  story  of  the  mire 
and  sand,  the  scorching  sun  and  pitiless  rains,  the  bodily  pain 
and  mental  anguish.  Death  came  to  many — a  happy  relief 
from  such  terrible  sufferings, — and  the  experiences  of  the  vast 
majority  of  those  who  suffered  in  rebel  pens  and  prisons  will, 
forever,  remain  part  of  the  unwritten  history  of  those  terrible 
days. 

Our  Regiment,  with  the  exception  of  the  losses  at  and 
immediately  following  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  was  remark- 
ably fortunate  in  the  number  of  men  it  had  captured  ;  and, 
while  exposed  almost  daily  either  on  picket  duty,  or  on  forage 
excursions,  or  upon  the  field  of  battle,  it  was  the  rarest  occur- 


CAPTURED  AT  FRANKLIN.  509" 

rence  for  us  to  lose  a  man  by  having  him  fall  into  the  hands 
of  the  enemy. 

The  list,  however,  is  long  enough,  and  as  our  Regimental 
Historian  has  been  surprised,  as  his  work  progressed,  to  find 
our  casualties  greater  than  he  anticipated,  so  am  I  surprised 
to  find  that  the  number  captured  is  greater,  and  that  in  the 
aggregate  so  many  were  obliged  to  submit  to  the  cruel  treat- 
ment of  those  having  Southern  prisoners  in  charge.  In  the 
following  pages  I  shall  try  to  follow  out  the  history  of  every 
man  from  the  time  of  his  capture  till  his  release,  either  by 
death,  exchange,  or  escape,  or  by  the  close  of  the  war. 

Many  of  those  captured  died  during  their  prison  life  from 
disease  and  exposure,  and  but  little  of  their  history  is  known. 
Concerning  a  few,  all  that  I  can  say  will  be  to  give  the  place 
and  date  of  death,  while  of  others  I  can  only  give  a  short  ab- 
stract of  their  privations,  and  a  few  representative  facts  toward 
a  complete  history  of  prison  life  in  one  prison.  I  shall,  so  far 
as  possible,  present  these  facts  in  the  words  of  the  sufferers. 
As  a  matter  of  convenience,  it  seems  best  to  present  the  expe- 
riences of  our  captured  men  in  the  order  of  their  capture. 

The  first  men  ever  captured  from  the  NINETY-SIXTH  were 
James  Pimley  and  Patrick  Conway,  both  members  of  Com- 
pany F,  who  were  taken  prisoners  near  Franklin,  Tenn., 
March  7,  1863.  The  Regiment  had  moved  to  that  point  two 
days  before,  and  everything  was  new  and  curious  to  its  mem- 
bers. Not  the  least  attractive  feature  in  the  near  vicinity 
was  Roper's  Knob,  and  thither  went  many  of  the  command, 
armed  only  with  the  passes  of  the  commander  of  the  Regiment. 
This  lofty  and  attractive  peak  was  a  mile  or  a  little  more  from 
camp,  and  partially  in  its  rear,  so  that  the  trip  was  not  sup- 
posed to  be  attended  with  any  risk.  It  was  outside  the  picket 
lines,  however,  and  proved  to  be  a  dangerous  resort.  On  the 
day  named,  these  soldiers,  with  others,  were  given  passes,  and 
made  their  way  to  its  top.  After  viewing  the  beauties  of  the 
landscape  for  a  time,  one  of  them  proposed  a  visit  to  a  house 
at  the  east  of  the  hill.  Objection  was  made  by  a  companion, — 
William  S.  Nash,  who  was  a  brother-in-law  of  Pimley, — not  so 
much  because  of  any  supposed  danger  as  for  the  reason  that 


510  HISTORY  or  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

he  thought  they  would  be  going  beyond  the  limits  prescribed 
by  their  passes.  But  inclination  was  strong,  and  the  two 
started  off,  promising  their  less  venturesome  companion  that 
if  he  would  return  to  camp  and  get  supper,  they  would  bring 
some  butter  when  they  came  back.  Going  to  the  house,  they 
were  readily  promised  some  provisions  by  the  family,  but 
before  they  were  ready  to  take  their  departure  a  number  of 
Confederate  cavalrymen  stepped  out  from  a  room  adjoining 
the  one  in  which  they  had  been  sitting,  and  ordered  them  to 
throw  up  their  hands.  There  was  no  alternative,  for  they 
were  unarmed  and  outnumbered,  and,  quietly  submitting, 
they  were  hurried  off  to  Spring  Hill,  where  they  remained  a 
few  days.  When  the  Federal  troops  advanced,  on  the  Duck 
River  expedition,  they  were  moved  southward,  though  not  so 
rapidly  but  that  they  once  had  a  good  view  of  the  advance  of 
the  Union  forces,  and  were  in  plain  sound  of  the  skirmishing. 
The  thought  of  escape  was  ever  uppermost  in  their  minds, 
but  no  favorable  opportunity  offered,  and  they  were  put 
aboard  the  cars  and  sent  to  Richmond,  where  they  were  con- 
fined for  some  months.  Although  prison  life  had  not  then 
reached  the  refinement  of  cruelty  subsequently  attained,  yet 
their  experiences  were  such  as  to  be  very  unpleasantly  remem- 
bered. They  were  paroled  and  sent  inside  the  Union  lines 
during  the  summer,  being  finally  exchanged  at  St.  Louis. 
After  a  brief  visit  to  their  homes  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  they 
returned  to  the  Regiment,  reaching  it  in  September,  1863. 
They  literally  fulfilled  their  promise  to  Comrade  Nash,  and 
brought  him  some  nice  fresh  butter,  but  it  was  from  Pleasant 
Valley,  Illinois,  and  not  from  Roper's  Knob,  Tennessee. 
Their  account  of  their  adventure  was  eagerly  listened  to,  and 
many  resolved  on  hearing  them  tell  of  the  short  rations, 
cruelty  and  indignities  to  which  they  were  subjected, — even 
the  women  spitting  in  their  faces, — that  they  would  take  des- 
perate chances  rather  than  be  captured.  Nash  chided  them 
for  being  caught  by  "  Butternuts  "  while  after  butter.  Hardly 
had  their  experiences  been  recounted  when  the  great  battle  of 
Chickamauga  came.  On  the  way  to  the  right,  on  that  fateful 
Sunday,  Pimley  had  a  premonition  that  his  end  .was  near  and 


CAPTAIN  ROWAN  A  PRISONER.  5 1 1 

told  a  comrade  his  belief.  He  did  not  shrink  from  any  duty, 
however,  but  went  bravely  forward  until  his  prediction  came 
true,  for  in  the  midst  of  the  battle  he  fell  to  rise  no  more, 
struck  by  a  bullet.  Conway  was  severely  wounded  in  the 
same  engagement,  but  survived,  and  at  the  time  of  the  writ- 
ing of  this  sketch  resides  in  Iowa. 

The  next  members  of  the  Regiment  to  be  captured,  so  far 
as  is  known,  were  Joseph  Rogers  and  Edward  Kearnaghan, 
also  of  Company  F,  who  were  made  prisoners  at  Danville, 
Ky.,  by  the  Rebel  General  Pegram's  forces,  March  14,  1863. 
Kearnaghan  escaped  in  a  short  time,  but  Rogers  was  held  for 
several  days  and  then  paroled.  Both  had  been  sick  in  hos- 
pital, but  were  convalescent  at  the  time,  and  heartily  thank- 
ful to  escape  being  carried  off  into  a  long  captivity. 

Captain  Charles  E.  Rowan,  of  Company  F,  was  captured 
on  Saturday  afternoon,  September  19,  1863,  during  the  bat- 
tle of  Chickamauga.  He  was  at  the  time  on  the  staff  of 
Gen.  Whittaker,  commander  of  the  Brigade,  and  had  ridden 
to  the  front  near  the  right  of  the  line,  with  orders,  when  he 
unexpectedly  found  himself,  at  the  turn  of  a  wooded  road,  in 
the  midst  of  a  large  force  of  the  enemy.  His  first  impulse 
was  to  ride  through  the  line,  and  this  he  undertook  to  do, 
when  a  bullet  or  two  was  sent  through  his  clothing,  and  his 
horse,  being  caught  by  a  soldier,  came  to  a  halt.  The  Cap- 
tain had  passed  over  that  very  ground  a  half  hour  before,  and 
did  not  know  that  the  right  of  the  Brigade  had  been  retired, 
while  he  was  upon  another  part  of  the  field,  in  order  to  pro- 
tect its  flank. 

Surrender  was  imperative,  and,  gracefully  as  possible,  he 
dismounted  and  submitted  to  being  deprived  of  his  imple- 
ments of  warfare.  That  night  he  was  kept  at  a  camp  fire 
near  the  cavalry  reserve,  with  a  single  guard  over  him,  but 
with  many  armed  men  about  him.  He  watched  for  an  oppor- 
tunity to  escape,  and  once  during  the  night,  discovering  that 
his  guard  was  apparently  napping,  crawled  partially  from 
under  his  blanket,  intending  to  spring  upon  a  horse  standing 
near  by  and  ride  into  the  Union  lines,  taking  his  chances  of 
being  shot  by  the  pickets  on  both  sides.  But  the  guard  was 


512  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

only  feigning  sleep,  and  remarking,  "  See  here,  Yank,  haven't 
you  gone  about  far  enough  ?"  drew  up  his  rifle,  and  the  Cap- 
tain, thinking  the  range  too  close,  concluded  to  wait.  Next 
day  he  was  marched  to  Ringgold,  with  others,  where  he 
boarded  the  cars  for  Richmond.  While  near  Vining's  Sta- 
tion, Ga.,  he  and  a  Sergeant  with  whom  he  had  become  some- 
what acquainted,  jumped  from  the  moving  train,  in  the  night, 
unobserved  by  the  guards,  and  started  northward.  During 
the  trip  they  had  met  trains  bearing  Rebel  reinforcements 
toward  Chattanooga,  and  had  learned  the  name  or  number  of 
one  or  more  regiments.  They  traveled  safely  for  several 
nights.  One  of  the  formidable  obstacles  in  their  way  was 
the  Etowah  River,  above  Allatoona.  Knowing  little  as  to  the 
bridges  or  wagon  roads  in  that  vicinity,  they  determined  to 
follow  the  railroad.  Near  the  river  they  could  see  the  camp 
of  the  enemy,  but  as  the  hour  was  late  they  passed  unmo- 
lested. At  the  bridge  a  sentry  was  discovered,  but  in  the 
darkness  the  Rebel  did  not  detect  the  color  of  their  uniforms, 
and  as  they  came  from  the  rear,  permitted  them  to  come 
close  up  before  calling  to  them  to  halt.  To  this  sentry  they 
stated  that  they  were  members  of  a  Confederate  regiment — 
naming  one  that  they  knew  had  passed  that  way — and  that 
they  had  gone  to  a  house  at  a  way  station  for  something  to 
eat,  when  the  train  pulled  out  and  left  them.  They  had 
waited,  they  said,  expecting  to  take  the  next  train,  but  learn- 
ing that  most  of  the  trains  did  not  stop  there,  had  concluded 
to  walk  to  Cartersville,  where  they  were  certain  to  be  taken 
on.  The  story  was  so  plausible,  and  they  plead  so  hard  with 
him,  as  an  old  soldier,  not  to  arrest  them,  that,  he  allowed 
them  to  pass.  The  guard  at  the  north  end  of  the  bridge, 
supposing  that  they  must  be  all  right  because  of  having  been 
permitted  to  pass  the  first  sentry,  was  easily  put  off  without 
much  explanation,  and  they  were  soon  out  of  all  immediate 
danger. 

Pushing  northward  for  the  two  or  three  succeeding  nights, 
they  had  completed  almost  a  hundred  miles,  when  the  Ser- 
geant gave  out  in  utter  exhaustion.  They  had  no  rations  when 
they  started,  and  had  found  but  little  food  along  the  road. 


CHAS.  WARRINGTON   EARLE. 


FIRST   LIEUTENANT  COMPANY  C. 


CAPTURED  AT  CHICKAMAUGA.  513 

The  Captain  reluctantly  parted  with  his  helpless  companion, 
and  kept  on  for  another  day.  But  the  demands  of  hunger 
could  not  be  refused,  and  he  at  last  determined  to  go  to  a 
house  and  get  something  to  eat.  Having  previously  obtained 
a  grey  coat  and  hat  from  a  negro,  he  attempted  to  pass  him- 
self oft  for  a  Confederate.  His  request  was  complied  with, 
and  he  was  about  to  partake  of  his  first  full  meal  for  a  week, 
when  he  heard  the  sound  of  horses'  feet  and  the  clanking  of 
sabres.  Turning,  he  saw  some  Rebel  cavalry  approaching 
the  house.  Instantly  he  fled,  knowing  that  he  could  not  carry 
his  deception  farther.  Leaving  by  a  rear  door  he  ran  to  the 
timber  and  endeavored  to  escape,  but  the  family  pointed  out 
his  course  and  in  his  weak  condition  the  Confederates  were 
able  to  quickly  ride  him  down  and  again  make  him  a  prisoner. 
He  told  a  straight  story,  and  after  being  provided  with  food 
was  again  placed  upon  a  train,  this  time  being  so  closely 
watched  that  escape  was  impossible.  He  was  within  twenty- 
five  miles  of  Chattanooga  when  re-taken.  Arriving  at  Rich- 
mond, October  10,  he  was  incarcerated  in  Libby  Prison,  his 
experiences  there  and  his  final  escape  being  shared  by  the 
writer  of  this  chapter,  and  detailed,  further  on. 

The  captures  during  Sunday,  September  20, — the  closing 
day  of  the  terrific  battle  of  Chickamauga, — were  very  numer- 
ous, many  of  the  severely  wounded  being  left  upon  the  field. 
There  was  no  organized  force  of  stretcher-bearers  in  the 
Reserve  Corps,  and  only  such  of  the  wounded  as  could  walk, 
or  a  few  who  were  assisted  by  their  comrades,  were  able  to 
reach  Rossville  that  night.  Then,  too,  the  nature  of  the  bat- 
tle on  the  right  was  such  as  to  make  it  exceedingly  difficult 
to  render  any  assistance  to  the  wounded.  Almost  the  entire 
afternoon  was  occupied  with  charges  and  counter-charges,  the 
Regiment  alternately  advancing  and  falling  back,  driving  the 
enemy  only  to  be  driven  in  turn.  Some  who  were  carried 
quite  a  distance,  or  who,  having  walked  for  a  mile  or  two 
toward  the  rear,  became  too  weak  or  fatigued  to  continue  on, 
fell  into  the  enemy's  hands  next  morning.  Nearly  all  of 
those  who  survived  the  trying  experiences  of  the  ten  days 
immediately  following  the  battle,  where  few  had  either  med- 
33 


HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

ical  or  surgical  attendance,  and  where  none  had  food  either 
adequate  to  their  needs  or  suitable  for  wounded  men,  were 
paroled  and  sent  within  the  Union  lines  at  Chattanooga. 

Those  who  fell  into  the  enemy's  hands  on  Sunday,  or  early 
on  Monday,  and  were  paroled  as  mentioned  above,  were 
Sergeant-Major  Francis  P.  Quinn,  John  W.  Connor,  of  Com- 
pany A  ;  Color-Corporal  Hamilton  C.  Whitney,  of  Company 
B  ;  Sergeant  Edward  Murray,  Corporal  George  C.  Dodge, 
Leonard  S.  Doolittle  and  Orrin  Howe,  of  Company  C  ;  Ed- 
mund S.  Stevens,  of  Company  D  ;  Stephen  F.  Blackstone, 
Thomas  B.  Martin,  Henry  Mack,  Dennis  O'Leary,  John  A. 
Bush  and^Sergeant  William  H.  Bobbins,  of  Company  E  ; 
J!kLwsrd^f'rearae,Aojr  Company  F  ;  Daniel  Benson,  Thomas 
Davis,  Joseph  Darby,  and  William  H.  Wheeler,  of  Company 
G ;  Corporal  Thomas  Morris,  James  J.  Curry,  Thomas  K. 
Johnson  and  Norman  P.  Ward,  of  Company  H ;  Hiram  H. 
Hamilton  and  Henry  Schultz,  of  Company  K. 

Of  the  twenty-five  men  thus  paroled,  all  were  severely 
wounded,  nine  dying  within  a  short  time,  and  but  four  of  the 
entire  number  ever  again  joining  the  command.  Of  others 
left  on  the  battle  field,  Squire  In  man,  of  Company  C,  and  Ser- 
geant Isaac  Quigley,  of  Company  D,  died  before  their  ex- 
change was  effected.  Several  others  who  were  alive  when 
last  seen  by  their  comrades,  on  Sunday,  and  some  whom  it 
was  at  least  faintly  hoped  might  be  brought  in,  were  never 
afterward  heard  from,  and  doubtless  died  upon  the  field 
within  a  few  hours.  Of  these  there  may  be  mentioned 
Corporal  David  Isbell,  of  Company  A ;  Emery  Dart,  of 
Company  B  ;  William  Bonner  and  John  H.  Ehlers,  of  Com- 
pany C ;  Elias  Hosley  and  James  Rich,  of  Company  D ; 
Daniel  Harrington,  of  Company  E  ;  John  Bowman  and  Henry 
Bonitell,  of  Company  I  ;  Anson  Brinkerhoff,  Joseph  S.  Bow- 
ken  and  Darius  W.  Kenney,  of  Company  K. 

Many  of  those  who  were  paroled  had  most  trying  experi- 
ences, especially  during  that  terrible  Sunday  afternoon.  Some 
lay  between  the  lines,  exposed  to  the  fire  of  both  armies 
through  the  long  hours,  suffering  terribly  from  thirst  and  the 
added  fear  of  being  again  wounded, — a  fear  that  proved  a 


CAPTURED.  AT  CHICKAMAUWA.  515 

reality  in  some  cases.  Orrin  Howe,  of  Company  C,  says  that 
while  lying  between  the  lines  a  shell  exploded  within  a  few 
feet  of  him,  terribly  mangling  the  body  of  a  color  guard. 
Howe,  with  others,  was  carried  some  distance  next  morning 
and  left  in  the  woods.  Two  days  later  he  was  taken  to  a 
house,  and  afterward  to  some  sheds.  He  was  paroled  Sep- 
tember 30,  and  subsequently  discharged  for  disability  result- 
ing from  his  wound. 

The  experiences  of  all  of  those  who  survived  were  simi- 
lar, and  are  well  told  by  several  of  the  comrades  in  the  para- 
graphs which  follow. 

Sergeant  Edward  Murray,  of  Company  C,  was  one  of  the 
many  who  were  severely  wounded  in  the  advanced  position 
taken  by  the  Regiment  in  the  afternoon.  He  was  struck  in 
the  shoulder  by  a  bullet  which  completely  paralyzed  his  lower 
limbs,  and  rendered  him  entirely  helpless.  There  was  no 
opportunity  to  assist  him  to  the  rear,  and  when  the  line  fell 
back  he  was  left  in  the  enemy's  hands,  and  during  a  consid- 
erable part  of  the  afternoon  was  between  the  two  lines, 
exposed  to  the  fire  of  both  friend  and  foe.  While  in  this 
position  he  was  wounded  a  second  and  third  time,  but  the 
effect  of  the  first  bullet  was  such  that  he  suffered  very  little 
pain.  One  of  the  bullets  passed  through  his  arm,  lodging  in  the 
sleeve  of  his  blouse,  and  is  still  retained  as  a  relic.  Another 
wounded  him  in  the  hip,  and  a  fourth  hit  his  tin  cup.  He 
asserts  that  the  Union  lines  did  not  again  reach  the  posi- 
tion where  he  was  wounded  after  the  first  charge.  At  night 
the  Rebels  bivouacked  at  the  foot  of  the  hill,  a  short  distance 
from  where  he  lay,  so  near  him  that  he  could  hear  the  noises 
of  the  camp  quite  distinctly.  They  were  very  jubilant  over 
some  prisoners  that  they  had  in  charge,  and  some  stands  of 
colors  which  they  had  captured.  After  a  time  some  of  them 
came,  in  response  to  the  calls  of  a  wounded  man,  to  whom 
they  gave  water  and  carried  to  a  camp  fire.  He  managed  to 
make  himself  heard  and  they  soon  came  to  his  assistance, 
carried  him  to  the  fire  and  provided  him  with  a  butternut 
blanket,  one  of  them  saying  that  it  was  too  cold  a  night  for  a 
wounded  man  to  be  allowed  to  remain  uncovered.  There 


516  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

was  little  sleep  that  night,  for  many  were  wounded  all  aboutr 
and  some  of  them  were  calling  for  water.  Portions  of  the 
Rebel  army  were  arriving  from  Ringgold  a  considerable  part 
of  the  night.  Early  in  the  morning  the  officers  called  some 
stretcher-bearers,  and  Murray  with  others  was  taken  from  the 
field.  He  was  near  a  house  where  a  large  number  of  the 
wounded  of  both  armies  had  been  taken.  A  lady  at  the  house 
gave  the  wounded  every  attention  her  limited  means  would 
allow.  She  sold  her  chickens,  but  reserved  the  right  to  cook 
them  and  retain  the  broth,  which  she  distributed,  giving  a 
half  pint  daily  to  each  of  those  who  needed  it  most,  of  whom 
Murray  was  one.  The  fourth  day  after  the  battle  some  Union 
surgeons  gave  him  a  little  attention,  but  left  him  with  the 
remark  that  u  there  was  another  poor  fellow  who  could  not  live 
long."  They  cut  off  a  portion  of  his  clothing  in  making  an 
examination  of  his  wounds,  and  as  this  was  not  replaced,  he 
suffered  severely  from  cold,  being  nearly  frozen  every  night. 
A  Rebel  gave  him  a  piece  of  blanket,  through  which  he  cut  two 
armholes  and  wrapped  it  around  his  body,  putting  his  blouse 
over  it  and  thus  partially  protecting  himself.  There  were 
several  deaths  among  the  wounded  every  night.  The  bodies 
of  those  who  died  were  carried  to  a  fence  a  short  distance 
away  and  thrown  in  a  pile,  and  the  stench  soon  became 
unbearable.  On  Sunday,  September  27,  just  one  week  after 
the  battle,  he,  with  others  of  the  wounded,  was  loaded  in  a 
wagon  and  taken  to  some  tobacco  sheds,  going  in  the  direc- 
tion which  took  them  directly  across  a  portion  of  the  field 
where  the  fighting  had  been  severe.  The  route  was  strewn 
with  dead  men  and  horses  ;  and  gun  carriages  and  caissons, 
splintered  to  pieces,  covered  portions  of  the  field.  The 
wounded  were  so  numerous  that  only  a  small  part  of  them 
found  shelter  in  the  buildings  where  he  was  left.  Many  died 
at  this  point,  among  them  Squire  Inman,  of  Company  C. 
Before  his  death  he  gave  to  Sergeant  Murray  a  number  of 
articles  which  he  had  kept  in  his  pocket,  requesting  him  to 
send  them  to  his  friends  in  Lake  county,  which  request  was 
faithfully  complied  with.  On  the  Tuesday  following,  the 
wounded  were  paroled,  and  Sergeant  Murray  was  so  fortunate 


CAPTURED    AT  CHICKAMAUGA.  517 

.as  to  be  placed  in  one  of  the  first  ambulances  and  taken  to 
Chattanooga.  Every  one  was  given  a  "whisky  sling"  to 
strengthen  him  for  the  journey.  Arrived  at  Chattanooga, 
Murray  was  provided  with  clean  clothing  and  given  needed 
surgical  attention.  He  again  heard  the  surgeons  remark, 
"  here  is  another  poor  fellow,"  but  he  was  determined  to  dis- 
appoint them,  and  in  the  course  of  a  few  weeks  was  able  to 
be  sent  North,  and  finally  arrived  at  home.  His  recovery 
was  by  no  means  complete,  and  although  he  still  lives,  he  is 
a  mere  wreck  of  the  strong  man  who  entered  the  service 
in  1862. 

Daniel  Benson,  of  Company  G,  was  wounded  in  the  first 
charge,  but  escaped  immediate  capture,  and  was  helped  back 
quite  a  distance  on  the  Road  to  Rossville  and  left  at  an  old 
house.  The  army  retiring  beyond  this  point,  he,  with  about 
twenty  others,  including  Sergeant  Major  F.  P.  Quinn,  was 
captured  next  morning.  After  being  moved  from  place  to 
place  on  the  Chickamauga  battle  field  during  the  ten  days 
following,  he  was  paroled,  but  was  not  able  to  join  the  Regi- 
ment for  more  than  a  year. 

Corporal  George  C.  Dodge,  of  Company  C,  was  among 
those  to  fall  into  the  enemy's  hands  at  Chickamauga.  When 
the  Regiment  was  at  one  of  the  most  advanced  and  one  of 
the  most  exposed  positions  occupied  during  that  fateful  after- 
noon, he  was  severely  wounded  above  the  right  ankle,  just 
after  the  retreat  had  commenced.  The  wound  made  it  impos- 
sible for  him  to  fall  back  with  the  command.  Lying  down 
beside  a  log  upon  the  side  toward  his  friends,  he  was  com- 
paratively safe  for  a  time,  but  as  the  Rebel  line  advanced  and 
the  Union  forces  gave  ground,  he  soon  perceived  that  he  was 
in  the  most  danger  from  Yankee  bullets,  and  shifted  his  posi- 
tion to  the  south  side  of  the  log.  In  a  few  moments  the 
enemy's  line  was  abreast  of  him.  A  Rebel  picked  up  his  gun, 
examined  it,  and  threw  it  aside,  as  earlier  in  the  engagement 
a  ball  had  carried  away  part  of  the  stock.  Presently  a  wounded 
Rebel  demanded  that  he  accompany  him  to  the  rear. 
Somewhat  reluctantly  he  joined  the  man  in  grey  and  made 
.his  Way  back,  walking  with  great  difficulty.  Finding  that  his 


518  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

wound  was  bleeding  profusely,  he  had,  before  this,  corded 
the  limb  above  the  wound  with  a  canteen  string,  which  caused 
the  foot  to  swell  greatly  and  made  it  necessary  to  cut  off  shoe- 
and  stocking  ;  on  doing  which  he  found  the  ball,  which  had 
passed  through  the  leg  and  stopped  in  the  stocking.  The 
Rebel  was  but  slightly  wounded  and  kindly  gave  him  much 
assistance,  so  that  he  was  able  to  reach  a  log  house,  where  he- 
remained  that  night  and  for  several  succeeding  days.  On  the 
way  to  the  rear  he  was  astounded  to  see  large  numbers  of 
apparently  fresh  troops,  and  to  learn  that  they  had  not  been 
in  action  at  all,  but  had  just  arrived  upon  the  field.  Know- 
ing the  condition  of  the  Union  forces,  how  every  available 
man  seemed  to  be  in  line  and  all  exhausted  and  nearly  out 
of  ammunition,  it  was  a  time  of  anxiety  with  him,  but  he 
was  not  prepared  to  believe  the  statement  of  a  Rebel  officer 
who  told  him  that  the  Union  army  was  routed  and  would  be 
driven  into  the  Tennessee  River  or  capture'd  before  sundown. 
Making  himself  as  comfortable  as  possible,  he  settled  down 
for  the  night,  and  took  what  pleasure  he  could  from  the  fact 
that  there  was  still  sufficient  firing  in  the  near  front  to  indi- 
cate that  his  comrades  were  keeping  up  the  unequal  contest, 
and  that  the  Rebel  forces  were  not  yet  as  victorious  as  the 
over-confident  officer  had  claimed.  The  Provost  Marshal 
gave  him  a  Yankee  blanket,  and  his  captors,  while  not  wast- 
ing much  sympathy  or  attention  upon  him,  treated  him  kindly, 
and  did  not  at  any  time  take  from  him  any  articles  of  value. 
Finding  a  Rebel  who  seemed  to  have  in  his  make  up  a  quality 
usually  supposed  to  belong  wholly  to  the  Yankee, — namely, 
a  disposition  to  "  swap," — Dodge  traded  his  empty  tin  can- 
teen, which  had  been  deprived  of  its  string,  for  a  full,  wooden 
canteen.  There  were  a  goodly  number  of  chickens  and  duck& 
about  the  house,  and  the  wounded  prisoners  clubbed  together 
and  bought  the  lot  of  the  family  living  there.  The  men 
dressed  and  cooked  them,  and  thus  helped  out  the  meagre 
rations  very  materially.  Dodge  lay  outside  with  Squire 
Inman,  as  the  house  was  full  of  Rebel  wounded.  During  the 
ten  days  that  he  was  inside  the  Confederate  lines  he  received 
no  medical  treatment,  but  about  the  third  day  some  Federal 


CAPTURED  AT  CHICKAMAUGA.  519 

surgeons  gave  him  sorae  bandages.  By  their  advice  he  did 
not  remove  the  cord  from  about  his  limb,  fearing  a  hem- 
orrhage that  might  prove  serious,  if  not  fatal.  For  some 
days  the  wound  was  not  very  painful,  but  toward  the  last  of 
his  captivity  it  became  very  troublesome,  and  would  doubt- 
less have  resulted  in  the  loss  of  .the  limb  had  surgical  atten- 
tion been  much  longer  delayed.  Finding  an  old  saw  about 
the  house,  he  made  a  pair  of  crutches,  the  material  used 
being  a  light  cedar  telegraph  pole..  With  this  he  was  able  to 
get  about  and  attend  to  the  duties  necessary  to  health  and 
comfort.  Having  a  good  watch,  he  was .  able  to  sell  it  and 
thus  have  money  with  which  to  buy  the  articles  of  food  occa- 
sionally offered.  The  price  received  for  the  watch  was  twenty- 
eight  dollars,  one-half  of  the  amount  being  in  greenbacks  and 
the  remainder  in  Confederate  money.  Soon  he  found  a  man 
whose  faith  in  the  Southern  cause  was  such  that  he  was  will- 
ing to  trade  greenbacks  for  the  Confederate  promises  to  pay, 
and  an  exchange  was  made. 

During  all  this  time  the  only  ration  issued  by  the  authori- 
ties in  charge  of  this  improvised  hospital  waa  a  half-pint  of 
thin  mush  twice  a  day,  cooked  without  salt.  Fortunately 
Corporal  Dodge,  while  hobbling  around  on  his  crutches  one 
day,  saw  a  Rebel  soldier  lay  some  salt  upon  a  board  near 
him.  Accosting  the  soldier  he  obtained  permission  to  gather 
up  the  precious  material,  and  thus  was  able  to  season  his  food 
for  a  while. 

After  a  few  days  all  of  the  wounded  gathered  about  the 
house  were  placed  in  wagons  and  taken  to  some  extensive 
tobacco  sheds,  where  were  a  very  large  number  of  Federal 
wounded.  At  the  house  there  had  been  but  two  or  three  of 
the  NINETY-SIXTH,  but  at  the  sheds  there  was  quite  a  squad. 
He  is  unable  to  give  a  complete  list  of  them,  but  it  is  prob- 
able that  all  who  were  left  upon  the  field  and  had  survived 
up  to  that  time  were  at  these  sheds.  He  distinctly  remem- 
bers that  Sergeant  Murray,  Leonard  Doolittle,  Squire  Inman, 
of  Company  C  ;  Edmund  Stevens,  of  Company  D,  and  Joseph 
Darby,  of  Company  G,  were  among  the  number.  Squire 
Inman  seemed  to  be  less  seriously  wounded  than  many  of  the 


520  HISTORY  or  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

others,  but  it  soon  became  evident  that  he  was  losing  ground, 
and  in  a  few  days,  to  the  surprise  of  most  of  those  who  knew 
him,  he  died. 

From  the  first,  those  who  were  not  so  seriously  wounded 
as  to  lose  their  appetites,  were  almost  constantly  hungry,  the 
small  allowance  of  mush  twice  a  day  not  being  sufficient  to 
satisfy  those  strong,  hearty  men.  It  was  therefore  with  great 
pleasure  that  the  prisoners  learned  of  the  arrival  of  some 
hard-bread,  sent  inside  the  lines,  under  a  flag  of  truce,  by 
the  Quartermaster  at  Chattanooga  about  a  week  after  the 
battle.  Never  before  had  hard-tack  tasted  half  so  good  to 
them  as  when  they  ate  it  under  those  old  tobacco  sheds  in 
Northern  Georgia,  after  a  week  in  which  unseasoned  corn- 
meal  mush  had  formed  the  almost  exclusive  diet.  During 
the  ten  days  following  the  battle  many  of  the  slightly  wounded 
were  sent  to  the  prisons  far  in  the  South.  There  were  daily 
rumors  of  an  exchange,  but  it  was  not  until  September  30 
that  the  rumors  proved  well  founded.  Then,  to  the  great 
delight  of  the  weary,  wounded  men,  the  Federal  ambulances 
came  to  the  sheds  and  the  work  of  paroling  the  prisoners 
began.  Corporal  Dodge  was  so  fortunate  as  to  be  taken  with 
the  first  lot,  and  reached  the  hospital  in  Chattanooga  in  safety. 
From  there  he  was  transferred  northward,  and  finally  dis- 
charged from  the  Marine  hospital  at  Chicago,  August  18, 
1864.  His  wound  is  still  troublesome,  rendering  him  quite 
lame  at  times.  Life  was  cheered  even  while  a  prisoner  by  a 
good  many  humorous  incidents  and  in  other  ways,  which,  did 
space  permit,  he  would  gladly  relate. 

Corporal  Hamilton  C.  Whitney,  of  Company  B,  was 
wounded  just  before  the  battle  closed  and  after  it  had  begun 
to  be  dusk,  being  the  last  one  of  the  color  guard.  At  that 
instant  the  Union  forces  fell  back,  and  he  soon  found  himself 
helpless  and  alone.  In  fact  those  who  saw  him  fall  and 
hastily  examined  his  wound,  pronounced  him  dead.  It  is 
probable  that  he  was  temporarily  unconscious.  The  Rebel 
line  soon  passed  over  him,  taking  his  haversack,  canteen  and 
gun.  He  was  carried  to  another  part  of  the  field,  but  got  no 
rations  for  five  days,  and  then  only  about  a  gill  of  corn-meal 


CAPTURED  AT  CHICKAMAUGA.  521 

gruel.  Exposed  to  the  scorching  rays  of  the  sun  by  day  and 
the  chilling  dews  and  frosts  by  night,  he  suffered  greatly.  At 
his  request  a  Rebel  cut  off  his  shirt,  which  was  stiffened  with 
blood,  leaving  him  but  poorly  clad,  as  his  blouse  gave  little 
protection  at  night.  The  unburied  dead  lay  all  about,  and  the 
stench  grew  to  be  almost  unendurable.  Whitney  was  taken 
inside  the  Union  lines  about  October  1,  and  after  ten  months 
confinement  in  various  hospitals  was  discharged. 

Edmund  S.  Stevens,  of  Company  D,  was  severely  wounded 
by  a  bullet  which,  passing  through  his  left  lower  rib,  lodged 
against  his  spine  and  left  him  unconscious  for  some  hours. 
Captain  Blodgett  took  his  effects  and  reported  him  dead. 
Great  was  the  surprise  and  joy  of  his  comrades  to  learn,  ten 
days  later,  that  he  was  alive  and  had  been  paroled  and  sent 
within  the  Union  lines.  He  regained  consciousness  at  dark 
and  was  carried  to  a  house  where,  on  the  Tuesday  following, 
the  bullet  was  removed  by  a  Rebel  surgeon.  From  Tuesday 
to  Thursday  he  was  without  food.  He  reports  that  Sergeant 
Quigley,  of  Company  D,  died  some  days  after  the  battle. 
Sunday,  September  27,  he  was  placed  in  an  army  wagon  and 
taken  to  the  tobacco  sheds.  There  the  wounded  were  placed 
in  long  rows,  with  very  few  attendants,  and  the  cries  for  water 
were  constant  and  agonizing.  Eleven  days  after  the  battle  he 
was  taken  to  Chattanooga,  and  thence  northward,  being 
assigned  to  various  hospitals  and  finally  to  Camp  Chase,  Ohio, 
for  exchange.  He  was  subsequently  detailed  in  a  Govern- 
ment printing  office  at  Nashville,  from  which  he  received  his 
final  discharge  in  May,  1865. 

But  not  all  of  those  captured  on  that  memorable  Sunday 
were  so  fortunate  as  to  be  paroled  at  the  end  of  a  ten  or 
twelve  days'  confinement.  Josephus  Metcalf,  of  Company  A, 
was  rendered  unconscious  by  a  bullet  which  scalped  him 
slightly,  but  regaining  consciousness  a  little  later,  found 
himself  a  prisoner.  His  comrades  supposed  him  dead,  and 
so  reported,  but  learned  of  their  mistake  a  few  months  later. 
Metcalf  was  confined  at  Richmond  two  months,  and  then 
taken  to  Danville,  Va.,  where  he  shared  the  horrors  of  the 


522  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

bitter  cold  winter  of  1863-4.  He  was  exchanged  in  the  early 
summer  of  1864,  and  joined  the  Regiment  soon  afterward. 

First  Sergeant  Ambrose  A.  Bangs,  of  Company  B,  became 
detached  from  the  Regiment  near  the  close  of  the  battle  on 
Sunday  evening,  and  found  himself  in  the  ranks  of  the  22d 
Michigan,  just  before  they  made  the  final  charge  when  they 
were  taken  prisoners.  He  was  taken  with  800  others  and 
marched  to  Dalton,  Ga.,  and  then  sent  by  cars  to  Richmond, 
Ya.,  remaining  there  until  November  20,  1863.  From  Rich- 
mond he  was  taken  to  Danville,  Va.,  and  with  others  was 
quartered  in  a  tobacco  factory  until  May  10.  From  Danville 
he  went  to  Andersonville  and  made  his  camp  under  one  of 
the  three  pines  near  the  southeast  corner  of  the  stockade. 
He  was  soon  taken  sick,  and  about  June"  1  was  sent  to  the 
hospital,  where  he  remained  until  October  18.  He  then  went 
back  to  the  stockade,  remaining  until  November  10  ;  thence 
to  Millen,  remaining  there  until  November  18,  when  he  was 
sent  to  Savannah,  and  released  November  20,  1864.  He  was 
provided  with  passage  from  Savannah  to  Annapolis,  Md.,  on 
the  steamer  Blackstone,  being  landed  about  December  1,  and 
shortly  afterward  furloughed  to  his  home  in  Lake  county, 
where  he  was  permitted  to  remain  for  some  months,  until 
partially  recovered  from  his  long  confinement.  He  rejoined 
the  Regiment  at  Shields'  Mills,  Tenn.,  in  April,  1865,  being 
immediately  promoted  to  First  Lieutenant.  He  at  present 
resides  at  Odebolt,  Iowa,  and  still  suffers  from  the  effects  of 
his  long  captivity. 

Eli  Thayer,  of  Company  D,  was  struck  on  the  head  by  a 
bullet  and  rendered  unconscious  for  a  time.  Recovering,  he 
found  himself  a  prisoner  of  war.  He  shared  the  experiences 
in  the  prisons  at  Richmond,  Danville.  Andersonville  and 
Florence,  and  died  at  the  latter  place  of  "  camp  fever  "  in  the 
early  spring  of  1865. 

George  W.  Dimick,  of  Company  E,  was  twice  wounded,, 
and  became  a  prisoner,  although  at  the  time  his  comradea 
believed  him  to  have  been  killed.  A  bullet  striking  under 
his  left  eye,  ranged  downward,  and  was  subsequently  taken 
out  back  of  the  left  ear.  Being  able  to  walk,  he  was  sent  ta 


CAPTURED  AT  CHICKAMAUGA.  523 

the  prisons  at  Richmond,  Danville  and  Andersonville.  His 
eye  was  so  injured  that  he  lost  the  sight  of  it,  and  the  other 
became  very  weak.  It  is  understood  that  he  received  a 
wound  in  the  body  and  that  a  bullet  was  removed  from  his 
person  at  Atlanta,  while  .en  route  to  Richmond.  Although 
having  small-pox  while  at  Danville,  he  kept  up  wonderfully, 
and  was  of  great  assistance  to  many  of  his  comrades  for  a 
year  or  more.  At  last  his  strength  gave  way,  and  it  is  sup- 
posed that  he  died  from  the  prevailing  prison  fever,  almost  in 
sight  of  the  old  flag,  at  Wilmington,  N.  C.,  although  definite 
information  is  lacking. 

Charles  F.  Hayth,  of  Company  E,  was  slightly  wounded 
in  the  ankle,  and  might  have  made  his  way  back  to  Rossville. 
Being  naturally  kind-hearted,  he  yielded  to  the  earnest  solici- 
tations of  some  comrades  who  were  severely  wounded,  and 
stopped  at  a  house  to  give  them  needed  attention,  running  the 
risk  of  capture  that  he  might  minister  to  their  wants.  In  a 
few  hours  he  was  a  prisoner,  but  was  not  at  once  sent  off, 
being  permitted  to  nurse  his  comrades  for  a  few  days.  The 
Rebels  took  from  him  all  personal  effects,  but  their  better 
natures  prompted  them  to  return  his  mother's  picture,  which 
was  thus  left  as  his  only  solace.  He  reported  another  kind 
act  on  the  part  of  his  captors,  in  permitting  him  to  catch  and 
kill  a  hog  in  order  that  the  Union  wounded  might  be  better 
fed.  He  subsequently  made  the  rounds  of  the  several  pris- 
ons, being  in  captivity  seventeen  months,  when  he  was  ex- 
changed and  sent  home,  so  badly  broken  in  health  that  he 
died  at  his  home  in  Shullsburg,  Wis.,  October  18,  1865. 

Bennett  Holtcamp,  of  Company  F,  was  captured  during 
the  engagement.  Reports  are  conflicting  as  to  whether  he 
was  wounded  or  not.  He  was  a  prisoner  for  nearly  fourteen 
months,  and  died  at  Andersonville,  Ga.,  November  16,  1864. 

Charles  D.  Bunce,  of  Company  H,  was  captured  during 
the  battle,  having  been,  it  is  understood,  slightly  wounded. 
He  was  a  prisoner  until  November,  1864,  and  was  then  ex- 
changed ;  rejoined  the  Regiment  in  the  spring  of  1S65. 

James  F.  Champlin,  of  Company  K,  was  captured  during 
the  engagement  and  endured  a  long  experience  in  the  various. 


.524  HISTORY  OF  THE  96xn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

prisons,  being  finally  exchanged  and  returning  to  the  Regi- 
ment near  the  close  of  the  war.  His  health  was  badly  broken 
~by  his  long  confinement,  and  he  died  ten  years  after  his  dis- 
charge. 

Thomas  C.  Graves,  of  Company  K,  received  a  wound  in 
the  foot  that  prevented  his  getting  off'  the  field,  and,  as  a  con- 
sequence, he  became  a  prisoner.  Being  able  to  march,  he 
•was  hurried  off  to  Dalton,  and  by  cars  to  Richmond.  He 
shared  in  the  hardships  and  privations  of  a  majority  of  the 
prisoners  in  the  Southeast,  being  a  boarder  with  the  Confed- 
eracy for  seventeen  months,  returning  home  too  badly  debili- 
tated to  ever  rejoin  the  command.  He  is  now  residing  at 
Ashley,  ill. 

Captain  A.  Z.  Blodgett,  of  Company  D,  was  practically  a 
prisoner  for  a  few  moments,  being  thrown  to  the  ground  by 
the  fall  of  a  heavy  tree-top  which,  striking  his  head  and  back, 
rendered  him  unconscious.  This  was  during  one  of  the  retro- 
grade movements,  and  in  a  moment  the  Rebels  were  swarm- 
ing all  about  him.  It  was  not  long,  however,  until  the  Union 
lines  advanced  and  he  was  released  from  his  perilous  position. 

Corporal  Henry  P.  Barnum,  of  Company  C,  was  so  badly 
wounded  through  the  face  as  to  cause  faintness,  and  was  un- 
able to  fall  back  with  the  lines.  The  Rebels  soon  passed  him, 
one  of  them  stopping,  at  his  earnest  request,  to.  give  him 
water.  Weak  and  faint,  he  lay  down,  and  was  soon  grati- 
fied at  seeing  the  enemy  fall  back  and  the  Union  forces 
.advancing.  He  was  a  prisoner  but  a  few  moments,  but  fully 
as  long  as  he  cared  to  be.  His  wound  healed  quickly,  and 
he  was  with  the  command  in  a  few  weeks,  only  to  be  wounded 
still  more  seriously  at  Kenesaw  Mountain. 

When  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  closed,  the  remnant  of 
the  NINETY-SIXTH  that  had  survived  the  terrible  struggle 
retired  to  Rossville  with  the  main  part  of  the  army,  and  dur- 
ing the  next  day  was  given  a  position  on  the  summit  of  Mis- 
sion Ridge,  at  the  left  of  the  Rossville  road,  facing  south, 
and  near  the  extreme  left  of  the  army.  During  the  evening 
of  Monday,  September  21,  Companies  C  and  H  were  placed 
on  the  skirmish  line,  to  protect  the  front  and  cover  the  retreat 


CAPTURED  ON  MISSION  RIDGE.  525 

of  the  army  to  Chattanooga.  The  circumstances  attending 
their  assignment  to  that  duty  and  the  experiences  of  that 
night  and  the  following  morning  will  be  given  more  in  detail 
in  a  succeeding  chapter.  In  this  connection  it  is  sufficient 
to  say  that  these  two  Companies  of  brave  men  were  never 
relieved  or  ordered  to  the  rear,  and  that  on  the  morning  of 
Tuesday,  September  22,  1863,  finding  themselves  surrounded, 
they  laid  down  their  arms  and  became  prisoners  of  war. 

Those  captured  at  this  time  numbered  two  officers  and 
thirty-three  enlisted  men.  They  were  :  Company  C, — Sec- 
ond Lieutenant  Charles  W.  Earle,  Sergeant  Harrison  Hunt- 
ington,  John  Bensinger,  Henry  H.  Cutler,  Henry  C.  Green, 
James  Kearney,  William  McCreadie,  William  McClellan, 
Laughlin  Madden,  Henry  C.  Payne,  Hugo  Rodenberger,, 
Joseph  Schwerie,  Charles  Sturm,  Joseph  Savage,  Christian 
Weistoff.  Company  H, — Second  Lieutenant  Charles  H. 
Yates,  Sergeant  Michael  Hileman,  Corporal  John  A.  Boothby, 
Corporal  Patrick  Flannery,  Corporal  Alphonzo  Marshall, 
George  W.  Andrews,  Richard  C.  Cullen,  Daniel  W.  Dowd, 
John  H.  Foster,  Peter  Hawks,  William  Ingersoll,  Andrew 
Johnson,  John  Kurby,  Nathaniel  Me  Wain,  George  H.  Stanch- 
field,  James  M.  Sallee,  Adam  Yroman,  Edmund  Vandyke, 
John  Y.  Wilkerson,  Alberto  Wheelock. 

These  men  were  doomed  to  undergo  all  the  horrors  of  all 
the  most  infamous  prison-pens  in  the  alleged  Confederacy. 
More  than  one-half  of  them  never  again  saw  the  stars  and 
stripes,  under  which  they  had  fought  so  gallantly,  but  laid 
down  their  lives  while  prisoners  of  war.  Of  the  others  but 
nine  ever  again  marched  with  the  Regiment,  for  prison  life 
had  so  broken  them  down  as  to  totally  unfit  them  for  further 
service  in  the  field.  An  attempt  is  now  made,  for  the  first 
time,  to  set  forth — briefly  though  it  must  necessarily  be  in 
most  cases — the  experience  of  each. 

COMPANY  c. 

The  personal  experiences  of  the  Lieutenant  commanding 
this  Company  will  be  more  fully  narrated  in  another  chapter. 
All  of  the  others  were  with  him  until  the  arrival  at  Rich- 


526  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

mond,  when  the  officers  were  separated  from  the  enlisted 
men.  Hence  the  details  of  the  long  trip  are  omitted  from  the 
brief  narratives  which  follow. 

Sergeant  Harrison  Huntington  was  at  Richmond  for  a 
short  time,  when,  with  many  others,  he  was  taken  to  Danville, 
Va.,  where  he  endured  the  horrors  of  that  cold  winter  until 
smitten  with  small-pox,  from  which  he  died  February  27, 
1864.  During  his  illness  he  was  removed  to  a  private  house 
by  Masonic  friends,  and  it  is  a  comfort  to  know  that,  although 
away  from  home  and  deprived  of  the  watchful  care  of  rela- 
tives, he  still  had  such  attention  as  his  brethren  of  the  mystic 
tie  could  give  him.  The  prison  records  show  the  date  of  his 
death,  but  do  not  show  the  number  of  his  grave. 

John  Bensinger  was  reported  to  have  died  at  Danville, 
Va.,  February  8,  1864,  but  the  Roll  of  Honor  is  authority 
for  the  statement  that  he  died  of  scorbutus  at  Richmond,  Va., 
and  is  buried  in  the  National  Cemetery  at  that  place,  the  num- 
ber of  his  grave  being  214. 

Henry  H.  Cutler  was  taken  sick  not  long  after  arriving  in 
Richmond  and  removed  to  a  hospital,  from  which  he  was  sent 
North  and  exchanged.  He  returned  to  his  home;  where  he 
recuperated  with  great  rapidity,  and  as  soon  as  possible  re- 
joined the  Regiment.  He  participated  in  numerous  engage- 
ments, and  received  a  mortal  wound  at  the  battle  of  Nash- 
ville. The  writer  of  this  chapter  was  serving  on  Brigade 
staff  at  that  time,  and  in  company  with  Captain  Temple 
crossed  the  Rebel  works  a  little  to  the  right  of  where  the 
NINETY- SIXTH  captured  a  battery.  Riding  down  the  works,  I 
saw  his  familiar  face  among  the  wounded,  lying  where  he  had 
fallen.  Dismounting  and  examining  the  wound,  it  was  evi- 
dent that  he  could  not  long  survive,  and  after  a  brief  inter- 
view we  parted,  his  last  words  to  me  being,  "God  bless 
father  and  mother,  and  save  the  country." 

Henry  C.  Green  was  in  poor  health  when  captured,  hav- 
ing been  sick  from  measles,  which  left  his  system  greatly 
weakened.  As  a  consequence  he  did  not  long  survive  the 
privations  of  the  prison,  but  died  at  Danville,  Va.,  January 
20,  1864,  and  is  buried  in  grave  No.  425. 


CAPTURED  ON  MISSION  RIDGE.  527 

James  Kearney  shared  the  experiences  of  the  prisons 
of  Richmond,  Danville,  Andersonville  and  other  points,  re- 
ceiving occasional  favors  at  the  hands  of  the  Masonic  frater- 
nity, and  was  finally  exchanged  in  December,  1864.  His 
health  was  broken  and  he  was  unable  to  rejoin  the  command. 
He  died  in  Osage,  Iowa,  August  3,  1881. 

William  McCreadie  was  at  Richmond,  Danville  and  An- 
dersonville, dying  at  the  last  named  prison  June  4,  1864. 
'The  number  of  his  grave  is  1,617. 

William  McClellan  experienced  all  the  horrors  and  priva- 
tions of  the  prisons  at  Richmond  and  Danville,  and  becoming 
greatly  emaciated  and  dangerously  sick  from  insufficiency  of 
food  and  exposure,  was  exchanged.  Just  after  reaching  the 
Union  lines,  May  6,  1864,  he  died  at  Annapolis,  Md.,  and 
was  buried  in  grave  No.  938. 

Laughlin  Madden  was  at  Richmond,  Danville  and  Ander- 
sonville. For  a  time  he  kept  up,  but  at  last  became  disheart- 
ened and  homesick,  longed  for  his  friends,  and  fell  a  victim  to 
scurvy  and  camp  fever,  dying  at  Andersonville,  August  12, 
1864.  Number  of  grave  5,390. 

Henry  C.  Payne  journeyed  with  his  comrades  to  Rich- 
mond and  Danville,  and  died,  from  small-pox,  January  6, 
1864.  Number  of  grave,  552. 

Hugo  Rodenberger  survived  the  terrible  winter  at  Rich- 
mond and  Danville,  but.  died  from  scurvy  at  Andersonville, 
June  28,  1864,  and  is  buried  in  grave  No.  2,596. 

Joseph  Schweri  was  in  the  Royster  House,  at  Richmond, 
for  two  months,  then  in  what  was  known  as  the  "  Scotch 
Building  "  for  one  and  a  half  months,  then  in  Pemberton's 
Building  ;  finally  was  taken  to  Andersonville,  where  he  re- 
mained fourteen  months,  making  in  all  a  captivity  of  nine- 
teen months.  He  will  be  remembered  as  the  "Little  Dutch 
Whistler,"  who  used  to  amuse  us  so  many  times  while  on  the 
march  or  in  camp.  It  is  understood  that  he  obtained  many  a 
square  meal  and  many  favors  from  the  Rebel  officers  while 
he  was  in  prison,  paying  for  the  same  by  his  peculiar  whist- 
ling. As  a  part  of  history  it  perhaps  should  be  stated  that  he 
has  lost  his  front  tooth,  and  also  his  whistle,  and  that  the 


52S  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.I. 

means  by  which  his  prison  life  was  somewhat  softened  and 
ameliorated  are  gone.     He  resides  at  Waukegan,  111. 

Charles  Sturm  was  at  Richmond,  Danville  and  Anderson- 
ville,  but  pined  to  the  very  last  for  his  old  mother,  and  finally 
died  in  the  last  named  prison  November  8,  1864.  His  re- 
mains rest  in  grave  No.  12,190. 

Joseph  Savage  made  a  firm  resolution  never  to  be  taken 
prisoner,  and  when  the  other  members  of  the  Company  sur- 
rendered, ran  back  down  the  side  of  the  ridge,  but  could  not 
escape,  as  the  Rebel  army  completely  encircled  him.  He 
secreted  himself  for  a  time,  but  was  soon  discovered  and 
taken  to  the  valley,  where  the  others  were  temporarily  quar- 
tered. His  experience  was  not  unlike  that  of  others  who 
survived.  As  in  camp,  so  in  prison,  each  man  usually  had  a 
mate  with  whom  he  slept,  and  Savage  saw  no  less  than  nine 
companions  with  whom  he  had  mated  carried  out  dead. 
While  in  Richmond  he  was  at  the  Royster  House  and  Castle 
Thunder, — the  latter  a  huge  building  so  poorly  lighted  that 
the  men  could  hardiy.  distinguish  their  acquaintances.  At 
Danville  and  Anderson  ville  he  was  three  times  vaccinated, 
twice  biting  his  arm  and  sucking  out  the  impure  virus  as  soon 
as  the  surgeon  turned  his  back,  and  thus  escaping  the  fate 
that  befell  so  many.  The  third  time  he  vaccinated  himself, 
using  healthy  virus,  taken  from  a  newly-arrived  prisoner, 
with  good  result.  He  always  tried  to  keep  busy,  making 
rings,  pipes  and  ornaments  from  laurel  root,  gutta  percha,  or 
pieces  of  bone.  In  this  way  he  not  only  kept  his  mind  occu- 
pied, but  often  succeeded  in  buying  extra  rations  from  the 
guards.  Once  he  had  the  camp  fever  so  prevalent  at  Ander- 
sonville. 

From  Andersonville  he  was  taken  to  Charleston.  On  the 
trip  himself  and  a  comrade  jumped  from  the  train,  but  were 
immediately  fired  upon,  his  companion  being  killed  and  bul- 
lets passing  through  his  own  clothing.  He  was  too  weak  to 
run,  and  as  soon  as  the  train  could  be  stopped  was  recaptured. 
From  October,  1864,  to  February,  ]865,  he  was  at  Florence; 
then  was  taken  to  Wilmington,  then  to  Goldsboro,  and  then 
returned  almost  to  Wilmington,  where  the  Rebels  unloaded 


CHARLES  A.   PARTRIDGE, 

SERGEANT   MAJOR. 

(from  a  recent  photograph.) 


CHARLES  A.   PARTRIDGE, 

SERGEANT   MAJOR. 

(From  an  old  photograph.) 


GXH» 


CAPTURED  ON  MISSION  RIDGE.  529 

the  prisoners  from  the  cars  and  turned  them  loose  in  the 
swamps  and  forests.  Savage  lay  in  the  swamp  one  night  and 
the  next  day,  and  being  too  weak  to  walk,  was  taken  to  the 
river  on  a  stretcher  and  then  in  an  ambulance  about  nine 
miles  to  Wilmington.  The  Union  troops  were  in  possession 
of  the  city,  but  were  not  provided  with  sufficient  hospital 
stores  to  enable  them  to  care  for  all.  For  eleven  days  Sav- 
age lay  sick  upon  the  floor  of  a  house,  but  at  the  end  of  that 
time  was  removed  to  a  boat  and  taken  to  Annapolis,  where  he 
had  excellent  care.  He  was  soon  able  to  travel  and  was  sent 
to  St.  Louis,  and  thence  home,  badly  broken  in  health.  He 
was  finally  paid  off  and  discharged  August  30,  1865,  and  is 
now  residing  in  Antioch,  Lake  county,  111. 

Christian  Weistoff  was  in  prison  at  Richmond,  Danville, 
Anderson ville  and  Florence,  sharing  the  terrible  experiences 
of  his  comrades  at  each  of  these  places.  For  a  time  Charles 
Sturm  was  his  companion.  The  two  had  been  intimate  before 
their  enlistment,  had  bunked  toget.her  up  to  the  time  of  their 
capture,  and  were  constant,  associates  during  all  of  their  early 
prison  experiences.  Sturm  soon  fell  a  victim  to  scurvy,  his 
teeth  even  falling  out  and  his  limbs  becoming  terribly  dis- 
eased. Death  came  to  his  relief  before  the  order  came  to 
make  the  trip  to  Florence.  Weistoff  declares  that  his  experi- 
ences at  Andersonville  are  remembered  but  vaguely,  the  sum- 
mer and  autumn  having  been  passed  as  in  a  terrible  dream. 
It  was  a  constant  yearning  for  something  to  eat.  Always 
hungry,  he  wandered  around  and  was  only  restrained  from 
crossing  the  "dead  line"  by  his  prison  companions;  not 
that  he  wished  to  die,  but  he  was  so  weak  in  mind  and  body 
that  he  could  hardly  give  direction  to  either.  In  December, 
1864,  after  almost  fifteen  months  imprisonment,  he,  with 
many  others,  was  taken  to  Charleston,  S.  C.,  for  exchange, 
being  sent  by  boat  to  Annapolis,  Md.  Arrived  there,  he  was 
bathed,  fed  and  given  a  suit  of  clothing,  and  after  a  brief  rest 
started  westward,  having  been  granted  a  furlough  home.  He 
remembers  that  several  of  those  who  accompanied  him  to 
Annapolis  ate  so  ravenously  as  to  create  sickness,  and,  in  a 
few  instances  at  least,  he  thinks  the  men  died  as  the  result  of 
34 


530  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

their  first  meal.  On  his  way  to  Illinois  he  became  overtaxed 
with  constant  traveling,  and  was  in  such  a  condition  from 
sheer  weakness  that  he  has  never  had  more  than  a  vague  idea 
as  to  how  he  passed  through  Chicago.  The  change  of  cars 
was  made  in  some  way,  and  he  reached  Palatine,  111.,  New 
Year's  Day,  1865,  being  assisted  from  the  cars  by  the  train 
men  and  passengers.  There  he  was  taken  in  charge  by  a 
neighbor  who  chanced  to  recognize  him,  and  placed  in  a  sleigh, 
first  being  carefully  wrapped  in  blankets  tendered  by  patriotic 
citizens.  The  neighbor  drove  as  rapidly  as  possible,  hoping 
to  reach  the  home  of  Weistoff,  at  Long  Grove,  Lake  county. 
The  condition  of  his  charge  soon  became  alarming,  and  he 
stopped  at  the  house  of  a  stranger, — a  Mr.  Arnold, — where 
Weistoff  was  placed  in  bed  and  restoratives  applied.  A 
physician  and  his  mother  were  sent  for,  and  under  their  care 
the  exhausted  soldier  was  soon  improving,  although  it  was 
some  weeks  before  he  was  able  to  be  taken  home.  He  was 
hardly  more  than  a  skeleton  when  he  was  exchanged,  and  has 
ever  since  suffered  more  or  less  from  the  effects  of  the  scurvy, 
his  limbs  being  terribly  scarred.  In  April,  1865,  he  rejoined 
the  Regiment,  then  in  East  Tennessee,  but  was  still  weak  and 
really  unfit  for  field  duty.  Fortunately,  from  that  time  for- 
ward the  services  required  of  the  command  were  not  arduous, 
and  he  was  able  to  keep  his  place  in  the  Company.  In  recog- 
nition of  his  marked  bravery  at  Chickamauga, — where  he 
was  conspicuous  for  his  courageous  actions, — and  of  his  long 
term  in  prison,  he  was  promoted  to  Corporal  at  the  first 
vacancy.  At  the  time  of  writing  this  sketch  Mr.  Weistoff 
resides  at  Springfield,  111. 

COMPANY  H. 

Lieutenant  Charles  H.  Yates  had  a  long  and  trying  experi- 
ence. He  was  separated  from  his  men  in  the  streets  of  Rich- 
mond, and  taken  to  Libby  Prison,  occupying  what  was  known 
as  the  Chickamauga  Room.  At  the  time  of  escape  by  tunnel 
he  was  in  the  prison  hospital,  and  could  not  make  the  attempt 
to  leave  the  Confederate  Capital,  which  so  many  of  his  fellow- 
officers  succeeded  in  accomplishing.  Subsequently  he  was  re- 
moved to  Macon,  Ga.,  where  he  was  again  severely  ill.  When 


CAPTURED  ON  MISSION  RIDGE.  531 

the  Rebels  undertook  to  stop  the  shelling  of  the  city  of 
Charleston,  S.  C.,  by  placing  Union  officers  under  the  fire 
of  their  friends,  he  was  one  of  those  selected  and  sent  to  that 
"  cradle  of  secession. "  The  Lieutenant  made  several  attempts 
to  escape,  at  one  time  being  captured  by  some  North  Carolina 
Indians  and  taken  to  Salisbury,  "N".  C.,  where  he  was 
turned  over  to  the  Confederate  authorities.  A  little  later  he 
made  his  final  escape.  A  few  officers  had  been  permitted  to 
go  outside  the  prison  for  chips  for  fuel,  which  they  usually 
carried  back  in  their  blankets.  Taking  advantage  of  the  care- 
lessness of  the  guards,  Yates  and  another  officer  escaped,  and 
after  a  long  period  of  wandering  made  their  way  to  the  Union 
lines  in  East  Tennessee.  Some  of  their  experiences  were  most 
thrilling,  and  it  is  greatly  regretted  that  the  Lieutenant  is  a 
wanderer,  and,  although  a  most  diligent  search  has  been  made, 
he  cannot  be  found  to  tell  the  full  story.  The  brief  fragments 
here  given  are  all  that  can  be  furnished  by  the  writer. 

SERGEANT    MICHAEL    HILEMAN's    NARRATIVE. 

in  a  letter  to  Captain  Pierce,  dated  at  Gann  Valley,  Buf- 
falo county,  Dakota,  this  comrade  gives  the  following  account 
of  his  prison  experience.  After  expressing  his  great  desire 
to  have  the  history  of  the  old  Regiment  published,  and  also 
his  belief  that  the  organization  has  never  received  full  credit 
for  all  the  gallant  service  which  it  performed,  he  goes  on 
to  say  that  he  has  suffered  greatly  from  sickness,  and  that  it 
is  impossible  for  him  to  collect  his  thoughts  and  write  as  he 
formerly  could.  He  also  says  that  some  things  which  he  had 
written  years  ago,  when  his  memory  was  better,  and  when  he 
was  in  possession  of  more  data  than  at  present,  have  been  lost. 

He  says  he  was  captured  September  22,  1863,  at  Mis- 
sionary Ridge,  after  the  great  battle  of  Chickamauga,  with 
one  hundred  and  twenty-eight  others  ;  these  were  mainly 
from  Companies  H  and  C  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  Illinois  Regi- 
ment, several  from  Company  H,  40th  Ohio  Regiment,  and 
another  company  belonging  to  an  Illinois  regiment,  the  n  am- 
ber of  which  he  has  now  forgotten.  He  says:  "  We  were 
marched  to  Dalton,  and  from  there  taken  to  Atlanta  on  the 


532  HISTORY  or  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

cars,  and  were  four  days  without  a  morsel  of  food  except 
occasionally  a  bite  which  was  purchased  along  the  way.  At 
Atlanta,  September  26,  we  received  one  day's  ration  and  pro- 
ceeded on  our  way  to  Richmond,  where  we  arrived  on  the 
night  of  October  1,  and  were  placed  in  the  Royster  House, 
formerly  used  as  a  tobacco  warehouse.  This  was  a  building 
three  stories  high,  and  in  the  room  to  which  I  was  assigned 
there  was  such  a  large  number  of  us  that  we  were  obliged  to 
lie  in  two  rows  the  whole  length  of  the  house,  and  the  other 
floors  were  equally  well  filled.  The  filth  and  stench  which 
everywhere  pervaded  this  building  commenced  to  tell  upon 
the  boys  of  Company  H,  and  several  died.  Corporal  Patrick 
Flannery  died  from  hunger  December  8,  being  sick  only 
three  days.  Adam  Vroman  died  a  few  days  after  in  this 
prison.  The  rooms  by  this  time  were  so  crowded  that  there 
was  scarcely  a  place  to  lie  down  on  the  bare  floors,  and  most  of 
our  spare  moments  were  occupied  in  watching  the  holes  and 
crevices  in  the  walls  to  capture  a  stray  mouse  or  rat  which 
might  make  its  appearance  ;  these  were  eaten  with  a  keen 
relish,  as  was  also  a  dog  belonging  to  the  Rebel  authorities. 
As  a  punishment  for  killing  this  dog  we  got  nothing  to  eat 
for  thirty-six  hours  after.  December  13,  1863,  about  six  hun- 
dred of  our  prisoners,  including  myself,  were  moved  to  Dan- 
ville ;  here  we  suffered  even  worse  than  we  did  at  Richmond, 
for  the  protection  from  the  weather  was  not  as  good  ;  it  was 
very  cold,  and  we  had  no  wood  with  which  to  build  fires, 
and  very  little  to  eat.  We  suffered  greatly  for  water,  as  we 
were  allowed  to  procure  it  but  once  a  day,  and  then  but 
little  at  a  time.  The  weather  here  became  so  cold  that  the 
river  was  frozen  over,  and  the  ice  so  thick  that  people  could 
walk  upon  it.  The  cold  was  so  intense  that  to  keep  ourselves 
warm  we  would  form  in  a  line,  one  after  another,  and  double 
quick  around  the  room,  and  then  lie  down  and  try  to  sleep. 
Corporal  John  Boothby  died  here  from  cold  and  exposure  on 
Christmas  day. 

About  this  time  the  Rebel  authorities  began  to  vaccinate 
us,  and  the  suffering  from  the  impure  virus  was  very  great. 
As  many  as  thirty  of  the  prisoners,  to  my  personal  knowl- 


CAPTURED  ON  MISSION  RIDGE.  533 

«dge,  were  almost  helpless  from  the  effects  of  these  vaccina- 
tions. Some  of  us  suffered  for  months  from  swollen  arms, 
which  became  almost  gangrenous,  and  ulcers  remained  on  my 
arm  for  nearly  six  months,  the  result  of  the  impure  matter. 
A  few  had  their  arms  amputated,  and  others  lost  their  lives. 
William  Ingersoll  died  from  the  effect  of  this  vaccination, 
and  one  other  whose  name  I  cannot  now  recall.  We  were 
moved  from  this  terrible  place  to  Anderson ville,  April  21, 
1864.  We  were  transported  in  cattle  cars,  in  some  of  which 
as  many  as  sixty  or  seventy  of  our  men  were  stowed  away. 
We  were  not  allowed  to  leave  the  cars  for  days,  not  even  to 
get  a  drink  of  water.  We  were  crowded  in,  more  like  beasts 
than  men,  sick  and  well  together,  and  the  condition  to  which 
we  were  reduced  can  be  very  readily  understood  by  the  reader. 

"From  September,  1864,  1  was  at  Charleston,  S.  C., 
until  November  30,  when  I  was  taken  to  Florence,  and 
paroled  in  December  of  the  same  year.  Was  subsequently 
exchanged,  and  after  a  visit  home  rejoined  the  Regiment  in 
East  Tennessee,  in  April,  1865.  Residence,  Eldorado,  Buf- 
falo county,  Dakota." 

Following  his  return  to  the  Regiment,  and  while  in  East 
Tennessee,  Sergeant  Hileman,  in  response  to  the  request  of 
his  comrades,  gave  an  address  to  a  very  large  audience  of  his 
friends,  detailing  his  experiences,  and  giving  many  particu- 
lars as  to  the  fate  of  the  men  captured  with  him.  The 
address  was  well  received,  and  it  is  a  matter  of  regret  that  it 
cannot  be  reproduced  in  this  connection. 

Corporal  John  A.  Boothby  survived  the  cold  and  expos- 
ure but  a  short  time,  dying  on  Christmas  Day,  1864,  at  Dan- 
ville, Va.  His  grave  is  No.  97. 

Corporal  Patrick  Flannery  was  accidentally  scalded  and 
taken  to  hospital  in  November,  and  died,  according  to  the  rec- 
ords, in  Richmond,  Ya.,  December  8,  1863,  of  typhoid  fever. 

Corporal  Alphonzo  Marshall  survived  the  hardships  of  the 
Richmond  and  Danville  prisons,  but  died  at  Anderson  ville, 
July  2,  1864. 

George  W.  Andrews,  although  receiving  a  wound  in  the 
foot  that  would  have  sent  a  less  resolute  man  to  the  rear, 


534  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'rn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

remained  on  duty  and  was  captured  with  his  comrades.  He- 
was  at  Richmond,  Danville  and  Andersonville,  dying  at  the- 
latter  place  in  June,  1864. 

Richard  C.  Cullen  gives  the  following  statement : 

CULLEN'S  NARRATIVE. 

I  was  captured  with  the  other  members  of  Companies  C 
and  H,  on  that  memorable  22d  of  September,  1863,  and  that 
day  drew  my  first  prisoner's  rations  of  a  pint  of  corn  meal,  to 
last  two  days,  and  to  be  cooked  in  any  way  that  Yankee 
ingenuity  could  devise.  Mounted  guards  attended  us  from 
Rossville  to  Dalton,  Ga.,  riding  on  either  side,  and  hurrying 
us  along  the  road.  The  first  and  last  square  meal  I  got  while 
a  prisoner  was  at  the  end  of  that  march.  From  Dalton  we 
went  by  rail  to  Atlanta,  Ga.,  where  a  night  was  spent  in  the 
"bull  pen,'1  where  we  were  deprived  of  our  pocket  knives, 
and  other  personal  effects.  Next  day  we  started  for  Rich- 
mond, Ya.,  where  we  arrived  October  1,  and  were  sent  to  the 
Pemberton  prison.  Next  morning  a  stylish  officer  came  into 
the  prison  with  a  table,  on  which  he  insisted  that  we  place 
our  watches,  money,  and  such  other  valuables  as  we  had 
saved  from  the  Atlanta  inspection,  at  the  same  time  taking: 
the  name,  company  and  regiment  of  each,  and  promising  that 
the  articles  should  be  returned  when  the  owners  were  paroled. 
A  few  submitted  to  this  polite  plan  of  robbery,  but  as  we  had 
been  without  pay  for  a  long  time,  our  contributions  were  not 
large.  Staying  here  until  November,  Corporal  Flannery  wa& 
sent  to  hospital,  having  been  accidentally  scalded,  and  was 
never  afterward  seen  by  his  comrades.  While  we  were  in 
the  Pemberton  prison  the  officer  who  counted  off  the  prisoners 
for  the  purpose  of  drawing  rations,  allowed  his  fine,  plump 
coach  dog  to  follow  him.  The  animal  and  the  master  soon 
became  separated,  and  the  most  rigid  search  of  the  officer 
failed  to  reveal  hide  or  hair  of  the  dog,  so  closely  was  he 
secreted.  No  one  has  ever  been  found  who  would  admit  that 
he  had  eaten  any  dog  meat,  but  next  day  the  boys  had  soup, 
lamb  and  fresh  pork. 

From  this  building  we  were  moved  to  the  Royster  prison,. 


CAPTURED  ON  MISSION  RIDGE.  5  55 

which,  like  the  Pemberton  building,  was  a  large  tobacco 
warehouse.  About  this  time  orders  came  that  all  prisoners 
must  be  vaccinated.  Reports  having  reached  the  North  that 
the  prisoners  were  not  sufficiently  clothed  or  fed,  the  United 
States  government  sent  clothing  and  food,  under  a  flag  of 
truce.  Half  rations  were  issued  for  a  time,  and  the  writer 
received  a  pair  of  pants.  While  the  hard-tack  lasted,  the 
boys  browned  their  corn  meal, — which  had  been  ground  cob 
and  all,  and  was  issued  in  half-pound  daily  rations, —  and 
made  coffee.  This,  with  the  James  River  water,  had  a  bad 
effect  on  the  men,  prostrating  them  with  diarrhoea.  Small- 
pox made  its  appearance  in  the  prison,  and  I  soon  fell  a  vic- 
tim to  it,  and  was  taken  to  a  hospital  near  the  outskirts  of 
the  city,  December  13,  1863.  Lying  on  the  bare  floor  with- 
out a  bed  of  any  kind,  caused  a  large  tumor  like  a  carbuncle, 
on  my  hip-joint,  which  was  extremely  painful.  Recovering 
from  the  small-pox,  I  was  prostrated  with  pneumonia,  and  then 
erysipelas  attacked  my  hip.  I  was  soon  reduced  to  a  mere 
skeleton.  Meanwhile,  being  too  weak  to  write  myself,  I  had 
induced  the  steward  to  write  to  my  friends  in  Gratoit,  Wis., 
and  was  soon  gratified  by  the  receipt  of  a  box  containing 
articles  of  food  and  clothing.  Some  silver  coin  and  two  bot- 
tles of  Hostetter's  Bitters  were  appropriated  by  the  prison 
authorities  as  being  contraband  of  war,  but  the  other  articles 
reached  me  safely.  Recovering  in  part  from  my  troubles,  I 
was  taken  to  Belle  Isle  about  the  middle  of  February.  The 
weather  was  extremely  cold,  and  being  without  any  shelter,  I 
was  again  prostrated  with  pneumonia,  becoming  so  reduced 
that  I  despaired  of  ever  seeing  home  again.  But  March  22, 
1864,  I  was  paroled  and  sent  by  boat  to  City  Point,  and 
thence  to  Annapolis,  Md.  Good  care  and  good  food  brought 
me  up,  and  a  week  after  my  arrival  at  Annapolis  I  was  sent 
to  ward  seven,  Benton  Barracks,  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  where  I  re- 
mained until  July.  I  was  then  sent  to  Chattanooga,  but  was 
not  permitted  to  rejoin  the  Regiment  until  March,  1865.  At 
the  time  of  being  paroled  I  weighed  eighty  pounds  ;  I  now 
weigh  170  pounds.  Post-office  address,  Warren,  Jo  Daviess 
county,  Ills. 


536  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

Daniel  W.  Doud  was  at  the  Pemberton  building  and 
Belle  Isle,  Richmond  ;  also  at  Danville,  Andersonville  and 
Florence.  From  the  latter  place  he  was  taken  to  Charleston, 
S.  C.,  and  exchanged  in  November,  1864,  but  was  too  badly 
broken  in  health  to  return  to  the  command  ;  was  discharged 
at  Springfield,  111.,  in  June,  1865.  Resides  at  Tecumseh, 
Johnson  county,  Nebraska. 

John  H.  Foster,  like  many  others,  was  captured  with  an 
empty  haversack.  Arriving  at  Dalton  he  traded  a  pocket 
knife  to  a  colored  man,  getting  in  exchange  a  few  crackers. 
At  Atlanta  he  received  two  crackers, —  a  very  small  ration 
for  an  extremely  hungry  man.  At  Charlottesville,  N.  C., 
where  the  prisoners  again  changed  cars,  he  was  given  a  simi- 
lar ration.  At  Richmond  he  was  sent,  with  others,  in  the 
evening  to  a  large  tobacco  warehouse,  and  the  following 
afternoon  received  a  small  ration  of  bread.  From  that  time 
forward  the  rations  continued  so  meagre  that  the  men  grew 
almost  desperate,  at  one  time  killing,  cooking  and  eating  a 
dog  that  followed  an  officer  or  guard  into  the  prison.  Foster 
was  not  sent  to  Danville,  but  remained  in  Richmond  until 
March,  1864,  when  he  was  sent  to  Andersonville,  being  one 
of  the  first  to  enter  that  now  historic  enclosure  as  a  prisoner. 
The  stockade  was  not  then  completed,  and  he  had  an  oppor- 
tunity to  procure  some  poles  and  bashes  and  make  a  covering 
to  protect  him  from  the  cold  and  storms,  and,  later,  from  the 
heat.  Here  he  remained  until  August,  when  he  was  sent  to 
Savannah.  Two  months  later  he  was  sent  to  Millen,  thence  to 
Goldsboro,  N.  C.,  and  afterward  to  Wilmington.  At  the 
two  latter  places  he,  with  many  others,  was  merely  corralled 
in  the  woods,  without  any  stockade.  Things  were  growing 
desperate  in  the  Confederacy  by  that  time,  as  Gen.  Sherman's 
forces  were  close  at  hand,  and  the  prisoners  were  shipped 
back  to  Goldsboro,  and  then  returned  to  Wilmington,  where 
their  captors  abandoned  them.  Foster  shared  in  all  the 
severe  experiences  of  two  winters  and  a  summer  in  prison, 
and  was  considerably  broken  in  health.  He  now  resides  in 
Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

Peter  Hawkes  was  so  fortunate  as  to  be  exchanged  in  a 


CAPTURED  ON  MISSION  RIDGE.  f>37 

few  months,  and  returned  home  to  recuperate  his  broken 
health,  afterward  rejoining  the  Regiment.  He  now  resides 
at  Chapin,  Iowa. 

William  Ingersoll  was  at  Richmond  and  Danville,  and 
having  been  vaccinated  with  impure  virus,  died  from  its 
effect,  January  17,  1864.  His  grave  is  No.  371,  Danville,  Va. 

Andrew  Johnson  was  at  Richmond,  Danville,  Anderson- 
ville,  Charleston,  Florence  and  Savannah,  being  exchanged 
at  the  latter  place  December  9,  1864.  He  subsequently  re- 
turned to  the  Regiment,  and  remained  until  the  final  muster 
out.  He  now  resides  at  Browutown,  Green  county,  Wis. 

John  Kurby  went  the  rounds  of  the  prisons  until  Ander- 
son ville  was  reached,  where  he  died  August  14,  1864.  His 
grave  is  No.  5,701. 

Nathaniel  McWain  was  slightly  wounded  at  Chickamauga, 
but  remained  with  the  Company,  and  was  captured  and  made 
the  rounds  of  the  prisons,  being  at  Richmond,  Danville, 
Andersonville,  Charleston  and  Florence.  He  was  a  prisoner 
•over  seventeen  months,  being  released  near  the  close  of  the 
war.  He  is  now  farming  at  Dorset,  Vermont. 

George  H.  Stanchfield  is  buried  in  grave  No.  184,  at 
Andersonville,  where  he  died  June  26,  1864,  the  cold  and 
sickness  at  Richmond  and  Danville  having  so  broken  his 
health  that  he  survived  the  experiences  of  that  Georgia  hell- 
hole but  a  few  weeks. 

James  M.  Sallee  endured  an  imprisonment  of  seventeen 
months,  being  at  one  time  or  another  in  nearly  all  of  the 
prisons  and  stockades  of  Virginia,  Georgia  and  the  Carolinas. 
He  is  now  Clerk  of  the  District  Court  of  Phillipsburg,  Kansas. 

Adam  Vroman  sleeps  in  an  unknown  grave,  probably  at 
Andersonville,  it  being  understood  that  he  died  soon  after 
his  removal  to  that  place. 

Edwin  Van  Dyke  was  a  prisoner  for  seventeen  months, 
going  the  long  round  with  the  others  who  survived,  and  being 
released  near  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  discharged  from 
hospital  at  Springfield,  111.,  in  the  spring  of  1865.  His 
health  was  permanently  broken,  and  he  died  from  chronic 
rheumatism,  at  Kansas  City,  Mo.,  February  6,  1885. 


538  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'rn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

John  Y.  Wilkerson,  of  Company  H,  who  was  among 
those  captured  on  Missionary  Ridge,  has  written  quite  a  full 
and  graphic  account  of  his  experiences,  a  portion  of  which 
must  be  omitted,  as  it  would  be  a  repetition  of  what  has  been 
previously  written  by  others.  On  his  arrival  at  Richmond, 
Ya.,  he,  with  3,000  others,  was  confined  in  a  cold  room  in 
what  was  known  as  Scott's  tobacco  house,  remaining  there 
from  October,  18C3,  until  March  or  April,  186i.  Many  of 
the  men  had  the  small-pox,  and  deaths  were  very  frequent. 
The  food  of  the  sick  and  well  consisted  of  about  one  half  pound 
of  corn  bread  per  day,  with  occasionally  a  couple  of  ounces  of 
meat,  until  January  1,  1864,  when  the  Sanitary  Commission: 
of  the  North  sent  rations  which  were  issued  by  the  Rebels. 
This  made  their  condition  much  more  tolerable,  so  far  as  food 
was  concerned,  but  there  was  still  great  suffering  from  cold. 
In  the  spring,  all  able  to  travel  were  sent  to  Andersonvillev 
Wilkerson,  with  the  rest,  being  among  the  first  to  arrive  in 
that  prison  pen.  There  he  endured  all  the  suffering  that 
came  from  starvation,  nakedness,  heat,  cold,  and  body  lice, 
but  was  fortunate  enough  to  survive.  A  half  pint  of  dry 
corn  meal,  without  salt  or  means  to  cook  it  much  of  the  time, 
and  the  horrors  of  the  place,  almost  made  demons  of  the  men 
it  did  not  kill.  He  assisted  in  the  work  of  ferreting  out  and 
hanging  the  "raiders,"  and  was  engaged  in  one  or  two  unsuc- 
cessful tunneling  enterprises.  Before  the  war  was  through  he 
suffered  greatly  from  scurvy,  which  made  him  nearly  blind. 
On  one  occasion  the  notorious  Captain  Wirz  came  into  the 
stockade  to  make  an  inspection,  his  dog  following  him.  That 
dog  was  soon  missing,  and  made  a  dainty  meal  for  a  large  num- 
ber of  the  boys.  A  piece  of  the  fore-leg  fell  to  Wilkerson, 
which  he  declared  was  the  sweetest  bit  of  meat  he  ever  ate, 
although  he  did  not  even  have  salt  with  which  to  season  it, 
A  fellow-prisoner  by  the  name  of  Barnes,  who  had  a  $20  bill 
for  a  copy,  managed  to  get  some  paper  and  manufactured 
quite  an  amount  of  counterfeit  money,  which  he  palmed  off 
on  the  unsuspecting  Rebels,  thus  securing  the  means  whereby 
to  obtain  some  addition  to  the  scanty  rations  afforded  by 
the  prison  authorities.  Wilkerson,  and  many  others,  shared 


CAPTURED  ON  MISSION  RIDQE.  539 

the  food  thus  obtained.  All  of  the  genius  possessed  by  the 
Yankees  was  brought  into  use,  and  many  small  articles  were 
manufactured  and  traded  to  the  Rebels  for  anything  which 
they  had  to  offer  that  it  was  possible  for  a  Yankee  stomach  to 
digest.  Late  in  the  autumn  of  1864,  Wilkerson  was  removed 
to  Florence,  where  he  remained  three  months.  He  was  then 
sent  to  Goldsboro,  N.  C.,  where  the  Rebels  found  their  com- 
munications cut,  and  paroled  their  prisoners.  Gen.  Terry  with 
the  Union  forces  was  near  at  hand,  and  came  to  their  rescue. 
The  men  were  almost  at  starvation  point,  and  to  prevent 
death  from  over-eating,  each  one  was  allowed  but  two 
crackers,  a  pint  and  a  half  of  coffee,  a  small  piece  of  meat,  and 
an  allowance  of  whisky.  Notwithstanding  this  precaution,, 
the  allowance  was  too  much  for  many,  and  a  large  number 
died  from  over-eating.  Alphonzo  Marshall  of  Company  H, 
who  had  been  Wilkerson's  companion  during  the  eighteen 
months  of  imprisonment,  was  one  of  the  many  who  died  soon, 
after  coming  under  the  protection  of  the  Union  flag.  Each 
soldier  was  given  a  bath  and  clean  clothing  and  sent  on  a 
steamer  to  the  exchange  camp,  and  thence  to  St.  Louis, 
where  all  were  furloughed  home  for  thirty  days.  Wilkerson 
was  discharged  at  Springfield,  111.,  and  soon  went  west.  He 
now  resides  in  Indian  Valley,  Washington  county,  Idaho. 

RECAPITULATION. 

From  the  foregoing  it  will  be  seen  that  the  number  cap- 
tured from  the  NINETY -SIXTH  during  the  battle  of  Chickamauga, 
exclusive  of  Capt.  Blodgett,  Henry  Barnum,  Sergt.  Cowan  and 
perhaps  some  others,  who  were  retaken  within  a  few  moments, 
was  thirty-five.  Two  of  this  number, —  Sergeant  Quigley  and 
Squire  Inman, —  died  within  a  few  days.  Twenty-five,  whose 
names  appear  on  page  514  of  this  work,  were  paroled  within* 
ten  days.  Of  these,  Blackstone,  Martin,  Mack  and  O'Leary, 
of  Company  E ;  Davis  and  Wheeler,  of  Company  G ;  and 
Morris,  Curry  and  Johnson,  of  Company  H,  died  shortly 
afterward.  Sergeant  Major  Quinn  was  accidentally  drowned 
while  on  furlough,  and  Whitney,  Murray,  Dodge,  Doolittle 
Howe,  Stevens,  Robbins,  Wearne,  Darby  and  Ward  were 


-540  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

.permanently  disabled,  never  again  joining  the  Regiment. 
Connor,  Benson,  Hamilton  and  Schultz  so  far  recovered  from 
their  wounds  as  to  again  take  their  places  in  the  line.  Of 
eight  others  captured  during  the  action,  Thayer,  Dimick  and 
Bunce  died  while  prisoners  of  war  ;  Rowan,  Bangs,  Bush  and 
Metcalf  returned  after  some  months  in  prison,  and  Graves 
and  Hayth  were  released  near  the  close  of  the  war,  but  were 
not  again  with  the  command.  Hayth  died  in  October,  1865, 
as  the  result  of  the  hardships  endured  in  prison. 

Of  the  thirty-five  captured  on  Mission  Ridge,  Septem- 
ber 22,  1864,  eighteen  died  while  prisoners  of  war,  or  within 
a  very  few  days  after  being  taken  within  the  Union  lines  at 
Wilmington  or  Annapolis.  They  were :  Huntington,  Ben- 
singer,  Green,  Madden,  McClellan,  McCreadie,  Payne,  Rod- 
enberger  and  Sturm,  of  Company  C ;  Boothby,  Flannery, 
Marshall,  Andrews,  Ingersoll,  Kerby,  Stanchfield,  Yroman 
and  Wheelock,  of  Company  H.  Of  the  Company  C  boys 
who  survived  their  prison  experiences,  Cutler  was  soon 
exchanged,  returned  to  the  Regiment,  and  was  killed  in  bat- 
tle ;  Kearney  and  Savage  were  never  again  with  the  com- 
mand ;  and  Earle,  Schwerie  and  Weistoff  alone  rejoined  the 
Regiment.  Of  the  Company  H  boys  who  survived  their 
prison  experiences,  Doud,  Foster,  McWain,  Sallee,  Van  Dyke 
and  Wilkerson  were  discharged  without  ever  joining  the  com- 
mand, and  Yates.  Hileman,  Cullen,  Hawkes  and  Johnson 
:rejoined  the  Regiment,  most  of  them  near  the  close  of  the 
war. 


PRISONS  AND  PRISONERS.  541 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 


PRISONS  AND  PRISONERS. 

BY    LIEUTENANT   CHARLES   W.  EARLE,  CHICAGO. 

Captured  at  Buzzard  Roost—Narrative  of  Harrison  Menzemer — The- 
Captures  at  Resaca — Narratives  of  Myron  J.  Brown,  Corporal  Wm. 
B.  Lewin,  First  Sergeant  Thomas  J.  Smith,  Richard  Spencer,  Lewis 
Miller — Captured  at  Kenesaw  Mountain  and  Atlanta — Albert  Bar- 
ney's Narrative — Captured  at  Franklin. 

FOLLOWING  Chickamauga  and  that  fatal  22d  of  September, 
when  Companies  C  and  H  were  so  nearly  blotted  out,  five 
months  elapsed  without  further  losses  by  capture.  Then 
came  the  Dalton  reconnoissance  and  the  Buzzard  Roost  affair, 
in  which  Charles  and  Harrison  Menzemer,  of  Company  A, 
were  made  prisoners.  These  two  men  were  cousins  and  tent- 
mates.  When  the  Regiment  moved  back  from  its  advanced 
position,  during  the  night  of  February  25,  1864,  they  were 
sleeping  so  soundly  a  little  way  apart  from  the  command 
that  the  noise  made  by  their  comrades  did  not  awaken  them- 
Their  absence  was  not  noticed  for  some  time,  and  even  then, 
it  was  supposed  that  they,  like  many  others,  had  become  tired 
out  with  the  hard  marching  experienced  during  that  week  or 
active  campaigning,  and  had  merely  fallen  to  the  rear. 
When  they  finally  awoke,  it  was  to  find  themselves  confronted, 
by  the  Rebel  skirmish  line,  with  a  demand  that  they  sur- 
render. Taken  thus  at  an  entire  disadvantage,  they  sub- 
mitted. Their  experience  can,  perhaps,  be  best  told  in. 
Harry's  own  words  : 

HARRISON  MENZEMER'S  NARRATIVE. 

The  men  who  captured  Charley  and  myself  treated  ufr 
well,  and  soon  started  us  for  Dalton,  two  and  one-half  miles 
distant,  under  a  single  guard.  I  resolved  to  capture  that 
guard,  if  possible,  and  two  or  three  times  fell  back  with  the 
intention  of  overpowering  him.  He  was  a  resolute,  wide- 


542  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

awake  fellow,  however,  and  detecting  my  purpose,  assured 
me  that  he  was  no  recruit,  and  that  while  he  did  not  wish  to 
shoot  me,  he  should  do  so,  unless  I  kept  straight  ahead  of 
him.  Seeing  that  he  was  not  a  man  to  be  trifled  with,  I 
marched  along,  and  we  were  soon  placed  in  the  second  story 
of  a  building  in  Dalton,  with  other  prisoners,  and  a  little 
before  night  were  started  for  Atlanta  by  rail.  Arriving  at 
that  place,  we  were  but  lightly  guarded,  and  I  got  through 
the  line,  and  might  have  escaped  had  I  been  willing  to  go 
alone,  but  I  wanted  Charley  with  me,  and  so  went  back  for 
him  ;  but  by  the  time  I  found  him  the  guard  had  been 
increased,  and  the  opportunity  was  lost.  We  remained  in 
Atlanta  a  month.  Immediately  upon  our  arrival  we  began 
work  on  a  tunnel,  and  in  a  short  time  had  it  so  far  completed 
that  in  one  more  night  we  should  have  used  it,  and,  at  least, 
have  attempted  an  escape,  when  a  sneak  betrayed  us.  For- 
tunately for  this  man,  the  authorities  removed  him  from  the 
prison,  else  I  believe  the  boys  would  have  killed  him.  About 
April  1,  1864,  we  were  taken  to  Andersonville.  On  the  way 
I  was  constantly  on  the  alert  to  escape,  but  no  opportunity 
offered.  Small-pox  soon  broke  out  in  the  prison,  and  the 
officials  directed  that  all  of  the  prisoners  be  vaccinated. 
I  and  one  other  of  the  ten  in  our  squad  refused  to  allow 
the  surgeon  to  touch  us,  declaring  that  we  would  never  be 
vaccinated  alive.  I  urged  Charles  to  also  refuse,  but  he 
thought  no  harm  would  come  from  it,  and  submitted.  Next 
day  I  managed  to  procure  some  caustic,  and  burned  out  many 
of  the  arms  of  those  who  had  allowed  the  surgeon  to  operate 
upon  them,  but  Charles  would  not  allow  me  to  touch  him. 
In  a  short  time  he  was  suffering  terribly  from  the  gangrenous 
virus,  his  arm  swelling  and  sloughing  off  until  he  was  com- 
pelled to  go  to  hospital.  I  could  get  no  trace  of  him  after- 
ward, but  learn  since  the  war  that  he  died  June  16,  1864,  and 
is  buried  in  grave  No.  5,049.  I  may  mention  here  that  it 
was  almost  certain  death  to  go  to  the  hospital  at  Anderson- 
ville, very  few  ever  returning  to  the  camp. 

A  party  with  whom  I  was  associated,  dug  a  well  twenty- 
five  feet  deep,  with  no  other  implements  than  a  case-knife 


CAPTURED  AT  BUZZARD  ROOST  AND  DALTON.  543 

and  the  half  of  a  canteen.  The  well  was  but  a  blind,  how- 
ever, for  every  night  we  were  at  work  on  a  tunnel,  through 
which  we  hoped  to  escape.  We  had  completed  our  work  to 
the  stockade,  where  it  was  necessary  to  crib  the  passage, —  a 
most  difficult  matter,  owing  to  the  scarcity  of  material  suitable 
for  the  purpose.  The  work  was  so  imperfectly  done  that  the 
tunnel  caved  in.  The  air  was  foul,  and  after  three  men  had 
died  in  attempting  to  overcome  these  obstacles,  we  reluc- 
tantly abandoned  the  enterprise. 

I  had  kept  remarkably  well  until  this  time,  although  I  had 
seen  several  of  my  chosen  mess-mates  one  after  another  die  or 
go  to  hospital.  One  of  them, — Joe  Shaw,  a  cavalryman  and  a 
splendid  fellow, —  gave  me  his  jacket  before  he  died,  a  gar- 
ment I  greatly  needed.  I  then  chose  two  strangers  as  part- 
ners. Cutting  the  buttons  from  my  jacket,  I  tendered  them 
to  a  guard  as  a  consideration  for  taking  us  out  on  a  detail  to 
bring  in  some  wood.  The  offer  was  accepted,  and  we  were 
sent  out  in  charge  of  a  long-legged  Georgian.  Pursuant  to 
an  agreement  made  before  leaving  the  stockade,  I  watched 
my  opportunity,  and  when  near  the  creek  attempted  to  disarm 
the  guard.  My  partners  did  not  come  to  my  assistance  at 
-once,  and  I  had  a  terrible  struggle.  At  last  one  of  them 
seized  the  gun  and  tore  it  from  the  grasp  of  the  guard,  who 
fled  to  the  stockade  as  soon  as  I  released  my  hold  upon  his 
throat.  Another  guard  was  near  by,  in  charge  of  three  other 
prisoners,  but  did  not  tire.  Throwing  the  gun  into  the 
swamp,  we  ran  through  the  woods.  It  was  about  four  o'clock 
when  we  started,  and  by  one  o'clock  next  morning  we  had 
made  twenty  miles.  Notwithstanding  all  of  our  efforts  to 
throw  them  from  our  trail,  the  dogs  were  after  us,  and 
evidently  very  near.  The  two  other  men  got  on  a  log  in  a 
mill-pond  that  we  had  reached,  and  1  pushed  them  across. 
The  dogs  followed  through  the  stream,  but  did  not  reach  us 
until  we  had  scattered  and  climbed  up  separate  trees.  The 
hounds  having  clustered  about  the  tree  occupied  by  one  of  my 
companions,  I  dropped  to  the  ground,  and  running  back  to  the 
stream,  attempted  to  wade  to  a  cluster  of  willows,  but  the 
-bottom  was  so  soft  that  I  had  a  narrow  escape  from  drowning. 


544  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  KEGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

Going  back  to  the  shore  unobserved,  I  ran  for  a  mile  or  mor& 
when  I  heard  the  dogs  close  behind  me.  Running  to  the 
swamp,  I  pulled  the  tangled  vines  apart  and  tried  to  secrete 
myself,  but  without  avail.  I  was  soon  surrounded  by  seven 
blood-hounds  and  a  bull-dog.  I  had  dropped  a  club  in  pull- 
ing apart  the  vines,  and  had  no  weapons  except  my  hands 
and  feet.  Exhausted  though  I  was,  I  fought  with  an  energy 
born  of  desperation  and  despair.  How  long  I  kept  them  at 
bay  I  never  knew,  but  certainly  for  some  time.  At  last  they 
overcame  and  threw  me  to  the  ground,  and  their  teeth  were 
crunching  and  tearing  my  flesh,  when  the  men  who  had  fol- 
lowed them  came  up  and  rescued  me.  One  of  them  showed 
some  pity,  but  another  acted  the  part  of  a  brute.  I  was  at 
once  returned  to  the  prison,  and  taken  before  Captain  Wirz, 
who  asked  why  I  did  not  take  my  negro  brothers  with  me 
when  I  tried  to  escape.  I  replied  that  I  had  no  negro- 
brothers.  "Yes,  you  have,"  said  he;  "the  negroes  are  in 
your  army,  and  therefore  must  be  your  brothers."  I  was  in, 
a  towering  passion,  and  caring  little  whether  I  lived  or  died, 
I  shouted  back,  "  You  are  a  dirty  dog ;  at  least  you  have  dogs 
in  your  army,  and  must  be  a  brother  to  them."  Instantly  I 
found  myself  looking  squarely  down  the  barrel  of  a  big 
revolver.  Gen.  Winder,  who  was  standing  by,  laughing 
heartily  at  our  interview,  promptly  interfered,  and  pre- 
vented my  being  shot,  although  he  directed  that  I  be  made  to 
wear  a  ball  and  chain.  A  sixty-four  pound  ball,  with  a  twelve- 
inch  chain  was  riveted  to  my  right  ankle,  and  I  was  turned 
into  the  stockade.  By  constant  work  I  sawed  off  the  manacle 
next  day.  Four  days  afterward  I  crawled  into  a  tunnel,  again 
hoping  to  escape,  but  failed,  after  being  almost  smothered. 
Then  some  one,  with  the  hope  of  getting  an  extra  ration  for 
himself,  told  the  authorities  that  I  had  taken  the  ball  off. 
When  they  came  to  examine  me  I  had  replaced  it,  but  could 
not  conceal  the  opening,  They  then  placed  a  sixty -four  pound 
ball  on  either  leg,  one  of  which  I  wore  five  weeks,  and  the 
other  six  weeks.  My  limbs  swelled  so  as  to  almost  conceal 
the  shackles,  and  I  suffered  greatly.  When  they  finally  con- 
sented to  remove  them,  they  cut  the  rivets  with  two  old  axes- 


HENRY  H.  GAGE, 

CORPORAL,   COMPANY   G. 


CAPTURED  AT  BUZZARD  ROOST.  545 

on  a  black  oak  stump.  It  seemed  as  if  every  blow  would 
break  my  leg,  but  I  managed  to  live  through  it. 

While  I  was  wearing  the  shackles  Capt.  Wirz  offered  me 
five  dollars  a  day  and  rations  if  I  would  leave  the  prison  and 
go  to  work  for  him.  I  was  indignant,  and  not  only  refused, 
but  gave  him  a  very  forcible  rejoinder,  to  which  he  replied 
in  his  own  peculiar  way. 

For  four  months  I  could  not  walk,  but  crawled  around  on 
my  hands  and  knees.  To  the  bites  of  the  dogs  and  the  lacer- 
ation of  the  manacles,  was  added  the  effects  of  scurvy.  And 
now,  Doctor,  let  me  give  you  the  recipe  which  brought  me 
relief.  Procuring  some  mullein  leaves,  I  wilted  them,  tearing 
up  the  only  shirt  I  had  to  make  bandages  with  which  to  bind 
them  on  the  sore  and  swollen  limbs.  That  remedy  proved 
effectual  and  saved  my  life,  although  my  recovery  was  slow. 

After  I  had  been  in  Andersonville  nearly  six  months  I 
was  taken,  with  about  1,500  others,  first  to  Charleston  and 
then  to  Florence,  under  guard  of  old  soldiers,  who  used  us 
well.  At  Florence  we  were  corralled  in  aJ^eld,  and  permitted 
to  put  up  shelter  to  protect  us  from  the"  sun,'  bushes  being  the 
material  used.  We  again  dug  a  well,  and  planned  for  a  tun- 
nel. For  three  days  they  gave  us  nothing  to  eat.  My  part- 
ner at  that  time  was  a  Tennesseean  named  Anderson,  a  man 
of  resolute  character  and  a  natural  leader.  We  resolved  to 
attempt  to  raise  1,000  men,  each  to  be  sworn  to  fight  until  he 
died,  hoping  to  overcome  our  guards  and  escape.  Ten  of  us 
set  quietly  at  work.  I  was  successful  in  getting  a  list  of  100, 
but  some  of  the  others  failed,  and  only  550  were  secured. 
We  held  a  quiet  meeting,  and  while  I  have  always  believed 
that  we  could  have  accomplished  our  purpose  with  the  men 
secured,  and  others  who  would  have  come  to  our  assistance, 
yet  a  majority  thought  otherwise,  and  the  plan  was  aban- 
doned. There  were  several  regiments  of  the  guards,  and  it 
would  have  been  a  desperate  undertaking  at  best,  but  we 
were  in  a  desperate  condition,  and  should  have  made  a  reso- 
lute fight.  The  plan  having  failed,  I  went  as  near  head- 
quarters as  the  guards  would  permit,  and  cursed  the  Colonel 
35 


54P>  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

in  command,  openly  and  boldly,  until  some  of  my  comrades 
crowded  around  me  and  insisted  that  I  stop. 

William  Clink,  of  the  4th  Regulars,  with  Anderson,  whom 
I  have  mentioned,  then  proposed  that  we  run  the  lines.  We 
were  in  an  old  field,  with  a  furrow  plowed  around  for  a  dead- 
line, and  guards  every  fifteen  yards  just  beyond  this  furrow. 
We  three  started  together,  walking  side  by  side.  It  was 
about  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  so  that  every  movement 
could  be  seen.  Our  feelings  can  be  better  imagined  than 
described,  for  we  expected  every  minute  to  be  shot.  To  our 
great  surprise,  we  reached  the  timber  in  safety,  and  turning 
about,  could  see  at  least  one  hundred  men  who  had  followed 
us,  while  the  entire  camp  seemed  to  be  rushing  toward  us. 
The  guards  began  firing  with  their  muskets,  and  also  with  two 
cannon,  killing  about  forty  of  the  five  hundred  men  who 
crossed  the  line.  We  snatched  a  few  ears  of  corn  from  a 
field  through  which  we  ran.  A  man  from  the  4th  Michigan 
Cavalry,  known  as  "  Scrub  Oak,"  joined  us,  and  our  party  of 
four,  after  traveling  four  days  and  nights,  reached  the  Pedee 
River.  Here  three  of  us  built  a  raft,  leaving  "  Scrub  Oak" 
on  guard.  Overcome  by  the  terrible  strain,  our  guard  fell 
asleep,  and  before  we  were  aware  of  it,  a  party  of  seventeen 
armed  men  were  upon  us,  and  again  we  were  prisoners.  A 
brute  named  Wetherby  demanded  that  we  bring  back  the 
rails  used  in  making  the  raft,  and  repair  the  fence  from  which 
they  had  been  taken  ;  but  the  Doctor,  to  whom  the  fence 
belonged,  told  Wetherby  that  the  prisoners  needed  something 
to  eat  more  than  something  to  do,  and  ordered  his  negroes  to 
put  up  the  fence.  We  were  then  marched  to  the  station,  and 
given  some  corn-bread  and  soup,  which  the  Doctor  sent  from 
his  house,  a  most  acceptable  meal,  as  we  had  lived  on  raw 
corn  since  our  escape.  We  were  then  taken  to  Cheraw,  S.  C., 
where  a  home  guard  abused  us  until  a  Rebel  soldier,  with  one 
arm  in  a  sling  interfered.  From  Cheraw  we  were  returned  to 
Florence.  There  were  so  many  who  had  escaped  that  no 
attempt  was  made  to  punish  us.  Anderson  and  myself  crawled 
between  the  inside  line  of  guards  one  evening  and  spent  the 
entire  night  in  trying  to  make  our  way  between  the  outside 


HARRISON  MENZEMER'S  NARRATIVE.  547 

guards.  I  verily  believe  we  crawled  three  miles  on  our  hands 
and  knees,  but  all  to  no  purpose,  and  at  last  we  returned  to 
the  stockade.  A  large  number,  in  sheer  despair,  took  the 
oath  of  allegiance  to  the  Confederacy,  for  the  sake  of  getting 
outside  the  prison,  and  others  betrayed  those  who  sought  to 
escape.  Many  became  fairly  wolfish  in  their  hunger,  and 
thought  only  of  themselves  and  how  they  might  secure  food. 

For  a  time  there  was  little  further  effort  to  escape.  Win- 
ter was  upon  us,  and  with  great  labor  we  made  an  excavation, 
or  dug-out,  where  we  could  escape  the  cold  winds.  No  sooner 
was  this  completed,  than  the  authorities  decided  to  make  a 
hospital  of  our  corner,  and  we  were  driven  to  another  part  of 
the  prison.  Securing  a  mill-pick,  we  set  at  work  to  make 
another  dug-out,  and  from  it  a  tunnel ;  but  using  the  mill- 
pick  so  hard  that  it  was  heard  by  other  prisoners,  we  were 
betrayed,  and  one  of  our  party  was  threatened  until  he  told 
"where  the  implement  had  been  secreted.  This  was  my  last 
attempt  to  get  away. 

About  December  20,  1864,  I  was  selected,  with  the  first 
thousand,  to  be  paroled.  Giving  all  of  my  clothing,  except- 
ing a  thin  shirt  and  some  ragged  drawers  to  my  companions 
who  were  left  behind,  I  took  my  place  in  the  line  arid  was 
marched  outside  of  the  hated  stockade.  We  were  first  taken 
to  the  woods,  where  we  built  fires,  and  tried  to  make  our- 
selves comfortable.  Soon  we  were  ordered  into  an  open  field 
for  the  night.  That  was  a  night  of  horror,  for  all  were  thinly 
<jlad,  and  without  shelter  or  fires,  and  a  cold  rain-storm  lasted 
throughout  those  dreadful  hours,  turning  into  sleet  and  cov- 
ering everything  with  ice.  Probably  not  less  than  three  hun- 
dred of  the  one  thousand  were  left  lying  upon  the  field  next 
morning,  and  the  others  were  more  dead  than  alive.  Next 
day  the  sun  came  out,  and  those  who  were  able  to  walk  were 
placed  on  a  train  and  taken  to  Charleston,  and  thence  to  ves- 
sels that  had  been  sent  to  convey  us  to  Annapolis. 

From  Annapolis  I  was  sent  to  my  home  at  Galena,  111., 
but  the  trip  is  remembered  only  as  a  dream,  for  I  was  deliri- 
ous with  fever  during  the  five  days  spent  upon  the  road,  and 
did  not  leave  my  bed  for  three  weeks  after  reaching  home. 


54:8  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

When  captured  I  weighed  nearly  two  hundred  pounds,  and 
after  my  return  home  but  ninety  pounds. 

I  could  write  much  more  concerning  the  hanging  of  the 
"  raiders,"  of  the  fate  of  comrades,  of  how  the  stockade  was 
washed  out  during  a  heavy  storm,  of  the  terrible  wetting 
from  the  continuous  rains  of  that  terribly  rainy  June,  of 
individual  suffering,  and  the  constant  dying,  dying,  dying, 
of  those  about  us,  but  I  remember  that  my  narrative  is  already 
a  long  one,  and  that  others  will  tell  of  these  and  other 
incidents. 

THE   CAPTURES    AT   RESACA. 

During  the  first  day  of  the  battle  of  Resaca,  Ga.,  eight 
men  were  captured,  as  described  in  Chapter  XVI.  Of  these, 
three  were  wounded.  They  were,  First  Sergeant  Thomas  J. 
Smith,  of  Company  I ;  Richard  Spencer,  of  Company  F  ;  and 
Lewis  Miller,  of  Company  G.  All  of  these  wounded  men 
were  recaptured  May  16,  when  the  enemy  retreated.  Smith 
and  Miller  did  not  long  survive,  but  Spencer  recovered,  al- 
though never  again  able  for  duty. 

The  five  who  were  not  wounded  were,  Corporal  William 
B.  Lewin  and  Orange  M.  Ayers,  of  Company  C  ;  First  Ser- 
geant Joseph  B.  Leekley,  of  Company  F  ;  and  Corporal  Deloss 
Rose  and  Myron  J.  Brown,  of  Company  G.  Of  these,  Ayers, 
Leekley  and  Rose  died  in  prison,  and  Lewin  and  Brown  suf- 
fered a  long  imprisonment.  It  was  supposed  that  Edward 
Darby,  of  Company  G,  was  also  a  prisoner,  but  as  none  of 
those  taken  at  the  time  saw  anything  of  him,  and  no  trace 
was  ever  received  from  any  source,  there  is  little  doubt  that 
he  was  killed,  his  body  falling  into  Ihe  hands  of  the  enemy 
when  the  lines  were  forced  to  retreat. 

Orange  M.  Ayers  bore  up  bravely  for  many  months,  while 
at  Andersonville  and  Florence,  although  badly  broken  in 
health.  He  escaped  from  the  latter  prison,  as  narrated  by 
Corporal  Lewin,  and  for  many  years  his  fate  was  shrouded  in 
mystery.  In  collecting  facts  for  this  work,  however,  it  was 
learned  that  he  is  recorded  as  having  died  at  Salisbury,  N.  C., 
January  15,  1865,  and  is  buried  in  grave  No.  2,712.  The 
supposition  is  that  he  traveled  northward  until  exhausted  or 


CAPTURED  AT  RESACA.  549 

forced  to  seek  food  at  some  house,  when  he  was  again  cap- 
tured and  taken  to  the  prison,  where  he  died.  There  is  a 
rumor  that  some  Vermont  soldier,  who  had  known  him  in 
early  life,  was  with  him  in  his  last  hours,  but  no  definite  facts 
have  been  ascertained  that  tend  to  verify  the  report. 

First  Sergeant  Joseph  B.  Leekley  was  doubtless  captured 
in  about  the  manner  described  by  Corporal  Lewin.  He  en- 
dured all  the  privations  of  that  terrible  summer  in  Anderson- 
ville,  dying  in  the  prison  October  1,  1864.  Shortly  after  the 
war,  friends  visited  the  cemetery  and  disinterred  the  remains, 
which  were  fully  identified  and  taken  to  Council  Hill,  Jo 
Daviess  County,  Illinois,  for  final  burial. 

Corporal  Deloss  Rose  was  taken  while  on  the  skirmish 
line,  as  described  by  Myron  J.  Brown.  But  little  is  known 
of  his  experiences,  except  what  is  told  by  the  latter.  He  is 
reported  as  having  died  at  Florence,  S.  C.,  January  28,  1865, 
his  grave  being  given  as  No.  216.  He  is  also  reported  as 
having  died  on  the  same  date  at  Salisbury,  N.  C.,  his  grave 
being  given  as  No.  2,712.  Correspondence  with  the  Quarter- 
master-General fails  to  develop  the  fact  as  to  which  statement 
is  correct.  That  official  writes,  under  date  of  December  8, 
1886:  "The  lists  of  burials  at  Florence  and  Salisbury  were 
made  up  mainly  from  such  records  of  the  Confederate  prisons 
at  those  places  as  were  obtainable  at  the  time  the  R-oll  of 
Honor  was  prepared.  These  records  were  both  incomplete 
.and  imperfect,  and  in  some  cases  conflicting  ;  but  as  there 
were  then,  and  are  now,  no  means  of  correcting  the  manifest 
errors,  the  Department  had  but  one  course  to  pursue,  and 
that  was  to  publish  the  record  as  it  was." 

MYRON  J.   BROWN'S  NARRATIVE. 

I  was  captured  just  before  sunset,  May  14,  1864,  at  Resaca, 
Ga.  Company  G  had  been  deployed  as  skirmishers  in  front 
of  the  Regiment,  and  ordered  to  advance  to  the  edge  of  an 
open  field  in  front.  That  was  the  last  order  I  heard.  The 
trees  and  underbrush  made  it  difficult  to  see  where  the  skir- 
mish line  was,  and  to  keep  in  proper  position.  I  did  the  best 
I  could,  but  was  soon  alone.  I  thought  I  had  been  too  slow, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  96rra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

so  I  hurried  forward  to  an  open  place  to  see  if  I  was  with  the- 
line.  As  I  stood  listening,  and  peering  through  the  woods  and 
brush,  trying  to  see  my  comrades,  the  firing  on  the  left 
increasing  and  bullets  zipping  in  fearfully  close  proximity  to 
my  ears,  my  own  Regiment  delivered  a  volley.  That  was  a 
great  surprise  to  me,  and  I  could  not  at  once  think  what  to 
do.  Thoughts  of  Andersonville,  and  of  being  shot  in  the 
back,  flashed  through  my  mind,  but  the  instinct  of  self-preser- 
vation led  me  to  instantly  shelter  myself  with  a  tree  at  my 
back  and  a  large  log  in  front,  which  was  barely  accomplished 
when  a  second  volley  came  from  the  rear.  The  bullets  struck 
the  tree  that  sheltered  me,  and  fragments  of  bark  flew  in  my 
face.  I  remained  in  my  shelter  but  a  few  seconds,  just  long 
enough  to  ascertain  that  the  Regiment  was  not  going  to  con- 
tinue firing,  and  then  arose  to  go  to  the  rear.  As  I  arose,  I 
faced  the  Rebel  line-of-battle  not  more  than  twenty  feet  from 
me.  Instantly  the  muskets  for  about  a  rod  of  the  line  were 
leveled  at  me,  and  I  was  ordered  to  surrender.  Then  I 
thought  again  of  Andersonville,  and  laid  my  gun  against  a 
log.  One  of  the  soldiers  left  the  line  and  started  toward  the 
rear  with  me,  when  the  Adjutant  of  the  regiment  came  to  us 
and  ordered  the  soldier  back  and  took  charge  of  me  himself. 
He  carried  a  revolver  in  his  hand,  and  conducted  me  to  the 
division  commander. 

As  we  went  this  Adjutant  regaled  me  with  denunciations 
of  the  "  Yanks  "  and  boastings  of  what  they  were  going  to  do 
with  us.  He  spent  his  vocabulary  in  a  bombastic  tirade, 
which  was  followed  by  the  insane  boast  that  they  were  going 
to  sweep  us  into  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  I  replied  that  they 
were  moving  in  the  right  direction,  but  were  on  the  wrong 
side  of  the  broom.  That  ended  the  war  of  words,  and  he 
soon  found  the  division  commander,  who  detailed  a  mounted 
orderly  to  escort  me  to  the  commanding  General,  Joseph  E. 
Johnston,  who  in  person  questioned  me  about  the  Union 
army  there,  asking  how  many,  wagons  were  in  the  supply 
train,  and  how  many  army  corps  we  had.  I  thought  that  to- 
be  unsoldierly  and  unusual,  and  answered  vaguely.  He, 
after  a  time  asked  the  direct  question:  "How  many  men 


MYRON  J.  BROWN'S  NARRATIVE.  551 

does  Sherman  have  in  his  command  ?  "  I  answered  :  "  You 
are  in  better  condition  to  know  than  I  am,  but  I  think  he 
has  at  least  one  hundred  and  eighty  thousand."  That  was 
the  last  question,  and  the  General  turned  away  with  the  air 
of  a  man  who  had  become  disgusted. 

My  escort  was  ordered  to  go  with  me  to  the  railroad  station 
house.  While  we  were  going  there  my  gallant  (?)  guard,  as 
he  rode  beside  me,  took  my  nearly  new  hat  off'  and  dropped 
his  crownless  rim  over  my  head.  He  also  told  me  to  give 
him  the  coffee  and  sugar  1  had  in  my  haversack,  which  I  did 
not  do,  and  he  did  not  attempt  to  take  them  or  anything  more 
from  me.  I  had  my  rubber  blanket  and  half-tent,  besides  my 
rations.  It  is  without  doubt  to  the  shelter  of  my  tent  and 
blanket  that  I  owe  my  survival  of  Anderson ville,  Ga.,  and 
Florence,  S.  C.  I  was,  with  about  sixty  other  luckless  Union 
soldiers,  among  whom  were  Deloss  Rose,  of  the  same  Com- 
pany as  myself,  and  William  B.  Lewin,  of  Company  C,  put 
in  the  loft  of  the  station  house,  through  the  roof  of  which 
some  Union  bullets  passed  during  the  fore  part  of  the  night. 
The  next  morning  we  were  sent  across  the  river,  where  we 
were  held  most  of  the  day  and  then  were  sent  in  box  cars  to 
Atlanta,  Ga.,  and  placed  in  an  inclosed  camp.  The  next  day 
we  were  sent  to  Macon,  where  we  passed  a  night  in  jail  cells, 
eighteen  in  a  cell  twelve  feet  square.  We  were  kindly  sup- 
plied with  food  and  coffee  by  some  Christian  women.  The 
following  day  we  traveled  in  box  cars  south  to  Anderson  ville, 
where  we  were  delivered  to  the  tender  mercies  (?)  of  Wirz, 
the  fiend. 

The  horrors  of  Andersonville  have  been  so  often  and 
graphically  described  that  any  details  of  my  general  experience 
there  would  be  superfluous.  Rose  and  myself  each  had  a 
half-tent,  and  we  joined  with  two  others,  who  were  strangers 
to  me.  Our  tent  was  close  by  the  edge  of  the  swamp,  on  the 
north  side,  and  about  the  fourth  from  the  "dead-line,"  along 
the  east  side.  We  were  ushered  into  the  pen  at  the  time 
when  the  camp  "raiders"  were  in  full  operation,  and  I  lost 
everything  I  did  not  wear,  the  first  night.  My  haversack, 
with  its  contents,  was  taken,  and  I  regretted  that  I  had  not 


552  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

given  my  sugar  and  coffee  to  the  poor  fellow  who  had  asked 
for  them  a  few  days  before.  My  quart-can  coftee  boiler  con- 
tained my  first  Anderson ville  day's  ration,  viz.,  a  pint  of 
cow-pea-bug  soup,  and  somebody's  ration  must  have  been 
short  in  bugs,  for  in  mine  the  bugs  were  more  numerous  than 
the  peas.  I  had  set  the  can  beside  the  tent  to  await  the  time 
when  I  might  have  an  appetite,  but  the  raiders  took  the  can 
and  soup. 

We  had  been  in  the  stockade  but  a  few  days,  when,  hear- 
ing an  unusual  noise,  Deloss  and  I  stepped  outside  our  tent 
and  witnessed  a  most  shocking  outrage,  committed  by  a  member 
of  the  Georgia  chivalry,  from  whicli  our  guards  were  drawn. 
A  man  was  killing  a  snake  nearly  in  front  of  his  tent,  which 
stood  alongside  the  dead-line.  This  dead-line  was  distant 
about  twenty  feet  from  the  stockade.  In  the  excitement  of 
killing  the  snake,  the  man  went  about  a  yard  on  the  wrong 
side  of  the  dead-line.  The  guard,  without  previous  warning, 
fired,  but  missed  the  man  who  was  killing  the  snake,  and  hit 
his  tent-mate,  who  was  lying  ill  in  the  tent.  He  was  wounded 
with  buckshot  through  the  face  and  one  thigh.  All  know  that 
the  Rebels'  cartridges  were  numerously  made  up  with  a  bullet 
and  three  buckshot  over  the  powder.  I  was  standing  within 
fifteen  yards  of  the  parties. 

I  remember  meeting  several  members  of  the  NINETY- 
SIXTH  in  prison, — some  Jo  Daviess  men,  and  some  members 
of  Company  C.  One  Jo  Daviess  man,  Harrison  Menzerner, 
of  Company  A,  we  found  with  ball  and  chain  to  his  ankle, 
and  receiving  no  rations.  He  had  to  live  by  the  charity  of 
his  comrades.  That  was  his  punishment  for  an  attempt  to 
escape.  He  had  succeeded  in  getting  away  from  his  guard 
on  one  occasion  when  he  was  outside  the  stockade  to  get  wood 
for  fuel,  but  was  recaptured  by  a  pack  of  hounds.  He  was 
covered  with  scars,  which  he  said  the  dogs  made.  I  remem- 
ber James  Kearney,  of  Company  C,  who  was  one  of  Lewin's 
tent-mates  at  Andersonville.  Kearney  was  permitted  to  go  out- 
side on  parole  to  perform  some  service  for  the  prisoners,  and  I 
changed  quarters  and  became  Lewin's  tent-mate,  but  I  met 
Deloss  Rose  daily  afterward.  Rose  was  despondent  and  gave 


MYRON  J.  BROWN'S  NARRATIVE.  553 

way  to  melancholy  forebodings.  I  made  many  acquaintances 
whose  names  I  cannot  recall.  About  June  5,  1864,  Sergeant 
Devlin  and  Albert  Barney,  of  Company  D,  were  turned  in 
amongst  us.  They  found  us,  and  we  did  the  best  we  could  by 
them.  There  were  now  quite  a  number  of  us  old  comrades 
and  friends  to  share  each  other's  misery.  Rose  was  down- 
hearted. Lewin  cheerful,  though  cramped  with  scurvy,  Devlin 
spunky,  and  I, — well,  I  was  resolved  not  to  lie  down  and  die 
in  that  hole.  I  had  the  sick  of  our  mess  to  see  to,  and  it 
kept  me  busy  from  one  to  three  hours  daily  to  have  the  help- 
less taken  to  the  gate  to  be  taken  to  the  hospital,  and  to 
deliver  the  sumach  berries  and  acid  that  the  surgeons  fur- 
nished for  the  cure  of  scurvy  and  dropsy,  the  prevalent  dis- 
eases while  I  was  there.  I  was  also  engaged  in  a  tunneling 
scheme  which  comprehended  the  liberation  of  a  large  number 
of  prisoners,  but  we  were  removed  from  Anderson ville  before 
this  was  completed. 

I  was  in  the  "pen"  from  May  17,  1864,  until  September 
3,  of  the  same  year.  On  the  latter  date  we  were  loaded  into 
box  cars  as  thick  as  we  could  stand,  and  a  journey  of  several 
<lays  duration  was  begun.  It  was  reported  that  we  were  to 
be  paroled.  We  went  by  way  of  Augusta,  Ga.,  and  Charles- 
ton, S.  C.,  to  Florence,  in  the  latter  named  state.  Many  of 
the  boys  believed  the  story,  and  confidently  expected  to  be 
paroled  and  sent  north  on  arriving  at  Charleston.  Therefore, 
great  was  the  disappointment  of  the  sanguine,  and  loud  their 
lamentation  when  our  journey  was  continued  to  Florence. 
Deloss  Rose  had  been  one  of  the  sanguine,  and  now  seemed 
to  sink  still  lower  in  spirits  and  energy.  But  it  is  no  wonder 
his  spirits  sank  and  his  energy  failed  ;  it  was  so  with  all  of  us 
the  first  few  weeks  at  Florence.  We  had  received  three 
days'  Andersonville  rations  just  before  leaving  that  place,  and 
we  were  at  least  three  days  in  the  cars.  The  most  provident 
•of  us  had  exhausted  his  supply  of  food  before  the  end  of 
the  second  day,  and  we  had  been  at  Florence  two  days 
before  rations  were  issued  to  us.  Then  the  ration  was 
only  a  corn  pone,  and  a  very  small  one  indeed  it  seemed  to 
a  man  who  had  been  between  two  and  three  days  with  noth- 


554  HISTORY  OF  THE  96iH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

ing  at  all  to  eat.  It  was  several  days  before  we  were  receiv 
ing  regular  prison  rations, — namely,  three  spoonfuls  of  flour 
and  two  of  rice.  Our  rations  continued  about  thus  for  eight  or 
ten  days,  when  they  began  to  increase,  and  were  also  changed 
until  they  finally  settled  to  a  pint  of  meal,  about  a  half  pound 
of  sweet  potatoes,  and  a  few  spoonfuls  of  molasses, —  genuine 
"'nigger  toe."  Often,  however,  the  potatoes  and  molasses 
came  but  twice  a  week.  For  about  three  weeks  after  arriving 
at  Florence,  we  were  kept  in  a  guarded  camp  in  an  open  place, 
with  a  cultivated  field  on  the  north  side.  Along  this  field  was 
a  fence,  beside  which  was  the  guard-line,  and  the  dead-line 
was  two  rods  from  the  guard-line.  Beyond  the  field  to  the 
north  was  the  forest.  The  Rebels  neglected  to  furnish  suf- 
ficient fuel  for  us  the  first  few  days,  the  rations  were  uncooked, 
and  the  nights  cold.  Thus  our  miseries  increased,  until  the 
best  of  us  cared  but  little  whether  we  were  shot  down  or  not. 
One  chilly  morning  almost  the  whole  camp,  as  if  moved  by  a 
common  impulse,  rushed  en  masse  for  the  rail  fence.  No 
attention  whatever  was  given  the  guards,  and  we  captured  all 
the  rails  in  that  fence  in  a  very  few  moments.  Many  of  the 
boys  did  not  stop  with  that,  but  fled  across  the  field  and  into 
the  forest,  and  it  looked  very  much  as  though  they  had  started 
for  the  North  and  freedom.  It  was  an  exciting  hour.  The 
idea  was  contagious.  I  was  affected  by  it,  and  longed  to  flee 
also,  but  I  did  not  see  how  I  was  to  find  my  way  to  the  land 
of  the  free  from  that  place.  No  guns  were  fired  until  the 
boys  had  disappeared  in  the  woods ;  then  we  heard  occasional 
reports  the  rest  of  the  day.  Hounds,  followed  by  mounted 
men,  pursued  the  fugitives,  and  many  were  brought  back,  but 
many  others  were  never  heard  of  again.  Among  the  latter 
was  Orange  M.  Ayers,  of  Company  C.  During  this  term  of 
wretchedness, —  the  first  eight  or  ten  days  at  Florence,  —  I 
knew  of  two  men  who  became  so  crazed  with  their  misery 
that  they  ran  at  the  guards  with  the  apparent  intention  of  get- 
ting relief  from  suffering  by  being  killed.  One  was  shot, 
the  other  wounded  with  a  bayonet,  both  dying  soon.  At  the 
end  of  about  three  weeks  we  were  placed  in  the  pen  that  the 
Rebels  had  had  the  negroes  make  for  us.  In  one  corner  a. 


MYRON  J .  BROWN'S  NARRATIVE.  555 

space  was  set  apart  and  fitted  up  with  rough  barracks  for 
camp  hospital.  Deloss  Rose  tried  to  gain  admittance  there, 
and  was  soon  successful.  It  was  arranged  between  us  that  I 
should  call  at  a  certain  place  every  day  about  nine  A.  M.,  and 
he  would  meet  me  there.  If  he  did  [not  meet  me  I  was  to 
know  that  he  was  unable  to  walk.  This  meeting  each  day 
was  continued  a  long  time,  and  Rose  seemed  consoled  and 
cheered  thereby.  One  morning  he  greeted  me  with  a  less 
constrained  smile,  and  more  cheerfully  than  was  his  wont.  In 
our  talk  that  morning,  he  told  me  that  the  sick  were  being 
paroled,  and  he  was  to  start  for  Charleston  the  next  morning. 
When  we  parted  that  last  time,  he  was  feeling  remarkably 
well,  and  in  better  spirits  than  I  had  seen  him  since  our  cap- 
ture, and  we  spoke  a  very  cheerful  good-bye.  1  called  at  our 
place  of  meeting  the  next  day  and  the  next,  and  again  the 
third  day,  but  did  not  see  Rose.  This  third  day  I  passed 
along  the  whole  line  between  the  camp  and  hospital,  and 
made  inquiries  of  hospital  attendants,  and  I  became  con- 
vinced that  Rose  had  started  for  the  North  with  other  paroled 
sick  prisoners,  and  I  felt  very  glad  for  him.  This  is  all  I 
know  about  Deloss  Rose.  I  cannot  conceive  what  unhappy 
fate  overtook  him  at  last. 

My  tent-mates  at  Florence  were  William  Lewin,  Michael 
Devlin,  Eli  Thayer  and  John  Young,  the  latter  a  member  of 
some  Indiana  regiment.  The  horror  and  suffering  there  were 
for  me  greater  than  at  Andersonville.  My  greatest  suffering 
was  caused  by  exposure  to  the  cold.  I  have  spent  day  after 
day  for  many  days  trying  to  drive  out  the  chill  that  had  pen- 
etrated to  the  very  centre  of  feeling,  but  trying  in  vain  ;  and 
the  intervening  nights  were  passed  walking  the  streets  of  the 
camp  in  the  same  fruitless  effort  to  obtain  relief  from  the  chill 
of  a  South  Carolina  winter.  Go — oo — h  !  it  makes  me  shiver 
to  think  of  it.  Many  dug  holes  into  the  ground  and  made 
excavations  beneath  the  surface  in  which  to  build  fires,  and  to 
lie  down  in,  with  a  hole  at  the  top  just  large  enough  to  admit 
of  crawling  out  and  in.  The  dwellers  in  these  excavations 
did  not  much  resemble  human  beings,  when  seen  coming  out 
of  their  holes.  This  mode  of  existence  caused  a  new  and 


556  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.I. 

mysterious  disease  among  the  prisoners,  called  "camp  fever." 
Many  died  of  it.  Our  tent  had  no  case  of  it  until  near  the 
end  of  our  stay  at  Florence,  when  Eli  Thayer  became  sick  and 
exhibited  symptoms  of  the  strange  and  fatal  fever.  We  were 
removed  from  Florence  while  he  was  sick,  and  the  sick 
remained,  the  date  being  about  the  last  of  January,  1865.  I 
never  knew  of  Eli  afterward. 

When  we  left  Florence  there  were  rumors  again  of  a 
parole  or  exchange,  but  we  went  into  North  Carolina  toward 
Goldsboro  ;  left  the  cars  and  railroad,  and  marched  twenty  to 
twenty-five  miles,  camped  in  the  woods  two  or  three  days, 
then  marched  back  to  the  railroad,  and  again  in  cars.  Our 
journey  was  finally  ended  at  Wilmington,  and  we  learned  that 
Gen.  Terry  had  captured  Fort  Fisher  and  was  advancing  up 
Cape  Fear  River.  This  was  cheering  news,  and  we  felt  that 
the  end  of  our  prison  life  was  near.  We  were  also  given  a 
realizing  sense  of  the  frailty  of  the  poor  life  that  was  in  us. 
We  were  in  camp  on  open  ground,  a  ravine  having  a  stream 
at  the  bottom,  where  we  got  our  water,  on  one  side  ;  a  swamp 
on  another.  The  fever  had  stayed  with  us,  and  several  who 
appeared  as  well  as  the  rest  of  us  when  they  lay  down  at 
night,  were  found  dead  and  stiff  in  the  morning.  Without 
premonitory  symptoms,  none  knew  who  would  be  the  next  to 
go.  Then  we  were  ordered  to  the  cars.  Fearing  we  might 
be  returned  to  Florence,  Devlin  and  myself  again  began  to 
devise  ways  of  escape,  and  urged  Lewin  to  accompany  us  ; 
but  Lewin  was  in  a  bad  condition,  and  became  taciturn,  and 
refused  to  go  with  us.  The  sick  being  called  up  to  go  to  the 
railroad  by  themselves,  Devlin  and  myself  feigned  more  sick- 
ness than  was  really  felt,  and  went  to  the  railroad  track,  stop- 
ping near  a  deep  cut.  Fires  were  built  upon  the  bank,  and  when 
night  came  on,  we  crawled  into  the  shadow  of  this  bank  on 
our  hands  and  knees  until  past  the  guards,  going  in  a  north- 
easterly direction.  We  met  with  some  misadventures,  but 
succeeded  in  eluding  the  camp  and  picket  posts  of  the  Rebels. 
Coming  to  a  river,  we  changed  our  course  to  a  southeasterly 
direction  until  we  came  to  a  swamp,  following  which,  we 
found  ourselves  going  back  toward  Wilmington.  Indeed,  we 


MYRON  J.  BROWN'S  NARRATIVE.  557 

were  come  to  the  very  camp-ground  of  the  previous  day, 
which  we  found  occupied  by  a  squad  of  Rebel  soldiers.  Our 
only  course  seemed  to  be  to  cross  the  railroad  track.  Devlin 
was  "  moon  blind,"  and  I  had  to  lead  him.  In  coming  to  the 
track  the  cracking  of  a  bush  was  heard  by  the  Rebels,  and 
they  started  toward  us  from  their  camp-fires,  but  we  laid  down 
by  the  side  of  a  bank  and  escaped  discovery.  We  then 
passed  beween  a  cavalry  camp  and  Wilmington,  and  although 
we  could  see  mounted  soldiers  passing  in  and  out  from  the 
camp,  we  succeeded  in  crossing  the  line,  and  reached  a  place 
of  seclusion,  where  we  rested  and  slept  till  about  ten  o'clock 
in  the  forenoon.  We  then  resumed  our  journey  as  soon  a& 
possible,  camping  under  cover  of  the  bushes  and  timber. 
The  day  we  left  the  guards  we  had  received  three  daysr 
rations,  consisting  of  three  pints  of  corn  meal,  and  about  an 
ounce  of  raw  beef.  The  beef  we  consumed  that  morning,  but 
the  dry,  raw  meal  stuck  in  our  throats.  We  made  some  pro- 
gress during  the  day,  and  after  dark  took  a  road  and  traveled 
more  rapidly.  Soon  we  discovered  a  long  tfne  of  camp-fire& 
in  the  distance,  which  we  supposed  to  belong  to  the  Rebels. 
To  go  around  that  long  line  of  camp-fires  seemed  a  hard  task, 
and  we  ventured  to  call  at  a  house  to  make  inquiries.  There  we 
found  a  man,  who,  although  a  Rebel,  sympathized  with  us, 
and  blamed  his  government  severely  for  the  sufferings  of  the 
prisoners.  His  family  shared  his  feelings,  and  prepared  a 
meal  for  us.  The  meal  over,  he  accompanied  us  a  short 
distance,  and  gave  us  directions  as  to  the  line,  advising  us 
to  hide  in  the  woods  until  the  Rebel  army  had  retreated, 
which  he  believed  they  would  do  in  a  day  or  two.  After  walk- 
ing a  short  distance,  we  concealed  ourselves  in  the  woods  and 
went  to  sleep,  awakening  the  next  morning  about  ten  o'clock, 
and  finding  ourselves  near  two  houses,  one  of  which  was  a 
genteel,  country  home,  which  we  discovered  to  be  wholly 
abandoned.  Going  to  the  other  house,  we  found  a  Union 
family,  who  entertained  us  bountifully,  and  gave  us  further 
directions.  Proceeding  a  short  distance  that  night,  we  found 
some  deserted  huts,  which  had  been  formerly  occupied  by  salt 
workers,  in  one  of  which  we  remained  during  the  night,  and 


558  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

most  of  the  succeeding  day.  A  boy  from  the  house  last 
visited  brought  us  food  regularly.  We  also  fished  up  some 
oysters  on  the  sea  coast,  near  which  our  shanty  was  situated. 
The  boy  reported  that  the  Rebel  army  was  likely  to  retreat 
that  night.  To  lessen  the  chances  of  discovery,  we  again 
concealed  ourselves  in  the  thicket,  remaining  until  one  o'clock 
the  next  day,  and  then  set  out  on  our  return  trip  to  Wilming- 
ton, eight  miles  distant.  On  arriving  near  the  town,  our  eyes 
were  gladdened  by  the  sight  of  the  boys  in  blue. 

Shall  I  describe  my  appearance  when  I  entered  the  Union 
lines  at  Wilmington  ?  I  was  fearfully  emaciated.  I  was  a 
mere  skeleton,  and  could  span  my  arm  at  almost  any  point 
with  thumb  and  finger.  Before  my  capture  I  weighed  166 
pounds  ;  a  month  after  my  escape,  125  pounds.  My  suit 
consisted  of  a  crownless  hat,  a  bottomless  remnant  of  a  coat, 
the  waistband  of  my  trousers,  to  which  hung  portions  only  of 
the  pantaloons,  so  torn  that  they  parted  at  every  step,  and 
utterly  failed  to  protect  or  conceal  my  lower  limbs.  I  had  no 
other  garment,  or  part  of  a  garment.  Devlin  was  but  little 
better  off.  The  soldiers  who  first  saw  us  were  so  affected  by 
our  appearance  that  they  expressed  great  horror,  and  declared 
they  could  shoot  the  Rebels  with  a  clearer  conscience  than 
ever  before.  They  speedily  provided  us  with  full  suits,  and 
then  we  reported  to  the  Provost  Marshal,  and  were  assigned 
quarters  with  about  300  other  escaped  prisoners.  If  I  re- 
member correctly,  it  was  from  the  14th  to  the  18th  of  Febru- 
ary, 1865,  that  Devlin  and  myself  were  on  this  trip. 

A  few  days  later  we  were  sent  to  Annapolis,  Md.,  where 
we  received  new  clothing  and  the  amount  due  us  as  commu- 
tation for  rations  during  the  term  we  were  prisoners.  From 
Annapolis  we  went  by  rail  to  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  where  we  ob- 
tained a  sixty-days  furlough,  and  arrived  at  Waukegan,  111., 
March  18,  1865. 

My  furlough  expiring,  I  reported  at  St.  Louis,  and  was 
sent  to  Springfield,  111.,  where  I  was  discharged  June-  24, 
1865,  arriving  in  Chicago  just  in  time  to  join  my  old  com- 
rades and  return  to  Waukegan  with  them  and  share  the 
pleasures  of  the  kind  reception  given  us  by  our  home  friends. 


CAPTURED  AT  RESACA.  559 

The  following,  which  was  read  before  Waukegan  Post, 
No.  374,  Department  of  Illinois,  Grand  Army  of  the  Repub- 
lic, in  1886,  by  William  B.  Lewin,  is  so  full  of  interest  that 
it  has  seemed  best  to  give  it  entire  : 

CORPORAL    LEWIN's    NARRATIVE. 

During  the  battle  of  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  14,  1864,  while 
our  Regiment  was  supporting  a  brigade  on  our  right  in  a 
thicket,  after  several  attempts  the  enemy  succeeded  in  dis- 
lodging them,  and  exposing  us  immediately  to  a  terrible  fire 
.at  short  range,  causing  us  to  fall  back  on  the  main  line.  The 
regulation  tactics  require  one  hundred  and  sixty  twenty-inch 
steps  per  minute  in  double-quick  time ;  ours  were  even  quicker 
and  longer  than  these.  Crossing  a  road  in  full  view  of  the 
enemy  with  pieces  leveled,  my  tent-mate,  O.  M.  Ayers,  and 
myself  were  captured  by  the  main  line  of  Cleburne's  Division. 
We  were  at  once  taken  to  Gen.  Johnston,  who  inquired  con- 
cerning our  numbers  in  the  engagement.  Our  answers  not 
being  satisfactory,  we  were  ordered  to  the  rear,  our  rations 
to  consist  of  bread  and  water.  I  learned,  after  living  with 
them  a  short  time,  that  it  was  unneccessary  to  make  any  com- 
ments on  the  rations. 

A  short  walk  found  us  in  the  enemy's  fort,  manned  by 
old  soldiers,  who  received  us  kindly.  On  learning  what 
State  we  were  from,  the  Captain  said,  "What  in  the  name  of 
goodness  are  you  fighting  for '(  You  are  our  men."  What 
could  have  prompted  such  remarks,  I  cannot  say.  I  am  sure 
•we  did  not  look,  dress  or  think  alike.  We  were  fighting  to 
maintain  a  united  people  and  one  flag  ;  he  for  the  stars  and 
bars  and  a  Southern  Confederacy.  He  was  about  six  feet  in 
height,  hair  long,  uniform  rather  seedy,  while  his  general 
appearance  protested  strongly  against  their  ration  system. 
Our  clothing  was  good,  and  our  persons  indicated  that  the 
Commissary  Department  was  in  excellent  working  order, 
although  heavily  taxed. 

Later  in  the  day  we  were  taken  before  the  Provost  Mar- 
shal, our  names,  Company  and  Regiment  given,  and  were 
about  to  depart,  when  my  comrade  informed  the  Marshal  that 


560  HISTORY  or  THE  96fra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

the  guard  had  borrowed  his  watch  for  an  indefinite   timey 
whereupon  that  officer  ordered  the  property  returned  at  once. 

The  day  following,  while  marching,  we  passed  by  several 
men  in  a  field,  each  commanding  three  or  four  large  bake- 
ovens  and  several  sacks  of  corn  meal.  Upon  inquiry  we  were 
told  that  this  was  the  brigade  bakery.  The  meal,  after  being 
mixed  with  water,  was  baked  and  thrown  upon  the  ground. 

We  soon  arrived  at  Calhoun,  and  found  the  place  swarm- 
ing with  home  guards  and  ladies,  the  latter  wearing  badges 
inscribed,  "  Ladies  Soldiers'  Aid  Society."  Some  of  the 
home  guards  on  our  arrival  became  enraged  over  pictures  of 
Federal  prisoners  appearing  in  Hai*per*s  Weekly.  Our  adopted 
Captain  informed  them  that  battles  were  not  fought  on  paper, 
and  that  if  they  would  go  to  Resaca  real  Yankees  could  be 
found  in  abundance.  He  afterward  told  me  that  "taps" 
would  find  these  guards  in  their  old  camp-ground. 

Leaving  Calhoun,  we  took  cars  for  Atlanta,  accompanied 
by  about  thirty  comrades  and  several  car  loads  of  Confederate 
wounded.  On  our  arrival  we  were  placed  inside  the  first 
prison  walls.  A  short  time  was  spent  the  following  day  in 
taking  prisoners1  names  by  one  who  happened  to  be  captured, 
although  not  a  soldier, — he  promising  to  inform  our  friends  of 
our  capture ;  and  after  obtaining  the  desired  information,  left 
for  parts  unknown.  He  belonged  to  the  reporters'  staff.  A 
few  days  and  we  were  persuaded  by  bayonets  to  accept  seats 
in  a  freight  car  for  that  prison,  above  all  other  prisons,  recorded 
as  having  no  parallel  in  the  world's  history. 

A  description  of  Andersonville  by  those  who  suffered  even 
more  than  death,  can  at  least  be  but  meagre.  I  speak  words 
and  sentences  ;  the  number  called  to  endure  a  life  of  excruci- 
ating pain  and  misery  tells  you  pages.  The  twelve  thousand 
nine  hundred  and  twenty-six  graves  made  at  Andersonville 
speak  volumes  to  you  !  The  officers  and  guards  searched  us, 
even  running  their  fingers  through  our  hair, —  necessary  in 
my  case  then, —  but  time  wasted  now. 

The  articles  taken  usually  consisted  of  knives,  rings,  pens, 
portraits  and  watches,  the  officers  promising  to  return  them 
when  we  were  released.  This  they  failed  to  do ;  perhaps  one 


EDWIN   DRURY, 

COMPANY   G. 


CORPORAL  LEWIN'S  NARRATIVE.  561 

reason  for  the  failure  was  that  the  prison  officials  were  not 
permitted  by  our  Great  Commander  to  visit  them  after  their 
departure,  which  in  so  many  cases  was  from  earth  to  heaven. 

Our  appearance  inside  the  prison  gate  created  no  little  ex- 
citement among  those  of  the  NINETY -SIXTH  who  had  preceded 
us.  They  were  overjoyed  to  meet  us,  but  sorry  we  came. 
The  first  met  with  was  Comrade  Schwerie  ;  then  came  com- 
rades Kearney,  Savage  and  Madden, —  all  who  were  living, 
save  one  who  had  been  exchanged,  out  of  the  fourteen  cap- 
tured at  Missionary  Ridge  from  my  Company. 

Being  assigned  to  a  detachment,  we  were  now  full-fledged 
prisoners  of  war.  A  detachment  consisted  of  two  hundred 
and  seventy  men,  containing  first,  second  and  third  nineties 
of  the  same ;  a  smaller  division  of  first,  second  and  third 
thirties,  for  convenience  in  counting  and  the  division  of  rations. 
The  prisoners  fell  in  four  deep,  and  were  counted  daily. 
Rations  were  brought  in  wagons,  their  first  division  being  to 
the  detachment  sergeants,  the  second  to  the  ninety  sergeants 
and  lastly  to  the  thirty  sergeants.  Wnen  corn  bread  was 
issued,  it  was  cut  into  thirty  small  pieces,  and  one  of  the 
number  asked  to  "call  off,"  as  we  termed  it.  Blindfolded, 
and  with  his  back  to  the  ration  sergeant,  this  man  would  pro- 
ceed to  call  each  one's  number  in  the  thirty,  not  in  rotation, 
but  by  naming  first  the  odd  and  then  the  even  numbers,  and 
vice  versa,  and  I  can  tell  you  before  our  release  we  had  many 
experts  at  calling  off.  We  occasionally  received  unbolted 
corn  meal,  rice  or  cow  peas,  usually  from  one  half  to  a  pint, 
doing  the  cooking  ourselves  in  small  tin  cups,  if  we  were  so 
lucky  as  to  have  them,  making  two  meals  a  day.  The  wood 
was  brought  in  daily  by  our  men,  split  into  rations  with  a  rail- 
road spike,  a  ration  being  the  size  of  a  common  stick  of  stove- 
wood,  and  about  twelve  inches  long.  Many  could  not  eat  the 
rations  which  they  drew,  and  would  walk  all  day,  calling 
aloud.  "  Who  will  exchange  bread  for  peas,  rice  or  meal?" 
while  others  were  exclaiming,  "Here  is  where  you  get  your 
hot  soup !  twenty -five  cents  a  dish."  The  exclamations 
annoyed  the  Confederates  when  enumerating  the  prisoners 
and  the  venders  were  often  called  upon  to  make  sacrifice  of 
36 


5tf2  HISTOKY  OF  THE  96xH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

their  highly  seasoned  soup,  much  to  the  discomfort  of  a  pass- 
ing comrade,  who  received  it  in  his  face  instead  of  his 
stomach. 

Our  water  supply  was  poor,  being  obtained  from  a  creek 
passing  through  the  wall  and  under  the  dead-line.  With  the 
exception  of  a  few  wells,  thirty-two  thousand  soldiers  were 
supplied  here.  Our  clothing  consisted  of  what  we  happened 
to  have.  If  you  were  unlucky  enough  to  be  a  prisoner  many 
months,  you  would  be  clothed  in  nature's  robes,  and  your 
Heavenly  Father  the  proper  authority  to  appeal  to. 

For  shelter  some  had  parts  of  coats,  pants,  tents,  rubber 
and  army  blankets,  sewed  together  and  hung  on  poles. 
Others  made  mud  houses,  while  a  few  dug  holes  in  the 
ground.  Probably  fifteen  thousand  rested  at  night  on  the 
bosom  of  mother  earth,  with  heaven's  starry  canopy  a  mantle 
for  all  alike. 

Our  sick  were  cared  for  by  four  or  five  Confederate  doc- 
tors, who,  I  think,  did  all  in  their  power  to  alleviate  the  ter- 
rible sufferings  of  our  men. 

It  was  not  an  uncommon  occurrence  while  going  for  water 
in  the  morning  to  be  obliged  to  pass  over  several  dead  bodies 
on  our  way.  These  were  picked  up  during  the  day,  placed 
inside  of  the  dead-line,  and  taken  out  in  the  evening  and  num- 
bered, the  number  corresponding  with  the  name  on  the  book 
when  known,  and  buried  in  a  sandy  hill  nearly  one-half  mile 
from  the  prison,  which  is  the  resting  place  of  12,926  of  our 
comrades,  and  which  has  since  become  a  beautiful  national 
cemetery. 

The  prison  was  not  a  congenial  place  for  amusements,  our 
minds  being  taxed  to  the  utmost  concerning  our  condition  and 
release.  A  camp  rumor  would  be  repeated  by  nearly  every- 
one in  a  few  minutes,  and  in  an  incredibly  short  time  it  would 
be  exaggerated  into  a  possibility  and  a  probability. 

Soon  we  were  reinforced  by  Comrades  Devlin  and  Barney, 
of  Company  D.  After  several  months  it  was  rumored  that 
a -certain  number  of  detachments  were  to  be  exchanged  in 
thirty  days.  Those  not  strong  and  able  to  walk  would  not  be 
counted  in,  and  by  this  order  I  was  excluded.  The  scurvy 


CORPORAL  LEWIN'S  NARRATIVE.  563 

had  so  contracted  my  limbs  as  to  make  it  impossible  for  me 
to  walk  but  a  few  steps  at  a  time,  and  caused  me  severe  pain. 

By  a  pure  Yankee  trick,  I  had  managed  to  keep  my  watch 
until  now.  At  this  time  in  our  own  lines  it  would  have 
brought  from  twenty  to  thirty  dollars.  I  started  out,  offering 
it  for  eight  dollars,  but  I  could  find  no  buyers.  Soon  I  met  a 
soldier  selling  potatoes  and  biscuit,  all  of  which  were  con- 
tained in  a  knapsack.  Upon  inquiry  1  found  that  potatoes 
were  worth  one  dollar  and  fifty  cents  per  dozen,  and  biscuit 
fifty  cents  apiece.  I  proffered  my  watch  for  the  lot  and  two 
•dollars.  "  No  ;  even  up  ! "  he  said.  And  the  thought  flashed 
through  my  mind  instantly  that  I  was  about  making  an 
important  change,  upon  which  my  future  existence  in  this 
world  largely  depended.  I  did  not  lose  a  moment  in  closing  the 
trade,  and  upon  investigation  I  found  my  investment  panned 
out  seven  and  one  half  dozen  potatoes  and  two  biscuits  ;  total 
-twelve  dollars  and  twenty-five  cents.  Yery  quickly  we  par- 
took of  raw  scraped  potato.  A  Confederate  physician  stated 
that  one  large  potato  eaten  in  this  way  by  a  person  afflicted 
with  the  scurvy,  would  prolong  said  person's  life  a  month. 

The  day  following  I  reached  Comrade  Madden  and  gave 
him  the  biscuits.  Words  will  not  do  justice  to  the  kind  ex- 
pressions he  made  me  for  this  small  offering. 

I  had  concluded  to  be  ready  for  the  talked-of  exchange, 
which  was  to  take  place  now  in  less  than  thirty  days.  Down 
upon  the  creek  I  selected  a  small  piece  of  ground,  think- 
ing by  continual  exercise  I  might  become  able  to  walk  again, 
and  so  gain  my  liberty  with  the  rest.  Many  were  the  hours 
that  I  walked  here  to  accomplish  my  object.  My  comrades 
for  several  days  were  puzzled  concerning  my  whereabouts  at 
certain  portions  of  the  day.  Not  being  satisfied  with  my  state- 
ment, they  concluded  to  watch  me.  All  at  once,  when  com- 
ing in  on  the  home  stretch,  I  was  confronted  by  one  of  my 
•comrades.  My  race-track  was  a  secret  no  longer.  "Well, 
Billy  !  What  is  your  record  to-day  ?  Is  the  track  favorable? 
When  you  win  do  not  forget  your  groom."  How  well  I 
remember  these  ejaculations  of  my  comrades  !  And  well  I 
knew  they  were  favorably  impressed  with  my  novel  idea, 


564  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  1. 

which  was  crowned  with  success,  not  in  thirty  days,  as  antici- 
pated, but  weeks  afterward. 

The  days  passed  wearily  by,  the  food  being  barely  enough 
to  keep  life  in  our  frail  bodies,  and  with  no  reading  matter  to 
nourish  our  mental  faculties.  Secret  organizations  were 
formed  to  try  and  effect  an  escape  by  tunneling.  The  work 
was  carried  on  by  reliefs,  digging  from  five  to  seven  feet  in 
depth,  and  then  at  right  angles  toward  the  wall.  The  exca- 
vation was  large  enough  for  one  man  at  a  time.  The  work 
was  done  with  knives,  sticks,  cups  and  half  canteens.  The 
earth  was  taken  by  others  of  the  detail  in  pant  legs,  caps  and 
skirts  of  coats,  and  scattered  through  the  prison,  and  as  this 
was  performed  in  the  night,  and  in  the  dark  of  the  moon, 
many  a  poor,  tired  captive  would  have  his  ears,  mouth,  eyes 
or  neck  filled  with  sand  by  some  of  the  tunnel  sowers  during 
the  night.  Some  succeeded  in  escaping  through  the  tunnels, 
but  only  to  be  recaptured  in  a  few  days  or  weeks,  and  were 
often  mangled  by  the  ferocious  blood-hounds,  or  subjected  to 
severe  punishment  in  the  ^stocks,  or  going  without  food  for 
days,  and  joining  the  chain-gang.  Some  of  our  men,  who 
were  no  doubt  previously  hardened  in  crime,  became  vile 
wretches,  robbing  and  murdering  their  comrades.  Arrests 
were  made,  and  an  impartial  trial  given  them  by  our  men. 
Some  were  sentenced  to  run  the  gauntlet,  and  others  were  put 
in  stocks,  bucked  and  gagged  or  branded,  while"  six  of  what 
was  known  as  "  Mosby's  Gang  "  were*  hung,  myself  standing 
a  few  feet  from  the  scaffold,  and  I  can  say  they  fairly  merited 
their  penalty. 

The  walls  of  the  prison  were  formed  by  hewing  trees  on 
two  sides,  and  placing  them  side  by  side  in  the  ground,  four 
or  five  feet  deep,  and  twelve  or  fourteen  feet  high,  enclosing 
fifteen  or  twenty  acres.  The  number  of  prisoners  held  at  one 
time  was  32,000,  and  altogether  within  its  walls  were  49,485. 
The  death-roll  during  some  part  of  August  averaged  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  per  day.  No  clothing  or  cooking  utensils  were 
furnished,  and  those  who  had  been  prisoners  several  months 
were  in  a  deplorable  condition. 

The  dead-line  was  a  railing  placed   a  few  feet  high  and 


CORPORAL  LKWIN'S  NARRATIVE.  565 

twelve  feet  from  the  wall.  It  was  death  to  any  one  who 
crossed  it,  purposely  or  otherwise.  I  was  an  eye-witness  to 
one  comrade  who  had  his  forehead  shattered  by  a  rebel  bullet 
while  getting  water  for  his  sick  companion,  having  accidentally 
fallen  under  it.  Others  entered  purposely  to  end  their  miser- 
able existence. 

Those  who  violated  their  oaths  as  members  belonging  to  a 
tunneling  organization,  by  informing  the  Confederates  of  the 
whereabouts  or  the  progress  of  the  work  in  contemplation,  for 
a  ration  of  bread,  or  to  be  allowed  to  pass  to  the  outside  of 
the  prison  wall,  in  every  instance  were  severely  dealt  with.  I 
saw  one  victim  branded  with  a  red-hot  iron  on  the  forehead 
with  the  letter  "T,"  and  another  whose  shirt  was  removed 
und  hot  grease  dropped  slowly  on  his  back,  by  taking  a  piece 
of  fat  meat,  blazing  from  the  tire,  and  holding  it  over  him, 
returning  it  to  the  fire  as  often  as  the  flame  ceased. 

Several  hundred  prisoners  assembled  at  the  gate  under 
a,  plea  of  exchange,  and  in  four  ranks  passed  by  the  inspecting 
officers,  for  none  were  to  go  who  could  not  walk.  The  first 
sight  of  the  fields  and  trees  covered  with  Nature's  verdant 
robes,  and  the  thought  of  home,  was  more  than  could  be 
endured  by  their  frail  forms,  and,  because  of  a  kind  6f  ner- 
vous prostration,  many  fell  to  the  ground  and  were  returned 
to  the  prison,  and  soon  passed  through  the  gate  ajar  for  them 
in  heaven.  A  short  walk,  and  those  who  did  not  fall  out  were 
inside  freight  cars,  in  one  corner  of  which  had  been  placed 
-corn-bread  and  pork  for  rations  on  the  trip.  With  guards 
inside  and  on  the  top  of  the  train  we  proceeded  by  the  way 
of  Macon  to  Augusta,  Ga.,  and  then  to  Branch ville  and 
Charleston,  S.  C.  Here  we  heard  the  first  Union  guns  since 
the  day  following  our  capture.  The  very  air  was  rent  with 
wild  cheers  as  the  screeching  missiles  went  crashing  through 
the  brick  buildings.  A  few  days  and  we  were  fin  route  for 
Florence,  S.  C.  Soon  ten  thousand  Union  soldiers  were 
inside  another  Southern  prison.  Our  greatest  anxiety  was  as 
to  who  the  officials  would  be.  A  change  for  worse  was  not 
possible.  The  news  soon  came  that  our  former  commander, 
Gen.  Winder,  was  to  have  charge  of  us.  Most  all  hoped  for 


566  HISTORY  OF  THE  96™  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

a  change,  and  their  wish  was  granted  by  the  overruling  power 
of  Providence,  for  at  the  last  moment,  arriving  at  Florence 
by  rail,  and  stepping  from  the  car,  he  dropped  dead  on  the 
platform. 

The  rations,  treatment  and  general  plan  of  our  confinement 
was  in  substance  the  same  as  at  Andersonville,  excepting  that 
we  had  to  endure  cold  rains  and  hail-storms,  common  during 
the  winter  months,  and  this  with  our  clothing  in  a  worse  con- 
dition, and  a  large  percentage  of  the  men  barefoot. 

I  must  not  fail  to  mention  a  number  of  small  boys,  rang- 
ing in  years  from  eleven  to  fourteen,  who  were  not  enlisted 
soldiers,  but  served  in  different  regiments  as  officers'  waiters, 
or  in  other  capacities.  Their  age  and  previous  occupation 
making  them  fit  companions  for  each  other,  they  generally 
paraded  the  prison  in  a  body,  and  woe  to  the  Confederate 
who  dared  to  utter  sentiments  of  disloyalty  in  their  presence. 
It  was  a  common  occurrence  to  see  four  or  five  of  these  little 
fellows  about  to  attack  a  seedy  looking  Southern  soldier  and' 
make  him  take  back  what  he  had  said  against  the  Federal 
government.  I  think  there  was  no  ill-treatment  severe- 
enough  to  change  their  unceasing  devotion  to  the  Union.  My 
companion,  O.  M.  Ayres,  suffering  more  than  death  a  hun- 
dred times,  but  never  faltering  in  the  cause.  Disease  held  a 
firm  grip  on  him,  and  preferring  to  run  the  guard  or  die  in  the 
attempt,  one  afternoon  at  sunset  we  shook  hands  and  he 
started.  I  saw  the  deadly  shot  fall  around  him.  God  must 
have  been  his  shield  at  this  time,  for  they  fell  harmless  at  his 
feet,  but  during  the  night  the  musket  finished  its  work  and  in 
the  morning  I  was  told  my  comrade  filled  a  soldier's  grave  a 
short  distance  from  the  stockade.* 

As  we  were  about  taking  our  departure  from  Florence,, 
one  or  two  comrades  and  nryself  conveyed  Eli  Thayer,  of 
Company  D,  to  his  final  resting  place ;  and  I  can  bear  willing 
testimony  that  he  was  a  brave  and  true  soldier.  As  for  my- 
self, I  can  say  I  owe  a  debt  of  gratitude  to  all  of  my  army 
comrades,  for  I  feel  that  through  them  my  life  was  saved,  andi 
I  shall  always  have  a  warm  place  for  them  in  my  heart. 

*This  appears  to  be  a  mistake,  as  explained  on  page  548. 


CORPORAL  LEWIN'S  NARRATIVE.  567 

About  the  middle  of  February,  1885,  four  or  five  hundred 
prisoners  were  called  to  the  gate,  and  under  guard  were 
marched  to  freight  cars  and  in  a  few  hours  were  unloaded 
near  Wilmington,  N.  C.  We  thought  our  troops  would  soon 
capture  it,  for  guns  could  be  distinctly  heard.  Here  Com- 
rades Devlin  and  Brown  made  their  escape,  and  it  was 
thought  by  them  that  at  best  I  could  survive  but  a  few  days, 
as  I  was  very  low  at  the  time  with  swamp  fever. 

The  day  following  we  boarded  a  freight  train  and  went 
back  to  Goldsboro,  N.  C.,  and  were  paroled.  Even  now  we 
could  not  be  induced  to  believe  that  we  were  soon  to  be  en 
route  for  our  lines.  At  midnight  we  started,  and  at  three  or 
four  o'clock  p.  M.  of  that  day  arrived  at  a  branch  of  the  Cape 
Fear  River,  eight  miles  from  Wilmington,  N.  C.  The  train 
came  to  a  standstill,  and,  as  there  was  no  station  in  sight,  we 
at  first  thought  it  stopped  for  wood  or  water  ;  but  our  atten- 
tion was  soon  drawn  to  a  flag  of  truce  on  the  engine.  This 
was  visible,  there  being  a  curve  in  the  road  so  we  could  see 
distinctly.  This  caused  considerable  excitement.  The  train 
moved  on,  passing  the  Confederate  pickets,  and  soon  we  were 
confronting  a  Federal  outpost.  Now,  for  the  first  time,  we 
felt  sure  of  reaching  our  lines.  In  a  few  moments  Gen. 
Schofield  and  staff  met  us  at  the  train.  After  a  short  consul- 
tation among  the  officers,  we  passed  between  them  and  were 
counted.  Once  inside  of  our  lines,  a  short  walk  brought  us  to 
the  pontoon,  near  where  Gen.  Schofield's  main  army  rested, 
and  here  we  received  a  welcome  never  to  be  forgotten.  It  at 
once  occurred  to  us  that  our  men  were  expecting  us,  for  across 
the  road  and  by  the  sides,  were  fiags  and  banners  inscribed  with 
such  appropriate  mottoes  as  "Home,  sweet  home,"  "Thrice 
welcome,  comrades,"  and  "Home  again,"  while  bands  of 
music  beside  the  road  played  their  choicest  selections.  Pen 
cannot  describe  our  feelings.  We  were  overjoyed  to  be  at 
home  once  more,  under  the  folds  of  the  dear  old  flag.  After 
receiving  a  good  army  ration,  we  journeyed  to  Wilmington, 
N.  C.,  and,  boarding  a  steamer,  sailed  down  Cape  Fear  River, 
around  Cape  Hatteras,  and  landed  at  Annapolis,  Md.  Here 
we  received  clothing,  food  and  two  months'  pay.  After  a  few 


568  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.I. 

days  we  left  for  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  where  we  were  granted  a 
furlough  for  thirty  days,  at  the  expiration  of  which  we  re- 
turned and  went  to  Springfield,  111.,  where  we  were  mustered 
out  May  24,  1865. 

Among  the  men  taken  prisoners  by  the  enemy  from  the 
Regiment  in  the  first  day's  fight  at  Resaca,  as  already  men- 
tioned, were  First  Sergeant  Thomas  J.  Smith,  of  Company  I, 
commissioned  and  awaiting  muster  as  First  Lieutenant  of  the 
same  Company  ;  Private  Richard  Spencer,  of  Company  F ; 
and  Private  Lewis  Miller,  of  Company  G. 

The  fate  of  these  men  was  unknown  until  two  days  later, 
when  their  whereabouts  was  made  known  in  the  following 
manner.  On  the  sixteenth  day  of  May  the  Regiment  was 
delayed  in  crossing  the  Coosa  River  while  a  pontoon  bridge 
was  being  built.  While  lying  upon  the  river  bank  a  staff 
officer  came  over  from  Gen.  Hooker  to  see  Lieut-Col.  Smith, 
and  inform  him  that  his  brother  the  Lieutenant,  and  two  other 
men  had  been  found  wounded  upon  the  road  on  which  Gen. 
Hooker's  column  was  marching.  An  ambulance  under  guard 
was  immediately  sent  over  to  find  the  men,  and  bring  them 
to  the  Regiment.  TTpon  the  return  of  the  ambulance  it  was 
found  to  contain  the  three  men,  Lieutenant  Smith,  who  was 
mortally  wounded,  having  been  shot  through  both  thighs  ; 
Miller,  also  mortally  wounded,  having  one  leg  amputated, 
and  Spencer,  severely  wounded,  the  shot  being  across  the 
stomach. 

The  experience  of  these  wounded  men  while  in  the  hands 
of  the  enemy  is  best  told  in  the  language  of  Lieutenant  Smith, 
as  he  related  it  to  his  brother,  our  Lieutenant  Colonel,  while 
waiting  for  the  crossing  of  the  Coosa. 

"When  our  Division  was  overwhelmed  and  in  retreat  I 
was  wounded  and  fell,  with  a  shot  through  both  legs.  Being 
unable  to  rise,  I  lay  upon  the  ground  until  the  enemy's  lines 
had  passed  over,  when  a  skulker  in  their  rear  came  up,  and 
calling  me  his  prisoner,  ordered  me  to  get  up  and  go  to 
the  rear.  I  attempted  to  rise,  but  fell.  Making  the  second 
effort,  I  again  failed,  when  the  Rebel,  placing  his  bayonet 
to  my  breast,  swore  he  would  run  me  through  unless  I  got 


LIEUTENANT  SMITH'S  NARRATIVE.  569 

up  and  went  to  the  rear.  Seeing  a  determination  in  his  eye 
to  do  as  he  threatened,  and  not  knowing  what  else  to  do,  I 
gave  the  grand  hailing  sign  of  distress  of  the  Odd  Fellows. 
(Lieutenant  Smith  was  Vice  Grand  of  Galena  Lodge  No.  17, 
I.  O.  O.  F.,  of  Galena,  Illinois,  when  he  entered  the  army). 
This  sign  was  recognized  by  the  surgeon  of  a  Georgia  or  Ala- 
"bama  regiment, —  whose  name  I  forget, —  who  immediately 
came  to  my  rescue,  drove  the  cowardly  scoundrel  away,  and 
then  sat  down  to  talk  with  me.  In  answer  to  his  question  as 
to  what  he  could  do  for  me,  I  replied  :  '  There  are  several  of 
the  wounded  men  of  my  regiment  around  me  ;  I  wish  you 
would  attend  to  them  first,  and  then  wait  upon  me.'  He  did 
so,  and  found  among  the  number  Richard  Spencer  and  Lewis 
Miller,  who  are  now  with  me.  The  surgeon  gave  us  every 
attention, —  as  much  so  as  if  we  had  been  his  own  men,— 
and  spent  much  time  with  me  while  we  were  in  their 
hands.  He  told  me  that  as  Johnston's  army  was  going  to 
push  our  forces  back  to  Chattanooga,  that  we  would  be  sent 
with  the  first  train  to  Atlanta,  and  offered  to  write  me  a  letter 
.to  some  officers  in  that  city  who  were  Odd  Fellows,  and 
assured  me  that  they  would  see  that  I  was  given  every  atten- 
tion consistent  with  their  duties.  I  declined  the  letter,  insist- 
ing that  our  boys  were  going  to  Atlanta,  and  told  him  that 
when  Joe  Johnston  retreated,  1  wished  that  he  would  have  us 
left  by  the  roadside,  that  we  might  fall  into  the  hands  of  our 
friends.  The  Doctor  said  I  was  mistaken,  that  he  would  not 
^rgue  the  case  with  me,  as  I  was  too  weak ;  but  if  such  proved 
to  be  the  case,  he  would  see  what  could  be  done  for  me. 
Last  night  the  enemy  commenced  their  retreat,  and  this 
morning  we  were  loaded  on  a  farm  wagon, —  Spencer  and 
Miller  being  with  me.  "We  were  being  driven  along  the  road 
in  a  column  of  troops,  when  the  Doctor  rode  up  and  de- 
manded to  know  of  the  driver  what  he  was  doing  with  those 
Yankees  in  his  wagon  ;  ordered  him  to  put  us  out  by  the  road- 
side, and  take  their  own  men  who  were  unable  to  walk.  We 
were  tenderly  lifted  and  laid  outside  of  the  marching  column, 
-when  the  Doctor,  bending  over  me,  said:  'Brother  Smith, 


570  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

you  will  soon  be  in  the  hands  of  your  friends.     Good-bye,  and: 
God  bless  you  ! '     You  know  the  rest." 

Miller  died  May  27,  and  Smith  June  9,  both  as  a  result  of 
their  wounds.  Spencer  recovered  after  a  time,  and  is  still 
living. 

As  the  army  was  approaching  Kenesaw  Mountain,  June 
18,  1864,  the  NINETY-SIXTH  was  ordered  to  relieve  the  skirm- 
ish line  and  picket  the  front  of  the  Brigade.  The  order  was 
received  at  dark.  Before  it  could  be  carried  out  the  skirmish1-- 
ers  had  retired,  leaving  the  front  uncovered.  Of  this  the 
members  of  this  command  knew  nothing,  and  in  groping  their 
way  to  the  front  in  the  darkness  they  advanced  too  far.  Halt- 
ing the  main  line,  a  few  men  went  forward  to  reconnoitre. 
Sergeant  Michael  Devlin  and  Albert  Barney,  both  of  Com- 
pany D,  although  going  but  a  few  yards  in  advance  of  the 
line,  were  captured  by  the  enemy.  Devlin  escaped  near  Wil- 
mington, as  reported  in  the  narrative  of  Myron  J.  Brown. 
The  story  of  their  capture  and  of  their  prison  experiences  i&. 
told  by  Albert  Barney. 

ALBERT  BARNEY'S  NARRATIVE. 

I  was  captured  June  18,  1864,  near  Kenesaw  Mountain. . 
While  the  pickets  were  being  relieved  the  Rebels  probably 
advanced  and  occupied  the  rifle-pits  of  our  men,  and  Sergeant 
Devlin  and  myself  upon  going  into  one  of  the  pits  which  we- 
supposed  we  were  to  occupy,  were  surprised  to  find  it  pre- 
occupied by  Rebel  soldiers,  who  demanded  our  surrender. 
We  were  captured  by  the  6th  South  Carolina  Regiment,  and* 
taken  to  Gen.  Hardee's  headquarters,  where  we  were  ques- 
tioned in  regard  to  the  number  of  our  forces,  but  we  gave  no 
correct  information.  Gen.  Hardee  grew  disgusted  with  usr 
and  told  the  guard  to  "take  these  Yankees  to  Gen.  Johnston's 
headquarters,"  and  there  we  were  questioned  again,  but  gave- 
no  correct  account  of  the  movements  of  our  army.  We  laid 
in  the  corn-field  until  the  morning  of  June  19.  From  there- 
we  were  taken  to  Marietta,  Ga.,  and  put  into  a  room  in  the 
old  Court  House,  remaining  there  until  three  o'clock,  when* 
we  were  transferred  to  Atlanta,  Ga.,  and  placed  in  what  was 


ALBERT  BARNEY'S  NARRATIVE.  571 

called  a  "  Military  prison."  At  that  prison  they  searched  us 
and  took  all  valuables  from  us.  June  21  we  were  transferred 
to  Andersonville,  going  by  way  of  Macon,  where  we  stopped 
over  night,  and  the  next  morning  we  were  put  on  board  cars,— 
some  eighty  in  number  in  one  box  car, —  and  arrived  at  An- 
dersonville Prison  about  four  o'clock,  June  22.  That  was  our 
first  introduction  into  Jeif  Davis'  largest  boarding  house.  Our 
first  meal  consisted  of  one-half  pint  of  sour  mush.  We  laid 
on  the  damp  ground  until  the  morning  of  June  23,  when  we 
began  to  look  for  acquaintances.  I  soon  found  William  B. 
Lewin,  Myron  J.  Brown,  Eli  Thayer  and  Joseph  Schwerie. 
all  of  our  own  Regiment.  They  gave  me  the  rules  regulating 
our  camp,  and  showed  me  the  dead-line.  The  first  ration 
issued  to  me  was  so  distasteful  that  I  threw  it  away.  I  soon 
learned  that  this  was  not  wise.  Our  usual  ration  was  one- 
half  pint  of  corn-meal,  which  was  ground  cob,  corn  and  husk 
together,  without  any  salt  to  season  it,  and  often  with  no» 
wood  to  cook  it.  The  rations  were  usually  issued  to  one 
thousand  men,  and  then  reissued  to  squads  of  a  less  number, 
a  Sergeant  being  appointed  to  superintend  the  issuing  of 
rations  to  smaller  squads.  A  kind  of  pea  was  used  which 
grows  in  that  vicinity,  which  was  very  hard  and  cooked  with, 
the  greatest  difficulty,  even  when  wood  was  comparatively 
plenty.  On  account  of  their  hardness  they  could  not  be- 
cooked  properly,  and  upon  being  eaten  would  pass  through, 
the  bowels  absolutely  undigested,  not  being  acted  upon  by 
the  digestive  juices  at  -all ;  and  men,  nearly  starved,  would 
pick  these  out  of  the  faecal  masses  and  eat  them  again.  Such 
a  statement  seems  almost  incredible,  but  it  can  be  substan- 
tiated by  hundreds. 

Vermin,  or  body  lice,  troubled  us  greatly  at  this  time,  for 
we  were  without  water  to  wash  either  our  bodies  or  our  clothes  ; 
and  it  was  a  part  of  our  daily  task  to  rid  our  clothes  of  these 
little  insects.  The  vermin,  coming  in  contact  with  the  skin, 
produced  more  or  less  sores,  and  some  of  our  men  being 
wounded,  vermin  would  come  in  contact  with  their  wounds  ; 
and  between  body  lice  and  maggots,  which  infected  many, 
their  condition  was  rendered  most  miserable. 


57-  HlSTOKY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,   ILL.    V.   I. 

Anderson ville  Prison  consisted  of  about  twenty-five  acres, 
enclosed  by  timbers  about  twelve  feet  high.  Guards  were 
placed  on  top  to  watch  the  prisoners.  About  twenty  feet  from 
the  stockade  was  what  they  called  the  "  dead-line,"  and  any 
man  who  was  seen  putting  his  hand  on  the  dead-line  was  shot 
at.  It  did  not  make  any  difference  to  them  whether  they  hit 
the  one  who  touched  the  line  or  some  one  else  ;  any  guard 
was  honored  with  a  thirty-days  furlough  for  shooting  a  Yan- 
kee. As  an  instance,  one  of  the  guards  shot  at  a  Union  sol- 
dier while  he  was  going  for  water,— missed  his  mark,  and  hit 
another  man  in  the  southeastern  part  of  the  stockade,  who 
was  lying  asleep  in  his  tent. 

The  worst  hand-fist  tight  I  saw  while  in  the  service 
was  between  two  Union  soldiers  confined  at  Andersonville 
Prison,  over  what  I  would  call  one  of  those  little  wood  mice. 
The  man  saw  the  mouse  running  from  the  stockade  toward 
the  dead-line.  The  diminutive  animal  was  about  to  get  away 
from  him,  when  another  man  kicked  it  inside  the  prison  with 
his  foot.  About  the  same  time  the  first  man  hit  it  with  his 
hat.  Both  claimed  it,  and  then  had  a  regular  fist-fight  for  its 
possession.  Finally  the  case  was  arbitrated,  and  the  mouse 
divided  between  the  two  men. 

About  June  30  the  so-called  raiders  became  so  trouble- 
some that  it  was  not  safe  for  a  man  to  lie  down  at  night  with  a 
blanket,  coat,  pair  of  shoes,  or  anything  that  happened  to  be 
valuable,  for  fear  of  being  killed  during  the  night.  Captain 
Wirz  came  to  the  prison  about  three  o'clock  one  after- 
noon and  told  the  men  that  he  would  issue  no  rations  until 
every  raider  in  the  camp  was  taken  out.  Those  of  our  men 
who  were  able  at  once  organized  a  regular  police  force,  and 
took  out  150  raiders  the  first  afternoon,  and  the  next  day 
increased  their  force  and  took  out  fifty  more.  Then  they 
organized  a  court,  tried  every  man,  and  out  of  the  two  hund- 
red, six  were  convicted  of  murder  in  the  first  degree,  and  five 
of  murder  in  the  second  degree,  or  manslaughter.  The  six 
murderers  were  condemned  to  be  hung  July  11,  1864  ;  the 
iive  found  guilty  of  manslaughter  had  to  run  the  gauntlet, 


ALBERT  BARNEY'S  NARRATIVE.  573 

and  three  or  four  died  as  the  result  of  injuries  received  in  that 
terrible  race. 

During  the  hanging  of  one  man  an  accident  occurred.  As 
the  trap  was  sprung  he  fell  and  the  rope  broke,  snapping  so- 
that  it  could  be  heard  in  the  farther  end  of  the  prison.  The 
doomed  man  made  a  rush  for  liberty,  crossing  the  swampr 
where  at  any  other  time  he  would  have  sunk  in  the  quicksand 
out  of  sight.  He  supposed  that  he  was  going  into  a  body  of 
his  own  friends,  but  instead  he  ran  into  a  squad  of  the  police 
before  mentioned.  They  took  him  back,  and  put  the  rope 
around  his  neck  the  second  time,  when  he  was  swung  off  into 
eternity.  From  that  time  on  the  camp,  or  prison,  was  very 
peaceable  and  quiet.  If  a  man  was  caught  stealing  even  a 
stick  of  wood,  or  any  other  article  belonging  to  one  of  the 
prisoners,  he  was  reported  to  police  headquarters  and  tried  ; 
if  convicted,  his  punishment  was  from  five  to  fifty  lashes  on 
the  bare  back. 

The  prisoners  were  continually  trying  in  every  way  to 
make  their  escape.  There  were  several  tunnels  in  operation, 
but  they  were  never  finished,  on  account  of  some  traitor  who 
would  inform  Capt.  Wirz,  and  thus  secure  an  extra  half  pint 
of  corn  meal.  One  man  was  detected  informing  Capt.  Wirz 
of  a  tunneling  process,  and  a  letter  l'T"  was  printed  upon 
his  forehead  in  India  ink,  by  the  prisoners,  as  a  sign  of  a 
traitor. 

The  latter  part  of  July  there  came  a  heavy  thunder-storm, 
which  washed  away  part  of  the  stockade  on  both  sides  of  the 
prison.  Some  of  the  prisoners  jumped  into  the  water  and 
floated  down  the  creek  among  the  rubbish,  going  four  or  five 
miles,  and  tried  to  make  their  escape  into  our  lines,  but  the 
Rebels  had  a  squad  of  cavalry  and  about  seventy -five  blood- 
hounds to  put  upon  their  track,  and  soon  recaptured  them. 
One  of  the  men  was  torn  nearly  to  pieces  before  the  Rebel 
guard  could  get  near  enough  to  drive  off  the  dogs.  During 
this  storm  a  spring  of  water  bubbled  up  between  the  stock- 
ade and  the  dead-line,  upon  a  high  ridge.  The  boys  dug 
a  ditch  from  the  spring  to  carry  the  pure  water  inside  the 
dead-line.  The  prisoners  often  said  that  they  thought  it  was 


574  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'rn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  1. 

a  Godsend  that  the  spring  should  break  out  where  it  did. 
Before  this  supply  came,  we  were  compelled  to  drink  the 
water  from  the  wash  of  the  Rebel  camp,  and  our  guards, 
thinking  the  water  was  not  filthy  enough,  threw  two  or  three 
dead  dogs  into  the  creek. 

In  order  to  keep  the  men  in  good  spirits,  some  one  of  the 
prisoners  pretended  to  read  in  a  paper  that  we  would  be  ex- 
changed on  the  10th,  15th  or  the  25th  of  each  month,  but  that 
got  to  be  an  old  story,  and  we  put  no  confidence  in  it.  I  have 
seen  men  come  into  camp  with  nothing  but  their  undershirts 
and  drawers  on,  the  rebels  having  stripped  them  of  their 
outer  garments,  leaving  them  with  no  shelter  from  the  storm. 
Many  of  the  prisoners  would  burrow  in  the  sand  to  hide  them- 
selves from  the  burning  sun.  We  resorted  to  every  conceiv- 
able device  in  order  to  earn  an  extra  ration  of  corn  meal. 
A  comrade  named  James  Drum  and  myself  started  a  barber 
shop,  he  having  a  brush  and  a  piece  of  soap,  and  I  a  razor  and 
strap.  I  did  the  shaving  and  we  divided  the  profits  between 
us. 

On  the  15th  of  September  we  were  taken  from  Anderson- 
ville  to  Florence,  S.  C.  The  Rebels,  thinking  Gen.  Sherman 
was  too  near  Andersonville,  feared  they  might  lose  us. 
We  found  Florence  no  better  than  Andersonville  had  been. 

For  more  than  four  months  I  was  afflicted  with  scurvy  to 
such  an  extent  that  my  teeth  became  loose,  and  upon  opening 
my  mouth  they  would  rattle.  The  cords  of  my  limbs  were 
drawn  up  until  at  last  I  was  unable  to  assume  an  erect  posi- 
tion. Should  I  desire  to  go  to  any  place,  I  would  work  myself 
along  the  ground,  and  when  I  left  that  terrible  prison  I 
crawled  on  my  hands  and  knees  until  I  got  out  of  the  horrible 
pen. 

The  Rebels  had  told  us  that  we  were  to  be  exchanged, 
and  of  course  everybody  was  anxious  to  get  out.  While  mak- 
ing this  effort  I  became  so  exhausted  that  I  fainted,  and  was 
only  revived  by  some  of  my  comrades  throwing  water  in  my 
face.  When  we  were  removed  to  Florence  I  was  so  bad  that 
they  put  me  into  a  large  wagon  with  some  fifteen  others,  and 
conveyed  me  to  the  cars.  When  we  reached  Florence  I 


ALBERT  BARNEY'S  NARRATIVE.  575 

was  so  weak  that  some  of  my  comrades  took  me  from  the  cars, 
And  placed  me  under  a  tree,  where  I  remained  two  or  three 
days  without  any  shelter  whatever.  After  a  while  I  was 
placed  in  a  hospital,  where  the  only  protection  was  poles 
arranged  with  boughs  of  trees,  which  simply  protected  from 
the  sun.  We  suffered  greatly  from  the  cold  during  those 
nights.  At  this  time  I  succeeded  in  disposing  of  a  pair  of 
buckskin  gloves,  which  I  had  retained,  and  purchased  some 
apples  and  sweet  potatoes,  which  doubtless  saved  my  life.  At 
last  we  were  placed  upon  a  transport  on  the  Savannah  River 
on  the  30th  of  November,  and  were  once  more  under  the  old 
:fiag.  New  clothing  was  distributed  to  us  and  all  the  food  we 
could  eat,  although  the  greatest  care  had  to  be  exercised  not 
to  eat  too  much.  When  I  exchanged  my  old  clothes  for  the 
.new  ones  given  us  by  the  government,  I  inadvertently  threw 
away  a  testament  which  my  mother  gave  me  when  I  left  for 
the  war,  and  which  I  should  have  been  very  glad  to  have 
preserved,  but  in  my  delirium  and  apathetic  condition  it  was 
lost.  We  were  taken  to  Annapolis,  where  I  was  kept  until 
able  to  be  furloughed,  reaching  home  on  the  27th  of  Decem- 
ber, 1864.  In  March,  1865,  1  went  to  the  general  barracks, 
but  was  never  able  to  return  to  my  Company.  Was  mustered 
out  at  Springfield,  Illinois,  and  have  never  been  well  since. 

The  experience  of  Sergeant  Michael  Devlin,  of  Company 
D,  was  identical  with  that  of  Albert  Barney  for  some  time 
following  his  capture,  and  in  his  escape  he  was  associated 
with  Myron  J.  Brown.  To  the  narratives  of  these  two  com- 
rades the  reader  is  therefore  referred  for  an  account  of  his  cap- 
ture and  escape.  Devlin  is  now  residing  in  Chicago. 

Twilight  of  June  19,  1864,  found  the  NINETY-SIXTH  in  an 
-exposed  condition  south  of  Nose's  Creek,  near  the  base  of 
Little  Kenesaw.  A  skirmish  line  was  hastily  thrown  forward, 
as  soon  as  the  position  across  the  creek  or  swamp  was  gained, 
and  William  H.  Ehlers,  of  Company  C,  was  captured  in  this 
advance.  He  was  taken  to  Atlanta  and  Andersonville,  and 
had  many  months'  experience  in  captivity.  Near  the  close  of 
the  war  he  was  released  and  discharged  from  the  service.  He 
JDOW  resides  in  Nebraska. 


576  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  1. 

August  2,  1864,  while  the  enemy  was  confronting  Atlanta^ 
four  members  of  the  Regiment  were  captured  by  Rebel  cav- 
alry, while  out  after  forage  in  the  rear  of  tue  Union  left. 
They  were  Henry  W.  Williams,  of  Company  r  W.  W.  Jel- 
lison  and  W.  M.  Montgomery,  of  Company  E,  and  Hugh 
Williams,  of  Company  I.  Their  experience  was  not  unlike 
that  of  others. 

Hugh  Williams,  of  Company  I,  was  in  poor  health,  and 
did  not  long  survive,  dying  at  Florence,  S.  C.,  November  29T 
1864. 

Wallace  W.  Montgomery,  had  a  long  and  trying  experi- 
ence, and  is  understood  to  have  been  among  the  last  prison- 
ers released.  Indeed,  many  of  the  members  of  his  company 
supposed  that  he  died  at  Florence,  S.  C.  After  the  war  had 
closed  he  reached  home,  and  subsequently  removed,  as  near 
as  can  be  learned,  to  Wabasha,  Minnesota. 

W.  W.  Jellison,  of  Company  E,  writes  from  his  home  at 
Dorrance,  Kansas,  that  he  was  at  Andersonville  from  August 
until  early  winter,  when  he  was  removed  to  Florence,  remain- 
ing at  the  latter  place  until  near  the  final  break-up.  He 
declares  his  inability  to  adequate!}'  describe  the  sufferings  he 
witnessed  and  endured.  He  saw  George  W.  Dimmick  and 
Charles  Heath,  of  his  Company,  daily,  in  bolh  prisons,  but  is 
in  doubt  as  to  the  fate  of  the  former.  He  remembers  that 
Dimmick  was  still  suffering  from  an  unhealed  wound  received 
at  Chickamauga,  the  bullet  having  caused  the  loss  of  one  eye 
and  serious  injury  to  the  other.  He  was  very  weak  and  badly 
broken  down  while  at  Florence.  Jellison  became  so  weak  in 
mind,  as  well  as  in  body,  that  he  did  not  know  when  he  left 
Florence.  Returning  to  consciousness  after  a  fortnight's 
delirium,  he  found  himself  in  the  fourth  story  of  a  brick 
building  at  Wilmington.  N.  C.,  with  many  other  sick  soldiers. 
He  was  soon  sent  to  Annapolis.  Md.,  and  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  and 
finally  discharged  at  Springfield.  111.,  in  the  summer  of  1865. 

HENRY  M.  WILLIAMS'  NARRATIVE. 

I  was  captured  near  Atlanta,  Ga.,  August  2,  1864,  while 
out  with  some  comrades  after  corn.  A  party  of  mounted 


MICHAEL  UMBDENSTOCK, 


COMPANY   C. 


HENRY  M.  WILLIAMS'  NARRATIVE.  577 

infantry  having  surrounded  us,  we  had  no  alternative  but 
to  surrender.  Our  feelings  can  be  better  imagined  than 
described.  After  being  kept  in  Atlanta  two  or  three  days, 
we  were  packed  in  a  freight  car  like  sardines  in  a  box,  and 
after  a  ride  of  nearly  two  days  were  turned  into  Anderson- 
ville,  tired,  hungry,  discouraged  and  homesick.  The  first 
acquaintance  found  was  Sergeant  Devlin,  and  the  next  was 
Eli  Thayer,  both  of  my  own  Company.  It  took  some  of  the 
sharp  edge  off  to  meet  friends,  even  amid  such  gloomy  sur- 
roundings. Time  wore  on,  with  all  its  want  and  privation. 
On  the  arrival  of  election  day,  in  November,  we  went  through 
the  form  of  an  election,  and  I  voted  for  Abraham  Lincoln  and 
the  party  that  saved  the  Union,  as  did  nearly  all.  This 
brought  upon  us  the  penalty  of  starvation,  for  our  rations 
were  reduced  as  a  punishment,  and  we  were  given  but  a 
meagre  allowance  of  corn  meal,  ground  cob  and  all,  for  the 
ensuing  three  days. 

The  horrors  of  Andersonville  no  tongue  can  tell  and  no 
pen  can  portray.  One  after  another  the  men  were  shot  down 
on  the  most  trifling  pretext,  or  died  from  want  and  exposure, 
while  those  who  escaped  suffered  a  thousand  deaths.  After 
five  months  of  misery,  we  were  taken  to  Charleston  by  rail, 
and  placed  for  a  short  time  in  the  old  fair  grounds.  Then  we 
were  taken  to  Savannah  and  imprisoned  for  three  weeks, 
when  I  was  so  fortunate  as  to  be  paroled  and  sent  by  steamer 
to  Annapolis,  Md.  I  was  at  that  place  three  weeks,  and  sent 
thence  to  Columbus,  Ohio.  My  average  weight  was  about 
150  pounds,  but  when  released  I  weighed  but  ninety-eight 
pounds.  I  was  soon  furloughed  home,  where  I  remained 
about  four  months,  and  returning  to  Ohio,  was  discharged 
July  3, 1865.  The  years  had  strangely  altered  my  appearance, 
and  from  being  a  strong  and  rugged  boy,  I  found  myself  pre- 
maturely broken  down,  but  proud  that  I  had  been  permitted 
to  do  something  for  my  country,  and  that  the  old  flag  waved 
in  triumph  over  a  restored  Union.  My  residence,  at  the  time 
of  writing  this  sketch,  is  Libertyville,  Lake  county,  Illinois. 

After  the  fall  of  Atlanta,  Corporal  Jared  O.  Blodgett,  of 
Company  G,  obtained  a  furlough,  and  went  by  rail  to  Ack- 
37 


578  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

worth,  Ga.,  to  visit  a  brother  in  the  15th  Illinois.  Soon 
afterward  Gen.  Hood  succeeded  in  reaching  that  point,  and 
Blodgett  became  a  prisoner  of  war.  The  following  is 

CORPORAL  BLODGETT'S  NARRATIVE. 

I  was  captured  at  Ackworth,  Ga.,  with  a  detachment  of 
the  15th  Illinois  Infantry,  October  4,  1864.  There  were, 
including  some  from  other  commands,  about  four  hundred  of 
us.  We  were  marched  back  to  the  Chattahoochie  River, 
under  the  escort  of  old  soldiers,  who  treated  us  well,  and  did 
not  seem  to  fear  our  getting  away.  As  long  as  we  were  with 
them  everything  went  well,  but  when  we  got  into  the  hands 
of  the  state  militia,  at  West  Point,  the  show  began.  We 
were  guarded  closely,  and  when  on  the  march  we  had  to  keep 
our  ranks  closed  up.  Nearly  every  man  of  the  guard  had  a 
revolver  in  his  hand,  and  when  one  of  them  told  a  man  to 
close  up,  he  would  point  his  revolver  at  him.  The  second 
night  that  we  were  with  the  militia  we  were  exhibited  to  a  large 
audience  of  ladies  and  gentlemen  of  the  South.  There  was  a 
man  who  acted  as  crier  to  the  exhibition,  and  he  did  full  jus- 
tice to  the  occasion,  calling  us  the  wild  Yankees  of  the  North, 
Yankees  with  horns,  and  every  imaginary  name  you  can  think 
of,  which  made  the  prisoners  quite  wrathy. 

The  third  day  after  our  capture  we  were  placed  on  board 
a  train  of  flat  cars,  and  taken  to  Anderson ville.  On  arriving 
inside  the  stockade  the  order  was  given  to  come  to  a  front 
face.  Then  the  announcement  was  made  that  we  were  to  be 
searched,  and  that  if  any  one  had  more  than  fifty  dollars,  it 
would  be  taken  from  him  and  the  amount  placed  to  his 
credit,  and  when  released  he  could  receive  it  again.  As 
it  proved,  that  was  the  last  of  it.  After  the  search  was  over 
we  were  marched  into  the  stockade  and  organized,  which 
meant  to  be  formed  into  companies  of  one  hundred  each,  and 
a  man  to  be  chosen  from  the  ranks  to  take  down  the  name  of 
each  man  in  the  hundred.  That  man  was  called  "  Sergeant  of 
the  Hundred." 

The  camp  was  laid  out  in  regular  order,  each  detachment 
having  a  company  street.  In  the  morning  a  Confederate 


CORPORAL  BLODGETT'S  NARRATIVE.  579 

Sergeant  would  come  in  and  call  the  Sergeant  of  the  first 
hundred,  who  would  call  the  roll  of  his  hundred.  This  con- 
tinued until  the  whole  camp  was  gone  through  with.  That  took 
until  noon  or  after.  During  this  time  there  was  a  man  out- 
side with  a  pack  of  hounds.  We  could  hear  him  blow  his 
horn,  after  which  the  dogs  would  start  around  the  stockade,  the 
man  following  then  on  horseback.  He  would  go  two  or  three 
times  around,  and  if  the  dogs  failed  to  strike  a  trail,  they  went 
back  for  that  day  ;  but  if  they  struck  a  scent,  you  could  hear 
them  go  into  the  woods,  and  they  never  failed  to  bring  back 
their  man,  and  the  captured  man  always  became  a  subject 
for  the  stocks.  The  stocks  were  made  in  two  ways,  or 
for  two  different  positions  ;  one  for  standing,  and  one  for 
lying  down.  They  were  constructed  of  plank,  hinged  together 
so  that  the  two  edges  would  join.  In  each  plank  a  hole  was 
cut,  so  that  when  they  came  together  the  hole  was  just  large 
enough  for  a  man's  neck.  For  a  standing  position  the  plank 
could  be  raised  or  lowered  to  suit  the  height  of  the  prisoner, 
the  victim  being  made  to  stand  partially  on  tiptoe.  For  the 
horizontal  position,  there  was  a  plank  for  the  feet  as  well  as 
the  neck,  causing  a  man  to  lie  at  full  length,  without  the 
power  of  moving.  The  victims  were  kept  in  the  stocks  from 
three  to  six  hours,  according  to  the  degree  of  punishment 
they  wished  to  inflict.  The  men  in  the  stocks  also  lost  their 
rations  for  that  day.  During  the  first  month  that  I  was  in 
Andersonville,  we  had  cooked  rations  ;  after  that  they  were 
issued  raw.  They  were  brought  in  wagons,  and  measured 
out  to  the  Sergeants  of  the  hundreds,  who  divided  them 
among  the  men.  The  ration  for  a  day  to  each  man  was  as 
follows  :  about  a  gill  of  corn  meal,  a  like  amount  of  what  we 
called  cow  peas,  every  pea  having  a  hole  in  it,  and  every  hole 
a  family  of  bugs,  black  as  night  and  hard-shelled,  so  that 
when  they  got  between  the  teeth, —  as  they  always  did,— 
they  would  crack.  They  looked  very  much  like  the  seed  in 
wild  grapes.  A  piece  of  meat  about  the  size  of  your  two 
fingers,  with  the  aforesaid  meal  and  cow  peas,  constituted  the 
rations  for  one  day.  For  a  change  we  received  sorghum 
molasses  instead  of  meat,  with  the  meal  and  peas.  The  Ser- 


580  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

geant  of  each  hundred  received  double  rations  for  his  trouble 
in  issuing  to  the  rest.  The  rations  were  brought  in  about 
three  o'clock  every  afternoon,  and  you  can  imagine  about 
3,600  men  standing  on  their  feet  about  one  o'clock,  with  their 
eyes  strained  to  see  if  they  could  get  a  glimpse  of  the  ration 
wagon.  For  nearly  two  hours  they  would  stand  watching, 
and  when  they  caught  the  first  sight,  a  cheer  would  go  up  as 
if  a  great  victory  had  been  won. 

When  the  rations  were  issued,  we  got  the  meal  first,  and 
this  would  be  eaten  raw ;  likewise  the  peas  ;  the  meat,  being 
last,  was  our  dessert.  Then  we  had  to  wait  again  until  the 
next  day.  We  were  removed  to  Millen  in  a  short  time,  but 
returned  in  a  few  days  and  spent  the  long  winter  at  Ander- 
sonville. 

About  April  1,  1865,  we  left  Anderson ville  en  route  for 
Jacksonville,  Fla.,  under  guard.  Part  of  the  distance  was 
traversed  on  foot,  and  part  in  cars.  We  arrived  within  our 
lines  about  April  28,  1865.  The  guard  left  us  when  we  were 
about  eighteen  miles  distant  from  Jacksonville,  sending  a  flag 
of  truce  ahead  to  notify  our  men  that  their  prisoners  would 
be  with  them  in  a  short  time.  We  arrived  in  Jacksonville 
about  four  o'clock  in  the  evening,  and  were  received  with 
great  rejoicing  by  our  fellow  soldiers. 

There  were  none  of  my  own  Regiment  with  me  at  the  time- 
I  was  confined  at  Anderson  ville,  although  there  had  been 
some  before  I  came.  But  they  had  been  either  removed  to 
some  other  prison  or  had  died  before  I  arrived.  I  learned 
that  Myron  J.  Brown  had  been  removed  to  another  prison 
and  Deloss  Rose  had  died  there.  Both  of  these  men  were 
from  my  own  Company.  I  was  soon  sent  north,  and  was 
finally  discharged  about  the  time  the  Regiment  arrived  at 
home.  Present  residence,  Duncan,  Neb. 

Corporal  Blodgett  gives  the  following  description  of  the 
prisons  of  the  South  : 

Andersonville  embraced  about  thirty  acres,  and  was  a 
stockade  constructed  of  logs,  which  were  flattened  on  two 
sides,  set  in  the  ground  about  four  feet  and  as  close  together 


CORPORAL  BLODGETT'S  NARRATIVE.  581 

as  they  could  be  placed.  They  projected  above  the  ground 
about  ten  feet.  There  were  sentinel  boxes,  about  one  hund- 
red feet  apart,  and  built  high  enough  for  sentries  to  look  over 
into  the  enclosure.  Within  the  stockade, —  a  distance  of  twelve 
feet  from  the  fence, —  was  a  dead-line,  which  consisted  of 
posts  about  three  feet  high,  placed  in  the  ground  about  ten  or 
twelve  feet  apart,  with  light  strips  or  boards  nailed  from  one 
to  the  other.  Prisoners  were  not  allowed  to  pass  this  line  on 
peril  of  their  lives. 

There  was  a  sluggish  stream  of  water  running  through  the 
north  half  of  the  enclosure,  which  was  so  filthy  as  to  be 
hardly  fit  to  wash  in. 

In  the  south  end  of  the  stockade  was  a  rough  board  shed, 
open  at  the  north  side,  and  containing  bunks  built  of  rough 
boards  for  the  use  of  the  sick  prisoners.  This  was  called  the 
hospital.  There  was  not  a  stump  in  the  stockade  when  I  arrived 
there  in  the  fall  of  1864.  The  trees  of  which  the  stockade 
was  built  were  cut  from  the  ground  enclosed  and  the  stumps 
had  been  dug  up  by  the  prisoners  for  fuel.  There  were  no 
houses  to  protect  the  prisoners  from  the  cold  and  rain.  Wells 
of  great  depth  had  been  dug  by  the  prisoners  within  the 
stockade.  These  were  not  protected  by  railings,  and  hence 
we  were  liable  to  fall  into  them  on  a  dark  night.  In  the  dig- 
ging, half  canteens  were  used  for  shovels,  buckets  were  made 
by  the  prisoners  for  lifting  the  dirt,  and  torn-up  blankets  were 
used  for  ropes.  Previous  to  my  arrival  a  spring  of  water 
broke  out  just  within  the  stockade,  the  water  being  con- 
veyed under  the  dead-line  in  a  trough,  and  supplying  the 
entire  camp. 

I  was  also  in  Millen  prison,  which  was  a  stockade  similar 
to  Andersonville,  but  not  as  large,  and  much  cleaner  and 
better  managed. 

During  the  time  that  Gen.  Sherman  was  marching  to  the 
sea,  we  were  moved  around  considerably,  usually  camping  in 
the  woods,  with  only  a  guard  around  us.  At  Savannah,  Ga., 
we  were  guarded  in  this  way,  but  they  told  us  there  that  we 
were  all  to  be  exchanged  soon,  and  therefore  we  did  not  try 
•to  escape.  From  there  we  were  put  on  the  cars  and  sent  to 


582  HISTORY  OF  THE  96rm  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

Blackshear  station,  on  the  Gulf  Railroad,  where  we  camped? 
in  the  woods.  We  bought  an  axe  with  Confederate  money, 
paying  fifteen  dollars  for  it,  and  soon  built  a  house.  We  had 
plenty  of  wood  for  fuel.  There  was  a  great  deal  of  running 
guard  during  the  fortnight  spent  there.  As  soon  as  it  began 
to  grow  dark  you  could  hear  the  command,  ''Halt!"  and 
then  bang  would  go  a  gun.  As  they  were  losing  five  or  six 
men  every  night  in  that  camp,  they  moved  us  to  a  place 
called  Thomasville.  On  the  day  of  our  leaving  Blackshear 
there  were  so  many  prisoners  missing  that  the  guard  instituted 
a  search.  Some  were  found  secreted  in  various  ways  and 
places.  The  camp  was  then  set  on  fire,  and  as  many  of  the  pris- 
oners had  dug  holes  and  covered  themselves  with  branches  of 
trees,  which  of  course  soon  caught  fire,  the  hiders  were  com- 
pelled to  come  out,  some  of  them  being  quite  badly  burned  in 
escaping. 

At  Thomasville  we  were  put  into  a  camp  with  only  a 
ditch  dug  around  us.  The  ditch  probably  enclosed  ten  acres. 
It  was  about  ten  feet  wide  at  the  top  and  eight  feet  deep,  the 
dirt  being  thrown  up  on  the  outside.  We  were  in  this  camp, 
I  should  think,  a  month  or  more.  Then  we  were  marched  to 
Albany,  a  distance  of  fifty  miles,  and  from  there  sent  on  cars 
to  Andersonville  again,  where  we  arrived  Christmas  night, 
each  man  receiving  about  one  saucer  of  cooked  rice  with  sor- 
ghum for  that  day  and  the  next. 

OTHER    CAPTURES. 

When  Gen.  Hood  made  his  march  to  the  north  of  Atlanta, 
in  October,  1862,  Edwin  Drury  was  in  hospital  at  Dalton, 
Georgia,  and  became  a  prisoner  with  many  others,  the  officer 
in  command  surrendering  the  entire  garrison,  together  with 
all  of  the  sick  and  wounded,  and  the  hospital  attendants. 
Drury  was  so  fortunate  as  to  be  left,  having  the  care  of  some 
sick  and  wounded  men  from  either  army  at  the  time,  and  in  a 
few  hours,  the  enemy  having  moved  off,  was  a  free  man 
again,  without  having  been  obliged  to  submit  to  even  the  for- 
mality of  being  paroled. 

On  the  night  of  November  29,  1864,  while  the  army  was 


OTHER  CAPTURES.  583 

retreating  to  Franklin,  Tenn.,  Elihu  Gray,  of  Company  B, 
was  a  prisoner  for  a  few  moments,  near  Spring  Hill.  He 
was  driving  a  team  at  the  time,  and  happened  to  be  at  the 
point  where  the  Rebels  dashed  across  the  pike  and  captured 
and  destroyed  a  few  teams  and  wagons.  Fortunately  it  was 
so  dark  that  Gray  readily  escaped,  the  Rebels  leaving  in  great 
haste. 

On  the  retreat  to  Franklin,  Tenn,  November  30,  1864, 
and  when  about  two  miles  outside  of  the  village,  the  Regi- 
ment halted  to  rest  for  a  few  moments,  but  was  very  soon 
ordered  to  the  top  of  the  ridge  they  had  just  crossed,  and  out 
to  the  westward.  At  the  first  halt  many  threw  themselves 
down  and  immediately  went  to  sleep.  One  of  the  number 
was  Albert  J.  Paddock,  of  Company  D.  Worn  out  with  the 
continuous  strain  of  being  up  for  several  days  and  nights  in 
succession,  he  did  not  awaken  when  the  Regiment  was 
ordered  away,  and  being  behind  a  log  he  was  not  seen  by  any 
of  his  comrades.  The  line  soon  retired  to  Franklin,  and  when 
the  Rebels  came  up  he  was  rudely  awakened  to  find  himself 
disarmed  and  a  prisoner.  He  was  sent  to  the  rear  under 
guard,  and  after  a  long,  hard  march,  was  confined  in  the 
prison  at  Cahawba,  Alabama.  From  there  he  was  sent  to 
Vicksburg,  arriving  at  the  latter  place  a  little  past  the  middle 
of  April,  1865.  A  month  later  he  was  sent  to  St.  Louis,  and 
then  furloughed  home.  He  rejoined  the  Regiment  in  Chi- 
cago, and  was  there  discharged  and  paid  off.  His  present 
address  is  Spencer,  Iowa. 

During  the  battle  of  Franklin,  November  30,  1864, 
Thomas  Craig,  of  Company  I,  was  detailed  for  skirmish  duty, 
and,  advancing  from  the  works  near  the  right,  he,  with  a  few 
men  from  another  command,  in  passing  some  evergreens, 
behind  which  were  concealed  a  number  of  Rebels,  was  com- 
pelled to  surrender.  He  was  kept  under  guard  that  night, 
and  next  day  assisted  in  burying  the  Union  dead  on  the  bat- 
tle-field. He  was  then  taken  to  Columbia,  and  on  the  morn- 
ing of  December  15,  started  on  the  long  march  to  Corinth. 
The  Rebels  robbed  him  of  his  boots,  and  the  weather  be- 
came so  cold  that  his  feet  froze,  causing  him  great  suffering. 


584  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

He  arrived  in  Corinth  Christmas  day,  and  a  week  later  was 
sent,  in  company  with  many  sick  and  wounded,  to  the  south- 
ward. He  was  for  a  short  time  at  Meridian,  Miss.,  Mobile, 
Ala.,  and  Montgomery,  Ala.  February  15,  1865,  he  started 
for  Jackson,  Miss.,  and  in  just  a  week  was  paroled  at  the  Big 
Black  River,  going  thence  to  Vicksburg.  March  11  he 
started  northward,  and  before  the  close  of  the  month  joined 
the  Regiment  in  East  Tennessee,  and  was  finally  discharged 
with  them  in  June.  He  is  now  a  liveryman  in  Stockton, 
Kansas. 

Craig  had  previously  served  in  Company  I,  19th  Illinois, 
for  three  years,  and  had  joined  the  NINETY-SIXTH  about  a 
month  before  his  capture.  He  had  been  a  prisoner  on  two 
occasions  while  a  member  of  the  19th  Illinois.  He  was  first 
captured  by  guerillas,  near  Nashville,  Tenn.,  September  10, 
1862,  but  escaped  after  a  fifteen  days'  confinement.  At 
Chickamauga,  September  20,  1863,  he  was  severely  wounded 
and  left  in  the  enemy's  hands,  but  was  paroled  ten  days  later. 
He  justly  thinks  that  he  had  his  full  share  in  this  line  and  was 
fully  satisfied  to  have  it  "  three  times  and  out." 

While  the  army  was  chasing  Hood  southward,  late  in 
December,  Charles  Sammons,  of  Company  C,  fell  out  of  the 
ranks  and  stopped  at  a  house  to  rest  and  recuperate.  Some 
irregular  cavalry,  hovering  on  the  flanks  and  rear  of  the  army, 
after  the  Union  column  had  moved  to  Huntsville,  captured 
Sammons  and  kept  him  with  them  for  a  few  hours.  They 
talked  seriously  of  hanging  him,  but  in  view  of  his  extreme 
youth  concluded  that  such  a  sentence  would  be  too  harsh,  and 
upon  his  signing  a  parole  written  with  a  lead  pencil,  turned 
him  loose. 

Gustavus  Bollenbach,  of  Company  B,  went  out  from 
Huntsville,  Ala.,  February  1,  1865,  in  search  of  forage.  He 
was  accompanied  by  several  members  of  the  Regiment,  all 
mounted  upon  mules.  A  party  of  Rebels  were  encountered 
and  gave  chase.  Bollenbach's  mule  being  neither  speedy  nor 
reliable,  was  soon  overtaken  and  its  rider  was  compelled  to 
surrender.  He  was  taken  to  some  high  hills  near  the  Tennes- 
see River,  where  he  found  quite  a  camp  of  Rebels,  most  of 


OTHER  CAPTURES.  585 

them  stragglers  from  Hood's  army.  He  also  found  a  number 
of  prisoners  in  the  camp.  The  force  had  no  supplies  on  hand, 
but  were  living  off  the  country,  and  seemed  to  have  no  defi- 
nite purpose  in  view.  The  prisoners  fared  very  poorly  so  far 
^s  rations  were  concerned.  Bollenbach  watched  closely  for 
an  opportunity  to  escape,  and  in  about  two  weeks,  while  out 
after  wood,  succeeded  in  eluding  the  guard  and  making  his 
way  to  the  Union  lines,  arriving  at  the  Regiment  thoroughly 
-worn  out  from  exposure  and  fatigue. 

Norman  O.  Pratt  was  captured  near  Kingston,  Ga.,  while 
•on  detached  service  in  the  signal  corps,  taken  to  Millen,  and 
afterward  to  Andersonville.  He  stated  that  at  one  time 
with  the  guards  which  surrounded  the  prison  there  were 
twenty-four  blood-hounds,  which  were  kept  to  assist  in  the 
^capture  of  any  prisoners  who  might  attempt  to  escape.  At 
the  close  of  the  war  he,  with  about  five  thousand  others,  was 
turned  loose,  and  finally  reached  our  lines  somewhere  in 
Florida.  He  never  regained  his  strength,  and  from  being  a 
stalwart  young  man  became  an  invalid,  and  died  in  Wau- 
•conda,  111.,  in  1885. 


586  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  1. 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 


PRISONS  AND  PRISONERS. 

BY   LIEUTENANT   CHARLES  W.  EARLE. 

Companies  C  and  H  on  Picket — Withdrawal  of  Army — Anxious  Mo- 
ments— No  Relief — Preparations  for  Defense — More  Fighting — The- 
Capture — March  to  Dalton — Trip  to  Richmond— Separation  of  Offi- 
cers and  Men — Libby  Prison — First  Day  in  Prison — Who  were  There 
— The  Early  Morning  Roll  Call — Old  Ben — Rations — Boxes  from 
Home — Occupation  and  Amusements — Traitors  in  Our  Midst — A 
Night  in  Prison — Attempts  at  Escape— Gen.  Morgan  in  Libby — The 
Conception  of  the  Successful  Tunnel — The  Working  Parties — Dis- 
covery by  the  Writer — The  Passage  Through  the  Tunnel— In  the 
Streets  of  Richmond — In  Company  with  Rebel  Soldiers — Experience 
of  Successive  Nights — Assistance  from  Negroes — Passage  of  the 
Chickahominy — In  Our  Lines — Reception — Home  and  Regiment. 

IF  any  doubt  ever  existed  in  the  minds  of  those  who  have 
read  the  preceding  pages,  concerning  the  terrible  treament  of 
our  prisoners  by  the  Confederate  authorities,  they  have  by 
this  time  been  fully  removed.  The  narratives  have  been 
written  years  after  the  war,  when  time  had  softened,  if  it  were 
possible,  the  distressing  and  pitiless  experiences.  For  obvious- 
reasons  the  manuscripts  sent  in  have  been  allowed  to  remain  in 
the  language  of  the  authors,  only  very  slight  changes  having 
been  made.  Occasionally  a  repetition  has  occurred,  but  this 
is  not  regarded  as  objectionable, —  indeed,  it  may  be  desir- 
able, for  "in  the  mouth  of  two  or  three  witnesses  shall  every 
word  be  established." 

No  one  can  read  the  story  of  Westoff, —  delirious  from 
starvation  to  such  an  extent  that  he  was  hardly  conscious  of 
passing  through  Chicago,  and  almost  dying  on  the  threshold 
of  his  home, —  the  deplorable  and  helpless  condition  to  which 
so  many  were  reduced  by  impure  vaccination,  as  told  by  Ser- 
geant Hileman, —  the  prostration  to  which  Cullen  was  reduced 
by  small-pox,  pneumonia  and  erysipelas, —  without  wondering 
how  it  was  ever  possible  for  human  beings  to  endure  such  pri- 


PRISONS  AND  PRISONERS.  587 

vations,  or  beings  having  the  semblance  of  humanity,  permit- 
ting it ;  and  if  these  experiences  were  not  verified  by  repeated 
testimony,  the  terrible  story  of  the  sufferings  of  our  soldiers  in 
Rebel  pens  and  prisons  would  not,  at  this  day  be  regarded  as 
authentic. 

It  was  not  alone  from  sickness  that  this  brave  fellow  suf- 
fered,—  the  diet  was  insufficient  and  absolutely  indigestible, 
inducing  disease, —  the  guards,  especially  those  not  in  active 
service  at  the  point,  seemed  absolutely  destitute  of  any  feel- 
ings common  to  human  beings,  and  the  means  resorted  to  to 
recapture  those  who  made  their  escape  were  simply  despic- 
able. That  American  citizens  engaged  in  a  warfare  against 
other  American  citizens  would  resort  to  such  measures  as  let- 
ing  loose  packs  of  blood-hounds  to  overtake  and  recapture 
emaciated  and  prostrate  prisoners  of  war,  is  almost  beyond 
belief.  The  story  of  Menzemer  will  not  be  agreeable  reading 
to  friends  of  the  Confederacy,  if  any  feelings  of  humanity 
remain. 

Throughout  all  these  dreadful  months  and  years  our  men 
were  true  to  each  other  and  loyal  to  the  old  flag,  and  the  patri- 
otic passages  occurring  to  some  of  their  recitals  will  be  prec- 
ious legacies  to  relatives  and  friends.  The  last  words  of 
Henry  Cutler,  who,  after  suffering  in  prison,  was  at  last  ex- 
changed and  hurried  back  to  rejoin  the  Regiment  at  the  front, 
"God  bless  father  and  mother,  and  save  the  country,"  will 
never  be  forgotten, — -  they  will  be  imperishable.  The  burst- 
ing forth  of  a  spring  of  water  in  the  dreary  waste  of  Ander- 
sonville  is  almost  comparable  with  the  pouring  out  of  water 
from  the  rock  by  which  the  thirst  of  the  children  of  Israel  was 
quenched.  And  the  summary  yet  legal  disposition  of  some 
of  their  own  number,  who  had  forgotten  that  they  were  Union 
soldiers  and  became  thieves  and  villains,  earning  the  designa- 
tion of  "raiders."  was  only  possible  among  and  by  such  men 
as  composed  the  glorious  and  patriotic  volunteer  army  gath- 
ered to  jestore  the  Union.  But  time  and  space  forbid  fur- 
ther reference  to  many  topics  which  would  be  of  great  interest 
and  it  remains  for  me  to  describe  the  loss  to  the  Regiment  of 
its  centre  companies. 


588  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

THE    CAPTURE    OF    COMPANIES    C    AND    H    ON   MISSIONARY    RIDGE. 

The  General  and  Company  Historians  will  record  the  facts 
concerning  the  Regiment  during  the  night  of  September  21r 
1863,  but  it  will  remain  for  some  one  in  either  Company  C  or 
H  to  portray  the  events  of  that  night  as  regards  those  two 
Companies. 

Between  9  and  10  o'clock  of  that  evening  while  we  were 
in  line-of-battle  looking  toward  the  old  Chickamauga  battle 
.ground,  Company  C  was  detailed  to  re-inforce  the  pickets 
upon  our  regimental  front,  a  position  held  by  Company  H. 
XDolonel  Champion  personally  gave  me  explicit  orders,  which 
were  as  follows :  ' '  Take  your  Company  to  reinforce  the 
pickets  in  front  of  the  Regiment,  and  remain  there  until 
you  are  relieved  by  proper  authority.  The  command  will 
retire  towards  Chattanooga,  and  if  you  are  attacked  before 
you  are  relieved,  retreat  in  the  direction  of  that  place."  The 
order  was  obeyed,  and  a  few  minutes  after  ten  p.  M.  we 
were  in  the  place  assigned. 

From  our  position  on  the  picket  line  we  could  hear  our 
army  withdrawing,  the  movement  being  from  the  left  toward 
the  right,  and  conducted  with  the  greatest  precaution  and 
utmost  order.  One  of  the  historians  of  the  army  of  the  Cum- 
berland says  that  the  withdrawal  of  the  entire  army  was  con- 
cluded by  seven  A.  M.  the  next  morning,  and  that  not  a  man 
was  lost.  Seated  in  his  editorial  chair  several  years  after  the 
war,  he  probably  imagined  that  he  was  narrating  facts ;  but 
the  terrible  experiences  recited  in  this  chapter  demonstrate 
his  great  mistake. 

By  midnight  everything  was  perfectly  still  on  the  top  of 
the  ridge,  and  a  few  minutes  later  the  pickets  to  my  left  moved 
back  to  where  the  main  line  formerly  rested,  and  passed  off 
toward  Chattanooga.  I  heard  the  order  distinctly,  ' '  in  retreat 
march,"  as  they  began  the  movement,  and  expected  every 
moment  to  hear  the  same  for  my  command,  but  it  did  not 
come.  The  anxiety  which  we  experienced  at  this  time  (mid- 
night) can  hardly  be  described,  and  I  began  to  investigate  the 
position.  The  pickets  on  my  left,  as  I  have  before  remarked, 


.PRISONS  AND  PRISONERS. 

had  been  withdrawn  by  some  one,  and  consequently  our  left 
was  exposed.  On  my  right  I  found  a  detachment  of  the  40th 
Ohio,  commanded  by  Capt.  Meagher,  whose  orders  in  regard 
to  relief  and  rejoining  his  command  were  exactly  the  same  as 
mine.  After  consultation  we  decided  to  remain,  in  the  belief 
that-  it  was  regarded  necessary  by  our  commanders  to  sacrifice 
a  certain  number  of  men  who  should  present  a  strong  picket 
line  to  cover  the  withdrawal  of  the  main  army.  The  fact  of 
the  matter  was,  as  I  learned  upoh  my  return  to  my  Regiment 
six  months  afterward,  that  a  staff  officer  was  sent  at  two  o'clock 
in  the  morning  to  relieve  us,  but  failed  to  reach  our  advanced 
position. 

The  reasons  why  Companies  C  and  H  were  not  relieved 
are  best  told  by  Lieutenant  Pepoon,  who  was  in  a  position  to 
know  better  than  any  other  officer  of  the  Regiment,  and  per- 
haps better  than  any  other  staff  officer  in  either  the  Brigade 
or  Division. 

About  midnight  September  21,  1863,  Gen.  Whittaker,  com- 
manding our  Brigade,  asked  a  Lieutenant  who  was  a  member 
of  Gen.  Steedman's  staif,  and  serving  temporarily  upon  the 
staif  of  Gen.  Whittaker,  on  account  of  the  reduction,  by  cap- 
ture, wounding  and  killing  of  all  his  staff  with  the  exception 
of  one,  if  he  could  find  Gen.  Steedman's  headquarters.  This- 
staff  officer  replied  negatively,  and  turning  to  Lieutenant 
Pepoon  the  General  requested  him  to  report  to  Gen.  Steed- 
man  that  in  obedience  to  orders  the  Second  Brigade  had  left 
its  position  on  Missionary  Ridge  at  12  o'clock  at  night  and  was 
then  en  route  for  Chattanooga.  While  Lieutenant  Pepoon 
was  executing  this  order  the  other  staff  officer  was  ordered  to 
go  and  relieve  the  two  Companies  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  Regi- 
ment, Illinois  Volunteers,  and  one  other  company  from  the 
Brigade,  who  were  left  upon  Missionary  Ridge. 

In  the  course  of  a  short  time  that  staff  officer  returned  and 
reported  that  the  Companies  had  been  relieved,  and  it  was  not 
known  at  Brigade  Headquarters  for  two  days  that  they  were 
not  only  not  relieved,  but  were  by  that  time  well  along  on 
their  way  to  Richmond,  — prisoners  of  war.  The  General  was 
greatly  exasperated  when  he  learned  that  these  Companies 


590  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

were  captured  through  the  cowardice  of  a  staft'  officer,  and  his 
language  was  more  impressive  than  polite  in  the  conversation 
which  followed.  He  threatened  to  prefer  charges  against 
this  unfaithful  Lieutenant,  but  Gen.  Steedman  was  his  per- 
sonal friend,  and  finally  persuaded  Gen.  Whittaker  to  let  the 
matter  drop.  The  orderly  who  was  with  this  staff  officer  said 
that  they  went  toward  the  pickets  until  they  could  hear  talk- 
ing, and  then,  after  a  short  delay,  the  Lieutenant  said  that 
they  were  undoubtedly  Rebels,  and  that  he  would  proceed  no 
further.  He  then  returned  to  Chattanooga,  and  made  the 
report  that  the  Companies  were  relieved.  It  seems,  then,  that 
these  Companies  were  sacrificed, — were  allowed  to  be  captured, 
and  went  through  all  the  horrors  of  Libby,  Richmond,  Dan- 
ville, Andersonville  and  Florence,  a  large  majority  of  them 
meeting  their  deaths  in  these  places, — because  a  staff  officer  had 
not  the  courage  to  do  his  plain  duty,  which  could  have  been 
done  without  a  particle  of  trouble. 

At  daylight,  beyond  the  interval  on  our  left,  made  vacant 
by  the  pickets'  withdrawal  during  the  night,  we  discovered  a 
continuation  of  our  line,  which  was  closed  by  extending  my 
line,  and  a  consultation  of  officers  was  held.  We  represented 
four  or  five  regiments,  and  numbered  seven  officers  and  about 
one  hundred  men,  the  ranking  officer  being  a  Captain. 

We  found  that  no  discretionary  power  had  been  given  to 
us  to  rejoin  our  commands.  Our  orders  were  imperative, — 
to' stay  where  we  were  posted, — and  although  we  could  see 
nothing  to  be  gained,  it  was  unanimously  agreed  to  protect 
our  flanks  and  hold  our  ground.  It  was  now  ten  o'clock  in  the 
morning.  We  could  see  the  Confederate  army  passing  through 
Rossville  Gap,  and  from  the  clouds  of  dust  trending  toward 
Chattanooga  we  knew  that  we  were  at  least  two  or  three  miles 
in  its  rear.  In  the  meantime  several  stragglers  from  the  enemy 
had  been  captured,  and  a  depot  for  prisoners  established  a 
short  distance  down  the  Ridge.  Here  we  collected  seven  or 
eight  men  and  a  few  horses  and  arms.  It  is  difficult  to  say 
what  we  proposed  to  do  with  these  trophies  of  war,  for  we  had 
no  rations  for  ourselves,  and  certainly  we  could  illy  spare  a 
guard  for  prisoners.  It  was  absolutely  necessary  to  detain 


PRISONS  AND  PRISONERS.  591 

them,  however,  as  they  would  communicate  our  position  if 
allowed  to  escape,  and  then,  too,  the  hope  was  not  altogether 
banished  from  our  minds  that  in  some  way,  at  sometime,  we 
would  be  relieved,  and  with  our  captured  prisoners,  horses,  and 
arms,  march  triumphantly  into  our  camp.  It  terminated  some- 
what differently,  however. 

At  11  o'clock,  our  position  being  discovered,  Gen.  Humph- 
rey's Brigade  of  McLaw's  Division  moved  at  right  angles  to 
Missionary  Ridge  against  us,  and  with  our  small  force  it  was 
but  a  question  of  a  few  minutes  before  we  were  surrounded 
and  captured. 

We  foolishly  attempted  to  resist  the  advance  of  the  entire 
Brigade,  and  had  planned  a  very  elaborate  Hue  of  defense  and 
retreat.  Our  scheme  was  to  form  three  lines-of -battle,  and  as 
the  first  was  forced  back  it  was  to  retreat  to  a  position  in  the 
rear  of  the  third,  until  by  fighting  and  retreating  in  order  we 
might  rejoin  our  army.  Our  tactics  were  a  failure  ;  and  after 
having  one  man  killed, — James  Forsyth,  of  Company  H, — and 
several  wounded,  we  found  ourselves  surrounded  and  forced 
to  surrender. 

We  were  taken  directly  down  the  point  of  the  Ridge  look- 
ing toward  Rossville,  and  placed  in  an  open  field,  and  filled 
our  canteens  from  the  old  spring,  where  we  were  guarded 
closely  during  the  remainder  of  the  day  and  night,  and  regaled 
with  fabulous  stories  of  the  destruction  of  our  army  ;  at  one 
time  it  was  25,000  prisoners,  at  another  the  entire  army 
excepting  one  Brigade,  and  they  were  nearly  surrounded  ;  the 
pontoon  bridge  was  destroyed,  they  said,  and  all  the  trains. 
We  did  not  see  any  considerable  number  of  prisoners  coming 
to  the  rear,  however,  and  were  not  at  all  discomfited. 

About  noon,  September  23,  we  started  for  Dalton,  the 
nearest  railroad  connection,  marching  over  the  road  we  had 
taken  three  or  tour  days  before  when  going  toward  the  front. 
It  was  thirty  miles  distant,  and  we  marched  it  in  one  day  with 
a  cavalry  escort.  And  here  I  must  pause  one  moment  to  bear 
testimony  to  the  kindness  and  consideration  shown  us  by  the 
fighting  Rebel  soldiery.  While  nothing  can  be  said  in  exten- 
uation of  the  terrible  conduct  exhibited  and  perpetrated  by  the 


592  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

guards  of  different  prisons,  and  the  want  and  woe  and  suffer- 
ings and  wretched  deaths  experienced  by  our  noble  and  brave 
men,  this  much  I  must  say  for  our  captors  and  for  the  men 
who  were  really  our  opponents  on  the  field  of  battle.  Capt. 
Win.  P.  Turner,  of  the  19th  South  Carolina  regiment,  com- 
manded our  guard,  and  a  more  gentlemanly  or  kind-hearted 
person  one  rarely  meets.  Every  attention  possible  was  shown 
us,  and  all  the  liberties  ever  extended  to  prisoners  of  war 
were  freely  granted.  The  evening  of  the  25th  we  reached 
Atlanta,  the  27th  Augusta,  the  28th  Columbia,  the  29th  Ral- 
eigh, and  at  midnight  October  1,  Richmond,  Va. 

This  journey  of  nearly  1,000  miles,  was  made  in  platform 
cars  and  with  scant  rations  ;  a  few  crackers,  a  small  piece  of 
pork,  and  one  or  two  pints  of  corn  meal,  being  all  the  food 
issued  by  the  authorities.  The  corn  meal  was  made  eatable 
by  mixing  with  water,  pasting  this  dough  to  a  board  and 
standing  it  near  the  fire  until  it  was  in  some  slight  degree 
baked. 

As  our  train  would  stop  for  wood  or  water,  our  men  would 
occasionally  jump  out,  run  into  the  woods  adjoining  the  track 
and  hastily  pick  a  few  persimmons,  by  which  our  scanty  diet 
was  slightly  varied. 

The  captain  ^of  our  guard  extended  many  courtesies  to  the 
twelve  or  fifteen  officers  on  the  train,  which  we  shall  never 
forget.  Under  his  escort  we  were  permitted  to  visit  several 
hotels  as  we  passed  through  the  different  cities,  and  to  take 
our  meals,  paying  for  such  from  $2.00  to  $3.50,  Confederate 
currency;  and  at  Crown  Point,  a  station  in  Georgia,  the  ladies 
of  the  place  furnished  us  a  very  elegant  lunch. 

At  nearly  every  station  we  would  find  traders  of  various 
notions,— Confederate  relics,  fruits  or  attenuated  pies  ;  these 
were  surreptitiously  exchanged  for  greenbacks. 

By  the  time  we  arrived  at  Richmond  we  were  very  desti- 
tute of  blankets  and  clothing,  as  at  every  point  where  we 
changed  cars,  or  went  into  barracks  for  a  night,  the  local 
Rebel  authorities  insisted  upon  a  rigid  examination  for  articles 
contraband  of  war.  At  one  place  they  would  demand  our 
overcoats,  at  another  our  knives,  at  another  our  wool  or  rub- 


3      ^ 

i        W5 

*•     C 


PRISONS  AND  PRISONERS.  593 

ber  blankets.  Indeed,  it  seemed  as  if  we  were  expected  to 
make  up  any  deficit  in  the  general  equipment  of  the  local 
military. 

Upon  our  arrival  in  Richmond  we  disembarked  from  the 
cars,  and,  with  the  officers  at  the  head  of  the  columns,  marched 
through  the  streets  of  the  city.  After  proceeding  some  dis- 
tance we  halted,  and  word  was  passed  down  the  line  that  the 
officers  were  to  be  sent  to  one  prison  and  the  men  to  another. 
I  had  only  time  to  run  back  to  my  Company,  bid  them  good- 
bye, and  divide  with  them  a  little  Confederate  money  which  I 
had  received  from  the  sale  of  a  watch,  and  we  were  separated, 
— the  officers  passing  into  Libby,  and  the  men  into  other  pris- 
ons in  the  vicinity. 

Almost  a  quarter  of  a  century  has  passed  since  that  night 
of  parting,  yet  its  memories  are  as  vivid  as  if  it  was  yester- 
day. I  see  the  dimly  lighted  streets  of  the  Capitol ;  the  lines 
of  determined  yet  dejected  men  ;  those  heroes  of  Chickamanga, 
now  prisoners  of  war,  anxious  and  solicitous  as  to  the  future. 
I  hear  the  measured  step  of  the,;  sifters  at  that  midnight 
hour,  and  their  quiet  yet: earnest-  cohVersatio^,  as  the  possi- 
ble fate  of  the  morrow  is  discussed.  These  remembrances 
come  freshly  to  my  mind  at  this  time  as  I  write  of  that  trying 
situation. 

We  were  marched  into  Libby,  as  I  have  before  remarked, 
at  midnight,  where  we  were  registered,  and  subjected  to  the 
fourth  or  fifth  examination.  The  small  amount  of  United 
States  currency  we  had  managed  to  conceal  up  to  this  time 
was  taken  from  us,  and  we  were  informed  that  its  value  would 
be  returned  in  Confederate  money, — about  seven  dollars  of 
Southern  currency  for  one  dollar  of  United  States.  In  justice 
to  those  having  this  matter  in  charge,  I  must  say  that  about 
one  month  later  this  return  was  absolutely  made. 

The  preliminaries  of  proper  enrollment  on  the  prison  book 
having  been  concluded,  we  were  conducted  through  two  or 
three  rooms, — the  floors  of  which  were  covered  with  sleeping 
men, — up  two  or  three  flights  of  stairs,  and  finally  told  to 
make  ourselves  comfortable  (?)  for  the  night.  As  the  floor  was 
of  hard  lumber,  and  we  had  neither  blankets  nor  overcoats, 


594:  HlSTOKY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

least  of  all  a  mattress  to  lie  upon,  this  was  a  somewhat  diffi- 
cult task  ;  but  we  were  so  tired  from  our  journey  of  a  thousand 
miles,  that  sleep  soon  came  and  our  sufferings  and  inconven- 
iences were  for  the  time  forgotten. 

We  awakened  the  next  morning  to  find  ourselves  sur- 
rounded by  a  crowd  of  men,  some  of  whom  we  recognized  as 
fellow  officers  in  other  regiments,  but  whose  exclamations  and 
actions  we  were  at  a  loss  to  understand.  Cries  of  "fresh 
fish,"  "fresh  fish,"  "fresh  fish,"  filled  the  room,  and  ques- 
tion after  question  in  quick  succession,  was  hurled  at  us. 
"How  is  the  army;  where  is  Rosecrans?  Got  any  green- 
backs ?  How  about  the  Army  of  the  Potomac '(  Fresh  fish," 
etc.,  etc.  We  soon  learned  that  we  were  among  one  thousand 
officers  of  the  Union  Army,  and  that  this  was  the  usual  man- 
ner of  initiation.  Some  of  them  belonging  to  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland,  interested  themselves  in  our  behalf,  and  we  were 
soon  engaged  in  looking  over  our  quarters  and  making  pre- 
parations for  an  indefinite  residence. 

The  noted  prison  which  was  to  be  our  home,  was  formerly 
a  tobacco  warehouse,  and  situated  on  the  corner  of  Carey  and 
Eighteenth  streets,  within  a  few  feet  of  the  Lynchburg  canal, 
and  but  a  short  distance  from  and  in  full  view  of  the  James 
river.  It  was  three  stories  high  in  front,  and  four  in  the  rear, 
with  a  frontage  of  1 65  feet,  and  a  depth  of  105  feet.  It  was 
exceedingly  well  built,  of  brick  and  stone,  and  divided  into 
three  apartments  by  very  thick  brick  partition  walls  extending 
from  the  foundation  to  the  roof.  The  cellars,  or  the  first  story 
in  the  rear,  were  on  a  level  with  the  dock  bordering  the  canal, 
and  were  inaccessible  to  the  prisoners  ;  one  was  used  as  a 
dungeon  where  were  incarcerated  any  who  disobeyed  the  rules 
of  the  prison  ;  a  second  may  have  been  for  cooking  purposes; 
the  third  was  entirely  unoccupied,  but  served  a  very  excellent 
purpose,  which  I  shall  presently  describe.  The  first  story 
proper  was  occupied  as  follows  :  the  first  room  by  the  prison 
authorities,  the  middle  room,  to  which  we  had  access,  as  a 
cooking  and  dining  room  for  the  prisoners.  The  next  room 
was  used  as  an  officers'  hospital.  The  second  and  third  stories 
were  assigned  to  the  prisoners,  and  here,  in  seven  rooms, 


PRISONS  AND  PRISONERS.  595 

more  than  1,100  United  States  officers  cooked,  ate,  washed, 
breathed  and  slept  for  many  months. 

THE   FIRST   DAY   IN   PRISON. 

This  was  occupied  in  being  assigned  to  a  mess,  forming 
acquaintances,  writing  letters  to  my  parents,  and  attending  a 
prayer  meeting.  We  found  men  here  who  had  been  incar- 
cerated for  twelve  months,  and  were  informed  that  no  exchange 
would  probably  take  place  till  the  close  of  the  war,  and  it  was 
thought  advisable  to  commence  a  residence  which  might  be 
extended  for  years,  by  attending  a  prayer  meeting. 

At  this  place  I  may  say  a  word  in  regard  to  meetings  for 
religious  exercises,  which  occurred  from  time  to  time  during 
my  imprisonment  in  this  place.  There  were  a  number  of  army 
chaplains  in  Libby  when  I  first  arrived  there,  chief  among 
whom  was  the  Rev.  C.  C.  McCabe,  whose  influence  for  the 
right,  and  whose  cheerful  example  did  every  one  good  with 
whom  he  came  in  contact.  These  gentlemen,  in  the  main, 
conducted  these  exercises,  although  after  their  release,  which 
occurred  early  in  my  captivity,  the  meetings  were  continued. 
In  those  days,  and  it  is  feared  in  the  quarter  of  a  century 
which  has  nearly  elapsed,  the  subject  of  religion  did  not,  and 
has  not  engaged  the  attention  of  any  considerable  number  of 
our  soldiers  ;  but,  amid  it  all  and  since,  there  are  those  who 
thank  God  for  the  faith  which  then  abided  in  them,  and  which 
in  those  dark  days,  was  a  source  of  comfort  and  consolation 
to  them.  And  to-day  there  are  thousands  of  fathers  and 
mothers  in  both  North  and  South,  who  laid  their  first  born  on 
the  altar  of  our  country,  whose  only  solace  is  the  faith  that 
sometime  they  will  see  them. 

WHO    WERE   THERE. 

The  officer  of  highest  rank  during  my  imprisonment  was 
Gen.  Neal  Dow,  of  Maine,  the  great  temperance  lecturer  and 
reformer.  He  was  at  that  time  quite  advanced  in  years,  but 
was  always  cheerful,  and  very  frequently  delivered  addresses 
on  various  topics  (temperance  by  preference),  to  large  audi- 
ences of  officers.  Col.  A.  D.  Streight,  of  Indiana,  was  also  a 


596  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

prisoner  at  this  time.     It  will  be  remembered  that  in  1863,  he- 
obtained   permission   and   organized  a  brigade   of  mounted 
infantry  for  an  expedition  into  Alabama  and  Georgia  for  the 
purpose  of  destroying  the  supplies  and  threatening  the  rail- 
road communication  of  the   Confederates  in   these   States. 
After  several  severe  and   bravely-fought  battles,  the  entire 
force  was  compelled  to  surrender  to  Gen.  Forest,  near  Rome, 
Georgia. 

Other  officers  were :  Col.  Bartleson,  100th  Illinois,  who 
was  afterward  killed  at  Kenesaw  Mountain  ;  Col.  Carleton, 
89th  Ohio ;  Col.  Le  Favor,  22d  Michigan  ;  Col.  Rose,  77th 
Pa.;  Col.  D.  Cesnola,  4th  N.  Y.  Cavalry, — in  all  some  four- 
teen Colonels,  about  thirty-five  Lieutenant-Colonels,  thirty- 
nine  Majors,  more  than  three  hundred  Captains,  and  about 
seven  hundred  and  fifty  Lieutenants.  These  officers  repre- 
sented regiments  from  nearly  every  Northern  State,  and  every 
department  of  the  great  army  and  navy  marshaled  for  the 
restoration  of  the  Union. 

Our  men  during  the  winter  of  1863-4  were  inside  a  guard 
line  on  Belle  Isle,  a  barren,  sandy  tract  opposite  Richmond. 
Their  rations  were  insufficient  at  all  times,  and  during  a  con- 
siderable portion  of  the  winter,  they  had  neither  barracks  nor 
tents,  nor  shelter  of  any  kind. 

The  privations  which  they  endured  no  pen  can  describe, 
and  the  recollections  of  those  days,  as  given  by  some  of  our 
men  in  these  chapters,  are  almost  beyond  belief. 

A  detailed  account  of  the  daily  round  of  duties,  including 
cooking  and  eating,  and  the  various  occupations  and  amuse- 
ments, and  the  arrangements  for  sleeping,  will  give  a  fair  idea 
of  the  way  in  which  we  managed  to  while  away  the  time ;  in 
the  main  with  cheerfulness  and  hope,  but  with  occasionally  a 
wretched  and  dreary  day. 

THE  EARLY  MORNING,  THE    ' '  GENERAL, "  AND  OLD  BEN. 

Attached  to  the  prison  were  several  colored  men,  who 
had  formerly  been  cooks  and  servants  to  the  United  States 
officers.  These  men  were  employed  in  scrubbing  and  caring 
for  the  prisons.  One  of  the  first  duties  to  be  performed  in 


PRISONS  AND  PRISONERS.  597 

•the  early  morning,  and  which  usually  wakened  us,  was  for  the 
"  General  "  (one  of  the  colored  men)  to  go  through  the  prison 
with  a  kettle  of  burning  tar  for  fumigating  purposes,  who 
would  repeat  on  every  occasion  the  remark  that  it  was  ' '  bery 
beneficial  to  the  gemmen,  kase  it  was  Union  smoke."  A  few 
minutes  after  the  ' '  General "  had  completed  his  duties, 
another  one,  known  as  "Old  Ben"  would  commence  to  cry 
out  the  morning  papers,  and  arouse  to  consciousness  any  who 
were  still  sleeping:  "All  four  de  mornin'  papers.  Tala- 
graphic  dispatches  from  ebery  whar.  Rise,  gemmen,  and  buy 
•de  mornin'  news.  Great  news  from  de  Rappehannock  ;  great 
news  from  Charleston  ;  great  news  from  Chattanooga  ; "  and 
becoming  somewhat  general,  and  not  particularly  correct  in 
regard  to  points  of  the  compass,  he  would  conclude  by  cry- 
ing: "Great  news  from  the  Northwest,  the  Southwest  and 
the  Eastwest ! " 

ROLL   CALL — THE    PRISON    CLERK. 

This  concluded,  the  nasal  twang  of  Georgia,  the  prison 
clerk,  would  be  heard  commanding  the  prisoners  to  "fall  in 
for  roll  call."  This  man  was  said  to  be  a  deserter  from  our 
.army,  and  was,  from  the  first,  and  continually  and  consciously, 
hated  by  every  man  in  the  prison.  He  subjected  us  to  every 
petty  tyrrany  which  an  abnormal  mind  could  suggest.  The 
names  of  the  officers  were  not  alway^  called,  but  we  were 
sometimes  packed  into  one  room  and  counted  as  we  passed 
into  another,  or  formed  in  ranks  of  four  and  counted.  At 
other  times  the  roll  would  be  called.  Later,  in  our  prison 
experience,  when  the  tunnel  was  in  process  of  construction, 
and  one  or  two  men  were  working  during  the  day,  their 
absence  would  be  accounted  for  by  one  or  two  who  were  in 
the  secret,  forming  at  first  on  the  right  of  the  line,  and  after 
being  counted  they  would  move  slyly  to  the  extreme  left  and 
be  counted  twice.  This  made  the  number  appear  correct,  and 
no  suspicion  was  excited. 

Another  scheme  for  deceiving  our  captors  and  making  one 
man  more  in  prison  than  there  really  was,  worked  well  for  a 
long  time.  Lieutenant  Jones  would  be  in  the  tunnel  at  work 


598  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

when  the  roll  would  be  called,  and  as  each  answered  to  his: 
name  he  would  be  required  to  pass  from  one  room  to  another 
in  the  presence  of  the  clerk.  Lieutenant  Smith,  knowing  the 
secret,  would  answer  to  Lieutenant  Jones'  name,  and  pass 
before  the  clerk.  In  the  general  summing  up  Lieutenant 
Smith  would,  of  course,  be  absent,  and  he  would  be  sum- 
moned to  appear  at  the  office.  He  would  be  asked  where  he 
was  when  roll  was  called,  and  why  he  did  not  respond.  His 
reply  would  be  that  he  did  respond  when  his  name  was  called, 
and  passed  before  the  clerk,  and  was  here  to  demonstrate  that 
the  authorities  had  made  a  mistake.  This,  like  many  other 
devices,  was  called  a  "Yankee  Trick"  by  the  Confederate 
authorities,  and  remained  unexplained  for  a  long  time. 

January  30,  we  had  roll  call  nearly  all  day,  as  there  was  some 
discrepancy  in  the  rolls.  The  prison  clerk,  Ross,  after  work- 
ing nearly  the  entire  day  to  correct  his  roll,  finally  gave  it  up, 
with  the  remark  :  "How  in  the  devil  can  I  manage  a  thou- 
sand Yankees,  when,  after  counting  them  all  day,  I  have 
twenty-four  more  men  in  prison  than  ever  were  here.  On 
the  following  day,  after  continuous  roll-call  countings,  there- 
were  thirty-seven  more  men  in  prison  than  there  should  have 
been.  The  way  this  was  worked  upon  the  Rebel  authorities 
was  for  the  boys  to  crawl  out  of  one  scuttle  hole  upon  the  roof, 
and  down  through  another,  and  pass  before  the  prison  authori- 
ties, and  thus  be  counted  twice. 

OUR  RATIONS — BOXES  FROM  HOME. 

Immediately  after  roll  call  came  breakfast,  and  then  the 
distribution  of  rations.  These  were  issued  in  the  middle 
room,  first  story,  to  which  it  will  be  remembered  the  prisoners 
had  access.  Here  also  we  did  the  most  of  our  cooking.  The 
rations  were  brought  in,  and  placed  on  the  floor,  a  pile  of 
bread,  a  pile  of  meat,  and  a  bag  of  rice.  The  prisoners  were 
divided  into  messes  of  from  twenty  to  thirty,  and  each  mess 
was  entitled  to  one  representative  to  receive  rations.  The 
commissary  of  each  mess  distributed  the  rations  to  individuals, 
and  when  received  the  ration  consisted  of  one  loaf  of  brown 
bread,  about  the  size  and  density  of  a  Calumet  brick,  a  piece 


PRISONS  AND  PRISONERS.  599 

of  meat  about  half  the  size  of  a  man's  hand  (small  hand),  and 
a  gill  of  rice,  and  this  for  dinner,  supper  and  breakfast. 

We  were  allowed  to  receive  small  boxes  of  provisions  and 
clothing  during  part  of  my  sojourn  in  this  place.  Everything 
was  closely  searched,  before  we  came  into  possession  of  our 
boxes,  for  contraband  goods,  more  particularly  for  arms  and 
wet  goods.  The  devices  to  conceal,  especially  the  latter, 
were  quite  ludicrous,  a  very  thin  tin  box  concealed  by  a  false 
bottom,  being  the  most  successful. 

I  have  recently  heard  of  a  prisoner  who  was  successful  in 
receiving  a  bottle  of  some  alcoholic  by  having  it  secreted  in  a 
small  jar  of  butter. 

OCCUPATION    AND   AMUSEMENTS. 

Between  meals  and  during  the  evening  we  were  usually 
very  busy  at  something.  We  indulged  in  amusements  of  all 
kinds,  cards,  checkers,  and  chess  particularly.  Some  culti- 
vated their  love  for  music,  others  studied  Italian,  French, 
military  tactics  and  phonography.  We  had  sword  exercise  in 
the  cooking  room,  carried  on  with  wooden  weapons,  while 
many  busied  themselves  from  morning  to  night  in  manufac- 
turing ornaments  from  the  bones  of  our  beef  (or  some  other 
animal)  issued  to  us. 

The  means  by  which  a  few  of  the  officers  earned  an  honest 
dollar  were  many  and  varied.  Peddling  apples  was  a  favor- 
ite vocation.  A  major  or  lieutenant  colonel,  accustomed  to 
all  the  luxuries  of  home,  and  the  pomp  and  parade  around 
headquarters,  would  be  found  seated  by  the  side  of  a  barrel 
of  apples,  and,  with  a  few  of  the  choicest  on  a  board  as  samples, 
would  cry  out  his  wares  with  all  the  gusto  of  a  street  fakir. 

THE    PRICE    OF   PROVISIONS. 

From  one  of  the  newspapers  I  copied  the  following : 

Flour,  from  $100  to  $110  per  bbl.  ;  corn,  $13  to  $14  per  bu.  ;  bacon, 
$2.56  per  Ib.  ;  lard,  $2.25  to  $2.35  per  Ib.  ;  butter,  $3.75  per  Ib. ;  apples, 
$45  to  $60  per  bbl.  ;  beans,  from  $12  to  $15  per  bu.  ;  tallow,  $2.50  per 
Ib.  ;  baled  bay,  from  $10  to  $11  per  100  Ibs.  ;  sweet  potatoes,  $12  per  bu.  ; 
Irish  potatoes,  $7  to  $8  per  bu. ;  turnips,  $6  per  bu.  ;  sugar,  $2.35  per 


600  HISTOKY  OF  THE  96xH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

Ib. ;  salt,  $45  to  $60  per  Ib.  ;  whisky,  $50  to  $60  per  gal. ;  two  sheets  of 
paper  and  five  envelopes,  50  cts. 

Among  the  organizations  for  amusements  I  remember  the 
Libby  Prison  Minstrels  and  the  Libby  Histories.  A  pro- 
gramme of  one  of  our  entertainments  appears  below  : 

THE 

LIBBY  PRISON  MINSTRELS. 

MANAGER,  .....  Lieut.  G.  W.  Chandler 

TREASURER,  ......        Capt.  H.  W.  Sawyer 

COSTUMER,  ......       Lieut.  J.  P.  Jones 

SCENIC  ARTIST,         ......     Lieut.  Fentress 

CAPTAIN  OF  THE  SUPERS,          ....  Lieut.  Bristow 

THURSDAY  EVENING,  DECEMBER  24,  1863. 
PROGRAMME. 

PART  FIKST. 

OVERTURE — "Norma,"       ......       Troupe 

OPENING  CHORUS — "Ernani,"  ....  Troupe 

SONG—"  Who  Will  Care  for  Mother  Now,"        .  .  Capt.  Schell 

SONG — "Grafted  in  the  Army,"  .  .  .  Lieut.  Kendall 

SONG — "When  the  Bloom  is  on  the  Rye,"          .  .      Adjt.  Lombard 

SONG — "  Barnyard  Imitations,"  ....       Capt.  Mass 

SONG—"  Do  They  Think  of  Me  at  Home  ?"  .  Adjt.  Jones 

CHORUS — "Phantom,"  .  ....  Troupe 

SECOND   PART. 

DUET — Violin  and  Flute— Serenade  from  "Lucia," 

Lieuts.  Chandler  and  Rockwell. 

SONG  AND  DANCE— "Root  Hog  or  Die,"  .  .  .  Capt.  Mass 

BANJO  SOLO,        ......  Lieut.  Thomas 

DUET — "Dying  Girl's  Last  Request,"       .         Adjts.  Lombard  and  Jones 
MAGIC  VIOLIN.     .  .  .  Capts.  Mass,  Chandler  and  Kendall 

SONG— "  My  Father's  Custom,"  .  .  .        Lieut.  McCaulley 

CLOG  DANCE,  ......  Lieut.  Ryan 

RIVAL  LOVERS. 
JOE  SKIMMERHORN,        ......       Capt.  Mass 

GEORGE  IVERSON      ......   Lieut.  Randolph 

PART  THIRD. 

COUNTRYMAN  IN  A  PHOTOGRAPH  GALLERY. 
PROPRIETOR,       .......       Capt.  Mass 

BOY,    ........    Lieut.  Randolph 

COUNTRYMAN,     .......     Maj.  Neiper 


PRISONS  AND  PRISONERS.  601 

MASQUERADE  BALL. 
MANAGER,      .......  Adjt.  Jones 

DOORKEEPER,      .......       Capt.  Mass 

MUSICIAN,      .......      Capt.  Chandler 

MEMBER  OF  THE  PRESS,  .....     Lieut.  Ryan 

MOSE,  .......         Lieut.  Welsh 

BLACK  SWAN,       .......   Lieut.  Moran 

BROADWAY  SWELL,  ......       Lieut.  Bennett 

RICHARD  III,        ......      Capt.  McWilliams 

THE  WHOLE  TO  CONCLUDE  WITH  A  GRAND  WALK-ROUND. 

Performance  to  commence  at  6  o'clock. 
Admission  Free.    Children  in  Arms  not  Admitted. 

ADJT.  R.  C.  KNAGGS,  Business  Agent. 

DISCIPLINING   RECALCITRANT   AND   SUSPICIOUS    PRISONERS. 

It  was  expected  that  every  prisoner  would  be  imbued  with 
intense  patriotism  aud  loyalty  to  our  government.  Any 
remarks  to  the  contrary  were  always  treated  with  contempt, 
and  the  unhappy  prisoner  was  usually  subjected  to  some  sort 
of  discipline. 

October  25  we  had  an  indignation  meeting  at  the  expense 
of  a  surgeon  belonging  to  a  Michigan  regiment.  By  some 
means  it  was  learned  that  this  unhappy  doctor  had  written  a 
letter  to  the  commandant  of  the  prison,  asking  for  a  blanket, 
saying,  in  conclusion,  that  by  thus  doing  lie  would  confer  a 
favor  upon  one  who,  under  any  other  circumstances,  would 
be  a  friend  to  the  Confederacy.  By  some  means  this  letter 
was  mislaid  and  brought  back  into  prison,  and  fell  into  the 
hands  of  some  of  the  intensely  loyal  officers.  A  meeting  was 
at  once  organized,  a  chairman  elected,  and  a  committee  of 
three  appointed  to  wait  upon  the  doctor  and  bring  him  before 
the  meeting.  It  was  demanded  that  he  should  show  his 
colors  and  give  an  explanation.  The  President  made  a  few 
remarks,  and  called  upon  Dr.  G—  -  to  make  the  explana- 
tion. He  was  invited  to  explain  his  conduct,  and  it  was  hoped 
that  it  would  be  "freely,  frankly  and  fully  given."  The 
doctor  was  rather  an  inferior  looking  man,  and  when  he  arose 
and  attempted  to  explain  everybody  was  hurrahing,  and  it  was 
impossible  to  hear  what  he  said.  He  commenced  by  saying 


602  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

that  he  would  speak  "freely,  frankly  and  fully,"  but 
yelling  drowned  what  he  had  to  say,  and  the  little  man  became 
frightened,  fearing  that  he  might  be  injured  by  the  boisterous- 
crowd.  After  a  while,  however,  quiet  was  restored,  and  he 
made  his  explanation,  as  expected.  In  closing,  the  Chairman 
gave  the  Doctor  some  advice,  and  said,  among  other  things, 
that  he  hoped  that  the  Doctor  had  learned  a  lesson  ;  that  the 
Doctor,  in  future,  would  be  more  discreet ;  that  the  Doctor 
would  get  his  blanket,  and  that  the  Doctor  would  get  every- 
thing from  the  Confederate  authorities  which  he  desired. 

A  few  days  after  this  a  lieutenant  colonel  of  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac  was  suspected  of  giving  some  information  in 
regard  to  the  doings  within  the  prison,  and  he  also  was  dis- 
ciplined. In  fact,  it  was  a  poor  place  for  one  not  thoroughly 
imbued  with  all  the  sentiments  of  a  most  loyal  and  devoted 
Union  soldier. 

The  national  holidays,  and  Christmas  and  New  Year's 
Days,  were  always  celebrated  with  all  the  enthusiasm  ard 
gusto  that  our  surroundings  would  permit.  I  was  not  a  pris- 
oner on  July  4,  but  from  others  I  gather  that  their  patriotic 
sentiments  were  freely  expressed.  A  Star  Spangled  Banner 
was  extemporized  by  Sewing  together  clothes  of  different 
colors  ;  patriotic  speeches  were  made  and  patriotic  songs  were 
sung,  much  to  the  discomfort  of  the  prison  authorities. 

December  25 — Christmas — was  celebrated  by  a  dance  in 
the  dining  room,  and  a  general  good  time  was  enjoyed.  How- 
ever, no  wood  was  issued  to  us  that  day,  and  our  cooking  was 
done  by  wood  which  was  obtained  by  tearing  down  the  parti- 
tions and  breaking  up  the  tables. 

On  New  Year's  Day  we  sang  the  Star  Spangled  Banner, 
and  gave  three  cheers  for  the  Union,  much  to  the  consterna- 
tion of  our  guards. 

NEWS    FROM   THE    NORTH. 

The  results  of  the  October  elections  of  1863  in  Pennsyl- 
vania and  Ohio  were  received,  and  created  great  enthusiasm. 
This  was  the  time  that  Curtin  was  elected,  and  Vallandigham 
was  so  terribly  defeated.  News  from  the  different  armies,  both 


PRISONS  AND  PRISONERS.  603 

from  the  Rebel  and  northern  papers,  was  occasionally  re- 
ceived. 

About  the  time  that  the  battles  of  Lookout  Mountain  and 
Missionary  Ridge  took  place  the  Rebel  papers  were  filled  with 
the  anticipation  of  soon  defeating  the  Union  army,  and  of 
driving  it  into  Tennessee,  and  perhaps  north  to  Cincinnati. 

At  the  time  the  NINETY-SIXTH  made  its  reconnoissance 
toward  Ringgold  it  was  reported  that  the  Union  army  was 
defeated,  and  was  being  driven  rapidly  toward  the  north. 
When,  however,  the  combined  massing  of  Grant's,  Sherman's 
and  Thomas'  forces  were  being  made,  by  which  the  capture  of 
Missionary  Ridge  and  Lookout  Mountain  was  brought  about, 
the  Rebel  papers  said  that  the  Southern  people  might  as  well 
be  making  up  their  minds  for  another  of  Bragg's  retreats,  and 
in  one  or  two  days  their  worst  fears  were  realized. 

A   NIGHT    IN   PRISON. 

With  eleven  hundred  officers  sleeping  upon  the  floors  of 
six  rooms,  with  no  cots,  and  with  but  very  few  blankets,  it 
can  be  very  easily  seen  that  it  required  uncomfortably  close 
packing. 

We  were  in  the  habit  of  lying  down  in  rows  ;  the  first 
row  with  heads  toward  the  wall,  then  two  rows  in  the  centre 
of  the  building,  with  heads  next  to  each  other,  leaving  a  short 
alley  between  the  feet  of  the  different  rows.  In  the  middle 
of  the  night,  in  a  room  where  nearly  two  hundred  men  were 
sleeping  or  trying  to  sleep,  it  would  not  be  remarkable  if, 
occasionally,  there  was  a  man  who  snored.  This  was  fre- 
quently the  case,  and  the  midnight  hour  would  sometimes 
be  made  almost  hideous  by  the  snoring  proclivities  of  a  dozen, 
or  so  of  our  men. 

If  the  noise  became  unbearable  some  fellow  would  cry  out : 
"Roll  him  over."  "Throw  water  on  him."  "  Where  is  the 
clothes  pin  ? "  and,  if  he  did  not  subside,  an  old  piece"  of  corn 
bread  would  be  hurled  in  the  direction  of  the  noise,  striking 
against  tin  pails  hanging  from  the  ceiling,  and  generally  com- 
ing in  contact  with  exactly  the  person  whom  the  thower  did 
not  desire  to  disturb. 


604  HISTORY  OF  THE  96iH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  1. 

ITEMS. 

October  14,  the  British  Consul  called  upon  the  prisoners. 
He  sailed  for  Europe  in  a  day  or  two,  and  it  was  said  he  had 
been  dismissed  from  the  Confederacy  by  President  Davis.  I 
•do  not  now  know  the  significance  of  this  procedure. 

MEN   OF   MY   REGIMENT   WHOM   I    SAW. 

Dimmick,  of  Company  E,  passed  Libby  Prison  October 
21,  and  Eli  Thayer,  on  the  23d  of  the  same  month.  At  Co- 
lumbia, on  my  way  to  prison,  I  saw  Orderly  Sergeant  Bangs, 
of  Company  B.  Captain  Rowan  arrived  in  prison  October  10. 

October  26  we  heard  that  Rosecrans  was  relieved,  and 
that  the  President  had  called  out  300,000  more  men. 

After  the  battles  of  Missionary  Ridge  and  Lookout  Moun- 
tain the  Rebels  claimed  that  the  Union  Army  had  lost  20,000 
men, — a  gross  exaggeration. 

Lieutenant  Hannon,  our  Quarter-Master  on  Brigade  Staff, 
and  Lieutenant  Keith,  an  old  school  teacher  and  acquaintance 
in  Lake  County,  were  in  prison  with  me. 

It  was  reported  at  one  time  that  three  or  four  corps  with 
Meade's  army  were  on  their  way  to  reinforce  Rosecrans. 

December  26  we  witnessed,  from  the  back  windows  of  our 
prison,  a  most  sad  sight,  and  were  powerless  to  avert  the 
calamity  or  to  render  any  assistance.  A  company  of  little 
boys  were  at  play  on  the  ice  which  covered  the  canal  a  short 
distance  from  the  back  of  the  prison.  All  at  once  they  broke 
through,  and  cried  for  help.  Several  of  our  officers  gave 
their  word  of  honor  not  to  attempt  to  escape  if  they  might  be 
permitted  to  rescue  the  little  fellows,  but  they  were  not  allowed 
to  do  so,  and  before  help  could  arrive  from  the  outside  one  or 
two  had  been  drowned. 

During  my  residence  in  Libby  we  were  permitted  to  write 
short  letters  to  our  friends,  and  to  receive  our  mail  from  the 
^North,  both  subject  to  the  scrutiny  of  the  authorities.  On 
the  arrival  of  a  mail,  Lieut.  Knaggs,  who  was  acting  post- 
master, would  select  some  elevated  place,  perhaps  a  beam  in 
one  of  the  upper  rooms,  and  call  out  the  names  of  the  lucky 
ones  for  whom  letters  had  arrived.  The  exquisite  happiness 


PRISONS  AND  PRISONERS.  605 

depicted  in  the  faces  of  the  fortunate  ones  was  more  notice- 
able as  the  gloom  and  disappointment  of  those  not  thus 
favored  manifested  themselves.  Certainly  no  one  thing 
brought  so  much  consolation  and  hope  and  joy  as  a  letter  from 
home. 

A  few  days  after  our  escape  this  happy  privilege  was  to  a 
certain  extent  denied,  as  the  following  order  from  the  com- 
mandant will  show.  It  is  given  verbatim  : 

"OFFICE  C.  S.  MILITARY  PRISON, 

RICHMOND,  Va.,  14th  Feb.,  18C4. 

'  'Hereafter  prisoners  won't  be  allowed  to  write  no  letters  to  go  to 
the  so-called  United  States  of  hiore  than  six  lines  in  length  and  only  one 
letter  per  week.  By  command  of 

"THOMAS  P.  TURNER,  Major  C.  S.  A." 

EXCHANGE. 

Rumors  in  regard  to  exchange  were  frequent — at  times 
favorable  and  at  others  so  dismal  as  to  extinguish  every  ray 
of  hope.  October  3  it  was  reported  that  all  prisoners  captured 
previous  to  September  1  had  been  exchanged  ;  on  the  10th  it 
was  denied.  During  the  13th  exhange  was  high.  (We  used 
to  quote  it  as  business  men  speak  of  stocks  and  bonds.)  Ten 
steamers  were  at  City  Point  to  carry  us  to  Fortress  Monroe  ; 
Milroy's  men  were  to  go  down  in  the  morning.  On  the  27th 
the  report  was  that  the  United  States  Government  would 
exchange  no  more  prisoners  till  the  close  of  the  war.  That 
day  we  had  simply  bread  and  water  to  eat.  November  8- 
there  were  rumors  of  an  immediate  exchange  of  everybody, 
and  for  hours  some  of  the  more  despondent  would  stand  and 
look  down  James  River  for  the  United  States  transports  which 
were  to  carry  them  to  our  lines  and  to  their  homes.  Suffice 
it  to  say  they  never  came,  and  so  for  months,  and  in  many 
cases  for  one  and  two  years,  these  same  officers,  and  thousands 
of  our  brave  men  suffered  and  languished  and  died  in  those 
wretched  places. 

ESCAPE    FROM     LIBBY. 

Owing  to  the  uncertainties  of  exchange,  and  to  our  wretched 
treatment,  and  the  innate  love  one  has  to  be  free,  and  the 


<606  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

•desire  which  was  almost  universal  to  be  once  more  by  the  side 
•of  our  comrades  to  help  fight  the  war  to  a  successful  termina- 
tion, many  of  the  prisoners  were  restless  and  impatient,  and 
thought  long  and  seriously  of  escape.  This  was  particularly 
true  of  the  younger  officers.  Those  who  were  older  and  had 
families  at  home,  although  extremely  anxious  to  see  their 
loved  ones,  were  not  as  willing,  so  far  as  my  observation 
•extended,  to  take  risks  in  attempting  an  escape  which  might 
•be  fatal  to  their  lives.  I  have  heard  them  remark  that  they 
were  captured  in  the  line  of  duty  by  no  fault  of  theirs,  and  if 
the  government  needed  them  it  could  effect  an  exchange.  A 
•certain  number,  however,  were  always  on  the  alert,  and 
scheme  after  scheme  was  discussed.  It  was  constantly  in  our 
aninds,  the  subject  of  conversation  among  our  confidants  dur- 
ing the  day  and  our  dream  at  night.  But  an  escape  seemed 
almost  impossible.  We  were  surrounded  by  a  strong  guard 
at  every  point,  and  could  we  escape  from  the  building  we 
were  in  the  midst  of  an  enemy's  country,  without  food  or 
money  or  allies,  and  withal  weak  from  insufficient  food  and 
improper  clothing. 

ATTEMPTS   AT   ESCAPE. 

The  first  escape  from  the  prison  which  I  remember  was 
effected  by  one  of  the  officers,  by  assuming  to  be  one  of  a 
party  of  workmen  who  were  engaged  in  the  prison  in  strength- 
ening the  window  protections.  He  assumed  the  dress  of  a 
laborer,  blackened  his  face  and  hands  slightly,  as  if  he  had 
been  working  with  iron,  and  shouldering  some  tool  or  a  bar 
of  iron,  marched  out  of  the  door,  passed  the  guard,  and  was 
free.  I  am  not  informed  whether  or  not  he  reached  our  lines 
in  safety. 

In  December,  Captain  Anderson,  of  the  5th  Indiana  Reg- 
iment, and  Lieutenant  Skelton,  of  the  17th  Iowa  Regiment, 
escaped  by  bribing  the  guards.  They  reached  our  lines  after 
passing  through  innumerable  hardships  and  dangers. 

During  the  night  of  December  20,  Col.  Streight  and  his 
adjutant,  Lieut.  Reid,  effected  an  escape  from  the  prison  by 
giving  to  the  sentinel  $100  in  greenbacks  and  two  silver 


PRISONS  AND  PRISONERS.  607 

watches.  As  soon  however,  as  they  were  outside  the  guard- 
line  an  irregular  fire  was  opened  upon  them,  and  after  a  short 
struggle  they  were  captured  and  returned  to  a  cell,  where 
they  were  kept  twenty-one  days.  The  affair  was  simply  a  plot 
-on  the  part  of  the  prison  officials  to  rob  and  perhaps  murder 
.these  two  officers. 

A  short  time  after  this,  the  Rebel  Gen.  Morgan,  having 
escaped  from  the  Ohio  penitentiary,  made  us  a  visit,  accom- 
panied by  several  Kebel  officers  of  rank  and  some  of  the  Rich- 
mond civil  authorities.  I  witnessed  his  introduction  to  Gen. 
Neal  Dow,  and  as  the  conversation  between  these  two  noted 
gentlemen  was  somewhat  sarcastic,  I  note  two  sentences. 

"  General  Dow,"  said  General  Morgan,  "  I  am  very  happy 
to  see  you  here ;  or,  rather,  as  you  are  here,  I  am  happy  to 
see  you  looking  so  well. "  General  Dow  immediately  replied  : 
"General  Morgan,  I  congratulate  you  on  your  escape, 
although  I  can  not  say  I  am  glad  you  did  escape,  but  since 
you  did,  I  am  happy  to  see  you  here." 

During  the  night  of  January  15,  1864,  several  officers 
again  attempted  to  escape,  by  bribing  the  guards  and  letting 
themselves  down  from  the  prison  windows  by  means  of  some 
kind  of  rope.  The  guards  again  proved  treacherous,  and 
made  one  who  had  descended  climb  back.  The  day  following, 
•considerable  amusement  was  caused  by  allusions  to  this  unfor- 
tunate adventure,  and  that  night  after  the  officers  had  retired 
and  the  Chickamauga  room  was  still,  Capt.  Smyth,  of  the 
16th  U.  S.  Regulars,  offered  the  following  preamble  and  res- 
olutions : 

WHEREAS,  Several  of  our  fellow  officers,  disgusted  with  the  scant 
rations  and  mule-beef  of  the  Confederate  authorities,  and  inspired  with 
the  love  of  liberty  and  a  desire  to  see  once  more  their  wives  and  little 
ones,  attempted  to  escape  last  night  from  their  confinement ;  and 

WHEREAS,  Said  attempt  was  ignobly  and  most  unfortunately  frus- 
trated by  the  base  treachery  of  the  sentinels  ;  therefore 

Resolved,  That  the  aforesaid  officers  have  our  warmest  sympathy  in 
this  their  bitter  disappointment,  and  that  we  earnestly  deprecate  the  dis- 
position of  some  among  us  to  ridicule  their  misfortune,  and  to  make  light 
of  their  honest  endeavors  to  obtain  that  dearest  boon  of  an  American 
•citizen, — life,  liberty  and  the  pursuit  of  happiness. 

Resolved,  That  although  the  aforesaid  officers  have  lowered  themselves 


608  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  1. 

in  the  sight  of  their  fellow  officers,  yet  their  earnest  endeavors  under  the 
most  embarrassing  circumstances,  to  rise  again  to  their  former  positionr 
have  again  placed  them  on  an  equal  footing  with  us  all. 

Resolved,  That  the  action  of  the  sentinel  in  turning  traitor  to  his  gov- 
ernment, by  consenting  to  the  escape  of  a  prisoner,  and  then  turning 
traitor  to  the  prisoner,  by  preventing  his  escape,  was  but  a  change  of  base. 

Resolved,  That  the  feelings  that  prompted  a  sentinel  to  cock  his  piece 
at  one  of  our  fellow  officers,  while  he  was  hanging  on  the  slender  thread 
of  fate,  was  an  offshoot  of  humanity. 

Resolved,  That  while  mechanical  principles  plainly  teach  us  that 
watches  may  run  down,  the  events  of  last  night  show  that  they  cannot 
with  equal  facility  be  made  to  run  up. 

Resolved,  That  the  events  of  last  night  plainly  show  the  true  value  of 
time. 

Resolved,  That  although  a  watch  may  run  down,  it  is  no  reason  that 
the  owner  should  be. 

Resolved,  That  officers  in  escaping  should  use  the  starboard-watch,, 
which  is  right,  and  not  the  port-watch,  which  is  left. 

Resolved,  That  if  officers  would  watch  more  they  would  not  be  watch- 
less. 

Resolved,  That  officers  should  not  palm  off  on  a  sentinel  watches  not 
having  a  good  escapement. 

Resolved,  That  under  present  circumstances  officers  should  not 
attempt  to  escape  on  tick. 

The  resolutions  were  greeted  with  immense  applause, 
immediately  adopted,  and  after  a  few  patriotic  songs,  we 
quieted  for  the  night. 

During  all  this  time  the  idea  of  escape  by  tunnel  was 
being  discussed.  There  were,  however,  apparently  insuper- 
able difficulties  to  a  plan  of  this  kind.  It  was  absolutely 
impossible,  as  far  as  we  could  see,  to  obtain  access  to  an  out- 
side wall  in  the  basement,  or,  indeed,  to  any  part  of  the  cel- 
lar floor. 

Just  who  thought  of  the  plan  by  which  we  succeeded  in 
gaining  an  entrance  into  the  cellar,  it  is,  perhaps,  difficult  to- 
state,  but  as  I  understand  it,  and  as  I  know  is  in  the  main  cor- 
rect, the  following  are  the  names  of  the  men  to  whom  belong 
the  honor  of  planning  and  carrying  forward  to  a  successful 
termination  this  bold  enterprise. 

Lieut.  Wm.  G.  Galloway,  of  the  15th  U.  S.  Regulars,  was- 
suffering  from  fever,  and  one  night  being  quite  wakeful  as  one 
of  the  results  of  his  sickness,  he  thought  of  a  tunnel  from 


LIEUTENANT   CHARLES    W.  EARLE. 
From  a  photograph  taken  in  1864. 


CAPTAIN    ROWAN   AND    LIEUTENANT   EARLE. 
Crossing  the  Diascon  River.     See  page  622. 


0? 


PRISONS  AND  PRISONERS.  609 

some  point  in  the  east  basement.  The  following  day  he  con- 
fided his  idea  to  Lieut.  Ludlow,  of  Battery  M,  4th  Regular 
Artillery,  and  Lieut.  Clifford,  of  the  16th  U.  S.  Regulars. 
After  consultation  it  was  thought  best  to  increase  the  party, 
and  Col.  T.  E.  Rose,  of  the  77th  Pennsylvania,  and  several 
others  were  added.  From  this  moment  Col.  Rose  became  the 
acknowledged  manager  and  engineer.  Concerning  this  there 
can  be  no  doubt.  The  honor  of  being  the  leader  of  this 
scheme  has  been  claimed  by  others,  but  to  Col.  Thomas  E. 
Rose  it  rightfully  belongs.  The  working  party  was  thoroughly 
organized  and  bound  to  secrecy  by  a  solemn  oath,  adminis- 
tered by  the  manager.  This  proceeding  was  absolutely  neces- 
sary, both  to  protect  the  party  from  discovery  by  spies,  who 
undoubtedly  were  in  the  prison  in  our  very  midst,  and  from 
a  few  very  weak  individuals  among  our  own  officers,  who,  for 
certain  considerations,  were  constantly  imparting  information 
to  the  prison  officials. 

The  party 'having  in  charge  the  work  to  obtain  entrance 
into  the  cellar,  and  who  were  engaged' in  working  on  the  first 
tunnel, —  which  I  shall  presently  briefly  detfcrfbe, —  was  com- 
posed of  the  following  officers :  Col.  Rose,  Capts.  Lucas  and 
Gallagher,  Lieuts.  Galloway,  Ludlow,  Clifford,  Brown  and 
Hamilton,  with  possibly  two  or  three  others  whose  names  I 
cannot  obtain.  It  must  be  remembered  that  our  quarters 
were  in  the  two  upper  stories,  and  that  we  had  access  to  only  the 
middle  room  on  the  first  story,  which  was  our  cooking  and 
dining  room.  At  one  point  on  the  east  side  of  this  room  was 
situated  a  fire-place,  built  in  the  massive  brick  and  stone  par- 
tition, which,  as  I  have  before  remarked,  extended  from  base- 
ment to  roof.  Around  this  fire-place  three  stoves  were  placed 
for  our  use,  leaving  a  very  small  space  between  the  back  of  the 
stoves  and  the  fire-place.  It  was  at  this  point  that  some  one 
conceived  the  idea  of  gaining  entrance  into  the  cellar,  under 
the  next  room,  which  would  give  easy  access  to  an  outside 
wall,  and  a  chance  for  tunneling.  It  will  be  seen  that  if  an 
opening  could  be  made  in  the  floor  of  this  fire-place,  by 
oblique  digging  we  would  come  out  in  the  cellar  of  the  adjoin- 
ing room,  which  was  seldom,  if  ever,  used. 


610  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  EEGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 


THE  PRISON  AND  ITS  SURROUNDINGS. 


EIGHTEENTH      STREET. 

tt  tt  tt  tt 


I    I  E  I    I 


44 


tt    Guards. 

1.     Open  Carriage  Way. 


2.    Upright  Board  Fence. 


PRISONS  AND  PRISONERS.  611 

Capt.  Hamilton  was  a  stone-mason,  and  removed  the  first 
brick  and  stone  from  the  fire-place,  through  which  we  hoped  to 
reach  the  basement.  During  the  day  this  opening  was  kept 
closed,  and  so  ingeniously  were  the  bricks  and  stones  replaced, 
aided  by  a  few  ashes  and  one  or  two  worn-out  skillets  thrown 
carelessly  in,  that  one  would  never  notice  that  anything  had 
been  disturbed.  After  I  was  aware  that  this  opening  existed, 
and  that  a  working  party  was  in  the  basement,  I  have  looked 
intently  (knowing  that  no  one  was  observing  my  movements) 
for  evidences  of  carelessness  in  closing  this  opening, —  for  a 
little  fresh  dirt  that  possibly  might  furnish  a  clue  to  our  oper- 
ations, but  I  could  see  nothing.  Every  possible  clue  to 
detection  was  minutely  guarded.  The  basement,  or  cellar, 
to  which  we  now  had  access,  and  from  which  the  tunnel  proper 
was  commenced,  was  dark, —  rarely,  if  ever,  opened, —  and 
had  the  appearance  of  not  having  been  cleaned  for  years. 
There  was  found  here  some  straw,  a  few  boards,  some  old 
boxes,  and,  I  believe,  some  old  stoves,  and  plenty  of  rats. 

The  first  tunnel  was  from  the  south  end  of  the  cellar,  and 
was  made  with  the  intention  of  tapping  the  sewer  between  the 
prison  and  canal.  It  was  found  impossible,  on  account  of 
the  terrible  odor  and  the  small  size  of  the  box  sewer,  for  a 
man  to  enter,  and  was  therefore  abandoned,  and  the  attention 
of  the  working  party  directed  toward  the  east  side. 

About  this  time,  probably  one  or  two  days  before  the 
abandonment  of  the  sewer  tunnel,  possibly  when  escape  in 
that  direction  was  determined  to  be  impracticable,  there  was 
a  division  in  the  working  party.  I  am  not  aware  that  any 
direct  disagreement  took  place,  but,  without  consulting  certain 
ones  who  were  at  work,  additional  officers  were  taken  into  the 
secret,  and  without  the  knowledge  of  all  belonging  to  the  first 
party,  a  new  tunnel  from  the  east  side  was  commenced.  This 
new  working  party,  as  given  to  me  by  Col.  Rose  in  a  recent 
communication,  was  as  follows :  Maj.  Fitzsimmons,  30th 
Ind.  Inf.;  Maj.  McDonald,  101st  Ohio  Inf.;  Capt.  A.  J.  Ham- 
ilton, 12th  Kentucky- Cav.;  Capt.  Clark,  79th  111.  Inf.;  Capt. 
Gallagher,  2d  Ohio  Inf. ;  Capt.  Randall,  2d  Ohio  Inf. ;  Capt. 
Lucas,  5th  Kentucky  Inf.;  Capt.  Johnson,  6th  Kentucky  Inf.; 


612 


HISTORY  OF  THE  96™  KEGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 


Lieut.  Fistler,  12th  Ind.  Inf. ;  Lieut.  Mitchell,  79th  111.  Inf. ; 
Lieut.  Simpson,  10th  Ind.  Inf. ;  Lieut.  Garbet,  77th  Penn. 
Inf.;  Lieut.  Foster,  29th  Ind.  Art,;  Lieut,  McKean,  44th  111. 
Inf. 

Bounding  the  prison  on  the  east  was  an  alley  or  narrow- 
street,  and  on  the  opposite  side  of  this  narrow  street  from  the- 
prison  were  situated  what  1  suppose  to  have  been  a  ware- 
house and  an  unused  stable.  There  was  also  a  small  yard 
concealed  from  view  in  the  alley  by  an  upright  board  fence. 

The  situation  will  probably  be  better  understood  by  refer- 
ence to  the  accompanying  diagram. 

Section  of  the  heavy  partition  wall,  showing  the  opening 

in  the  fireplace  by  means  of  which  the  tunneling 

party  gained  access  to  an  outside  wall. 


Officers'  Quar 
ters. 


Officers'  Quar-     ill 
ters.  l|l 


— ' 

ill 

Cooking  and      'i1 
Dining  Room.     Ill 


1 

T3 

II- 

ill 

11 

11 

III 

' 

11 
Hi 

ih  - 

' 

|!| 

!i 

|!| 

ill 

jL 

ill 

CELLAR. 


llL 


1.  Three  stoves. 

2.  Fireplace. 


3.  Opening  from  fireplace  to  cellar. 

4.  Commencement  of  main  tunnel. 


One  of  the  most  difficult  tasks  of  the  entire  work  was  to 
effect  an  opening  in  the   foundation   wall.     It  was   accom- 


PRISONS  AND  PRISONERS.  613 

plished,  however,  after  great  labor,  and  the  tunnel  com- 
menced nearly  on  a  line  with  the  floor  of  the  cellar,  probably 
eight  or  nine  feet  below  the  surface  of  the  ground.  The  dis- 
tance to  be  tunneled  was  from  seventy  to  eighty  feet,  although 
it  has  been  estimated  by  some  at  one  hundred. 

The  man  at  work  was  obliged  to  recline  on  the  anterior 
part  of  his  body,  and  the  tools  at  his  command  were  only 
common  knives,  small  hatchets,  sharp  pieces  of  wood,  and 
a  broken  fire-shovel.  After  the  tunnel  was  fairly  commenced 
it  required  two  men  to  work  successfully, —  one  in  the  tunnel 
digging,  and  a  second  at  the  cellar  opening  to  haul  back  the 
earth,  which  was  done,  at  least  partly,  in  shallow  frying  pans. 

And  now  I  must  answer  one  question  which  is  always  sug- 
gested :  ''What  did  you  do  with  the  dirt  ? "  In  reply  I  would 
say  that  it  was  distributed  over  the  cellar  floor,  and  straw  care- 
lessly scattered  over  it,  or  placed  in  boxes  in  small  quanti- 
ties, or  in  barrels,  a  little  here  and  a  little  there.  It  has  been 
stated  by  a  writer  in  the  Philadelphia  Weekly  Times  that  some 
of  the  dirt  was  emptied  into  a  sewer.  In  any  event,  there  was 
not  a  great  amount ;  and  indifferently  distributed  in  a  cellar 
55x105  feet,  it  would  hardly  be  noticed,  even  if  the  guards 
or  officials  entered  this  part  of  the  prison. 

The  time  required  for  the  construction  of  this  tunnel  was 
nearly  three  weeks,  and  it  was  about  half  finished  when  I  dis- 
covered it  and  was  taken  into  the  secret. 

Sunday  night,  January  24,  I  had  been  reconnoitering  and 
making  an  examination  in  regard  to  the  feasibility  of  an 
escape, —  indeed,  there  was  probably  not  one  hour  during  any 
night  when  some  impatient  soul  was  not  looking  out  to  detect 
some  guard  asleep  on  his  post,  or  .watching  with  the  hope  that 
something  would  transpire  that  would  enable  him  to  gain 
freedom.  Later  I  had  approached  the  stoves,  which  were 
standing  around  the  fireplace,  to  make  some  arrangement  for 
breakfast,  or  to  wash  some  article  of  clothing,  I  do  not  now 
remember  which,  and  had  placed  a  light  I  had  in  my  hand 
upon  one  of  them.  Immediately  a  man  whom  I  had  not 
observed,  although  there  were  a  few  at  the  other  end  of  the 
room,  stepped  up  to  me  and  said:  "Please  put  out  that 


'  614  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  1. 

light."  1  hesitated  only  a  moment,  and  the  thought  flashed 
through  my  mind  that  some  one  was  trying  to  force  the  lock 
in  the  door,  and  I  was  just  on  the  point  of  extinguishing  the 
candle,  when  the  man  whispered,  "For  God's  sake,  put  out 
that  light  !  to-morrow  I  will  explain  all !  "  By  this  time  the 
light  was  out,  and  I  passed  up  to  my  quarters,  and  wished  for 
the  morning.  I  had  recognized  the  officer,  and  at  a  favorable 
opportunity  the  day  following,  interviewed  him.  It  was  Capt. 
Lucas,  of  the  tunneling  party,  and  in  charge  of  the  work  for 
that  night.  He  was  changing  the  working  party,  and  had  the 
opening  behind  the  stoves  in  the  fire-place  uncovered.  The 
light  I  placed  on  the  stove  jeopardized  the  entire  scheme; 
hence  the  solicitude  and  remarks  of  the  officer  in  charge.  He 
administered  the  charge  of  secrecy,  to  which  I  agreed,  reserv- 
ing the  right  of  acquainting  one  man  who  should  be  my  com- 
panion during  our  attempt  at  escape.  I  immediately  made 
application  for  a  position  on  the  working  party,  but  was 
refused,  upon  the  ground  that  there  were  already  plenty 
who  had  had  experience  and  could  do  better  work  than  one 
unaccustomed  to  it ;  but  the  promise  was  made  that  I  would 
be  informed  when  the  tunnel  was  completed.  1  immediately 
confided  the  secret  to  my  comrade,  Capt.  Chas.  E.  Howanr 
and  we  began  quietly  to  make  arrangements  for  a  sudden 
change  of  residence.  I  copied  a  little  map  of  the  peninsula, 
and  upon  trifling  excuses  borrowed  or  exchanged  clothing 
more  suitable  for  traveling  in  an  enemy's  country.  In  the 
meantime  we  had  determined  to  watch  the  movements  of 
some  whom  we  knew  to  be  in  the  secret,  and  not  depend 
upon  being  informed  by  any  one  when  the  tunnel  was  com- 
pleted. During  the  night  of  February  8th  we  became  satis- 
fied that  the  enterprise  was  finished,  but  no  attempt  was  made 
to  escape,  although  a  number  of  those  whose  movements  we 
were  watching  did  not  retire  until  very  late.  I  have  been 
informed  since  that  it  was  the  plan  to  open  the  extreme  end 
of  the  tunnel  during  the  night  of  the  8th,  and  that  the  escape 
was  to  have  taken  place.  It  was  really  opened  but,  terrible 
to  relate,  it  was  on  the  wrong  side  of  the  fence,  and  in  plain 
sight  of  the  guards  with  loaded  muskets  ;  the  tunnel  was  not 


PRISONS  AND  PRISONERS.  615 

long  enough,  a  mistake  in  measurement  having  been  made. 
The  opening  was  immediately  closed,  and  the  tunnel  con- 
tinued two  feet,  when  an  opening  was  made  in  a  safe  place. 

According  to  the  statements  made  to  me  by  Col.  Bose 
recently,  the  sensational  part  of  the  above  will  have  to  be 
omitted,  and  yet  part  was  true.  It  was  not  the  intention  to 
make  the  escape  on  the  8th,  but  contrary  to  his  instructions  a 
very  small  opening  was  made  during  that  night,  which  nearly 
jeopardized  the  entire  enterprise.  However,  it  was  remedied 
immediately,  and  no  discovery  made. 

During  the  evening  of  the  9th  it  was  agreed  that  I  should 
watch  operations,  and  at  half  past  nine  o'clock,  most  of  the 
officers  having  retired,  I  visited  the  lower  room,  and  was 
surprised  to  find  at  least  thirty  men  around  the  fire-place, 
rapidly  lowering  themselves  into  the  cellar.  The  exodus  had 
commenced.  Hastily  returning  to  my  friend,  I  communi- 
cated the  fact  to  him,  and  we  were  soon  in  the  crowd  around 
this  first  opening.  We  had  provided  ourselves  with  three  or 
four  loaves  of  prison  bread,  two  or  three  pieces  of  meat,  and 
an  empty  pop  bottle  for  carrying  water.  Around  the  fire- 
place everything  was  conducted  with  terrible  earnestness. 
There  was  very  little  order,  but  it  was  quiet.  We  found  that 
everybody  except  ourselves  belonged  to  some  one's  party,— 
Col.  A.,  or  Col.  B.,  or  Col.  C, —  and  every  one  was  going 
out  first.  It  has  been  said  that  the  managers  of  the  tunnel 
believed  that  not  more  than  one  hundred  among  the  eleven 
hundred  officers  knew  anything  in  regard  to  the  undertaking, 
and  that  it  was  the  plan  for  fifty  to  leave  the  first  night,  and, 
the  prison  clerk  being  deceived  in  regard  to  the  number  of 
men  really  in  prison,  which  had  been  done  before,  fifty  should 
leave  the  second  night,  and  so  on.  The  officer  charged  with 
the  responsibility  of  conducting  the  escape  the  second  night, 
becoming  convinced  that  absolutely  no  control  could  be  exer- 
cised over  the  movements  of  men  escaping  from  prison, 
became  alarmed,  and  made  his  own  escape.  Concerning  the 
above  plan  I  know  nothing ;  but  this  I  do  know,  as  early  as 
half  past  ten  o'clock  in  the  evening, —  the  time  we  arrived  at 
a  point  as  near  the  tire-place  as  the  crowd  would  permit,— 


616  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

there  was  no  order  or  plan.  Everyone  was  for  himself,  and 
my  companion  and  myself  soon  became  part  of  the  crowd, 
and  belonged  to  a  party  that  was  going  out  next  if  possible. 
We  accomplished  our  undertaking  in  just  about  fifteen  min- 
utes. 1  have  always  supposed  that  the  working  party  made 
their  escape  first,  and  that  my  companion  and  myself  were 
numbers  thirty  and  thirty-one  out  of  the  tunnel.  We  pro- 
ceeded somewhat  as  follows :  We  were  now  in  the  midst  of 
some  thirty  or  forty  men,  all  struggling  to  get  past  three 
stoves  and  attain  the  little  opening  in  the  bottom  of  the  fire- 
place. Some  hard  words  were  undoubtedly  said.  We  may 
ourselves  have  possibly  dropped  a  word  not  absolutely  in 
conformity  with  army  regulations  and  the  most  refined  society, 
although  we  had  our  testaments  in  our  pockets,  and  nothing 
but  a  pop  bottle  full  of  water  ; — but  we  were  in  a  hurry, — we 
were  striving  for  freedom,  for  homes,  and  our  regiments  in  the 
field.  In  a  few  minutes  we  were  at  the  fire-place,  and  my 
associate  thrust  his  feet  into  the  opening.  This  rather  pre- 
empted the  position,  and  he  went  down  and  out  of  my  sight. 
Two  or  three  beside  myself  were  struggling  to  be  next.  I 
effected  a  compromise  and  was  second.  In  a  moment  I  was 
in  the  cellar,  and  by  my  predecessor  conducted  to  the  east 
wall  and  to  the  vicinity  of  the  second  opening  or  entrance  to 
the  tunnel.  Here  I  found  my  companion  with  four  others, 
each  one  determined  to  make  the  passage  first.  Another 
compromise  and  I  was  number  three  to  make  the  escape. 
Only  one  man  was  allowed  in  the  tunnel  at  the  same  time, 
on  account,  I  suppose,  of  the  bad  air.  The  exit  of  the  man 
preceding  could  be  easily  determined  by  the  cessation  of  the 
terrible  noise  made  in  forcing  one's  body  through  a  long  nar- 
row shaft,  which  the  tunnel  really  was.  I  had  arrayed  myself 
in  an  army  overcoat,  in  which  I  had  made  two  large  inside 
pockets,  and  placed  a  loaf  of  bread  in  each,  as  I  desired 
to  have  my  hands  and  arms  free  for  any  emergency. 
My  head  and  shoulders  passed  into  the  tunnel  without  trouble, 
but  when  the  enlargement  caused  by  the  bread  engaged,  I 
could  go  no  farther.  I  immediately  pulled  myself  back, 


PRISONS  AND  PRISONERS.  617 

took  oft'  my  overcoat,  and,  pulling  it  behind  me  with  my  right 
•hand,  proceeded  to  worm  myself  through  the  tunnel. 

It  must  be  stated  that  this  was  no  light  and  airy  opening, 
but  a  narrow,  dark  and  damp  hole,  just  large  enough  for  one 
to  pull  himself  through,  and  the  noise  and  racket  produced  by 
one  man  kicking  and  floundering  against  the  walls  of  this  cavern 
were  simply  indescribable.  The  noise  is  comparable  to  the 
working  of  a  steam  fire-engine,  or  cyclone,  or  an  army  reunion. 
The  exact  time  consumed  in  passing  through  I  cannot  say  ;  it 
could  hardly  have  been  more  than  two  or  three  minutes.  We 
had  no  way  of  knowing  when  we  approached  the  external  open- 
ing, but  I  remember  that  the  shaft  seemed  to  change  direction 
abruptly  upwards,  and  it  also  was  more  contracted, —  indeed,  I 
•could  again  proceed  no  farther,  and  stopped.  Some  one  whis- 
pered to  me,  '•  Don't  breathe  so  loud  ;  stop  blowing,"  and  I 
felt  a  hand  which  1  grasped,  and  was  pulled  out  of  the  exter- 
nal opening,  which  was  in  the  open  yard  I  have  described,  on 
the  opposite  side  of  the  fence  from  the  guard.  My  assistant 
proved  to  be  my  companion,  Capt.  Rowan.  We  could  now 
breathe  once  more  the  pure  air  of  heaven,  but  our  dangers 
were  by  no  means  passed.  We  were  in  direct  proximity  to 
the  guard,  and  in  the  midst  of  the  Confederate  capital.  We 
<;rept  very  cautiously  behind  the  fence  into  the  open  carriage- 
way toward  the  canal,  for  once  there,  we  were  for  the  time 
out  of  sight  of  the  guards.  It  has  been  supposed  by  many 
that  those  of  us  who  escaped  organized  into  parties  for  protec- 
tion, and  that  we  journeyed  in  considerable  numbers.  Not 
so.  It  was  necessary  to  pass  from  the  vicinity  of  the  prison 
singly  or  by  twos,  in  order  to  avoid  suspicion,  and  it  would 
have  been  absolutely  impossible  for  any  number  to  have  kept 
together.  All  those  who  had  escaped  before  us  had  disap- 
peared except  one.  He  communicated  the  manner  of  pro- 
ceeding to  escape  from  the  vicinity  of  the  prison,  which  had 
been  successful  up  to  this  time,  by  those  preceding  us,  and 
then  he  passed  out.  We  communicated  the  plan  to  the  next 
party,  and  so  every  one  had  the  benefit  of  the  experience  of 
the  one  preceding  him.  We  were  in  the  carriage-way,  front- 
ing the  canal ;  four  guards  were  slowly  pacing  along  the  south 


618  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'rn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

side  of  the  prison.  One  guard  on  the  east  of  course  met 
his  fellow  at  the  southeast  corner,  and  the  same  was  true 
at  the  southwest  corner.  We  were  then  less  than  three 
hundred  feet  from  six  armed  men,  whose  duty  it  was  to  shoot 
us  if  they  observed  our  movements.  From  our  shadowed 
position  in  the  carriage-way  we  could  look  up  and  down  the 
street,  and  choosing  a  moment  when  it  was  comparatively 
clear,  we  passed  out  and  walked  slowly  and  deliberately  down 
the  canal, — in  full  view  of  the  guards,  remember, —  but, 
assuming  the  manners  of  those  walking  in  the  streets  who  had 
the  right  to  do  so,  we  were  either  not  seen  by  the  guards,  or, 
if  seen,  supposed  to  be  citizens.  This  was  one  of  the  most 
dangerous  points  we  passed  during  the  escape,  and  in  many 
respects  the  most  wonderful.  How  these  guards  could  stand 
there  and  see  the  number  of  persons  on  Canal  street  walking 
away  from  them, and  none  passing, and  not  have  their  suspicions 
aroused,  is  almost  a  miracle.  The  guards  were  also  relieved 
once  or  twice  every  night,  and  new  men  must  have  observed 
the  unusual  activity  on  that  obscure  street  during  that  entire 
night.  One  hundred  and  nine  men  passed  out,  and  not  one, 
as  far  as  I  am  informed,  was  even  halted  by  the  prison  guards. 
We  walked  probably  two  blocks  on  Canal  street,  and  then 
turned  abruptly  to  the  left,  and  were  for  the  first  time  out  of 
range  of  the  guards'  muskets.  Of  course  we  took  a  long 
breath,  for,  although  I  do  not  remember  that  the  matter  of 
being  shot  was  spoken  of, — and  certainly  we  evinced  no  fear  of 
danger  to  each  other, —  when  we  were  beyond  the  range  of 
those  guns,  there  escaped  from  us  an  expression  of  relief. 

Continuing  our  course  to  the  left  one  block,  we  came  to 
Carey  street,  which  was  brilliantly  lighted,  and  many  of  the 
shops  were  still  open.  We  observed  quite  a  group  of  soldiers 
walking  in  front  of  us,  talking  and  laughing,  and  several 
others,  who  apparently  belonged  to  the  same  party,  soon 
came  up.  They  were  evidently  going  out  to  some  Rebel 
camp,  after  spending  the  evening  in  the  city.  We  mingled 
freely  with  them, —  talking  to  ourselves  on  subjects  similar 
to  those  we  observed  they  were  discussing.  We  avoided 
coming  in  direct  contact  with  them,  however,  and,  gradually,. 


PRISONS  AND  PRISONERS. 

as  we  approached  the  outskirts  of  the  city,  allowed  them  to 
pass  us,  until  at  last,  after  being  in  their  company  probably 
half  an  hour,  we  found  ourselves  alone  on  the  Charles  City 
Railroad,  about  one  mile  to  the  east  or  north-east  of  Rich- 
mond. We  had,  up  to  this  time,  made  no  plans  for  our  jour- 
ney. We  had  said  to  each  other  we  will,  if  possible,  escape 
from  the  prison  and  gain  some  point  outside  the  city,  going 
in  the  direction  that  presents  the  fewest  obstables  ;  then  we 
will  decide  upon  a  plan  for  the  future.  We  knew  something 
of  the  position  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  We  knew  that 
West  Virginia  was  mountainous,  and  that  a  trip  in  that  direc- 
tion would  consume  weeks,  perhaps  months,  and  we  knew 
that  our  forces  occupied  Fortress  Monroe,  with  outposts  some 
distance  up  the  peninsula.  We  decided  at  once  to  attempt  to 
make  the  latter  point,  and  with  nothing  but  the  polar  star  to 
guide  us,  we  started.  We  had  concluded  to  travel  nights  and 
secrete  ourselves  during  the  daytime,  and  toward  daylight  we 
selected  a  place  in  a  swamp,  about  five  miles  from  Richmond, 
as  we  supposed,  and  by  arranging  brush  and  evergreens,  pre- 
pared a  place  for  concealment.  We  could  hear  distinctly  the 
reveille  in  the  camps  around  the  city,  but  we  were  not  dis- 
turbed that  day. 

Our  escape  through  the  fortifications  around  Richmond 
was  made  without  any  great  difficulty.  We  really  crawled  on 
the  ground  a  great  part  of  the  first  night,  stopping  every  few 
minutes  and  scanning  every  bush  and  tree,  where,  from  pre- 
vious experience,  we  would  expect  a  picket  to  be  posted  or  a 
scout  secreted.  The  following  day  was  occupied  in  maturing 
our  plans  for  the  journey,  and  devising  schemes  to  meet 
emergencies  which  might  arise.  We  also  divided  the  bread 
and  meat  we  had  managed  to  escape  with,  into  six  parts, 
expecting  that  our  journey  would  consume  six  days,  and 
agreed  to  eat  only  a  daily  portion,  knowing  well  that  we 
would  need  as  much  the  sixth  as  the  first  day. 

The  second  night  we  traveled  a  little  south  of  east,  and 
toward  morning,  being  somewhat  in  doubt  as  to  our  where- 
abouts, we  approached  a  small  cabin,  which  we  supposed  to- 
be  occupied  by  a  negro.  We  were  correct  in  our  opinion, 


620  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

and  he  gave  us  some  general  directions,  and  a  small  piece  of 
corn  bread, —  it  was  all  he  had.  We  suffered  greatly  during 
the  day,  when  in  our  places  of  concealment,  from  the  cold. 
We  avoided  all  roads,  and  pushed  directly  through  swamps 
and  tall  briars,  so  that  by  morning  our  clothes  would  be 
thoroughly  wet  and  considerably  torn.  We  would  then 
secrete  ourselves,  and  with  our  wet  clothing  clinging  to  us, 
the  cold  air  caused  us  to  suffer  severely. 

We  had  anticipated  great  trouble  in  crossing  the  Chicka- 
hominy  River,  as  my  companion  could  not  swim,  and  I  had 
no  desire  to  engage  in  that  pastime  in  the  middle  of  February, 
and  with  our  then  present  surroundings. 

Toward  the  morning  of  the  third  night,  we  reached  what 
we  supposed  to  be  a  swamp,  and  concluded  to  stop  on  its 
banks  until  early  light,  and  then  pass  through  it.  We 
rested  under  a  tree  and  went  to  sleep.  Imagine  our  surprise, 
upon  awakening,  to  find  ourselves  on  the  Chickahominy,  and 
also  to  find  within  a  few  feet  of  where  we  rested,  a  large 
tree,  which  had  been  blown  down  and  across  the  narrow, 
rapid  stream,  making  for  us  a  complete  bridge..  It  was  the 
work  of  only  a  few  moments  to  pass  the  point  where  we  had 
expected  to  find  our  greatest  difficulty. 

During  the  fourth  night  out,  finding  that  our  strength  was 
becoming  somewhat  exhausted,  we  planned  to  approach  a 
farm-house  and  confiscate  a  chicken,  which  we  intended  to 
eat  raw.  We  felt  the  need  of  a  change  of  diet.  The  bread 
and  meat  we  had  expected  to  last  for  six  days  had  disappeared, 
and  the  water,  of  which  we  took  large  quantities,  did  not  seem 
to  strengthen  us  for  our  severe  march  at  night  and  the  terrible 
-cold  of  the  day.  We  had  kept  the  pop  bottle  which  we  had 
when  we  started,  and  at  every  little  stream  crossed,  we  would 
not  only  drink  large  quantities,  but  fill  the  bottle,  as  the 
water  seemed  to  revive  us  somewhat  till  the  next  stream  was 
reached.  While  we  were  reconnoitering  the  out-buildings  of 
a  farm-house  for  the  chicken  I  have  mentioned  above,  we 
were  discovered  by  a  negro.  He  knew  at  once  who  we  were, 
and  said  we  were  "Yankee  officers,  'scaped  from  prison," 
but  he  gave  us  such  assurance  of  sympathy  and  help  that  we 


PRISONS  AND  PRISON KKS. 

trusted  him  at  once.  We  were  taken  immediately  to  his 
cabin,  and  were  soon  before  a  blazing  tire  in  an  old-fashioned 
tire-place.  A  guard  of  colored  people  were  posted  to  prevent 
surprise,  and  the  mother  of  the  family  began  to  prepare  us 
something  to  eat.  How  the  panes  of  corn-bread,  shaped  in 
the  old  granny's  hands,  and  baked  in  the  ashes  before  us,  dis 
appeared,  and  how  delicious  was  that  meat, —  I  have  always 
thought  it  was  stolen  expressly  for  us,  from  the  slave-holders' 
pantry.  And  the  cabbage,  fried  in  a  skillet !  No  Grand 
Pacific  Hotel  bill  of  fare  ever  equaled  that  meal.  We  were 
thoroughly  wanned  and  well  fed,  and  started  out  with  new 
courage  and  definite  directions  in  regard  to  our  route. 

One  of  our  greatest  fears  throughout  the  entire  journey 
was  from  dogs,  it  seemed  as  if  the  country  was  full  of 
them.  One  of  these  animals  would  commence  to  bark  a  little 
to  our  left,  another  over  to  our  right,  and  then  one  directly 
in  our  path,  and  then  they  would  all  bark.  It  is  no  exagger- 
ation when  I  say  that  it  seemed  as  if  there  were  a  hundred 
thousand  dogs  on  that  peninsula.  We  avoided  them,  by 
deflecting  from  our  course  many,  many  times. 

During  the  fifth  day  we  suffered  greatly  on  account  of  our 
exposed  position  for  concealment,  and  to  add  to  our  discom- 
fort, it  commenced  to  snow  shortly  after  noon.  About  four 
o'clock,  unable  to  remain  quiet,  we  started  on  our  way,  the 
snow  falling  rapidly,  and  thawing  quite  as  fast,  making  it 
very  difficult  to  travel.  We  were  deprived  of  our  only  safe 
and  constant  guide,  the  North  Star,  and  after  proceeding  till 
nearly  dark,  we  came  to  the  exact  spot  whence  we  had  started 
two  hours  before.  We  were  exceedingly  discouraged,  very 
tired,  cold,  wet  and  hungry.  Just  at  this  time  we  saw  a  one- 
horse  covered  cart  approaching,  and  supposing  its  occupant 
was  one  of  our  colored  friends,  we  halted  him,  but  to  our  dis- 
may found  it  was  a  white  man.  We  told  him  we  were  Con- 
federate scouts,  and  desired  information  as  to  the  position  of 
the  Yankees.  A  few  minutes'  conversation,  however,  con- 
vinced us  that  he  was  a  Union  man  and  our  friend.  He  gave 
us  valuable  information  in  regard  to  roads  ;  where  to  find  a 
negro  family  who  had  the  means  to  furnish  us  some  food, 


#'22  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

and  also  assured  us  that  in  all  probability  we  would  come  in 
contact  with  some  of  our  troops  if  we  eluded  the  rebel  scouts 
during  the  next  twenty-four  hours.  He  informed  us,  how- 
ever, as  did  the  colored  man  who  at  midnight  gave  us  a  good, 
substantial  meal  of  corn-bread,  pork  and  rye  coffee,  that  we 
were  on  very  dangerous  ground,  the  scouting  ground  between 
both  armies, —  a  place  full  of  guerillas  and  bushwhackers. 
We  traveled  very  cautiously  and  met  with  an  exceedingly 
vexatious  delay  in  crossing  a  river,  concerning  which  we  knew 
nothing,  but  called  by  the  negroes  the  Diascon. 

At  this  time  in  our  journey,  the  sixth  night  since  our 
escape,  and  at  a  time  when  we  were  almost  within  our  own 
lines,  the  strength  and  heroism  and  capacity  to  direct  and 
decide,  which  were  all  virtues  of  my  companion,  all  at  once 
seemed  to  disappear.  From  the  terrible  mental  and  physical 
exertions  of  the  week,  from  exposure  to  cold  and  suffering 
from  hunger  he  became  absolutely  prostrate.  He  had  had 
experience  in  an  attempt  to  escape  when  in  Georgia,  before 
he  arrived  in  Libby,  and  he  had  really  decided  most  of  our 
movements  until  now.  Not  only  was  he  prostrate,  but  he 
was  indifferent.  I  urged  him  forward  with  all  the  powers  of 
persuasion  left,  but  a  little  before  daylight  we  were  obliged  to 
stop  and  rest.  At  sunrise  we  concluded  to  travel  during  the 
forenoon,  as  we  were  confident  our  troops  must  be  near  us, 
and  as  the  country  was  more  open  and  exposed,  the  facilities 
were  not  as  good  for  concealment  during  the  day.  In  fact, 
it  was  the  last  effort  we  could  make,  and  for  the  first  time  we 
traveled  in  a  road.  About  nine  o'clock  there  suddenly 
appeared,  as  a  curve  in  the  road  was  attained,  a  squad  of  cav- 
alry, a  few  hundred  yards  in  our  advance.  We  recognized 
them  at  once  as  our  own  men,  and  knew  that  we  were  safe. 

It  is  impossible  to  express  in  appropriate  words  our  feel- 
ings at  that  time, —  indeed,  I  doubt  my  ability  to  do  so.  No 
words  of  mine  could  form  a  fitting  peroration  to  that  event, 
commencing  at  the  terrible  battle  of  Chickamauga,  and  end- 
ing with  an  escape  from  military  prison, —  a  battle,  than 
which  none  could  be  more  bravely  fought,  in  which  scores  of 
my  young  friends  went  down,  schoolmates  and  neighbors 


PRISONS  AND  PRISONERS.  623 

the  anxiety  and  solicitude  of  that  picket  duty,  the  thousand 
mile  trip  to  a  Confederate  prison,  the  joys  and  sorrows,  the 
hopes  and  disappointments,  the  waitings  and  watchings 
while  incarcerated,  and  the  days  and  nights  of  peril  and  suf- 
ferings and  cold  and  hunger,  the  swamps  and  briar  thickets, 
the  anticipation  of  success  and  the  despair  at  the  thought  of 
recapture ;  all  this,  and,  finally,  freedom  and  home  and 
friends, —  what  words  can  express  it  all? 

A  few  words  and  I  have  finished.  We  came  into  our  lines 
a  few  miles  from  Williamsburg.  Some  of  the  escaped  officers 
reached  our  lines  the  third  day  out  from  Richmond,  and  Gen. 
Butler,  who  was  at  that  time  commandant  at  Fortress  Mon- 
roe, sent  out,  on  alternate  days,  the  llth  Pennsylvania  Cav- 
alry and  the  1st  New  York  Rifles  to  drive  back  the  enemy, 
and  to  patrol  the  country  with  tall  guidons  to  attract  the 
notice  of  the  escaping  prisoners.  The  1st  New  York  Rifles 
were  our  deliverers.  No  one  can  describe  the  kindness 
shown  to  us  by  this  body  of  men.  Every  attention  was  show- 
ered upon  us.  We  were  banqueted  at  Company  A's  head- 
quarters, and  feted  at  Company  B's,  and  banqueted  again  at 
Company  C's,  and  so  on. 

As  soon  as  possible  we  reported  at  Washington.  Every 
paper  was  full  of  the  escape  from  Libby.  Fifty-five  out  of 
one  hundred  and  nine  reached  our  lines  ;  the  others  were 
recaptured.  We  were  ordered  to  rejoin  our  respective  regi- 
ments, permission  being  given  to  delay  reporting  for  thirty 
days.  Flying  visits  were  made  to  friends,  and  then  we  were 
back  to  go  over  nearly  the  same  ground,  although  under 
different  circumstances,  as  we  participated  in  the  Atlanta 
campaign. 


624:  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'fH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 


CHAPTKR  XXXV. 


DETACHED  SERVICE. 

BY  CAPTAIN  AND   BREVET   MAJOR   WILLIAM   M.  LOUGHL1N. 

The  Pioneer  Battalion — Causes  Leading  to  its  Organization — Nature  of 
the  Service  Required — A  Building  Blown  Up — Building  Bridges  and 
Forts — A  Reconnoissance — How  Swan  Pond  was  Crossed — The  Cum- 
berland Pontoon — A  Valuable  Invention — Building  Block  Houses— 
Formally  Transferred — The  Roster. 

It  is  doubtful  whether,  at  any  time,  the  term  "detached 
service"  ever  had  a  more  general  application  than  in  the 
armies  of  the  United  States  during  the  War  of  the  Rebellion. 
The  years  of  profound  peace  which  preceded  that  war,  and  the 
almost  exclusive  attention  of  the  people  of  the  loyal  States  to 
the  development  of  their  mechanical,  agricultural  and  commer- 
cial interests  left  them  little  time,  and  less  inclination  for  the 
study  of  the  art  of  war.  As  a  result  of  this  condition,  military 
knowledge,  except  to  a  very  limited  extent,  was  confined  to  the 
graduates  of  our  military  schools.  These  men,  who  in  after 
years  honored  themselves  and  their  country  by  their  splendid 
military  achievements,  had,  up  to  this  time,  no  better  field  of 
practice  than  such  opportunities  as  garrison  and  frontier  duty 
furnished.  All  classes,  therefore,  had  from  necessity,  much 
to  learn,  the  officers  how  to  organize  and  direct  the  forces 
placed  at  their  disposal,  the  recruit,  the  duty  of  the  soldier  in 
active  service  with  all  which  that  implies.  These  things 
meant,  in  this  instance,  the  selection  and  instruction  of  com- 
pany, battalion,  brigade  and  division  commanders  for  an  army 
of  a  million  men,  and  the  drill  and  equipment  of  that  vast 
number  of  soldiers.  That  the  lessons  were  well  learned,  the 
successful  operations  of  the  splendid  armies  thus  formed  have 
fully  established. 

In  the  report  of  the  Adjutant  General  of  this  State,  only 
such  details  as  become  permanent  transfers  were  recorded, 


WM.   M.   LOUGHLIN. 

CAPT.  1ST     U.   S.   VET.   VOL.   ENGINEERS, 

.  FORMERLY  1ST.  LIEUT.  CO.  O  96TH  ILL.  INFTRV. 


THE  PIONEER  BATTALION.  625 

and  while  there  were  but  a  small  part  of  the  actual  details, 
they  furnished  some  evidence  of  the  amount  of  the  service 
required  and  performed.  The  total  number  of  enlisted  men 
transferred  from  the  NINETY-SIXTH  ILLINOIS,  as  per  Adjutant 
General's  report,  independent  of  the  transfer  of  recruits,  was 
sixty-nine  (69),  viz. : 

To  Veteran  Reserve  Corps, 34    At  various  times. 

U.  8.  Vet.  Vol.  Engineers 22    April  7,  1863. 

Company  B  to  D 1 

1  each  to  Companies E,  G  and  H. .    3    21st  Illinois. 

92nd  Illinois, 2 

Accept  Com.  in  U.  8.  C.  Troops. .     6 

Signal  Corps 2 

3d  Missouri  Cavalry 1 

Marine  Brigade 1 

Total 72 

The  twenty-two  men  here  credited  to  the  U.  S.  V.  V. 
Engineers  were  originally  detailed  as  Pioneers,  and  as  such 
were  still  members  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  ILLINOIS.  Only  as 
such  will  their  service  be  noted  in  this  review  of  their  opera- 
tions, for  after  their  transfer  to  the  1st  TJ.  S.  V.  V.  Engineers, 
they  ceased  to  be  on  detached  service. 

As  it  is  impossible,  in  such  a  brief  paper  as  this  must  be, 
to  even  sketch,  with  any  satisfaction,  the  service  of  the  various 
detachments  sent  from  this  Regiment  during  its  term  of 
service,  I  shall  confine  my  statements  to  a  review  of  the  serv- 
ice rendered  by  the  Pioneer  detachment,  which  I  had  the 
honor  to  command,  it  being  the  largest  body  sent  from  the 
Regiment  at  any  one  time  for  special  duty. 

To  more  fully  understand  the  nature  of  their  service, 
some  mention  of  the  reason  for  the  organization,  and  the 
order  under  which  it  was  formed,  seems  necessary. 

Shortly  after  taking  command  of  the  Army  of  the  Cum- 
berland, Gen.  Rosecrans,  and  the  officers  acting  with  him, 
became  satisfied  that  the  efficiency  of  the  army  would  be 
greatly  increased  by  the  formation  of  a  Brigade  of  skilled 
mechanics,  selected  from  the  various  regiments,  and  under 
the  immediate  command  of  the  Chief  Engineer,  trained  for 
pontoon,  pioneer  and  engineer  service.  For  this  purpose  a 
40 


626  HISTORY  OF  THE  96iH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

General  Order  (No.  3,  Series  1863)  was  issued,  requiring  each 
regimental  commander  to  detail  one  officer,  two  non-commis- 
sioned officers  and  twenty  men  from  their  several  commands, 
—  the  men  to  be  selected  for  their  superior  skill  and  natural 
adaptation  for  the  work,  and  the  officer  for  his  courage  and 
enterprise,  as  well  as  his  experience  and  ability.  These 
detachments  were  directed  to  report  to  the  Chief  Engineer, 
and,  after  being  inspected  and  approved  by  him,  were  formed 
into  companies  and  battalions. 

The  NINETY-SIXTH  ILLINOIS,  with  the  Army  of  Kentucky, 
to  which  it  was  attached,  was  transferred  from  Kentucky  to 
Nashville,  Tenn.,  in  February,  1863,  and  a  short  time  after- 
ward was  united  with  and  made  a  part  of  the  Army  of  the 
Cumberland,  and  under  the  order  above  described  furnished 
regimental  details  for  the  Pioneer  Brigade.  These  details 
were  made  April  7,  1863,  and  required  the  detachment  to 
report  on  the  day  following  at  Franklin,  Tenn.,  to  Capt.  Wil- 
liam E.  Merrill,  Chief  Engineer  of  the  Army  of  Kentucky,  by 
whom  they  were  inspected  and  organized  as  the  4th  Battalion 
Pioneers.  The  detachment  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  with  that 
from  the  78th  and  92d  Illinois,  formed  Company  B  of  that 
Battalion,  with  First  Lieutenant  William  M.  Loughlin  in  com- 
mand. The  Battalion  was  immediately  assigned  to  duty  in 
the  construction  of  Fort  Granger,  on  the  right  bank  of  the 
Harpeth  river,  opposite  and  commanding  the  town  of  Frank- 
lin, Tenn.  They  had  hardly  commenced  work  there  when 
the  Confederate  General  Yan  Dorn,  with  a  large  force  of  cav- 
alry and  artillery,  made  a  spirited  attack  (April  10,  1863)  on 
our  forces,  driving  in  our  pickets  and  taking  possession  of  the 
principal  part  of  the  town,  which  they  held  for  some  time,  but 
were  finally  driven  off  after  a  sharp  engagement,  with  serious 
loss  to  them. 

An  incident  in  this  fight  furnishes  additional  proof  of  the 
declaration  so  often  made  by  our  generals,  and  especially  by 
Gen.  Grant  (1  vol.  Memoirs,  p.  468),  viz.:  That  "the  Yankee 
soldier  was  equal  to  any  emergency."  The  enemy  having 
taken  possession  of  the  town,  commenced,  under  cover  of  a 
large  brick  mill,  to  annoy  our  bridge  guards  and  threaten  the 


.    .        ,  BLOWING  UP  OF  BUILDING.  62T 

river  crossing  on  our  front.  How  to. remove  the  building 
which  afforded  this  shelter  was  the  important  question,  Capt. 
William  E.  Merrill,  then  Chief  Engineer,  Army  of  Kentucky, 
called  the  attention  of  Lieutenant  Loughlin  to  the  situation, 
and  expressed  a  wish  for  men  capable  of  blowing  up  the 
structure  with  ordinary  gunpowder.  The  Lieutenant  stated 
that  he  could  find  the  men  to  do  the  work  if  the  Captain,  could 
furnish  the  tools  and  materials.  He  was  ordered  to  furnish 
the  men,  and  at  once  rode  to  the  camp  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH 
ILLINOIS,  knowing  as  he  did  that  the  Regiment  contained  six 
companies  from  Jo  Daviess  County,  on  the  rolls  of  which  were 
many  men  experienced  and  skilled  as  lead  miners.  Colonel 
Champion,  as  soon  as  the  matter  was  explained  to  him, 
directed  Lieutenant  Robert  Pool  to  make  selection  of  the 
men,  take  charge  of  the  detail,  and  report  to  Capt.  William 
E.  Merrill.  The  latter  had  the  fuses  prepared,  and  procured 
the  necessary  powder  by  unloading  shells.  The  buildings 
were  successfully  mined  and  fired,  and  in  a  brief  time,  to  the 
surprise  and  gratification  of  our  army,  it  was  a  mass  of  ruins. 
The  enemy  retreated  from  the  town,  and  Gen.  Baird's  division, 
to  which  the  NINETY-SIXTH  ILLINOIS  belonged,  was  sent  across 
the  river  in  pursuit. 

But  few  men  of  the  Regiment  knew  then,  or  since,  for 
that  matter,  that  a  detachment  of  their  own  Regiment  had 
thus  opened  the  way;  but  none  the  less  was  the  credit  due  the 
Regiment  as  a  whole,  for  a  true  account  of  its  work  will  regard 
all  the  acts  of  its  members,  whether  those  of  individuals,  com- 
panies or  battalions,  and  which  go  to  make  up  the  sum  of  its 
usefulness  in  a  military  way.  For  this  reason  the  history  of 
the  Battalion  is  substantially  the  history  of  the  detachment 
or  companies  of  which  it  was  composed. 

After  the  completion  of  the  fortification  at  Franklin, 
Tenn.,  June  2,  1863,  the  Battalion  marched  to  Triune,  Tenn., 
the  headquarters  of  the  Corps,  and  from  this  time  up  to  the 
capture  of  Shelby ville  and  the  occupancy  of  Wartrace,  Tenn., 
the}7  took  part,  under  the  direction  of  Lieutenant  Loughlin  as 
construction  officer,  in  all  the  operations  of  the  Reserve  Corps 
(formerly  Army  of  Kentucky),  and  which  then  formed  the 


628  HISTORY  OF  THE  96™  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

right  wing  of  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland.  In  the  Tulla- 
homa  campaign  it  was  always  at  the  front,  wherever  pioneer 
or  engineer  service  was  required.  At  Wartrace  a  depot  of 
supplies  had  been  established,  and  the  Battalion  was  directed 
to  construct  suitable  defenses  for  the  same.  Before  this  work 
was  completed,  however,  they  were  ordered  back  to  Franklin, 
Tenn.,  to  rebuild  the  railroad  bridge  across  the  Harpeth  riverr 
which  had  been  carried  away  by  an  unusual  flood,  resulting 
from  the  heavy  and  almost  incessant  rains  which  prevailed 
during  that  campaign. 

The  work  was  completed  so  entirely  to  the  satisfaction  of 
the  District  Commander,  that  a  special  request  was  made  of 
the  Department  Commander  to  allow  the  Battalion  to  con- 
struct other  bridges  between  Franklin  and  Columbia,  Tenn. 
The  request  was  granted,  and  the  Battalion  continued  on  this 
work  until  January,  1864,  when,  after  completing  the  last 
bridge  north  of  Columbia  (at  Rutherford's  creek),  they  were 
ordered  to  Athens,  Ala.,  to  construct  the  railroad  bridges 
across  Swan  creek,  nine  miles  south  of  that  city.  Some 
knowledge  of  the  character  and  value  of  the  service  rendered 
by  this  command  can  be  obtained  from  the  following  extract 
from  my  report  as  commander  of  the  Battalion  at  the  com- 
pletion of  this  work  : 

*  *  *  *  The  4th  Battalion  Pioneers  left  Columbia, 
Tenn.,  January  17,  1864,  for  Athens.  Ala.;  marched  the  entire  distance 
via  Pulaski  and  Elkton,  between  ninety  and  one  hundred  miles  ;  built  two 
railroad  bridges  across  separate  branches  of  Swan  creek,  whose  united 
length  was  over  640  feet,  taking  the  timber  from  the  forest,  and  after 
completing  the  same  started  for  Chattanooga,  February  17,  1864. 

This  was  done  in  mid-winter,  with  only  four  small  companies,  whose 
total  effective  strength  was  less  than  200  men,  and  doing  our  own  guard 
and  picket  duty  nine  miles  in  advance  of  any  supporting  force,  and  only 
four  and  one-half  miles  north  of  Decatur,  Ala.,  then  held  in  force  by  the 
enemy.  The  necessity  for  extreme  care  on  our  part  to  prevent  being 
surprised  is  evidenced  by  the  fact  that  during  our  operations  there  Gen. 
Roddy,  with  several  regiments  of  Confederate  troops,  infantry  and  cav- 
alry, crossed  the  Tennessee  river  just  below  us,  passed  to  our  right  and 
rear,  attacked  and  captured  the  town  of  Athens,  Ala.,  and  destroyed 
large  quantities  of  supplies,  but  were  forced  to  make  a  hurried  retreat  by 
the  vigorous  and  persistent  attacks  of  Col.  Phillips,  with  his  regiment, 
the  9th  Illinois  Mounted  Infantry,  and  the  92d  Illinois  Mounted  Infantry, 
under  Col.  Smith  D.  Atkins. 


SERGEANT  LEE'S  BRAVERY.  629 

One  of  the  most  unfortunate  results  of  the  expedition  above  referred 
<to  was  the  pain  and  anxiety  of  our  friends  at  home,  caused  by  reports  in 
the  northern  press,  which  had  us  all  either  killed  or  captured. 

I  will  give  a  single  incident,  which  will  convey  some  idea  of 
the  duty  required,  and  the  prowess  and  courage  that  was  equal 
to  every  demand.  Shortly  after  reaching  Swan  creek  I  took 
Lieut.  Warren,  84th  Indiana,  Sergeant  J.  C.  Lee,  NINETY-SIXTH 
ILLINOIS,  and  ten  other  men,  and  started  for  Decatur,  Ala., 
iollowing  the  railroad,  to  ascertain,  if  possible  what  might  be 
expected  from  the  movement  of  troops  from  that  direction,  the 
-country  there  being  about  equally  divided  between  large  fields 
.and  large  bodies  of  heavy  timber.  After  traveling  about  four 
miles  we  came  to  a  body  of  water,  about  600  feet  across, 
formerly  spanned  by  an  iron  truss  railroad  bridge.  At  that 
time  nothing  remained  but  the  stone  piers,  nine  in  number, 
•which  stood  some  eighteen  feet  above  the  water,  and  the  rail- 
road iron  stretching  from  pier  to  pier.  The  ties  and  every 
other  semblance  of  bridge  and  track  were  gone.  The  rails 
ragged  by  their  weight  almost  to  the  water  between  the  piers, 
and  offered  no  apparent  means  of  transit.  The  scouts  had 
ireported  this  to  be  the  Tennessee  river,  but  we  knew  it  was 
not  wide  enough  for  that  stream.  To  find  the  Tennessee  we 
must  cross  this,  but  how,  was  the  question.  All  around  was 
forest,  but  no  timber  suitable  to  build  a  raft  could  be  found. 
•On  the  opposite  shore  a  canoe  was  seen,  drawn  up  on  the 
Taank.  Sergeant  Lee  started  for  it  on  one  of  the  suspended 
railroad  irons,  sliding  down  to  the  centre,  and  then,  by  his 
superior  muscular  power,  climbing  up  the  smooth  iron  to  the 
next  pier,  and  repeating  the  operation  over  again.  Every 
•eye  was  directed  to  the  opposite  side,  and  every  rifle  ready, 
but  no  foe  appeared,  and  the  intrepid  soldier  made  the  cross- 
ing, launched  the  canoe,  and  by  it  we  gained  the  other  side  two 
.at  a  time.  Eight  of  the  party,  with  Lieut.  Warren  and  myself, 
tmoved  on  to  Decatur,  a  march  of  one-half  or  three-quarters  of 
.a  mile  bringing  us  to  the  bank  of  the  Tennessee. 

In  front  of  that  town  we  deployed  as  skirmishers  ;  the  long 
roll  was  sounded  on  our  appearance,  and  the  busy  street  was 
><3eserted.  Even  boats  in  the  river  were  abandoned  as  soon 


630  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT^  IiiL.  V.  I. 

as  they  were  beached,  and  everybody  took  to  cover.  We  had 
no  desire  to  report  our  actual  strength  and  limited '  transpor- 
tation, and  therefore  quietly  withdrew.  The  object  of  our 
expedition  had  been  fully  attained.  We  learned  that -the 
body  of  water  crossed  by  us  was  Swan  pond,  a  lagoon  or 
bayou,  running  parallel  to  the  Tennessee  river,  and,  under 
the  circumstances,  of  more  benefit  to  us  than  to  the  enemy. 
All  the  men  of  that  expedition  deserve  special  mention  for 
cool,  unflinching  courage  and  promptness  in  action,  and  I  sin- 
cerely regret  that  at  this  time  I  can  recall  the  names  of  but 
two  others, —  Charles  Phillips  and  Andrew  J.  Dimmick. 

A  march  of  two  daya  brought  the  Battalion  from  Swan- 
Creek  to  Huntsville,  Alabama,  where  we  took  cars  to  Chatta- 
nooga, and,  after  being  separated  for  several  mouths,  found 
ourselves  again  with  the  Army  of  the  Cumberland,  which  was 
then  preparing  for  the  Atlanta  campaign. 

Among  the  leading  questions  under  consideration  by  the 
officers  of  that  department  were  railroad  defenses  and 
improved  pontoon  bridge  equipments.  At  that  time  the  only 
bridge  boats  in  use  for  field  service  were  the  French  batteau,  a 
wooden  boat,  known  in  our  army  as  the  Cincinnati  pontoon, 
and  the  Russian  pontoon,  a  canvas  boat, —  each  twenty  two 
feet  long,  and  requiring  a  long-geared  wagon  to  transport 
them.  This  was  a  serious  defect,  for  in  a  rough,  mountain- 
ous country  such  wagons  were  always  breaking,  and  the 
progress  of  the  army  delayed. 

Several  alterations  had  been  suggested  in  the  construction 
of  pontoon  boats,  but  none  had  been  adopted.  Colonel  (then 
Captain)  Wm.  E.  Merrill,  Chief  Engineer,  Army  of  the  Cum- 
berland, had  recommended  the  construction  of  boat-sides  for- 
canvas  boats  with  a  hinge  in  the  centre,  so  that  they  might 
be  folded,  and  loaded  into  an  ordinary  army  wagon.  This 
idea  was  generally  approved,  and  an  order  was  issued  detail- 
ing Capt.  P.  O'Connell,  1st  Ohio  Infantry,  and  fifty  men  of 
the  Pioneer  Brigade  to  go  to  Nashville,  Tenn.,  and  after  con- 
sultation with  Lieut.  James  R.  Willett,  the  Acting  Engineer 
officer  in  charge  of  the  shops  there,  to  construct  a  boat  frame 
with  the  hinge  coupling,  and  with  such  other  modifications  as 


THE    CuMBEELAND   PONTOON.  631 

might  seem  advisable.  After  being  fully  advised  of  their 
duty,  I  was  called  upon  to  furnish  twenty-five  men  for  this 
detail,  which  I  did,  placing  them  in  charge  of  Sergeant  J.  C. 
Lee,  with  Isbon  Gleason  as  assistant.  On  their  arrival  at 
Nashville,  Lieutenant  Willett  furnished  them  a  plan  for  a  boat 
side  which  was  a  slight  modification  of  the  Russian,  adjusted 
to  the  hinge.  Sergeant  Lee  asked  and  obtained  permission 
to  make  a  plan  which  changed  the  structure  in  many  particu- 
lars, and,  though  increasing  .the  number  of  braces  and  bed- 
timbers,  it  reduced  their  size  and  weight,  without  impairing 
the  strength  of  the  boat,  by  using  horizontal  as  well  as  verti- 
cal iron  tie-rods.  Lee's  plan  was  adopted  (both  of  the  plans 
are  now  in  my  possession),  and  the  first  boat  built  stood  the 
test  so  satisfactorily  that  orders  were  given  to  construct 
a  train  of  fifty  boats  for  immediate  use.  They  were  built  and 
equipped,  and  Captain  P.  O'Connell  took  them  to  the  front, 
taking  Sergeant  Lee  and  his  detail  with  him  to  instruct  the 
pontooniers  how  to  put  them  together  and  use  them.  The 
first  bridge  of  these  boats  was  laid  across  the  Etowah,  near 
Kesaca,  in  the  Atlanta  campaign,  and  gave  general  satisfac- 
tion. At  Kingston,  Ga.,  Captain  O'Connell  was  taken  sick, 
and  Sergeant  Lee  was  left  in  charge,  and  remained  in  charge 
until  the  pontoon  service  of  that  army  was  turned  over  to  Col. 
G.  P.  Buel,  58th  Indiana,  who  from  that  time  had  charge  of 
the  pontoon  service  in  Sherman's  army,  and  used  for  bridge 
purposes  this  boat  only  which  Lieut.  Willett  had  so  justly 
named  the  "Cumberland  Pontoon." 

Sergeant  Lee,  after  turning  over  his  pontoon  train  to  Col. 
Buel,  was  sent  with  his  detachment  to  report  to  me  at  Charles- 
ton, East  Tennessee,  where  I  was  fortifying  the  railroad  cross- 
ing of  the  Hiawassee  river,  and  the  account  here  given  as  to 
the  origin  and  history  of  the  construction  of  that  now  cele- 
brated bridge  boat,  aside  from  what  I  give  as  of  my  personal 
knowledge,  is  from  the  report  made  to  me  by  Sergeant  Lee  at 
that  time,  and  has  been  fully  verified  by  other  facts ;  and  the 
eminence  afterward  attained  by  Sergeant  Lee  as  a  bridge- 
builder  proved  his  ability  in  that  work.  The  value  of  that 
boat  to  the  government,  in  the  reduction  of  cost  of  transporta- 


632  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

tion,  as  well  as  in  time  saved,  would  be  quite  an  item,  and 
worth  considering.  That  it  was  valuable  the  amount  asked 
for  this  invention  by  one  whose  claim  as  inventor  was  prop- 
erly rejected  (viz.,  $100,000)  fully  attests.  J.  C.  Lee  has 
gone  to  his  reward,  and  if  faithfulness  to  his  country  and  his 
fellow  men  is  to  be  reckoned,  that  reward  is  sure.  Justice  to 
his  memory,  and  to  the  brave  men  associated  with  him, 
demands  these  facts  from  one  who  esteems  it  an  honor  to  have 
served  with  them,  much  more  to  have  held  command. 

Shortly  after  reaching  Chattanooga,  I  was  sent  with  fifty 
picked  men  to  fortify  the  railroad  crossing  of  the  Hiawassee 
river  at  Charleston,  East  Tennessee,  with  orders  to  call  upon 
the  post  commander  for  such  assistance  as  1  might  need.  This 
was  the  most  important  point  on  that  line,  next  to  Loudon, 
and  if  communications  with  Knoxville  during  the  Atlanta 
campaign  were  to  be  maintained,  which  was  almost  a  neces- 
sity, this  point  must  be  held. 

The  defense  consisted  of  a  block-house,  with  out-works  on 
each  side  of  the  river.  The  work  was  prosecuted  under  great 
difficulties,  the  men  having  frequently  to  rally  in  their  own 
defense,  but  it  was  completed  so  satisfactorily  to  the  depart- 
ment commander  that  a  tablet  was  placed  in  the  principal 
block-house  by  his  order,  giving  my  name,  rank  and  regi- 
ment. 

This  work  was  substantially  the  last  of  our  detached  ser- 
vice. The  Pioneer  Brigade  was  soon  after  disbanded,  and  all 
the  officers  and  men  not  selected  for  service  in  the  Engineers 
were  returned  to  their  regiments.  The  following  is  a  com- 
plete roster  of  the  Pioneer  Detachment  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH 
ILLINOIS  VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY  : 

First  Lieut.  Wm.  M.  Loughlin,  Company  C Lake  Forest. 

*  Sergeant  John  C.  Lee,  Company  F Elizabeth. 

f  Corporal  Cleveland  M.  Kinney,  Company  K Warren. 

*  NOTE. — J.  C.  Lee,  who  for  many  years  represented  the  Canton  Iron  Bridge  Co.  in 
northern  Illinois,  Wisconsin,  Iowa,  Minnesota  and  Nebraska,  and  was  justly  considered 
authority  on  bridge  structures,  died  at  his  home  in  Elizabeth,  111.,  April  22,  1886. 

Sergeant  John  A.  Francisco,  of  (Jpmpany  H,  was  at  first  detailed  with  the  Battalion 
and  served  a  few  weeks,  when  he  was  returned  to  his  company  and  promoted  to  First 
Sergeant,  whereupon  Sergeant  Lee  was  detailed  in  his  place. 

t  Corporal  Cleveland  M.  Kinney,  of  Company  K,  died  a  little  before  his  term  of  serv- 
ice expired. 


THE  ROSTER.  633 

Privates,  Henry  Peeper,  Company  A Galena. 

Peter  D.  Campbell,  Company  A Stockton  Center. 

Isaac  Barrus,  Company  B Goodale. 

Alfred  Castle,  Company  B Ela. 

Wm.  G.  Morley,  Company  C Antioch. 

Charles  Phillips,  Company  C Fremont. 

Martin  M.  Blunt,  Company  D Antioch. 

Andrew  J.  Dimmick,  Company  D Antioch. 

Jasper  N.  Lindsey,  Company  E Scales  Mound. 

Isaac  Noggles,  Company  E Apple  River. 

Joseph  Perkins,  Company  F Vinegar  Hill. 

Charles  N.  Hammond,  Company  F Hanover. 

Isbon  Gleason,  Company  G Libertyville. 

Levi  Shupe,  Company  G Libertyville. 

Hiram  P.  Millet,  Company  H Warren. 

Theopholus  Pettibone,  Company  H Warren. 

Thomas  B.  Bray,  Company  I Elizabeth. 

Thomas  Holland,  Company  I Elizabeth. 

Oliver  H.  Pruner,  Company  K Rush. 

Peter  Shick,  Company  K Rush. 

All  the  members  of  this  detachment  were  transferred  in 
July,  1864,  to  the  First  Regiment  U.  S.  Vet.  Vol.  Engineers, 
where  many  of  them  received  promotions  (which  acknowledg- 
ment for  meritorious  service  they  could  not  receive  while  on 
•detached  duty),  and  where  all  served  until  finally  discharged 
by  death,  or  at  the  close  of  the  war,  with  credit  to  themselves 
their  former  comrades  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  ILLINOIS. 


63-t ,  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 


CHAPTER    XXXVI. 


MISCELLANEOUS  PAPERS. 

Notes  from  an  Old  Diary — A  Middle  Tennessee  Scouting  Expedition — 
How  the  Scouts  were  Fooled  by  a  Rebel — Jeff  Davis'  Feat  Dis- 
counted— A  Very  Tired  Man  and  a  Bad  Government  Mule — An  Inci- 
dent at  Moccasin  Point  —  Corn  Doled  Out  in  Spoonsful  —  Color 
Corporal  Robison — How  he  Lost  an  Arm— His  Hospital  Experience — 
The  Ambulance  Corps — Wounded  Men,  and  Who  Carried  Them — 
Fidelity  and  Courage  of  the  Stretcher  Bearers — Poem  by  A.  R.  Thain. 

MANY  comrades  have  responded  to  the  call  for  incidents  or 
personal  experiences.  In  most  cases  these  have  been  woven 
into  the  general  narrative  ;  others  appear  in  the  personal 
sketches  ;  a  few  are  given  herewith.  The  first  is  contributed 
by  Myron  J.  Brown,  of  Company  G. 

A   SCOUTING   EXPERIENCE. 

In  my  diary,  under  date  of  August  29,  1863,  I  find  the 
following:  "A  scouting  party,  which  went  out  from  camp 
yesterday  afternoon,  returned  this  morning,  bringing  five 
persons  of  suspicious  character,  two  of  whom  are  charged 
with  helping  to  hang  two  Union  soldiers,  last  Sunday,  not 
very  far  from  camp."  We  were  then  in  camp  at  Estell 
Springs,  Tenn.  The  next  day  (Sunday,  August  30,  1863)  I 
was  detailed  to  join  a  party  to  go  into  the  country  and  make 
other  arrests  of  bushwhackers,  deserters  and  discharged  sol- 
diers from  the  Rebel  Army,  and  men  suspected  of  having  the 
intention  of  joining  it.  Our  party  consisted  of  the  Sergeant- 
Major  and  Quartermaster  Sergeant  of  our  Regiment,  a  Ser- 
geant and  two  orderlies  from  Brigade  Headquarters,  a  Sergeant 
and  three  cannoneers  from  a  battery,  and  three  privates  from 
the  NINETY-SIXTH,  all  under  command  of  Lieutenant  Richard- 
son, of  Company  E,  of  the  same  Regiment.  The  party  was 
mounted.  The  three  privates  from  the  NINETY-SIXTH  rode 
mules.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  mention  that  /  rode  a  mule. 
I  will  now  copy  again  from  my  diary  :  "  We  rode  west  until 


LEAVES  FROM  MYRON  J.  BROWN'S  DIARY.  635' 

dusk,  when  we  found  ourselves  in  the  midst  of  a  dozen  or  so 
old,  decaying  log-houses,  inhabited  by  women  and  dogs,  which 
collection  of  logs,  women  and  dogs  was  called  Ridgeville.  As- 
we  were  leaving  this  village  we  came  upon  two  young  men 
who  were  trying  to  elude  us.  They  said  they  thought  we 
were  bushwhackers.  When  they  learned  who  we  were  and 
our  business  they  immediately  offered  to  act  as  guides.  One 
of  them  told  us  of  a  man  who  was  '  aiming '  to  join  Holman's 
Cavalry  that  night,  and  he  was  ordered  to  lead  the  way  to  him, 
'double  quick.'  After  a  half-hour's  hard  ride  over  a  very 
rough  road, — or  one  that  seemed  rough  to  a  man  on  a  mule,— 
we  halted  near  the  house  where  our  guide  said  we  would  find 
the  man,  whose  name  was  Buchanan,  or,  as  the  guide  spoke  ity 
"Buckhannon."  We  proceeded  on  foot,  and  surrounded  the 
house.  The  Lieutenant  inquired  for  Buckhannon,  and  was- 
told  that  he  went  a  half-hour  before  up  the  creek  to  the  next 
house.  Leaving  that  house  surrounded,  the  rest  of  us  went  oft 
up  the  creek  to  the  next  house,  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  dis- 
tant. Buckhannon  had  not  been  seen  there  since  before  din- 
ner, and  we  returned  to  house  number  one,  and  searched  it. 
We  found  the  occupants  to  be  a  family  by  the  name  of  Smith 
and  a  visitor  in  the  person  of  a  neighbor  woman, — a  young; 
mother,  with  babe  in  arms.  She  had  been  prevented  from 
going  home  earlier  by  the  guards,  who  detained  her  until  the 
search  of  the  house  was  finished.  She  was  then  assisted  to 
mount  hec  palfrey  by  some  of  the  gallant  members  of  our 
party,  and  permitted  to  go  home.  Buckhannon  was  not- 
found.  We  learned,  however,  that  the  head  of  this  family,. 
Smith,  had  been  a  Lieutenant  in  the  Rebel  Army,  and  had, 
lately  resigned  and  come  home.  He  was  told  he  would  have 
to  go  along  with  us,  but  remonstrated,  saying  he  had  not  been- 
at  home  from  the  army  an  hour  when  we  called,  and  he 
begged  to  be  left  with  his  family  until  morning,  when  he 
would  meet  us  at  any  place  we  might  name,  or  go  by  himself 
to  our  camp  at  Estell  Springs.  The  Lieutenant  of  our  party 
would  not  trust  him,  but  concluded  to  leave  one  man  with 
Smith,  who  should  report  with  him  at  a  certain  place  next 
morning.  I  was  the  man  detailed  to  remain  with  Smith.  I 


'636  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  1. 

presume  the  mule  was  glad,  and  perhaps  I  ought  to  have 
been,  but  I  was  not.  I  did  not  like  to  miss  my  share  of  the 
night's  sport,  and  I  did  not  know  what  sort  of  callers  I  might 
have  to  help  entertain  before  morning.  Lieut.  Smith  was 
agreeable,  and  tried  to  make  my  situation  pleasant,  but  I  was 
not  at  ease.  I  had  been  there  about  an  hour  when  we  were  all 
startled  by  the  clatter  of  hoofs  near  the  house.  Smith  showed 
great  uneasiness.  Suspecting  bushwhackers  and  treachery,  I 
sprang  to  arms,  intending  to  defend  myself  desperately.  I  did 
not  have  to  though,  for  the  clatter  was  made  by  the  horses  of 
Lieutenant  Richardson  and  some  of  his  party.  They  had  con- 
cluded that  as  there  were  so  many  bushwhackers  and  returned 
Rebel  soldiers  in  the  neighborhood,  and  as  two  Union  soldiers 
had  been  hung  not  far  from  there  only  a  week  before,  it  was 
not  safe  to  leave  me  there  alone.  1  was  thus  relieved  of  my 
dread,  and  permitted  to  have  the  fun  of  riding  a  mule  all 
night.  During  the  night  we  arrested  five  suspected  men,  and 
visited  the  homes  of  several  others  who  were  wanted,  but  not 
at  home.  One  Jack  Eaton  had  joined  Forrest's  Cavalry  a 
few  days  before  we  called  for  him.  At  dawn  on  Monday 
morning  we  found  ourselves  once  more  at  Ridgeville.  From 
there  our  prisoners  and  Lieut.  Smith  were  sent  to  camp, 
escorted  by  our  Sergeant  Major  and  Quartermaster  Sergeant 
and  the  Brigade  Headquarters  Sergeant.  We  breakfasted  at 
one  of  the  log  piles,  and  rested  until  about  10  o'clock  A.  M. 
We  then  visited  a  man  named  Osborn,  of  whom  our  guides 
said  we  could  get  dinner  and  whisky.  There  was,  indeed, 
plenty  of  the  latter-named  article  to  be  had  there,  but  none  of 
our  party  seemed  to  care  much  for  whisky  that  day,  and  we 
continued  on  in  search  of  a  returned  Rebel  soldier,  who,  when 
found,  showed  a  parole,  so  we  had  no  use  for  him.  As  the 
day  was  very  hot,  we  returned  to  Osborn's  for  rest  and  refresh- 
ments. We  remained  there  until  evening,  had  a  good  supper 
and  then  started  on  another  night's  sport.  A  new  guide  was 
necessary.  After  procuring  one,  we  called  on  another  Mr. 
Osborn,  who  was  brother  to  the  one  with  whom  we  supped, 
.and  who  was  charged  with  bushwhacking,  horse-stealing,  etc. 
"We  expected  resistance  and  a  night  skirmish  there,  as  it  was 


PICKET  DUTY  BY  SERGEANT  MILLER.  63T 

reported  that  three  or  four  of  the  same  sort  were  with  him. 
Only  two  men,  however,  could  we  find, — Mr.  Osborn  and 
Doc  Mann, — and  they  did  not  seem  to  be  in  the  humor  to- 
resist.  Osborn  pretended  to  be  very  sick.  His  wife  feared 
he  was  about  to  die.  The  part  was  overacted,  strained,  and 
the  pretense  became  too  thin.  He  was  pulled  out  of  bedv 
thrust  into  his  pantaloons  and  assisted  to  mount,  after  which 
he  seemed  quite  well.  The  next  name  on  our  Lieutenant's  list 
was  Silvertooth.  He  was  not  at  home.  One  more  person 
was  captured  without  trouble  or  excitement,  after  which 
we  started  for  Estell  Springs,  arriving  at  our  camp  there- 
about 4  o'clock  A.  M.,  Tuesday,  September  1,  1863,  just  in> 
time  to  hear  reveille  and  answer  to  roll-call.  To  say  I  did  not 
sleep  all  that  day,  and  that  I  was  not  very,  very  sore  and 
lame  when  I  was  awakened,  would  be  untruthful ;  and  I  have 
not  yet  fully  recovered  froon  the  ill  effects  of  so  long  riding 
that  lean,  rough,  tough,  wiry,  waltzing,  limber-legged,  stiff- 
legged,  bad,  bad  government  mule,  although  it  is  now  Sun- 
day, September  6th." 

The  foregoing  was  taken  from  my  diary,  which  I  wrote 
during  my  service  in  the  army.  I  heard  afterward  that  the 
Buckhannon  we  were  after  that  Sunday  night  came  to  our 
carnp  soon  after,  took  the  oath  of  allegiance,  and  told  how  he 
eluded  us  by  changing  his  attire  while  the  Lieutenant  went 
"up  the  creek  to  the  next  house,"  borrowing  a  young  child  of 
the  Smith  family  and  personifying  a  young  mother  and  neigh- 
bor woman. 

RATIONS    AT   MOCCASIN    POINT. 

The  following  is  contributed  by  Sergeant  Charles  J.  Mil- 
ler, of  Company  G  : 

I  will  give  a  brief  account  of  high  life  on  picket,  which 
will  illustrate  or  show  the  straits  to  which  we  were  sometimes 
driven  for  something  to  eat. 

The  location  was  at  Moccasin  Point.  The  time  was  the 
day  the  NINETY-SIXTH  went  four  miles  down  the  river  to- 
guard  the  Pioneers  while  they  were  putting  a  pontoon  across 
the  river.  That  morning  I  was  detailed  as  Sergeant  of  the 


'  638  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

guard.  As  I  had  nothing  with  which  to  get  breakfast  (as  the 
Irishman  would  say),  it  did  not  take  me  long  to  get  it,  and 
therefore  I  was  at  headquarters  on  time.  The  acting  Ser- 
geant Major  went  through  the  guard  mount  in  about  the 
usual  style.  After  turning  the  guard  over  to  me,  he  told  me 
to  wait  a  moment.  Then  he  went  into  the  Adjutant's  tent, 
soon  came  out  with  an  armful  of  corn,  and  gave  each  man 
three  ears.  Then  the  men  stopped  their  clamoring  for  rations, 
and  away  we  went  to  the  picket  line,  contented  if  not  happy. 
That  day  the  Regiment  went  four  miles  down  the  river,  and 
the  next  morning  we  were  not  relieved.  It  soon  became 
evident  that  we  had  to  stay  on  guard  another  long  twenty- 
four  hours,  but  the  great  trouble  that  was  constantly  be- 
fore our  minds  was  our  empty  stomachs  and  empty  haver- 
sacks. About  noon  we  saw  the  Sergeant  Major  coming 
from  Chattanooga  (we  were  on  the  road  to  Chattanooga),  rid- 
ing an  army  mule,  with  a  couple  of  bushels  of  corn  ia.a  coffee- 
sack.  He  told  us  he  did  not  know  when  we  would  be  relieved. 
I  asked  him  for  some  corn  ;  at  first  he  refused,  saying  that  he 
had  so  little  for  the  Regiment  he  could  not  spare  any.  I  told 
-him  we  belonged  to  the  Regiment,  and  ought  to  have  our  share. 
Then  he  gave  me  three  ears  of  corn,  which  I  shelled.  There 
were  twenty-seven  spoonsful,  and  nine  men  of  us.  1  gave 
each  man  three  spoonsful,  as  his  ration,  on  which  he  was  to 
grow  strong,  and  fight  for  God  and  native  land.  Reuben 
Miller  was  on  the  guard  of  which  I  have  written.  At  one  of 
our  reunions  he  spoke  to  me  about  that  experience,  and  of 
how  much  better  we  fared  than  the  men  on  the  other  posts, 
who  dined  on  acorns. 

COLOE  CORPORAL  ROBISON5S   EXPERIENCE. 

Corporal  J.  A.  Robison,  of  Company  F,  contributes  an 
article,  from  which  we  condense  as  follows  : 

I  was  detailed  as  one  of  the  Color  Guard  shortly  after  the 
Regiment  entered  Kentucky,  and  served  in  that  capacity  until 
wounded  that  bloody  day  at  Chickamauga.  That  battle  I 
need  not  describe.  My  position  was  in  the  front  rank,  next 


EXPERIENCE  IN  THE  COLOR  GUARD.  639 

to  the  colors,  and  directly  on  the  left  of  Color  Sergeant  Bruner. 
Of  the  long  hours  on  the  left,  the  rapid  march  to  the  right 
and  the  trying  experience  of  getting  into  position  and  taking 
the  first  fire,  others  must  write.  Once  in  the  battle  the  nerves 
grew  steadier,  and  we  sought  to  do  our  duty.  Our  gun-bar- 
rels soon  became  so  hot  from  our  rapid  loading  and  firing  that 
we  could  hardly  handle  them.  The  men  fell  rapidly  all  about 
me.  A  Corporal  in  Company  H  was  shot,  and  fell  over 
against  me.  I  saw  Walton  Reed  when  he  was  hit.  Appar- 
ently a  bullet  struck  him  squarely  in  the  forehead,  and  he 
fairly  leaped  into  the  air,  falling  to  the  ground  to  rise  no  more. 
He  was  a  tall  man,  with  light  hair,  so  that  I  readily  recog- 
nized him. 

We  soon  fell  back,  and  Longstreet's  men  seemed  to  think 
their  victory  complete,  and  hardly  knew  what  to  make  of  it 
when  we  kept  on  fighting,  rallying  and  coming  up  to  meet 
them  again.  Evidently  they  were  not  accustomed  to  seeing 
troops  act  in  just  that  way.  They  greatly  outnumbered  us, 
and  we  fairly  slaughtered  them  as  they  swarmed  along  our 
front. 

Shortly  after  the  battery  had  taken  position  I  was  wounded. 
I  was  in  the  act  of  loading  my  gun,  and  had  the  ramrod  in  my 
hand,  when  a  ball  passed  through  my  right  elbow,  shattering 
the  bones  both  above  and  below  the  joint.  Such  was  the 
effect  that  I  could  not  release  my  hold  of  the  ramrod,  but  had 
to  draw  it  out  from  between  my  fingers  with  my  left  hand. 
An  instant  before  I  had  seen  Corporal  David  Isbell  shoot  a 
big  Rebel  just  in  our  front.  I  let  Isbel]  know  that  I  was 
wounded,  and  started  for  the  rear.  In  a  few  moments  he  was 
shot  and  probably  killed,  for  we  never  saw  him  again. 

I  made  my  way  to  the  rear  as  best  I  could.  I  was  bleed- 
ing badly,  and  felt  weak  and  faint.  For  a  time  the  bullets 
fell  around  me  like  hail,  but  I  soon  got  out  of  range.  It  has 
always  been  a  mystery  to  me  how  any  one  escaped.  I  soon 
discovered  that  not  all  were  doing  their  duty,  for  there  were 
numerous  skulkers  in  the  rear,  a  few  of  whom  I  knew.  These 
cowards,  perhaps,  served  a  good  purpose,  for  they  riled  me  so 
that  I  almost  forgot  my  wound. 


640  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

The  sound  of  the  battle  seemed  to  come  from  every  side, 
and  I  hardly  knew  which  way  to  go,  but  after  a  time  I  reached 
the  surgeons,  and  saw  Colonel  Clarke  on  a  litter ;  also  many 
of  my  comrades,  wounded  in  every  conceivable  manner.  My 
wound  was  hurriedly  dressed  and  bandaged.  After  waiting  in 
vain  for  an  ambulance,  I  started  toward  Eossville  just  at  dusk, 
going  as  far  as  1  could,  and  then  stopping  by  a  rail  fire. 
Next  morning  I  went  on  and  reached  the  old  camp,  where  I 
saw  Color  Sergeant  Bruner  sitting  on  a  log,  with  great  ball 
holes  in  his  right  arm  and  breast.  His  wounds  were  being^ 
dressed,  and  I  then  believed  he  would  not  long  survive,  but 
have  been  gratified  to  know  that  he  recovered.  I  met  him  at 
the  reunion  in  Waukegan,  in  1875. 

The  day  following  the  battle  I  went  to  Chattanooga,  and 
crossing  the  Tennessee  river,  sat  all  night  by  a  little  fire. 
Next  morning  my  arm  was  fearfully  swollen  and  painful.  I 
started  for  Bridgeport  with  a  wagon  train,  but  could  not  stand 
the  jolting  of  riding,  and  so  walked  almost  the  entire  distance  in 
two  days.  After  a  night  at  Bridgeport  I  took  the  train  to 
Nashville,  where  I  was  placed  in  Hospital  No.  16.  Orders  were 
issued  for  all  of  the  severely  wounded  to  go  on  to  Louisville, 
and  we  were  given  no  attention.  I  begged  for  treatment,  and 
after  two  days,  with  only  a  water  dressing,  got  a  surgeon  to 
examine  my  wound.  He  found  the  arm  not  only  badly  shat- 
tered, but  considerably  mortified,  and  in  a  few  hours  the  knife 
had  done  the  necessary  work,  the  amputation  was  completed 
and  but  a  two-inch  stump  was  left.  Dr.  Seymour  and  his 
assistants  gave  me  excellent  care,  and  in  three  weeks  I  was 
walking  around. 

I  remained  in  that  hospital  until  the  middle  of  December, 
with  many  little  incidents  and  pleasures  along  with  the  pains, 
the  relation  of  which  would  require  too  much  space,  but  which 
will  be  always  remembered.  I  visited  Corporal  Taylor,  of 
Company  C,  who  had  lost  an  arm,  and  who  died  in  a  short 
time.  I  sometimes  walked  out  to  the  hospital  where  Fred 
Miller,  of  Company  F,  was  under  treatment.  His  wound  wa^ 
on  the  side  of  the  right  knee,  and  was  not  thought  to  be  very 
serious  at  first,  but  erysipelas  set  in,  and  finally  killed  him 


WILLIAM    G.    MORLEY, 
uoi'ipany  C. 

THOMAS    B.    BRAY, 
Company  I. 


JOHN    C.    LEE, 

Sergeant    Company    K. 


ISBON    S.    GLEASON, 
Company  G. 

CHARLES    PHILLIPS, 

Company  ('. 


THE  AMBULANCE  CORPS.  641 

after  long  weeks  of  suffering.  The  case  was  so  peculiar,  and 
he  lived  so  long  after  the  disease  reached  a  point  where 
immediate  death  was  expected,  that  an  autopsy  was  made  by 
the  surgeons  at  the  hospital. 

After  leaving  Nashville  I  was  in  an  old  contract  hospital 
in  Chicago  for  six  weeks,  arid  my  recollection  of  it  is  both 
vivid  and  unpleasant.  It  stood  near  the  Rush  street  bridge. 
At  last  I  was  discharged,  and  reached  home,  crippled,  but 
with  a  country  and  a  flag  that  was  soon  restored  to  peace  and 
prosperity.  Consider  this  brief  sketch  my  contribution  to  the 
History  of  the  Regiment. 

THE    AMBULANCE   CORPS. 

Prior  to  the  opening  of  the  Atlanta  campaign  there  had 
been  but  little  system  in  the  matter  of  removing  wounded 
men  from  the  battle  field  during  an  engagement.  As  a  natural 
result  it  frequently  happened  that  where  a  man  was  killed  or 
wounded,  two  or  more  comrades  would  leave  the  ranks  and 
bear  him  from  the  battle  field.  .The  result  of  this  was  very 
demoralizing,  for  not^fti^equehltly  ^myacl^,  out  of  their  pure 
kindness  of  heart  and  without  the  least  intention  of  being 
cowardly,  would  carry  a  wounded  man  for  a  long  distance, 
and,  if  a  surgeon  or  ambulance  were  not  readily  found,  would 
remain  with  him,  perhaps  for  hours.  Then  there  were  those, 
in  almost  every  command,  who  were  rather  glad  than  other- 
wise of  an  excuse  or  opportunity  for  going  to  the  rear  in  time 
of  action  ;  consequently  the  ranks  of  a  company  or  regiment 
were  often  greatly  thinned  by  those  who  had  gone  as  escorts 
to  wounded  companions. 

Just  before  the  opening  of  the  Atlanta  campaign,  what 
was  known  as  the  "Ambulance  Corps "  was  organized.  At 
this  time  the  NINETY-SIXTH  was  laying  at  Cleveland,  Tenn. 
An  officer  appointed  for  the  purpose  visited  the  Regiment,  had 
the  Companies  called  out,  and  walking  along  the  line  selected 
six  stalwart  men  to  serve  in  the  Ambulance  Corps.  The  six 
were,  Harlow  D.  Ragan,  of  Company  A  ;  Edward  Hancock, 
of  Company  F  ;  George  E.  Smith  of  Company  D  ;  William 
McDonald  of  Company  I ;  John'  K.  Beck  and  Joseph  Clark, 
41 


64:2  HISTORY  OF  THE  96xn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

of  Company  G.  In  addition,  and  belonging  to  this  corps^ 
were  two  ambulance  drivers  :  O.  H.  Perry,  of  Company  I, 
and  Morancy  Putnam,  of  Company  K.  McDonald  was 
classed  as  a  supernumerary,  and  had  partial  charge  of  the 
outfit.  John  Harrington,  of  Company  Or,  served  with  this 
detail  in  one  or  two  engagements. 

Three  canvas  stretchers  were  provided  for  the  use  of  the 
detail,  and  they  were  given  quite  minute  instructions  as  to 
what  their  work  would  be.  All  of  these  men  were  of  good 
size,  and  were  chosen  as  being  possessed  of  considerable 
strength  and  good  courage.  This  corps  proved  useful  from 
the  very  outset.  Their  first  experience  was  at  Rocky  Face 
Ridge,  where,  at  great  personal  risk,  they  carried  nearly  a 
score  of  dead  and  wounded  men  from  the  battle  field.  From 
that  time  forward  it  was  rare  for  any  man  to  leave  the  ranks^ 
to  assist  a  wounded  comrade  back  for  a  greater  distance  than  a 
few  rods.  At  Resaca  some  of  them  narrowly  escaped  capture 
while  carrying  Stanley,  of  Company  D,  to  the  rear.  At 
Kenesaw  Mountain  Hancock  and  Smith  were  both  wounded 
by  the  same  bullet,  the  former  in  the  heel,  so  severely  as  to 
disable  him  for  some  days  ;  and  the  latter  on  the  ankle,  but 
not  so  badly  as  to  take  him  away  from  duty.  Perhaps  their 
hardest  day's  work  was  June  20,  1864,  while  the  Regiment 
was  engaged  at  Kenesaw  Mountain.  Smith  and  Ragan  carried 
no  less  than  sixteen  men  to  the  hospital,  a  distance  of  one 
and  one-half  miles,  traveling  probably  not  less  than  fifty  miles 
in  twenty  hours.  It  was  a  terrible  day's  work  for  them,  and 
they  were  not  unfrequently  the  target  of  Rebel  sharpshooters. 
They  were  so  fatigued  that  when  they  closed  their  work  at 
nine  o'clock  in  the  evening  and  lay  down  for  the  night,  both  of 
them  slept  until  eight  or  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning,  notwith- 
standing that  there  was  heavy  firing  all  about  them,  and  were 
awakened  only  by  being  notified  that  they  were  wanted  to 
carry  off  more  wounded  men. 

On  this  line  occurred  one  instance  that  must  not  be 
omitted.  A  soldier  of  the  Regiment  had  been  wounded  on 
the  skirmish  line  at  the  point  where  Sergeant  Payne  had  been 
mortally  wounded  the  day  before.  While  the  stretcher  bear- 


THE  AMBULANCE  CORPS.  ,643 

ers  were  removing  Payne  probably  not  less  than  one  hundred 
bullets  were  fired  at  them.  When  this  last  named  man  was 
shot,  George  Smith  remarked  to  Ragan,  ' '  I  am  going  to  try  a 
new  plan  and  see  whether  the  Rebels  have  any  honor  in  them. 
1  don't  believe  it  will  be  possible  for  me  to  escape  being  shot, 
as  I  did  yesterday,  should  I  run  out  to  the  line,  but  I  will 
show  them  the  stretcher  and  see  if  they  won't,  respect  it." 
Ragan  was  rather  opposed  to  this,  and  said,  "Don't  trust 
them  too  far."  George  Smith  took  the  stretcher,  held  it 
upright,  opened  it  out  to  its  full  width,  and  deliberately 
walked  through  the  field  to  the  skirmish  line,  and  was  not 
fired  upon  until  he  stooped  down  and  was  putting  the  wounded 
man  upon  the  stretcher,  when  a  few  bullets  whizzed  uncom- 
fortably close.  However,  he  was  not  injured,  and  when 
Ragan  joined  him  they  lifted  the  wounded  man  and  walked 
slowly  back  across  the  open  field,  and  although  a  few  bullets 
passed  just  to  the  rear  of  them,  the  shots  were  apparently 
fired  more  than  half  in  sport,  and  with  a  view  of  hastening 
their  speed  rather  than  of  hitting  the  stretcher  bearers.  This 
experience  led  to  a  better  understanding  between  the  armies, 
and  a  stretcher  was  seldom  fired  on  afterward.  At  Lovejoy 
Station,  Atlanta,  Franklin,  Nashville  and  many  other  points 
the  work  was  most  trying,  but  the  members  of  the  Ambulance 
Corps  were  always  on  hand  willing  to  take  any  risks  to  carry 
off  a  wounded  man,  the  wonder  being  that  any  of  them 
escaped.  The  work  was  especially  fatiguing,  and  often 
exceedingly  dangerous.  The  men  were  often  sent  to  assist  in 
carrying  from  exposed  places  the  wounded  of  other  commands. 
Ragan,  Hancock,  Smith  and  McDonald,  who  were  most  con- 
stantly with  the  command,  gained  a  wide  reputation  for  their 
tact  and  courage,  and  many  a  wounded  soldier  owes  his  life  to 
their  promptness  and  fidelity. 


644  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

THE  BATTLE  OF  LOOKOUT  MOUNTAIN. 

BEFORE    THE    BATTLE. 

When  beneath  Mount  Lookout's  frowning  steep, 

In  the  vale  of  slumber  we  lay, 
Fame  whispered  thus  through  the  bars  of  sleep  : 
"  Soldiers,  awake  1  fresh  laurels  to  reap — 

Up  !  make  a  historic  day." 

The  reveille  spoke  with  a  louder  tone, 

And  the  day  that  perplexed  the  eye, 
Seemed  the  dimmest  day  that  ever  shone  ; 
For  sky  and  earth  were  not  two,  but  one — 

A  gray  bridal  of  earth  and  sky. 

At  times  when  the  crags  of  the  mountain  clove 

Dim  rifts  in  the  vapory  vail, 
It  seemed  like  the  seat  of  Olympian  Jove, 
To  scale  which  the  Titans  once  mightily  strove, 

But  though  gods,  they  could  not  prevail. 

And  thunderbolts  leap  from  yon  rocky  height, 

Such  as  Jove  never  wielded  in  war  : 
See  !  a  sulphurous  cloud — a  flash  of  light — 
And  a  shell  flies  shrieking  downward  to  smite 

Like  the  hammer  of  angry  Thor. 

Short  time  will  suffice  for  a  soldier's  needs  ; 

And  soon,  with  a  mien  that  was  grand, 
The  men  of  the  Line,  and  the  Staff  on  their  steeds, 
Heroes,  ready  to  utter  their  manhood  in  deeds ; 

Stood  waiting  the  word  of  command. 

Hark,  our  Leader  speaks  !  and  what  does  he  say 

As  he  bares  his  blade  to  the  light  ? 
"  Brave  boys,  we  must  do  great  deeds  to-day  ; 
We  must  plant  our  Flag  on  yon  mountain  gray, 

Before  the  approach  of  night." 

What  might  be  done  we  were  ready  to  try  ; 

But  O,  what  a  rough  battle  field  ! 
As  steep  as  a  roof,  mist-drenched,  cloud-high  ; 
Volcanic  with  guns  to  the  verge  of  the  sky — 

Will  the  foe  such  advantages  yield  ? 

And  see  where  yon  terminal  palisade 

Juts  out  like  the  end  of  the  world, 
A  trap  of  death  for  our  feet  hath  been  laid — 
As  though  Earthquake  and  Wind  on  the  slope  had  played- 

Rocks  and  trees  in  confusion  hurled. 


LOOKOUT  MOUNTAIN,  645 

THE  BATTLE. 

'Twas  thus  that  the  battle  was  skillfully  planned 
By  brave  Joseph  Hooker,  who  led  the  command  ; 
While  he,  in  the  teeth  of  the  foe  should  advance 
Straight  up  to  the  heights,  Cruft  would  hazard  the  chance 
To  steal  southward  unseen  'neath  the  cloudy  bank, 
Climb  the  Ridge,  find  the  foe,  and  fall  on  his  flank. 

Our  "Iron  Brigade"  of  the  noble  Fourth  Corps, 
That  day  had  this  perilous  glory  in  store  : 
To  climb  through  the  clouds  to  the  right  of  the  line  ; 
To  clamber  through  thickets  of  scrub-oak  and  pine  ; 
To  hug  the  high  rocks  on  the  mountain's  flanks, 
From  whose  verge  leaden  hail  dropped  into  our  ranks. 

Now  glance  to  the  left  down  our  steep-sloping  line  : 
This  is  no  Grand  Review,  nor  Dress  Parade  fine  ; 
But  a  scramble  o'er  ground  so  broken  and  rough, 
That  to  conquer  a  path  seems  conquest  enough  : 
Here  are  boulders  enough  now  in  open  view 
To  hide  all  the  clansmen  of  Roderick  Dhu. 

What  a  fierce  roar  of  cannon  rolls  up  through  the  mist ! 

'Tis  "Fighting  Jo,"  pounding,  with  sledge-hammer  fist, 

The  ribs  of  the  mountain  ;  and  Lookout  replies 

Like  a  pugilist  raining  blows  out  of  the  skies  ; 

And  this  fierce  show  of  fight  on  their  front  from  below, 

Conceals  our  advance  from  the  unwary  foe. 

Ho,  "Iron  Brigade  !"  you  may  soon  write  your  name 
'Neath  this  head-line  of  rock  in  letters  of  flame  ; 
For  see  !  to  the  left,  and  below  us  appear 
The  works  !  we  can  turn  them  !  yes,  take  them  in  rear  ! 
Don't  forget  Chickamauga  !  close  up  !  be  staunch  ! 
Now  sweep  down  on  their  flank  like  an  avalanche  1 

Had  the  skies  rained  men,  or  the  mountain  given  birth 

To  an  army  with  banners  right  out  of  the  earth, 

The  surprise  of  the  foe  could  have  scarce  been  more  great 

Than  it  was  when  our  onset  decided  their  fate  ; 

For,  threatened  at  once  on  their  front,  flank  and  rear, 

They  fly  from  their  works  in  confusion  and  fear. 

But  so  rich  in  defense  is  this  rough  mountain  track, 
That  they  form  a  new  line,  and  though  still  beaten  back, 
Yet  they  stubbornly  cling  to  each  acre  of  rock, 
Till  we  buy  it  with  blood  in  fierce  battle  shock  ; 
And  invisible  foes  from  the  crags  overhead 
Enfilade  our  steep  line  with  death-dealing  lead. 


646  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

Then  He  who  protected  His  people  of  old 
With  vapor  and  fire,  in  His  cloud-chariot  rolled 
To  our  aid  in  that  strife  so  unearthly  and  weird, 
And  our  army  in  deepening  clouds  disappeared  ; 
And  when  we  emerged  from  their  shelter  near  night, 
On  our  left,  Chattanooga  lay  in  full  sight. 

But  what  single  pen  the  full  story  can  show  ? 

How  Hooker  stormed  up  from  the  valley  below  ? 

How  Whittaker  clung  to  the  rocks  on  the  right  ? 

How  Geary  and  Grose  did  wonders  in  fight  ? 

How  our  men,  ere  they  doubled  Point  Lookout  with  joy, 

Had  to  battle  like  lions,  and  climb  like  chamois  ? 

At  nightfall  the  mountain  was  ours,  but  the  foe 
Still  defended  the  precipice-guarded  plateau 
At  the  crest  of  the  ridge,  and  their  lofty  abode 
Could  only  be  gained  by  the  Summertown  road  ; 
And  their  force  on  our  front  made  a  final  stand 
As  darkness  closed  in,  that  road  to  command. 

THE   BIVOUAC. 

That  day  so  dark  and  bright 

Gave  place  to  gloomy  night, 
And  chill  November  ranged  across  the  rocks  ; 

Searching  each  mountain  nook 

With  urgent  Borean  crook, 
Up-sheparding  with  haste  her  cloudland  flocks. 

Right  in  the  battle's  track 

We  went  into  bivouac, 
To  seek  refreshment  such  as  might  be  found, 

Where  Bethel  pillows  lay 

By  thousands,  cold  and  gray, 
But  search  revealed  no  spot  of  level  ground. 

Our  camp  fires  burning  clear 

Had  double  power  to  cheer, 
For,  from  the  valley  thousands  saw  their  light  ; 

Marking  our  lines  along 

Like  notes  of  some  high  song, 
A  grand  Te  Deum  blazing  through  the  night. 

Disposed  in  social  groups, 

Our  tired  and  hungry  troops, 
Sit  round  the  blazing  fires  with  hands  outspread  ; 

Happy  is  he,  I  ween, 

Who  has  a  full  canteen, 
And  may  add  coffee  to  his  army  bread. 


LOOKOUT  MOUNTAIN.  647 

But  who  lies  here  so  still  ? 

Has  sleep  o'er  powered  his  will, 
And  weariness  weighed  down  his  belted  breast  ? 

Ah  !  'tis  a  leaden  sleep, 

So  cold,  and  quiet,  and  deep, 
That  ^Etna's  thunders  could  not  break  his  rest. 

Shot  through  the  heart  :  Ah  me  ! 

That  bullet,  whistling  free, 
Plies  northward  now  a  mother's  heart  to  smite  ; 

This  is  her  only  boy, 

A  widow's  pride  and  joy  ; 
And  he  lies  dead  on  Lookout's  breast  to-night. 

And  here,  not  far  away, 

A  soldier  clad  in  gray, 
Lies  stark  and  still  upon  a  rocky  bier  ; 

Amid  Floridean  pines, 

His  distant  home  light  shines, 
Soon  to  be  dimmed,  alas  !  by  sorrow's  tear. 

And  see  !  his  pulseless  arm, 

Towards  the  breathless  form 
•Of  his  late  foe  lies  stretched  in  mute  appeal  ; 

As  though,  with  his  last  breath 

He  said,  "Let  mighty  death 
.Unite  us  now,  and  our  sad  quarrel  heal." 

War's  battle  front  is  grand. 

When  fpemen  hand  to  hand, 
'Contend  with  courage  stout  to  win  the  day  ; 

But  sad  it  is  to  see 

The  price  of  victory, 
Which  men  with  wounds  and  gory  death  must  pay. 

Such  sleep  as  sealed  our  eyes, 

Mid  rocks  and  frosty  skies, 
Was  gained  by  dint  of  downright  weariness  ; 

And  when  the  morning  light 

Won  Lookout  back  from  night, 
We  stirred  at  dawn  our  vantage  ground  to  press. 

SALUTING  THE  FLAG. 

The  morn  was  clear  and  bright, 

And  to  the  sense  of  sight, 
Almost  at  bow  shot  Chattanooga  lay  ; 

The  winding  Tennessee 

From  shrouding  mist  was  free, 
.And  Lookout  laughed  to  see  so  fair  a  day. 


648  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  KEGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

But  what  if  yonder  height, 
Where  cannon  stood  last  night, 

Should  on  our  unmasked  lines  pour  missiles  down  ? 
Then  would  we  wish  and  pray 
For  the  clouds  of  yesterday, 

And  Lookout's  laugh  would  be  to  us  a  frown. 

But  see  !  a  little  band 

Beneath  Point  Lookout  stand, 
As  though  they  thought  to  scale  that  upright  crag; 

O,  heroic  Fifteen  ! 

What  does  this  movement  mean, 
As  you  upward  bear  your  regimental  flag  ? 

Now  in  sight  and  now  unseen 
They  climb  the  crags  between 

Up  clefts  which  mountain  goats  would  wisely  shun  ;. 
And  we  trace  their  fearful  way 
Up  those  ramparts  cold  and  gray, 

By  the  glinting  of  the  light  on  flag  and  gun. 

We  hold  our  breath  in  fear, 
Lest  aching  sense  should  hear, 

Sharp  shots  come  rattling  from  the  rocks  o'er  head  \. 
And  from  each  stony  stair, 
Where  Courage  climbs  mid-air, 

Should  see  a  gallant  soldier  dropping  dead. 

But  still  they  upward  climb, 

And  is  it  not  sublime, 
To  see  our  flag  still  higher  reappear  ! 

And  new  by  two  and  two 

They  disappear  from  view, 
And  leave  us  tossed  about  by  hope  and  fear. 

Hurrah  !  hurrah  !  our  Flag 

Waves  from  yon  utmost  crag  ! 
Proclaiming  Lookout  ours  from  base  to  crest  ; 

Now  is  the  time  to  shout ! 

Let  cheer  on  cheer  ring  out  ! 
Rejoice,  O  East !  be  jubilant,  O  West ! 

Ah  !  it  was  good  to  hear 

Our  war  scarred  veterans  cheer, 
When  that  Flag  of  Freedom  blossomed  in  the  sun  ^ 

Old  Lookout  seemed  to  shout, 

And  all  the  hills  about, 
Tossed  back  their  mighty  echoes,  one  by  one. 


LOOKOUT  MOUNTAIN.  649» 

First  round  the  Flag  it  roared, 

Then  down  the  slope  it  poured, 
And  leaped  the  Tennessee  without  a  bridge  ; 

From  Right  to  Left  it  ran, 

Inspiring  every  man, 
To  prophesy  the  fall  of  Mission  Ridge. 

O  Flag  of  sunset  dyes 
And  azure  of  the  skies  ! 
May  the  God  of  nations  multiply  thy  stars  ! 
And  may  He  grant  that  we 
Shall  evermore  be  free 
From  civil  strife  and  desolating  wars. 

A.  R. 
Galesburg,  111.,  Oct.  7,  1885. 


650  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 


CHAPTER    XXXVII. 


A   LETTER   FROM   HOME. 

BY  R.    8.   THAIN,   BRIGADE  POSTMASTER,  SECOND  BRIGADE,  FIRST  DIVISION, 
FOURTH  ARMY  CORPS. 

How  was  the  mail  brought  to  the  camp,  and  carried  from 
hence  ?  For  the  purpose  of  answering  these  questions  in  a 
brief  way,  this  chapter  is  written. 

Each  Regiment  had  its  Postmaster,  whose  duty  it  was  to 
collect  the  mail,  and  carry  it  each  morning  to  Brigade  head- 
quarters, where  it  was  deposited  with  the  Brigade  Postmaster, 
who  placed  it  in  one  or  two  large  sacks,  according  to  the 
•quantity  received,  strapped  the  sacks  to  his  saddle,  mounted 
his  steed,  and  rode  away  to  the  nearest  railroad  communica- 
tion, which  might  be  one  mile  or  fifty,  and  deposit  it  in  the 
Postoffice  established  for  the  purpose  ;  and  receiving  the  mail 
for  his  Brigade  from  the  Division  Postmaster,  return  with  it 
to  the  camp,  distribute  it  into  Regimental  piles,  when  the 
Brigade  bugler  would  sound  the  "Mail  Call,"  and  the  Regi- 
mental Postmasters  would  assemble  and  carry  it  to  their 
several  Regiments,  divide  it  into  Company  piles,  which  would 
be  taken  by  the  Orderly  Sergeants,  and  by  them  delivered  to 
those  to  whom  it  was  addressed. 

Such  are  the  bare  facts  connected  with  the  mail  service  in 
the  field,  and  with  this  brief  explanation  might  I  fulfill  my 
promise  made  to  the  historian  of  the  Regiment  to  write  a 
•chapter  upon  this  subject,  were  it  not  for  the  assurance  that 
somewhat  of  detail  in  regard  to  this  branch  of  the  service 
would  prove  of  interest. 

Let  us  take,  then,  the  history  of  one  day  during  the 
Atlanta  campaign.  I  start  for  Marietta  in  the  morning  with 
the  mail  just  as  the  army  begins  to  move  forward  toward 
Atlanta.  At  Marietta  I  meet  my  assistant,  who  goes  to  the 
.front  the  same  day  with  the  mail  from  the  north.  I  remain 


How  THE  MAIL  CAME.  651 

m  Marietta  over  night,  and  on  the  following  day,  after  receiv- 
ing the  mail  from  the  north,  start  for  the  front  soon  after 
noon.  I  meet  my  assistant  between  the  Chattahoochie  and 
Marietta,  and  having  heard  cannonading,  inquire,  How 
goes  the  battle  ?  but  as  he  left  before  it  had  been  decided,  he 
could  only  say  that  it  was  "a  hot  one,"  and  thus  we  salute 
and  each  go  our  way. 

After  crossing  the  Chattahoochie  I  must  trust  to  luck  and 
the  vague  directions  of  my  assistant  as  to  which  is  the  right 
road  to  reach  my  command,  and  press  forward,  guided  in  a 
general  way  by  the  roar  of  the  battle,  which,  as  I  approach, 
and  as  the  day  wanes,  begins  to  grow  less  and  less  tierce,  and 
I  know  that  victory  has  come  to  one  side  or  the  other,  but  to 
which  side  I  am  not  able  to  tell.  At  length,  as  darkness 
begins  to  overtake  me,  I  reach  the  rear  of  our  army,  and 
begin  to  inquire  for  the  Fourth  Army  Corps,  and  then  for  the 
First  Division,  and  then  for  the  Second  Brigade. 

I  can  learn  very  little  about  the  battle,  except  that  we  are 
victorious,  and  that,  among  others,  General  McPherson  has 
been  killed.  I  press  on,  and  wonder  why  I  do  not  see  any 
more  troops,  but  soon  the  welcome  sight  of  camp  fires  are 
seen  in  the  distance,  and  I  urge  on  my  tired,  horse,  for  the 
journey  has  been  a  long  one,  and  the  mail  is  heavier  than 
usual  to-day.  At  last  I  come  to  a  stream,  but  the  bridge  has 
been  burned,  and  the  stringers  at  each  side  are  still  smoul- 
dering. How  shall  I  cross  ?  for  the  banks  are  steep.  I  dis- 
mount, and  to  the  left  I  find  a  foot-path  leading  along  the 
bank.  Surely  there  must  be  a  ford  not  far  off  ;  so  1  follow 
the  path,  which  leads  me  into  an  abrupt  bend  in  the  stream. 

Peering  through  the  darkness,  I  imagine  I  see  some  one 
on  the  road  on  the  opposite  side,  where  the  stringers  of  the 
bridge  are  smouldering.  I  am  just  about  to  hail  him,  and  ask 
where  1  can  find  a  crossing,  when  I  see  a  flash,  and  am  quite 
sure  that  I  heard  the  zip  of  a  bullet  at  almost  the  same  instant 
as  the  crack  of  the  rifle.  Not  yet  realizing  that  I  have  passed 
through  our  lines,  and  am  now  only  a  few  yards  from  the 
enemy's  pickets,  I  call  out,  "  Hello,  boys,  what  are  you  shoot- 
.ing  for?"  and  am  answered  with  an  angry  "halt!"  and  a 


652  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'rn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

shot  from  the  left,  from  the  opposite  bank  of  Peach  Tree 
Creek,  and  another  from  the  right,  admonishes  me  that  thirty- 
five  or  forty  yards  is  altogether  too  close  to  a  "Johnnie  Reb," 
if  he  is  mad  and  has  got  his  rifle  loaded. 

Not  daring  to  go  back  by  the  path  on  which  I  came,  as  1 
would  be  exposed  to  the  fire  of  the  pickets  while  doing  this, 
I  attempt  to  lead  my  horse  through  the  underbrush  and  up  a 
hill,  straight  away  from  the  enemy,  but  my  horse  refusing  to 
follow,  and  the  shots  from  the  pickets  increasing,  I  run  like  a 
rabbit  on  all  fours  up  the  hill,  and  when  I  am  out  of  harm's 
reach,  sit  down  to  plan  my  escape ;  for  here  I  am  between 
the  picket  lines  of  the  two  armies,  and  as  likely  to  be  shot  by 
my  friends  as  by  the  enemy. 

Taking  my  bearings  from  the  camp-fires  of  the  enemy,  I 
start  back  through  the  timber  in  the  direction  which  I  hope 
will  take  me  to  our  lines.  Knowing  that  sometimes  our 
pickets  have  a  way  of  promptly  punctuating  their  challenge 
to  one  approaching  their  lines  from  the  direction  of  the  enemy 
with  an  exclamation  point  written  with  powder  and  lead,  I  am 
not  careful  to  approach  silently,  but  blunder  on  through  the 
underbrush,  whistling  a  lively  air  to  show  my  indifference. 
After  going  on  in  this  way  about  two  hundred  yards,  I  hear 
the  challenge,  and  it  comes  in  "orthodox"  form, — 

"  Halt !  who  comes  there  ? " 

And  now  I  am  in  a  quandary.  Is  this  friend  or  foe  ?  for 
I  am  so  confused  by  my  recent  experience  and  by  the  dark- 
ness that  I  am  uncertain  whether  I  have  "approached  the* 
Union  or  the  Rebel  lines.  But  I  must  say  something,  and  that 
right  quick,  and  so  I  say  something  very  unmilitary  indeed  : 

"Hello!  what  Regiment  do  you  belong  to?  And  the 
answer  is  quite  as  unmilitary  :  "'  The  Eighty-ninth  Illinois." 
"  All  right ;  I  belong  to  the  NINETY-SIXTH." 

I  had  struck  a  new  recruit,  and  needed  no  password,  and 
had  it  not  been  for  that  ever-meddlesome  mortal,  the  Corpo- 
ral of  the  Guard,  I  could  have  passed  through  the  lines  safely. 
But  the  Corporal  was  not  a  new  recruit,  and  insisted  on 
making  a  prisoner  of  me,  and  marching  me  off  to  the  officers' 
headquarters,  who  would  not  believe  my  story,  and  would  not 


How  THE  MAIL  CAME.  653 

allow  me  to  return  and  try  to  rescue  the  mail,  but  sent  me, 
under  guard,  to  General  Whittaker,  to  learn  if  I  were  indeed 
the  Postmaster  of  the  Second  Brigade.  Upon  being  assured 
by  the  General  that  I  was  what  I  claimed  to  be,  and  when 
the  Corporal  who  accompanied  me  inquired  of  the  General 
what  I  was  doing  outside  of  the  lines,  and  was  assured  by  him 
that  I  had  a  right  to  go  to  Atlanta  for  the  mail  if  I  wanted  to, 
I  was  allowed  to  go  back,  and  through  our  lines  to  search  for 
my  horse  and  the  mail,  carrying  with  me  General  Whittaker's 
admonition  to  "be  right  careful,  Dick,  and  not  get  a  bullet 
put  into  you."  "And,  Corporal,  do  you  find  out  what  fool 
picket  let  my  Postmaster  ride  through  the  lines  without  halt- 
ing him,  and  see  that  he  is  placed  under  arrest  for  it,  sah  ! " 

It  turned  out  to  be  another  new  recruit  of  the  Eighty-ninth 
who  was  stationed  on  the  road  down  which  I  went,  and  his 
excuse  was  that  he  thought  I  must  be  the  "officer  of  the 
day,"  and  I  was  flattered,  and  he  arrested. 

I  followed  the  same  road,  down  to  the  burned  bridge  ; 
crept  softly  down  the  footpath  to  the  point  where  I  had  left 
my  horse,  and  to  my  joy  heard  him  browsing  not  many  feet 
from  where  I  had  left  him  ;  and  to  my  delight  found  him 
unharmed,  and,  better  still,  the  two  mail  sacks  untouched. 

I  doubt  not  that  the  rebel  pickets  thought  they  had  killed 
me,  and  were  willing  to  allow  my  horse  to  remain  until 
morning,  with  the  hopes  of  capturing  him.  I  led  him  away 
very  slowly  to  what  I  considered  a  safe  distance,  and  then 
mounted  and  rode  into  camp,  as  proud  as  if  I  had  captured 
the  day's  mail  of  the  entire  Southern  Confederacy,  for  well  I 
knew  that  many  a  comrade  would  be  sadly  disappointed  if  the 
mail  which  I  carried  that  day  had  fallen  into  the  enemy's 
hands. 

And  thus  I  have  given  the  history  of  one  day  of  a  Brigade 
Postmaster's  life  at  the  front.  A  rather  eventful  day — much 
more  so  than  common  —  and  yet  there  were  many  days 
equally  as  eventful.  Twice  did  I  find  myself  inside  the 
enemy's  lines,  with  the  mail  strapped  to  my  saddle  —  once 
when  a  detachment  of  Rebel  Cavalry  made  a  raid  in  the  rear 
of  our  lines,  when  in  front  of.  Atlanta,  and  once  when  falling 


654:  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  1. 

back  from  Atlanta  to  Nashville  ;  and  yet  I  had  the  good  for- 
tune never  to  lose  a  letter,  or  to  be  captured. 

And  thus  the  Brigade  Postmasters  rode  back  and  forth, 
with  authority  to  go  wherever  they  pleased,  and  whenever 
they  pleased,  to  take  and  bring  the  mail.  And  many  an 
errand  they  had  to  do  for  officers  and  men,  such  as  buying 
swords,  and  hats  and  gloves,  and  an  endless  variety  of  arti- 
cles. I  remember  when  Colonel  Taylor  was  commanding 
the  Brigade,  he  called  rne  to  him  as  I  was  starting  for  the 
rear,  and  he  said  :  "Dick,  I  need  a  new  hat"  (and  he  cer- 
tainly did  need  one  badly) ;  "will  you  buy  one  for  me ? " 

"Certainly,  Colonel,  with  pleasure.  Of  course  you  want 
a  dress  hat,  with  a  gold  cord  and  an  ostrich  plume  ? " 

"Oh,  no,  Dick,  don't  get  one  of  that  kind  ;  the  boys 
would  make  fun  of  me  if  I  wore  one  like  that ;  get  a  good 
black  hat  ;  the  gold  cord  is  all  right,  but  don't  get  any 
feathers." 

But  Captain  Temple  overheard  the  conversation,  and 
calling  me  aside,  lie  instructed  me  to  get  the  most  stylish  hat 
I  could  find,  and  I  did,  and  told  the  Colonel  that  they  did 
not  have  any  plain  hats  in  stock,  and  he  shook  his  head  and 
said,  "  I  know  the  boys  will  laugh  at  me  if  I  wear  that  hat." 

I  was  told  by  Captain  Temple  that  they  prevailed  upon 
the  Colonel  to  wear  it  the  next  time  they  rode  out,  and  that 
some  of 'the  boys  shouted,  "Hello,  the  Corporal  has  got  a 
new  hat ! "  and  that  when  he  returned  to  headquarters,  he 
solemnly  proceeded  to  remove  the  ostrich  plume,  and  never 
wore  it  afterward. 

"Hello,  Dick,  are  you  going  to  get  a  letter  for  me?" 
"  Hello,  Dick,  have  you  got  a  letter  for  me  ?  "  Hundreds  of 
times  each  day  did  i  hear  these  questions,  for  I  was  known  to 
nearly  the  entire  Brigade.  Usually  the  question  was  put  as  a 
pleasant  guy,  but  I  have  heard  it  asked  many  a  time  in  such 
a  tone  of  earnest  questioning  that  I  doubted  not  that  "  a  letter 
from  home "  would  be  the  most  welcome  thing  I  could 
bring,  unless,  indeed,  it  should  be  the  one  the  questioner 
longed  to  hear  from. 

Sometimes,   for  days,   the  trains  would  not  arrive,  and 


How  THE  MAIL  CAME.  655- 

then  the  poor  Postmaster  would  be  plied  with  questions  from 
all  sides,  but  usually,  considering  the  difficulties  of  war  time 
transportation,  the  mails  came  with  fair  regularity,  and  the 
soldier  who  was  so  fortunate  as  to  have  good  correspondents,, 
was  often  cheered  by  receiving  "a  letter  from  home." 


•656  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  1. 


CHAPTER 


A  CHAPTER    OF  INCIDENTS. 

BY  R.    8.    THAIN. 

ALMOST  every  day  in  camp  witnessed  notable  incidents,— 
Incidents  humorous,  ludicrous,  pathetic.  Should  all  the  inter- 
esting incidents  that  transpired  in  connection  with  the  NINETY- 
SIXTH  be  recorded,  a  volume  much  larger  than  this  would  be 
required  to  contain  them.  Every  company  had  among  its 
members  practical  jokers, — men  who  were  always  ready  to 
•create  fun  for  their  own  and  their  comrade's  amusement,  and 
they  were  real  benefactors  ;  that  is,  if  the  jokes  they  perpe- 
trated were  of  the  innocent  sort,  for  they  helped  to  season  the 
soldiers'  hard  fare,  and  shed  pleasant  sunshine  on  many  a  day 
which  otherwise  would  have  been  dreary  enough. 

A  few  of  these  incidents,  which  escaped  the  regular  his- 
torian, are  here  given. 

THE   COVINGTON    "  CAN-CAN." 

While  Companies  B,  C,  D,  I,  and  K  were  in  barracks  at 
Covington,  Ky . ,  two  of  the  boys  in  Company  D,  of  whom  the 
writer  was  one,  managed  to  get  hold  of  a  couple  of  old  dresses, 
and  in  the  evening  rigged  up  and  promenaded  arm-in-arm 
with  two  other  boys  through  the  barracks,  and  as  only  a  few 
of  the  soldiers  were  let  into  the  joke,  quite  a  sensation  was 
created.  Soon  they  began  a  dance  of  the  "  can-can  "-order, 
and  some  of  the  soldiers  reported  to  Captain  Blodgett  that  the 
boys  had  brought  two  drunken  women  into  the  barracks, 
and  were  having  a  "  high  old  time."  The  Captain  came  on 
the  scene  while  the  wild  dance  was  at  the  highest,  and  after 
making  his  way  through  the  crowd  which  had  gathered  around 
the  dancers,  he  gazed  with  wondering  eyes  for  a  time  on  the 
mad  scene,  and  then  ordered  the  parties  participating  placed 
under  arrest ;  but  when  one  of  the  supposed  females  stepped  up 


COMPANY  C. 


THOMAS  W.  DWTEK. 
WILLIAM  H.  WHEELER, 


JOHN  G.  THRASHEH. 

Serg't  EDWARD  MALONE. 

JOSEPH  DARBY. 


GEORGE  M.  PHILLIPS. 
CHRISTIAN  KNOPF. 


Q3HF 
«»t 


INCIDENTS.  657 

to  him  and  held  out  his  hand  and  said,  "  How  are  you  Cap  ? " 
and  the  fun-loving  Captain  took  in  the  situation,  he  laughed 
heartily,  and  said,  "Hold  on,  boys  ;  just  keep  this  up  until  I 
get  word  to  Major  Smith."  And  so, 

"  On  with  the  dance, 
Let  joy  be  unconfined," 

was  the  order,  and  by  the  dim  lights  of  the  flickering  candles 
the  dancers  went  at  it  as  madly  as  the  "witches  and  war- 
locks," described  by  Burns  in  his  "Tarn  O'Shanter,"  and  just 
as  Tarn  gazed  at  the  "unco'  sight,"  so  came  Major  J.  C. 
Smith;  but  instead  of  saying,  "Well  dune,  cutty  sark."  he 
said:  "Men,  this  is  shameful!  This  must  be  stopped  at 
once  !  and  these  women  and  the  men  who  have  taken  part  in 
this  must  be  placed  under  arrest."  But  when  the  boys  all 
began  to  laugh,  and  the  dancers  came  forward  and  shook 
hands  with  their  goodnatured  Major,  he  looked  very  much 
like  a  man  who  had  been  "knocked  down"  at  a  very  low 
price,  and  made  some  orthodox  remark  about  his  fiiture,  and 
withdrew  his  forces  in  good  order.  ,.§opn  after,  the  four  boys 
were  summoned  to  his  tejjtv  and>4e£^an4£d?$hem  a  box  of 
cigars,  with  the  remark  that' "he  had  no  objection  to  their  hav- 
ing a  little  fun,  but  they  must  be  careful  not  to  carry  it  too  far. 

ADJUTANT  BLODGETT'S  BUG. 

It  was  the  general  impression  among  men  and  officers  that 
Adjutant  Blodgett  spent  the  hours  that  ought  to  have  been 
devoted  to  sleep  to  the  invention  and  manufacture  of  jokes, 
and  he  had  a  way  of  perpetrating  them  that  was  "all  his 
own."  Some  of  the  Adjutant's  "hand-sewed"  jokes  have 
been  used  constantly  since  the  close  of  the  war,  and  show 
no  signs  of  ripping  at  this  late  day. 

One  of  his  cruelest  was  perpetrated  while  the  Regiment 
was  stationed  at  Harrodsburg,  Ky.  It  will  be  remembered 
by  those  who  ever  had  a  prescription  written  by  Surgeon 
Evans  that  his  handwriting  was  unique.  He  had  a  sort  of  a 
forward-by-left-oblique-fourth-company  obstacle  !  by-the-right- 
flank-to-the-rear-into-column-march  style,  which  always  gave  a 
person  who  attempted  to  read  it  a  sense  of  "  dizzy-headiness." 
42 


658  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  1. 

Blodgett  accused  him  of  utilizing  a  tumble-bug  as  his  aman- 
uensis. 

One  day,  while  the  Regiment  was  stationed  at  Harrods- 
burg,  Ky.,  the  Adjutant  noticed  Dr.  Evans  in  his  tent  wrest- 
ling with  his  pen,  and  he  solemnly  set  to  work  to  perpetrate 
on  him  a  most  cruel  joke.  Going  to  an  old  stump  he  scraped 
among  the  roots  and  found  a  beetle,  such  as  only  the  soil  of 
Kentucky  could  produce.  Having  surrounded  his  bugship 
and  made  him  a  prisoner,  he  repaired  to  Colonel  Champion's 
tent  and  made  him  a  party  to  the  plot.  Immediately  the 
Doctor  was  summoned  to  the  Colonel's  tent  to  answer  some 
important  questions  in  regard  to  the  sanitary  condition  of  the 
camp,  and  the  Adjutant  informed  some  of  the  officers  that  if 
they  wanted  to  see  some  fun  to  drop  into  Doctor  Evans'  tent. 

The  Doctor  had  left  his  unfinished  letter  on  his  camp 
table,  and  his  hat  beside  it,  and  the  Adjutant,  after  dipping 
the  bug's  feet  in  ink,  placed  it  on  the  unfinished  page,  and 
putting  the  Doctor's  hat  over  it,  sat  down  with  those  he  had 
summoned,  and  waited  the  return  of  the  Doctor,  who,  on 
entering  the  tent,  .greeted  his  fellow-officers  in  his  brusque, 
hearty  way,  and,  after  seating  himself  by  his  table,  lifted  his 
hat  to  look  for  his  unfinished  letter,  and  the  disgusted  look 
that  came  over  his  face  can  better  be  imagined  than  described. 
And  the  Adjutant  said,  in  his  cheery,  dress-parade  voice, 
"  Hello,  Doc  !  got  your  bug  at  work  again,  have  you  ? "  And 
the  Doctor  made  no  reply,  but  his  look,  being  interpreted, 
meant :  "  You  curly-headed  scamp,  if  ever  I  get  a  chance  to 
prescribe  '  one  every  four  hours '  for  you,  the  prescription  will 
contain  something  that  will  do  more  than  'keep  up  a  nausea- 
tion.'" 

TOM  SHIRK'S  BAD  BREAK. 

Tom  Shirk  was  not  the  liveliest  bugler  in  the  Army  of 
the  Cumberland,  but  what  he  lacked  in  speed,  he  made  up  in 
strength  and  clearness  of  tone.  The  tones  of  Tom's  good 
bugle  could  be  heard  as  far  as  any.  Tom  did  not  believe  in 
slighting  any  of  the  notes.  While  many  of  the  buglers 
delighted  in  sounding  the  reveille  in  a  toot  toot-er-oot-toot, 


INCIDENTS.  659 

staccato  style,  Tom  loved  the  to-o-o-o  to-o-o-o  to  to-o-o-o  to-o-o-o 
legato  style,  and  there  was  this  advantage,  that  the  men  had 
the  more  time  to  get  into  line  for  "  roll  call"  within  the  pre- 
scribed time. 

Tom's  master  piece  was  the  "sick  call."  When  he 
straightened  himself  up,  and  wiped  his  mouth  with  the  back 
of  his  hand,  and  placed  his  trusty,  battered  bugle  to  his 
honest  lips,  and  sounded  the  "quinine  call,"  he'd  blow  so 
strong  a  blast  that  no  sick  man  in  all  the  camp  could  fail  to 
hear  the  invitation  ;  and  the  old  bugle  would  seem  to  be 
mourning  that  any  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  boys  should  be  sick 
while  away  from  home. 

When  the  Regiment  was  in  camp  at  Cleveland,  Tenn., 
one  day  Tom  went  out  to  sound  the  "sick  call,"  and  while 
he  was  in  the  middle  of  one  of  his  best  tones,  some  one 
who  had  no  "  music  in  his  soul,"  and  no  sense  of  the 
solemnity  of  the  occasion,  hit  Tom  a  smart  slap  on  the 
back,  and  the  majestic  to-o-o-o-t  of  the  bugle  was  cut  so  short, 
and  ended  in  such  an  unmusical  blurt,  that  the  entire  Regi- 
ment was  out,  fearing  that  Tom  had  ruptured  his  diaphragm. 
But  no ;  there  he  stood  on  the  hillside,  and,  calmly  as  possi- 
ble under  the  circumstances,  he  placed  his  bugle  to  his  lips, 
and  finished  the  call  amidst  the  cheers  of  his  comrades. 

Honest  old  Tom  !  God  bless  him  !  We  saw  him  last 
summer  at  the  reunion  at  Galena,  and  the  sight  of  no  other 
man  started  such  a  train  of  thought  as  the  sight  of  his  happy 
face.  He  told  us  that  he  could  not  blow  the  "good  old 
bugle  "  any  more,  on  account  of  having  lost  his  front  teeth. 

A    HORSE   DOWN    CELLAR. 

While  on  Moccasin  Point,  forage  and  rations  were  so 
scarce  that  all  sutlers'  trains  and  officers'  horses  were  ordered 
to  the  rear ;  but  the  order  was  not  strictly  complied  with. 
One  horse,  belonging  to  an  officer  in  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  was 
secreted  in  an  old  building  near  camp,  and  subsisted  for  a 
time  upon  very  scanty  fare.  The  Rebel  shell  annoyed  the 
camp,  and  the  men  sought  to  protect  themselves  by  building 
bomb-proofs. 


660  HISTORY  OF  THE  96rrn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

In  looking  about  for  material  some  of  the  mem- 
bers of  Company  G  visited  this  hovel  one  night,  and  con- 
cluded that  the  heavy  hardwood  plank  of  which  the  floor  was 
made  would  serve  a  good  purpose  as  a  covering,  and  accord- 
ingly took  them  up  and  bore  them  to  camp.  When  a  few 
planks  had  been  removed  the  horse  was  pushed  oft  into  the 
cellar,  which  was  some  three  or  four  feet  deep.  Next  day  the- 
negro  groom  sought  to  lead  him  out,  and  had  succeeded  in 
getting  his  fore  feet  over  the  threshold,  when  the  fog  lifted 
and  the  sharpshooters  from  beyond  the  river  began  practicing, 
using  the  head  of  the  horse  as  a  target.  The  animal  was  too- 
weak  from  long  starvation  to  raise  himself  out  of  the  building, 
and  so  the  groom  skedaddled  at  the  first  shot.  The  Rebels 
soon  finished  their  work,  and  the  horse  lay  dead  across  the 
doorway. 

EAKLY    POTATOES. 

A  citizen  near  Triune,  Tenn,  industriously  planted  potatoes 
one  afternoon,  not  a  great  distance  from  the  picket  outpost. 
Next  morning  Oscar  Rector  and  Charles  Sammons,  two  of  the 
pickets,  had  potatoes  for  breakfast,  harvested  from  the  same 
field,  and  declared  them  the  earliest  variety  they  had  ever 
known. 

DIDN'T  KNOW  HIS  SON. 

John  Shatswell,  of  Company  C,  had  a  somewhat  peculiar 
experience  in  the  spring  of  1865.  He  had  been  transferred 
to  the  Mississippi  Marine  Brigade,  and  after  the  strife  had 
been  transferred  from  the  great  rivers,  he,  with  others  of  hi& 
command,  were  employed  in  driving  Ambulances.  In  April 
the  ambulances  were  sent  out  from  Vicksburg  toward  Jackson 
to  meet  a  large  body  of  prisoners  who  had  been  paroled  and 
were  on  the  way  to  the  Mississippi  to  secure  transportation 
northward.  John  was  driving  along  the  road  when  the  col- 
umn was  met,  under  orders  to  go  to  Jackson  to  take  the 
weaker  soldiers  who  had  been  unable  to  march.  Suddenly 
he  spied  a  familiar  face,  and  called  out  to  the  soldier  : 
' k  Hello  !  I  believe  you  are  my  father  !  "  The  man  accosted 
looked  up.  and,  supposing  the  remark  to  have  been  made 


INCIDENTS.  661 

simply  because  of  his  advanced  age,  replied,  "I  guess  so," 
and  marched  along.  A  younger  pair  of  eyes  were  close  beside 
the  escaped  prisoner,  however,  and  they  detected  familiar 
features  in  the  face  of  the  boy  teamster,  and  recognized  him  as 
indeed  the  son  of  the  man  first  addressed.  There  was  a  halt, 
.and  in  a  moment  John  was  greeting  his  father  and  two 
brothers,  all  members  of  the  15th  Illinois  V.  Y.  I.,  who  had 
been  prisoners  at  Andersonville  for  more  than  six  months. 
All  were  greatly  rejoiced  at  the  unexpected  meeting,  and  their 
pleasure  was  shared  by  the  large  group  who  witnessed  the 
family  reunion.  Just  then  a  Surgeon  rode  up  and  directed 
John  to  turn  around  and  drive  back  to  the  Big  Black  River  for 
a  medicine  chest. 

That  four  miles'  ride  was  greatly  enjoyed,  for  the  driver 
had  as  company  those  whom  he  loved  dearly,  and  whom  he 
had  not  expected  to  ever  see  again.  A  mere  stripling  when 
they  parted,  John  had  grown  to  manhood,  and  it  is  not  to  be 
•wondered  that  his  father  did  not  recognize  him  when  they 
•came  together  in  so  unexpected  a  manner. 

COKPORAL  MALONE'S  SALUTE. 

At  the  storming  of  Lookout  Mountain  two  men  were  miss- 
ing from  the  ranks,  having  disappeared  while  the  Regiment 
was  clambering  through  the  thickets  and  among  the  towering 
rocks.  Corporal  Ed.  Malone  was  sent  for  the  truants,  and 
returned  with  them  after  the  Regiment  had  advanced  quite  a 
distance  and  when  it  was  under  a  galling  fire.  The  Corporal 
proudly  marched  in  the  men,  brought  his  own  gun  to  a 
shoulder  and  saluted  before  seeking  cover,  remarking  :  "Here 
they  are,  Captain  ;  the  d — d  hospital  buzzards.  They  have  to 
shed  their  feathers  twice  before  they  can  fly  away  from  this 
child." 

HERE    RING  ! 

When  Hooker  was  expected  to  arrive  from  the  East,  in 
the  autumn  of  1863,  Whittaker's  Brigade  was  sent  across  the 
Tennessee  River,  at  Brown's  Ferry,  to  meet  them.  The 
NINETY-SIXTH  had  the  lead,  and  the  advance  guard  was  cau- 


662  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

tioned  not  to  fire  upon  any  troops  they  might  see,  unless 
certain  they  were  Rebels.  Arrived  at  a  farm-house,  the 
column  halted,  and  soon  the  expected  reinforcement  was  seen 
approaching.  The  NINETY-SIXTH  had  broken  ranks  at  the 
command  to  halt.  They  were  without  knapsacks  or  other 
impediments,  except  their  guns  and  ammunition  ;  ragged  to- 
the  last  degree,  for  the  teams  could  not  bring  half  rations  of 
food,  to  say  nothing  of  clothing.  Some  were  bare-foot,  and 
many  almost  bare-headed.  Colonel  Champion  had  gone  into 
the  farm-house,  and  the  soldiers  were  eagerly  crowding  around 
a  corn-crib,  tilling  their  haversacks  with  the  highly  prized 
golden  ears,  when  the  troops,  fresh  from  the  Potomacy 
marched  up,  halted,  dressed  their  lines,  stacked  arms,  unslung 
knapsacks,  and  received  the  order,  "In  place,  rest!"  An 
elegantly-mounted  and  stylishly-attired  field  officer  rode  upy 
and  in  loud  tones  ordered  the  soldiers  to  cease  their  "pil- 
laging," as  he  termed  the  filling  of  their  haversacks.  Hear- 
ing the  boisterous  order,  the  Colonel  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH 
came  out  from  the  house,  and  started  toward  the  outbuildings. 
Instantly  the  Potomac  officer  turned  toward  him  and  repeated 
the  command  in  tones  of  thunder.  "Who  are  you,  sir?" 

demanded  Colonel  Champion.     "I  am  Col.    ,  of  New 

York,  commanding Brigade,  and  I  command  this  pillag- 
ing to  stoj) ! "  responded  the  angry  officer.  "And  I  am 
Colonel  Champion,  commanding  the  NINETY-SIXTH  Illinois, 
and  no  d — d  New  York  Colonel  can  drive  my  men  away  from 
a  corn-crib  !  men,  fill  your  haversacks  !  "  was  the  reply.  The 
New  York  Colonel  sought  to  frame  an  answer,  but  his  voice 
was  drowned  in  a  chorus  of  shouts  from  the  NINETY-SIXTH, 
In  a  moment,  with  a  loyalty  to  their  respective  commanders 
characteristic  of  the  true  soldier,  the  men  had  taken  sides. 
The  eastern  troops  called  out  "Ragamuffins,"  "Corn-crack- 
ers." and  kindred  names.  The  western  boys  responded  with 
whistles,  as  if  calling  a  dog,  and  cries  of  "Here,  Ring!" 
"Here,  Ring  !  "  which  referred  to  the  white  collars  worn  by 
the  newly  arrived  force.  There  was  much  jesting  regarding 
the  two  armies,  the  matter  of  foraging,  and  the  fighting  qual- 
ities of  the  troops,  with  allusions  to  "  Chancellorsville,"  and 


INCIDENTS.  663 

responses  intended  to  be  equally  cutting.  The  big  knapsacks 
of  the  eastern  men  were  denominated  "  hospital  packs,"  and 
"peddlers'  packs,"  and  they  were  asked  if  they  drew  soft 
bread  and  cheese  every  day,  or  every  other  day,  and  how 
often  they  changed  their  "boiled  shirts,''  how  frequently  they 
obtained  furloughs,  and  how  much  a  pair  their  white  gloves 
were. 

All  of  this  may  have  been  unfortunate,  but  it  was,  at 
all  events,  very  ludicrous,  or  would  have  been  if  it  had  been 
less  in  earnest.  The  men  almost  came  to  blows,  and  occa- 
sionally afterward  there  were  personal  collisions  between  indi- 
viduals. And  all  of  this  seems  to  have  had  its  origin  in  the 
difference  in  the  practice  of  the  Eastern  and  Western  armies, 
at  that  time  of  the  war,  regarding  the  matter  of  foraging  in 
an  enemy's  country,  and  the  over-zealous  regard  for  "prop- 
erty "  on  the  part  of  a  New  York  Colonel. 

LIEUTENANT   EARLE's    "  PLUMP   GIRL." 

While  the  Regiment  was  in  camp  at  Cleveland,  Tenn., 
Lieutenant  C.  W.  Earle,  who  had  escaped  from  Libby  prison, 
returned  to  the  Regiment,  and  was  given  quite  an  ovation  ; 
and,  in  imitation  of  the  custom  of  Oriental  festivities,  the 
affair  was  prolonged  for  several  days.  On  the  evening  of 
one  of  these  days,  the  festive  sons  of  Mars  invited  in  some  of 
the  fair  Southern  belles  in  order  to  have  a  "hop,"  and  Charley, 
being  the  hero  of  the  occasion,  after  having  swung  a  buxom 
lass  through  the  "giddy  maze,"  was  seated  by  her  side,  and 
essayed  to  engage  her  in  conversation  ;  but  she  seemed  shy, 
and  responded  only  in  monosyllabic  words.  In  vain  did  the 
gallant  young  Lieutenant  try  to  touch  upon  some  theme  which 
should  meet  with  a  more  hearty  response  from  this  rural 
Southern  damsel.  At  last  he  resorted  to  flattery,  and  her 
lips  were  unsealed.  He  said  :  "Well,  now,  you  are  a  nice, 
plump  specimen  of  a  Southern  girl.  Do  you  live  near  Cleve- 
land ?  "  And  the  blushing  fair  one  answered  :  "  Well,  now  ! 
Do  yo  all  think  I'm  plump  ?  Sakesy  alive  !  yo  ought  to 
hev  seen-a-me  before  I  lied  the  diaree  ! " 


664  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

From  this  moment  the  Lieutenant  decided  if  he  ever 
returned  North  to  study  for  the  medical  profession. 

NED  MALONE  AND  "  AB  "  CHANDLER. 

Among  the  wounded  in  one  of  the  reconnoissances  before 
Atlanta  was  Ned  Malone,  of  Company  G,  who  received  a 
bullet  in  the  leg.  As  he  limped  to  the  rear  Gen.  Stanley 
observed  him,  and  remarked,  "Well,  Corporal,  I  hope  you 
are  not  badly  wounded;"  to  which  Ned  replied:  "If  I 
thought  I  had  been  pecking  away  at  them  all  these  years  and 
hadn't  hurted  them  worse  than  they've  hurted  me  I'd  go  hang 
mesel'  ! "  and  then,  looking  his  commander  square  in  the 
face,  he  added,  "I  say  Gineral,  have  yez  ary  drap  of  whisky 
wid  yez  ? "  Ned  was  promptly  handed  a  flask,  and  Gen. 
Stanley  never  tired  of  repeating  the  story  of  the  Irish  Cor- 
poral in  the  NINETY-SIXTH  who  asked  him  for  whisky.  It 
should,  perhaps,  be  added,  that  Ned  was  not  addicted  to  drink, 
at  least  not  during  the  latter  years  of  his  life. 

While  the  Regiment  was  in  front  of  Kenesaw  Mountain. 
Company  D,  Lieutenant  Eaiie  commanding,  occupied,  for  the 
day,  the  skirmish  line.  The  firing  at  times  was  very  sharp, 
but  the  men  held  their  position  and  did  excellent  service  in 
pushing  the  enemy  back  toward  their  main  line.  Just  before 
the  21st  Kentucky  relieved  the  skirmish  line,  preparatory  to 
making  the  charge  by  which  the  enemy's  rifle  pits  were  cap- 
tured, an  exclamation  from  one  of  the  men  was  heard  : 
"  Oh  !  I'm  shot !  I'm  killed  !  I'm  shot  in  the  belly  !  "  and 
then  he  coolly  added:  "Never  mind,  boys,  I  gave  them 
sixty  rounds  first."  It  was  "Ab  "  Chandler,  who  had  received 
a  bullet  in  his  abdomen,  and,  true  to  the  tradition,  thought 
that  inasmuch  as  the  bullet  had  probably  lodged  in  his 
abdominal  walls  it  must  necessarily  be  fatal.  Fortunately  it 
proved  to  be  only  a  flesh  wound,  from  which  he  speedily 
recovered. 


TRANSFERRED  TO  THE  TWENTY-FIRST  ILLINOIS.         665 


CHAPTER    XXXIX. 

'The  Twenty-First  Illinois — Experiences  of  the  Transferred  Men — Down 
the  Tennessee  and  Mississippi — The  Camp  at  New  Orleans — Across 
the  Gulf — Sea-sick  Soldiers — A  Fearful  March— Scarcity  *.  f  Water — 
Victoria  and  San  Antonio — Mustered  Out. 

As  stated  in  Chapter  XXIX,  the  order  for  the  muster-out 
of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  was  accompanied  by  directions  to  trans- 
fer all  men  whose  terms  of  service  did  not  expire  before  Octo- 
ber 1,  1865,  to  the  TWENTY-FIRST  Regiment  Illinois  Veteran 
Volunteer  Infantry.  The  men  to  be  transferred  felt  honored 
at  being  assigned  to  the  Regiment  with  which  Gen.  Grant 
entered  the  service  as  a  Colonel,  and  which  during  the  long 
years  of  its  service  had  never  failed  to  reflect  honor  upon  its 
first  commander.  The  formal  transfer  was  made  June  9,  1865. 
About  190  were  carried  upon  the  rolls,  a  number  of  whom 
were  absent  in  hospitals,  and  never  reported  to  the  TWENTY- 
FIRST,  but  were  discharged  for  disability. 

About  the  middle  of  June  the  command  took  the  train  at 
Nashville,  going  by  rail  to  Johnson ville,  Tenn.,  where  they 
embarked  on  transports.  An  uneventful  trip  down  the  Ten- 
nessee and  Mississippi  rivers  followed,  and  near  the  close  of 
the  month  the  command  went  into  camp  on  the  old  Chalmette 
battle-ground,  near  the  city  of  New  Orleans.  Two  weeks 
later  they  went  by  steamer  across  the  gulf  to  Matagorda  Bay. 
The  passage  occupied  but  two  or  three  days,  but  a  terrific 
storm  raged,  and  it  was  nearly  a  week  before  the  "  lighters  " 
could  venture  out  to  convey  the  men  to  the  shore.  With  few 
exceptions  the  soldiers  were  terribly  sea-sick,  and  all  were 
glad  when  once  more  on  land.  They  were  in  poor  condition 
to  make  a  long  and  rapid  march,  after  a  week  or  more  of 
almost  continuous  sea-sickness ;  but,  as  there  was  no  water 
suitable  for  drinking  purposes  on  the  coast,  they  were  ordered 
to  move  at  once  to  Green  Lake,  a  distance  of  twenty  or  twenty- 
five  miles.  Unacclimated  and  weakened  as  they  were,  it  was 
•deemed  imprudent  to  march  under  the  burning  July  sun,  and 


666  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

a  night  trip  was  undertaken.  The  men  struggled  bravely  for- 
ward, but  with  many  the  broad  prairies  seemed  to  have  par- 
taken of  the  motion  of  the  vessel,  and  only  the  stronger  and 
more  resolute  reached  the  camp  before  the  heat  of  the  morn- 
ing sun  had  become  almost  unbearable.  Hundreds  straggled, 
and  rescuing  parties,  with  wagons,  had  to  be  sent  to  bring 
them  in.  A  few  died  beside  the  road  or  after  reaching  camp. 
Even  the  veterans  agreed  that  the  march  from  Indianola  to 
Green  Lake  was  the  most  trying  in  their  experience,  for  the 
most  frugal  were  without  water  after  the  first  few  miles  were 
passed,  and  all  suffered  intensely  from  thirst. 

A  good  story  is  told  of  Gen.  Willich,  commanding  a  Bri- 
gade in  the  Fourth  Corps  at  this  time.  Before  starting  upon 
this  march,  he  issued  strict  orders  that,  there  should  be  no 
straggling,  and  no  entering  of  houses.  As  it  proved,  there 
was  not  a  house  on  the  entire  line  of  march,  and  the  latter 
clause  of  the  order,  to  which  he  had  given  especial  emphasis, 
was  obeyed  to  the  letter. 

From  Green  Lake  the  command  moved  to  Victoria,  camp- 
ing three  miles  outside  the  town,  on  the  river  bank.  The 
duties  were  light,  as  the  troops  merely  served  as  an  "army  of 
observation,"  and  were  only  required  to  hold  themselves  in 
readiness  for  active  service  should  the  threatened  trouble  with 
Mexico  prove  serious.  No  trouble  came,  however,  and, 
beyond  the  necessary  work  of  caring  for  the  camp,  the  men 
were  idle. 

From  time  to  time  a  few  men  were  discharged  for  disa- 
bility, or  on  special  orders  from  the  War  Department.  Early 
in  October  the  terms  of  service  of  nearly  one-half  of  those  who 
had  been  transferred  from  the  NINETY-SIXTH  expired,  and 
these  men  were  sent  to  Springfield,  111.,  under  charge  of  Cap- 
tain Harrison  Black,  now  of  Marshall,  111.  They  marched 
from  Victoria  to  Lavaca,  and  went  thence  by  boat  across  the- 
Gulf,  and  up  the  Mississippi  to  Alton,  111.,  and  by  rail  to 
Springfield,  when,  early  in  the  month  of  November,  they 
received  their  final  pay  and  discharge. 

In  October,  the  remainder  of  the  Regiment,  with  other 
troops,  marched  to  San  Antonio,  where  they  remained  in 


TRANSFERRED  TO  THE  TWENTY-FIRST  ILLINOIS.        66T 

comparative  idleness  until  their  final  muster  out,  December 
16,  1865.  Their  trip  northward  was  uneventful  and  tedious. 
They  arrived  at  Camp  Butler,  Springfield,  111.,  January  18, 
1866,  for  final  payment  and  discharge. 

Of  the  entire  number,  six  are  reported  to  have  died  while 
members  of  the  TWENTY-FIRST,  as  follows  :  Frederick  Dryer, 
July  24  ;  James  Delaney.  August  2  ;  Albert  T.  Higley,  August 
21  ;  James  Diehl,  September  2 ;  George  Woodward,  October 
16  ;  Henry  W.  Mitchell,  December  7.  A  half  dozen  were 
promoted  to  the  rank  of  Corporal  or  Sergeant.  The  men  felt 
themselves  thoroughly  at  home  in  the  TWENTY-FIRST  from  the 
outset,  and  received  generous  and  soldierly  treatment  from 
their  associates  and  commanders.  Although  not  called  upon 
to  engage  in  battle,  or  in  active  campaigning,  save  the  forced 
march  from  the  coast,  they  were  nevertheless  subject  to  many 
trying  experiences  incident  to  an  extreme  change  of  climate- 
at  a  season  of  the  year  that  was  exceptionally  unfavorable, 
and  it  is  a  matter  of  congratulation  that  the  fatalities  were  not 
more  numerous.  So  far  as  they  can  be  gathered,  the  personal 
experiences  of  the  men  are  given  in  the  sketches  which  follow 
the  several  Company  histories. 


-668  HISTORY  OF  THE  96-rn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 


CHAPTER   XL. 


THE  FIELD  AND  STAFF. 

Personal  Sketches — The  Officers  and  Non-Commissioned  Officers — Who 
they  were  and  What  they  Did — Whereabouts  and  Occupations  of 
the  Survivors — Shoulder  Straps  and  Chevrons. 

IN  Chapter  II  will  be  found  the  Roster  of  the  Field  and 
Staff  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  as  originally  made  up,  together 
with  a  statement  as  to  the  manner  in  which  the  Regiment  was 
organized.  Other  chapters  give  the  changes  among  the  com- 
missioned officers  as  they  occurred.  It  is  therefore  necessary, 
in  this  connection,  to  merely  give  personal  sketches  of 

THE  FIELD  AND  STAFF. 

Colonel  Thomas  E.  Champion  was  born  in  Palmyra,  Wayne  County, 
New  York,  August  3,  1825.  At  twelve  years  of  age  his  parents  removed 
to  the  West,  settling  in  Michigan,  where  he  assisted  his  father  in  the 
work  of  the  farm  until  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age.  He  then  entered  a 
printing  office,  where  he  remained  several  years,  during  which  time  his 
leisure  hours  were  employed  in  the  study  of  medicine.  He  subsequently 
graduated  from  the  University  of  Michigan,  and  was  admitted  to  practice 
in  1847.  In  1848  he  married  Miss  Mary  E.  Deane,  who  still  survives  him. 
He  removed  to  Freeport,  111.,  in  1850,  and  to  Warren,  Jo  Daviess  County, 
in  J851,  practicing  medicine  in  each  place  with  marked  success  ;  but, 
having  a  natural  taste  for  law,  he  studied  the  usual  text  books,  and  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  by  the  Supreme  Court,  at  Ottawa,  111.,  in  June,  1855. 
In  1856  he  commenced  the  practice  of  law,  entering  upon  his  work  with 
enthusiasm,  and  achieving  more  than  local  fame.  At  the  same  time  he 
began  to  take  an  active  and  prominent  part  in  the  discussion  of  the  excit- 
ing political  topics  of  the  day,  and  was  recognized  as  an  able  and  impres- 
sive speaker. 

He  assisted  in  recruiting  what  afterward  became  Company  K,  and  at 
the  organization  of  the  Company  was  elected  its  Captain.  At  the  organi- 
zation of  the  Regiment  he  was  chosen  Colonel.  In  a  surprisingly  short 
time,  and  without  previous  military  experience,  he  mastered  the  intrica- 
cies of  military  text  books.  Of  commanding  appearance,  and  possessed 
of  an  admirable  voice,  he  became  an  excellent  drill  master,  and  speedily 
gained  the  confidence  of  his  men.  At  Chickamauga  he  had  two  horses 
shot  under  him,  and  rode  the  third  from  the  battlefield  ;  his  clothing  was 


THE  FIELD  AND  STAFF.  669' 

pierced  with  bullets,  and  more  than  one-half  of  his  command  were  killed 
or  wounded.  At  a  critical  period  in  the  battle  he  commanded  the  Brigade 
for  a  considerable  time,  and  was  especially  commended  for  meritorious 
conduct  by  his  superior  officers.  At  Lookout  Mountain  he  was  a  con- 
spicuous figure,  and  by  his  rare  militar}T  skill  saved  at  least  a  temporary 
disaster  to  the  Brigade,  if  not  to  the  army.  In  the  earlier  engagement* 
of  the  Atlanta  campaign  he  was  chosen  to  make  numerous  important  and 
difficult  movements,  and  iir  every  engagement  bore  a  distinguished  part. 
At  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Ga.,  June  20,  1864,  while  defending  some  newly 
captured  works  from  the  repeated  and  desperate  assaults  of  the  enemy, 
he  was  struck  by  a  bullet,  which  penetrated  his  face,  injuring  the  bone 
and  causing  a  painful  wound.  His  system  was  enervated  by  the  long 
and  arduous  labors  and  the  constant  anxiety  of  the  campaign,  so  that  the 
injuries  prostrated  him  and  made  the  wound  slow  in  healing.  He 
returned  to  the  Regiment  in  the  September  following,  but  was  still  in- 
poor  health,  and  unable  to  remain  for  many  weeks.  He  was  afterward 
with  the  Regiment,  but  only  for  a  brief  period,  not  being  able  for  active 
field  duty.  He  commanded  the  Brigade  at  several  periods  and  always 
ably.  No  officer  ever  enjoyed  more  fully  the  confidence  of  his  men,  and 
few  so  fully  merited  it.  He  was  urgently  recommended  by  his  superior 
officers  for  promotion  to  the  rank  of  Brigadier  General,  but  never  sought 
advancement  himself.  The  lists  being  full  he  was  given  merely  a  brevet 
commission.  He  resigned  after  hostilities  ceased,  and  left  the  service 
about  simultaneously  with  the  muster-out  of  the  command.  Removing^ 
at  once  to  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  he  resumed  the  practice  of  law,  winning 
high  distinction  at  the  bar.  His  health  was  broken  by  the  wounds  and 
exposure  incident  to  h'is  army  life,  and  he  died  from  consumption,  June 
13,  1873,  leaving  a  wife,  three  sons  and  one  daughter,  all  of  whom  are 
living  at  Knoxville,  Tenn. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Isaac  L.  Clarke  was  born  in  Williamstown,  Orange 
County,  Vermont,  February  29,  1824,  and  graduated  at  Dartmouth  Col- 
lege in  1848.  In  the  following  September  he  settled  at  Waukegan,  Lake 
County,  Illinois,  as  principal  of  the  academy  in  that  city,  a  position  in 
which  he  labored  for  several  years  with  great  success.  In  May,  1853,  he 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Illinois,  where,  by  rea- 
son of  his  recognized  ability  and  success, , he  soon  commanded  a  large  and 
lucrative  practice.  He  married  Miss  Lemira  M.  Dean,  at  Waukegan, 
November  1,  1853,  who  still  survives,  and  resides  in  Grafton,  Vt.  Their 
union  was  blessed  with  one  child,  a  son,  who  now  resides  in  Waukegan, 
111.  He  was  a  leader  in  all  public  matters,  and  in  his  later  years  took 
an  active  part  in  politics,  warmly  supporting  Abraham  Lincoln  for  Presi- 
dent in  the  campaign  of  1860  When  the  call  came  for  "Three  hundred 
thousand  more,"  he  left  his  office  and  extensive  practice  to  serve  his 
country,  and  by  his  own  exertions  he  soon  raised  a  company  of  Volun- 
teers, of  which  he  was  made  Captain.  On  the  formation  of  the  Regi- 
ment he  was  unanimously  elected  Lieutenant  Colonel.  As  a  soldier  fear- 
less and  brave,  Colonel  Clarke  was  the  peer  of  anyone,  and  as  a  discipli- 


670  HISTORY  OF  THE  96rra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

narian  he  had  few  equals.  Loved  and  honored  as  were  few  of  his  rank, 
he  fell  mortally  wounded,  with  his  face  to  the  foe,  in  one  of  those  fierce 
charges  on  that  ever  memorable  Sabbath  at  Ohickamauga.  He  was  ten- 
derly carried  from  the  field,  but  survived  only  a  few  hours,  dying  as  he 
had  lived,  a  true  Christian,  a  courteous  gentleman,  and  a  brave  soldier. 
His  remains  were  taken  to  Waukegan,  111.,  for  interment. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  John  C.  Smith  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  February 
13,  1832,  and  continued  to  reside  in  that  city  and  its  vicinity  until  arriving 
at  the  age  of  twenty  one  years  Having  served  an  apprenticeship  to  the 
carpenter  and  joiner  trade,  and  become  master  of  the  same,  he  spent  one 
year  in  superintending  the  construction  of  prominent  buildings  in  New 
Jersey  and  New  York.  In  May,  1854,  he  removed  to  Chicago,  and  in  the 
following  September  to  Galena,  where  he  continued  to  reside  until  the 
time  of  enlistment.  He  married  Miss  Charlotte  A.  Gallaher,  the  daughter 
of  a  prominent  official  of  Galena,  March  24,  1856.  Their  union  has  been 
blessed  with  five  children,  four  of  whom  are  living.  In  1860-1  he  was 
engaged  as  assistant  superintendent  in  the  construction  of  the  U.  S.  Cus- 
tom House,  at  Dubuque.  Iowa.  Surrendering  several  heavy  contracts  at 
a  great  loss,  he  enlisted  as  a  private  soldier  in  what  became  Company  I, 
and  was  elected  Captain  at  the  organization  of  the  Company,  and  Major 
at  the  organization  of  the  Regiment.  At  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  he 
did  gallant  service  upon  the  Staff  of  Gen.  Steedman,  receiving  compli- 
mentary mention  in  the  official  reports  of  his  superior  officers.  Following 
the  battle  he  was  promoted  to  the  position  made  vacant  by  the  death  of 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Clarke.  He  subsequently  commanded  the  Regiment 
at  various  periods,  and  always  creditably.  In  the  action  at  Kenesaw 
Mountain,  June  20,  1867,  he  was  severely  wounded  in  the  shoulder,  and 
so  disabled  as  to  unfit  him  for  field  service  for  many  months.  During 
the  latter  part  of  the  war  he  served  as  president  of  a  military  commis- 
sion at  Nashville,  returning  to  the  command  of  the  Regiment  shortly 
before  its  muster-out.  At  the  battle  of  Nashville  he  served  as  a  volun- 
teer Aide  on  the  Staff  of  Gen.  Steedman,  his  former  commander.  He  was 
Breveted  Colonel  by  President  Lincoln  in  February,  1865 ;  end  made 
Brevet  Brigadier  General  by  President  Johnson,  a  few  months  later. 
Patriotism  seemed  to  be  a  family  trait,  for  the  General's  father  and  both 
of  his  brothers  were  in  the  army, — one  brother,  Lieutenant  Smith,  of  Com- 
pany I,  being  fatally  wounded  at  Resaca,  and  the  ether,  Robert,  who  was 
a  member  of  the  7th  Ohio  Cavalry,  being  killed  at  Duck  River,  Tenn., 
shortly  before  the  battle  of  Franklin.  Since  the  war  General  Smith  has 
been  almost  constantly  in  the  service  of  the  public.  In  the  Internal  Rev- 
enue Department,  as  Chief  Grain  Inspector  in  Chicago,  as  State  Treasurer 
for  two  terms,  and  later  as  Lieutenant  Governor,  he  has  filled  every 
place  with  credit  to  himself,  and  is  to-day  one  of  the  most  widely  known 
and  most  universally  esteemed  men  in  the  State  of  Illinois.  To  a  degree 
that,  perhaps,  has  few  parallels  he  enjoys  the  confidence  and  high  regard 
of  the  men  whom  he  commanded,  a  feeling  that  is  reciprocated,  as  has 
been  demonstrated  during  the  years  intervening  since  the  war  closed. 


THE  FIELD  AND  STAFF.  671 

Major  George  Hicks  was  born  at  Ludlow,  Massachusetts,  February 
.1835.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Galena,  Illinois, 
the  Galena  Academy  (under  Dr.  Magoun),  and  Beloit  College,  leaving 
college  in  his  sophomore  years.  At  college  he  took  the  initiative  in 
establishing  the  Beloit  College  Monthly,  which  has  since  been  continued 
by  the  students.  In  1855  he  was  assistant  editor  of  the  Milwaukee  Daily 
Wisconsin,  and  edited  the  Galena  Gazette  in  the  presidential  campaign  of 
1856.  He  studied  law  in  the  office  of  Hon.  R.  H.  McClellan,  at  Galena, 
and  was  admitted  to  practice  in  1858.  In  the  same  year  he  was  elected 
School  Commissioner  of  the  County  of  Jo  Daviess,  and  was  re-elected  in 
1860.  He  carried  an  enthusiasm  into  this  work  that  was  productive  of 
great  good  to  the  public  schools  of  this  county.  In  1862  he  enlisted  a  com- 
pany of  volunteers  a  little  prior  to  the  organization  of  the  other  portions 
of  his  Regiment,  and  his  command  was  accorded  the  position  of  Com- 
pany A,  of  which  Company  he  was  chosen  Captain.  After  the  battle  of 
Chickamauga,  where  he  earned  especial  distinction,  he  was  promoted  to 
be  Major.  Toward  the  close  of  the  war  he  was  brevetted  Lieutenant 
Colonel,  and  just  before  the  Regiment  was  mustered  out  was  brevetted 
Colonel.  He  was  engaged  with  the  Regiment  in  all  its  battles,  except 
that  during  the  first  night  of  the  battles  in  front  of  Kenesaw  Mountain, 
he  was,  by  order  of  the  doctor,  in  the  field  hospital,  taking  medicine. 
That  night  the  Colonel  and  Lieutenant  Colonel  were  brought  into  the  hos- 
pital, wounded,  and  in  the  morning  Major  Hicks  left  the  hospital  and 
took  command  of  the  Regiment,  and  was  in  command  during  most  of 
the  further  battles  of  the  Atlanta  campaign.  From  his  enlistment  he 
was  continuously  on  duty  with  the  Regiment,  except  that  at  intervals 
when  the  Regiment  was  in  quarters,  he  acted  as  Judge  Advocate  of  the 
Division ;  and  except  also  that  a  furlough  (granted  him  just  before  the 
grand  army  reconnoissance  on  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  and  used  after  the 
return  of  the  Regiment  to  camp),  gave  him  a  brief  visit  north,  to  settle 
the  affairs  connected  with  his  office  as  School  Commissioner.  Following 
his  return  home  at  the  close  of  the  war  he  organized  the  movement  which 
resulted  in  the  erection  of  an  elegant  monument,  at  Galena,  in  memory 
of  the  deceased  soldiers  and  sailors  of  Jo  Daviess  County.  After  prac- 
ticing law  in  Freeport  and  Mount  Carroll,  and  his  health  breaking  down, 
consequent  upon  the  exposure  of  campaign  life,  he  removed  to  a  south- 
ern State,  and  became  editor  of  the  Kansas  City  Journal.  His  health 
still  failing,  he  went,  in  1870,  to  the  Island  of  Jamaica,  in  the  West 
Indies,  and,  after  a  three  years'  sojourn,  came  back  to 'Missouri,  first 
visiting  England  and  the  Continent  of  Europe.  His  health  again  failing, 
he  returned  to  Jamaica  in  1875,  to  make  that  island  his  future  home,  He 
became  a  citizen  of  Jamaica,  and  accepted  the  post,  which  was  offered 
him  on  his  first  visit,  of  Assistant  Inspector  of  Schools,  which  office  he 
continues  to  hold. 

While  in  Jamaica  he  has  published  a  number  of  lectures  and  essays, 
among  which  are  :  Abraham  Lincoln  ;  Better  Homes  for  the  People  ; 
Missing  Rounds  in  the  Educational  Ladder ;  Plans  for  Organizing 


672  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  KEGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

Teachers'  Associations ;  Reading  for  the  People.  His  essay  upon  Edu- 
cational Progress  in  Jamaica  is  included  in  the  volume  recently  published 
by  the  Bureau  of  Education,  containing  the  papers  read  at  the  Inter- 
national Congress  of  Educators  held  at  New  Orleans.  Upon  plans  sug- 
gested and  advocated  by  him  the  government  has  established  a  Female 
Teachers'  Training  College,  and  he  has  caused  the  organization  of  several 
teachers'  associations  and  the  establishing  of  many  reading  clubs.  On 
the  18th  of  May,  1886,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Susette  Walder,  of  Zurich, 
Switzerland,  who,  for  several  years,  had  been  Principal  of  the  Moravian 
Training  College  for  Female  Teachers  in  Jamaica. 

Adjutant  Edward  A.  Blodgett  was  born  in  Will  County,  Illinois, 
September  1,  1835.  At  the  outbreak  of  the  war  he  was  farming  at 
Downer's  Grove,  DuPage  County,  Illinois.  He  enlisted  at  once,  being 
the  second  man  in  the  county  to  sign  the  muster  roll,  but  when  the  Com- 
pany was  organized  he  was  rejected,  although  most  of  the  men  who 
enlisted  at  that  time  became  members  of  the  13th  Illinois.  A  little  later 
he  entered  the  service  with  the  37th  Illinois,  and  at  the  organization  of 
the  Regiment  was  appointed  Quartermaster  Sergeant.  He  participated 
with  that  command  in  the  battle  of  Pea  Ridge,  and  earned  a  promotion, 
which  came  in  the  form  of  a  commission  as  First  Lieutenant  and  Adju- 
tant of  the  74th  Illinois.  He  joined  that  Regiment  at  Rockford,  Illinois. 
When  the  NINETY-SIXTH  was  organized,  Anton  Nieman,  who  had  pre- 
viously held  a  like  position  in  the  37th  Illinois,  was  commissioned  Adju- 
tant, and  the  two  exchanged  places,  each  being  formally  transferred. 
One  of  the  reasons  that  led  to  this  was  the  fact  that  Adjutant  Blodgett 
desired  to  be  with  his  brother,  Captain  A.  Z.  Blodgett,  of  Company  D  ; 
the  further  fact  that  he  had  at  one  time  lived  in  Waukegan,  and  had 
many  acquaintances  in  the  Regiment  also  had  to  do  with  the  transfer 
His  previous  military  experience  had  fitted  him  admirably  for  the  place, 
and  he  proved  of  great  service  to  the  command,  acting  as  drill  master 
often  during  the  early  months  of  their  experience.  At  Lookout  Moun- 
tain Adjutant  Blodgett  was  wounded  in  the  hand.  He  participated  in  all 
of  the  engagements  of  the  Atlanta  campaign  until  Keuesaw  Mountain 
was  reached,  when  he  was  prostrated  by  sickness.  Partially  recovering 
he  a&ain  joined  the  Regiment,  but  was  in  poor  health.  On  the  march  up 
the  Chattahoochie  River,  July  10,  1864,  he  sustained  a  sunstroke,  which 
compelled  him  to  go  to  hospital.  Returning  to  the  Regiment  he  partici- 
pated in  the  battles  of  Franklin  and  Nashville,  and  at  the  latter  engage- 
ment was  especially  conspicuous  for  his  gallantry,  and  received  personal 
favorable  mention  in  the  official  reports.  He  was  always  a  popular  officer 
in  the  Regiment,  and  served  with  it  until  the  close  of  the  war.  After  his 
return  he  married  Miss  Julia  E.  Wygant,  of  Chicago,  and  engaged  in 
business  as  a  druggist  at  Warrensburg,  Mo.  In  1875  he  returned  to  Chi- 
cago and  accepted  a  position  as  purchasing  agent  for  the  West  Division 
Street  Railway  Company.  He  has  been  twice  elected  a  member  of  the 
State  Board  of  Equalization,  and  is  an  acknowledged  leader  in  Chicago- 
politics.  He  resides  at  109  South  Peoria  street. 


First  Ass't  Surgeon  MOSKS  EVANS. 
Second  Ass't  Surgeon  F.  W.  BYERS. 


Surgeon  CHARLES  MAKTIN.          Second  Ass't  Surgeon  D.  A.  SHEFFIELD. 
Surgeon  BYRON  G.  PIERCE.         Quarter  Master  GEORGE  W.  MOORE. 
Quarter  Master  STEPHEN  JKFFERS. 


THE  FIELD  AND  STAFF.  673 

Quarter  Master  Stephen  Jeffers  was  born  in  Broome  County,  New 
York,  and  was  forty-two  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his  enlistment.  He 
assisted  in  recruiting  Company  F,  and  upon  the  organization  of  the 
Regiment  left  his  farm  at  Hanover,  Jo  Daviess  County,  and  was  appointed 
Quartermaster,  with  the  rank  of  First  Lieutenant.  He  served  in  that 
capacity  until  April  6,  1864,  when,  upon  the  recommendation  of  Gen. 
Grant,  whom  he  personally  knew,  he  was  appointed  Commissary  of  Sub- 
sistence in  the  regular  army,  with  the  rank  of  Captain,  and  assigned  to 
duty  at  Chattanooga.  March  13,  1865,  he  was  brevetted  Major.  He  was 
mustered  out  at  Nashville,  Tenn.  Since  the  war  he  has  been  engaged  in 
farming  at  Hanover,  111.,  where  he  still  resides.  He  has  represented  his 
township  as  Supervisor  repeatedly,  and  is  a  successful  and  respected 
business  man. 

Quarter  Master  George  W.  Moore  was  born  in  Ireland,  and  was 
twenty-five  years  of  age  when  he  entered  the  service.  Prior  to  his  enlist- 
ment he  was  a  farmer,  and  resided  at  Hanover,  111.  He  was  appointed 
Second  Lieutenant  of  Company  I  at  the  organization  of  the  Regiment, 
and  was  promoted  to  First  Lieutenant  October  6,  1863.  At  the  battle  of 
Lookout  Mountain  he  was  severely  wounded  in  the  leg,  and  disabled  for 
some  weeks.  In  the  spring  of  1864  he  was  assigned  to  duty  as  Regimental 
Quartermaster,  and  served  in  that  capacity  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
He  is  now  a  large  farmer  and  stock-raiser  at  "Essex,  Page  County,  Iowa. 


Surgeon  Charles  Martin,  t|K^stjS«fe"q3r.r'\Rgiment,  was  born 
near  Norristown,  the  county  seat  of  Montgomery  County,  Pennsylvania, 
in  January,  1812.  His  father  was  a  physician,  as  was  his  grandfather  — 
the  latter  a  Prussian  who  came  to  this  country  about  the  middle  of  the 
last  century.  Five  of  his  father's  brothers  were  also  physicians.  His 
father  had  three  sons,  all  of  whom  studied  medicine,  and  graduated  at  the 
University  of  Pennsylvania.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  graduated  and 
received  his  degree  in  March,  1833,  practiced  medicine  a  short  time  in  his 
native  county,  and  afterward  at  Mechanicsburg,  Pa.  In  1834  he  laid  down 
the  lancet,  studied  theology,  and  was  engaged  in  the  duties  of  the  min- 
istry until  1856,  when  he  entered  upon  educational  work.  In  1859  he 
located  in  Warren,  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.,  and  resumed  the  practice  of 
medicine,  being  associated  with  the  late  Dr.  B.  G.  Pierce,  who  succeeded 
him  as  Surgeon  of  the  Regiment.  At  the  commencement  of  the  civil  war 
he  went  to  Philadelphia,  attended  another  full  course  of  lectures  in  the 
University  of  Pennsylvania,  and  in  1862  returned  to  Warren,  and  was 
again  associated  with  Dr.  Pierce.  In  September,  1862,  he  was  appointed 
Surgeon  of  the  Regiment,  with  the  rank  of  Major,  and  served  in  that 
capacity  until  January,  1863.  Army  diarrhosa  and  hemorrhage  from  the 
bowels  compelled  him  to  resign  and  return  home.  His  resignation  was 
accepted  February  6,  1863.  Following  his  return  from  the  service  he 
practiced  medicine  for  a  time,  but  for  some  years  past  has  successfully 
conducted  the  "Young  Ladies'  Institute"  at  St.  Joseph,  Mo. 

43 


674  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  1. 

Surgeon  Byron  G.  Pierce  was  born  in  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  August  13, 
1825.  When  six  years  old  he  removed  to  Ohio,  where  he  grew  to  man- 
hood. He  received  his  medical  education  at  the  University  of  Michigan 
and  in  Rush  Medical  College,  Chicago.  In  June,  1853,  he  married  Miss 
Marilla  E.  Allen,  who  died  in  1857,  leaving  one  child,  Miss  Ida.  In  1858 
he  married  Miss  Alicia  Gilmore,  who  died  shortly  after  the  close  of  the 
war,  leaving  three  children — Miss  Emma  V.,  Byron  and  John.  Byron 
died  at  the  U.  S.  Naval  Academy,  Annapolis,  Md.,  a  few  months  before 
graduating.  In  the  summer  of  1854,  Dr.  Pierce  came  to  Warren,  111., 
where  he  practiced  medicine  until  commissioned  Surgeon  of  the  NINETY- 
SIXTH,  being  associated  for  a  time  with  Dr.  Charles  Martin,  whom  he 
succeeded  in  the  field  in  February,  1863.  He  joined  the  command  at 
Franklin,  Tenn.,  and  was  with  it  almost  continuously  until  its  muster-out 
at  the  close  of  the  war.  His  labors  with  the  Regiment  were  arduous  in 
the  extreme,  but  during  that  trying  first  summer  in  the  field,  when  at 
times  a  large  proportion  of  the  command  were  almost  prostrate  from 
disease,  and  in  the  after-days  when  battles  came  thick  and  fast,  and  days 
and  nights  were  blended  into  an  almost  unceasing  round  of  surgical 
labor,  he  was  ever  a  patient,  painstaking,  kindly  physician  and  surgeon, 
retaining  the  confidence  and  regard  of  both  officers  and  men  to  a  degree 
unusual  in  the  experience  of  army  surgeons.  Returning  home  at  the 
close  of  the  war  he  remained  at  Warren  until  his  death,  which  resulted 
from  consumption  November  27,  1884.  During  his  life  he  retained  the 
respect,  goodwill  and  confidence  of  the  people  who  were  his  neighbors, 
and  held  the  position  of  County  Coroner  at  the  time  of  his  death.  He 
was  an  honored  member  of  the  Masonic  brotherhood,  including  the  order 
of  Knights  Templar.  His  mortal  remains  were  laid  to  rest  by  Galena 
Commandery  of  Knights  Templar,  Warren  Post  of  the  Grand  Army  of 
the  Republic  acting  as  escort,  and  many  comrades  from  the  Regiment 
being  present  as  sincere  mourners. 

First  Assistant  Surgeon  Moses  Evans,  First  Assistant  Surgeon  of  the 
Regiment  from  its  organization  until  its  muster-out,  was  born  in  Frye- 
burg,  Oxford  County,  Maine,  January  1,  1820,  and  worked  upon  his 
father's  farm  during  his  early  life.  At  eighteen  he  began  the  study  of 
medicine,  and  at  twenty  took  his  final  course  of  lectures  at  Dartmouth 
College.  In  1840  he  marched  under  the  banner  of  "Log  Cabin  and  Hard 
Cider,"  and  cast  his  first  vote  for  "Tippecanoe  and  Tyler  Too."  In  the 
autumn  of  1843  he  completed  his  studies  and  received  his  diploma  of 
"M.D."  In  1844  he  removed  to  Waukegan  (then  Little  Fort),  Illinois, 
and  was  associated  with  Dr.  David  Cory  until  the  death  of  the  latter, 
from  cholera,  in  1854.  In  1843  he  married  Miss  Ann  Sanford,  who  was 
his  companion  for  thirty-eight  years,  and  who  died  in  1885.  He  practiced 
medicine  continuously,  and,  in  the  spring  of  1862,  in  company  with  Hon. 
H.  W.  Blodgett,  visited  the  battle-field  of  Pea  Ridge  to  look  after  the 
sick  and  wounded  Lake  County  soldiers  in  the  37th  Illinois,  remaining 
thqre  and  doing  excellent  service  for  a  fortnight  or  more,  and  on  the 
return  trip  having  in  charge  Lieut.  Huntley,  who  was  seriously  wounded. 


THE  FIELD  AND  STAFF.  675 

The  following  summer  he  assisted  in  recruiting  the  NINETY-SIXTH,  and 
at  its  organization  was  mustered  as  Surgeon  of  the  Regiment,  but  imme- 
diately resigned,  and  was  appointed  and  mustered  as  First  Assistant  Sur- 
geon. He  was  with  the  Regiment  on  the  march,  in  the  camp  and  in  the 
trenches.  At  Kenesaw  Mountain  his  services  in  caring  for  the  wounded 
were  of  a  character  to  call  for  special  mention  in  the  reports  of  the  battle. 
After  the  terrible  battle  of  Chickamauga,  where  he  made  almost  super- 
human efforts  in  caring  for  the  unfortunate,  he  was  sent  to  Stevenson, 
Ala.,  in  charge  of  an  ambulance  train  of  wounded.  The  route  lay  along 
the  Tennessee  River  at  one  point,  and  in  passing  an  exposed  position  the 
train  was  fired  upon  from  the  opposite  bank,  the  Doctor  receiving  a  flesh 
wound  in  the  calf  of  one  leg.  After  the  battle  of  Jonesboro  he  was  placed 
in  charge  of  an  ambulance  train  of  wounded  and  sent  to  Atlanta.  A 
souvenir  of  that  trip  he  still  wears  and  prizes  as  a  cherished  relic  ;  it  is  a 
gold  ring,  presented  him  by  a  soldier  who  died  soon  after  reaching  camp, 
and  who  thus  sought  to  testify  his  high  regard  for  the  tender  care  given 
to  himself  and  other  comrades  by  the  Doctor.  Returning  to  Waukegan 
the  Doctor  resumed  the  practice  of  his  profession,  serving  the  public  for 
a  time  as  Postmaster  and  also  as  a  County  Coroner.  Suffering  from 
asthma  he  went  to  California,  residing  two  years  at  Monterey.  Securing 
partial  relief  he  again  returned  to  Waukegan.  but  was  soon  warned  by  a 
return  of  his  old  complaint  that  he  must  make  a  permanent  change  of 
climate,  and  he  removed,  with  his  family,  to  San  Francisco,  California, 
his  present  address  being  No.  10  Market  street.  Just  before  leaving  for 
California  he  was  tendered  a  banquet  by  his  former  comrades  residing 
near  Waukegan,  which  was  largely  attended,  and  served  to  show  the  high 
esteem  in  which  he  is  held  by  his  old  army  associates. 

Second  Assistant  Surgeon  Daniel  A.  Sheffield,  who  served  as  Second 
Assistant  Surgeon  of  the  Regiment  from  its  organization  until  February 
6, 1863,  was  born  in  Jcwett's  City,  Conn.,  August  29,  1836,  being  the  sixth 
of  a  family  of  nine  children.  He  removed  to  Gilbertsville,  Otsego  County, 
N.  Y.,  with  his  parents  in  1845,  and  in  1856,  with  an  older  brother,  set- 
tled at  Dixon,  111.,  and  began  the  study  of  medicine  in  the  office  of  the 
late  Dr.  N.  W.  Abbott.  He  began  the  practice  of  medicine  at  Ogle  (now 
Ashtoii),  Lee  County,  111.,  in  1859,  but  in  December  of  the  same  year  re- 
moved to  Apple  River,  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.,  where  he  has  continued 
in  his  chosen  calling,  and  where  he  still  resides.  He  received  his  literary 
education  at  the  Gilbertsville  Academy  and  Collegiate  Institute,  and 
graduated  in  medicine  in  Rush  Medical  College,  Chicago,  in  1859,  and  at 
the  Chicago  Medical  College  in  1867.  The  Doctor  married  Miss  May  N. 
Brookner,  of  Dixon,  111.,  December  1,  1859,  who  has  borne  him  ten  chil- 
dren, only  three  of  whom  are  living.  While  on  detached  service,  at  Hick- 
man  Bridge,  Ky.,  in  December,  1862,  the  Doctor  was  taken  seriously  ill, 
and  after  being  removed  to  Danville,  Ky.,  he  seemingly  hovered  between 
life  and  death  for  a  period  of  six  weeks.  Partially  recovering,  he 
resigned,  and,  being  ordered  before  a  medical  board,  he  was  pronounced 
to  be  dying  of  tuberculosis,  and  his  resignation  was  accepted.  He  subse- 


676  HISTORY  OF  THE  96rrn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  1. 

quently  recovered,  and  is  apparently  in  robust  health.  He  has  been- 
repeatedly  chosen  as  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Education  of  his  village, 
and  was  elected  to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Illinois  in  1884, 
serving  creditably  as  a  member  of  the  House.  He  was  President  of  the 
Alumni  Association  of  the  Chicago  Medical  College  for  the  year  1883-4. 
He  has  made  quite  a  reputation  as  a  fluent  and  forcible  speaker,  and  is 
an  acknowledged  leader  in  political  and  social  matters  in  his  county  and 
district. 

Second  Assistant  Surgeon  Frederick  W.  Byers,  who  was  Second 
Assistant  Surgeon  of  the  Regiment  from  May  7,  1863,  until  the  close  of 
the  war,  was  born  in  Shippensville,  Pa.,  February  10,  1837,  his  boyhood 
being  passed  on  a  farm  in  Pine  Grove  Township,  Chenango  County,  Pa. 
By  his  own  exertions  he  secured  an  academic,  partial  collegiate,  and  a 
medical  education.  He  came  to  Illinois  in  1857,  teaching  school  and 
prosecuting  his  studies,  residing  in  Stephenson  and  Jo  Daviess  Counties 
during  the  period  intervening  until  his  muster-in  as  Assistant  Surgeon. 
He  joined  the  command  at  Franklin,  Tenn.,  accompanying  it  until  July, 
1863,  when  he  was  placed  on  detached  duty  at  Duck  River  and  Normandy. 
He  was  soon  taken  sick  and  sent  to  the  Regiment.  When  the  command 
marched  to  Chattanooga  he  accompanied  it  as  far  as  Stevenson  and  was 
then  sent  back  to  Nashville,  where,  improved  in  health,  he  was  assigned 
to  duty  in  the  general  hospitals  of  the  city.  He  reported  to  the  Regi- 
ment for  duty  in  May,  1864,  near  Resaca,  Ga.,  served  with  the  command 
during  the  trying  experiences  of  the  Atlanta  campaign  until  August, 
when  he  was  detailed  Chief  Surgeon  of  the  Artillery  Brigade  of  the 
Fourth  Corps.  After  the  capture  of  Atlanta  he  was  ordered  to  duty  in 
the  field  hospitals  of  the  Fourth  Army  Corps,  remaining  on  this  duty 
until  the  muster-out  of  the  Regiment.  Without  disparagement  to  others, 
it  may  be  said  that  he  was  always  the  most  jovial  and  popular  member  of 
the  medical  staff,  and  held  the  affections  of  the  entire  command  to  a 
degree  that  was  certainly  exceptional.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  located 
at  Lena,  111.,  and  practiced  medicine,  and  removed  from  there  to  Monroe, 
Wis.,  in  1877,  where  he  now  resides.  Dr.  Byers  has  been  U.  S.  Examining 
Surgeon  for  Pensions  since  :March,  1880,  and  is  Medical  Director  of  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  for  the  Department  of  Wisconsin.  He  was 
commissioned  a  Captain  in  the  Wisconsin  National  Guard  in  1882,  and  is 
now  Surgeon  of  the  1st  Regiment  W.  N.  G.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Wisconsin  Assembly  for  1885-6,  and  as  such  was  Chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  Militia,  and  served  on  the  Committee  on  Medical  Societies.  He 
was  selected  a  delegate  to  represent  Wisconsin  at  the  obsequies  of  Gen. 
Grant,  in  New  York  City,  and  attended  that  imposing  funeral  in  company 
with  Gov.  Rusk  and  his  military  staff.  Present  address,  Monroe,  Wis. 

Chaplain  J.  M.  Clendenning  was  born  in  McHenry,  111.,  and  was 
twenty-two  years  of  tage  at  the  time  of  enlistment.  He  joined  Company 
K  as  a  private  soldier,  and  when  the  Regiment  was  organized  was 
appointed  Chaplain,  with  the  rank  of  Captain.  He  served  in  that  capacity 


THE  FIELD  AND  STAFF.  677 

-several  months,  but  resigned  January  20, 1863.  He  subsequently  enlisted 
in  Company  F,  15th  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  promoted  to  be 
Captain  of  his  Company.  He  is  now  preaching  in  the  M.  E.  Church  at 
Rockford,  111. 

Chaplain  Horace  G.  Woodworth  succeeded  Kev.  J.  M.  Clendenning, 
and  joined  the  Regiment  at  Franklin,  Tenn.,  in  April,  1863.  He  was  a 
Baptist,  and  a  man  of  marked  ability.  He  remained  with  the  command 
but  two  months,  resigning  his  commission  June  16,  1863.  On  the  petition 
of  the  officers  of  the  Regiment  he  was  again  commissioned,  in  the  spring 
of  1864,  but  some  delay  occurred  in  the  receipt  of  the  official  notice  of  his 
appointment,  and  when  it  finally  reached  him  he  had  accepted  a  pastorate 
which  prevented  him  from  joining  the  command.  He  has  since  preached 
at  various  points  in  the  West,  and  is  now  a  resident  of  Minneapolis,  Minn. 

Sergeant  Major  Francis  P.  Quinn,  appointed  from  Company  I  at  the 
organization  of  the  Regiment,  was  desperately  wounded  at  Chickamauga 
and  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  but  was  paroled  ten  days  later,  and 
went  home  on  furlough  ;  starting  to  return  to  the  Regiment,  he  was  acci- 
dentally drowned  in  Chicago  River,  February  19,  1864.  (See  Roster  of 
Company  I.) 

Sergeant  Major  Charles  A.  Partridge;  appointed  from  Company  C, 
May  1,  1864  ;  served  in  that  capacity  until  the  close  of  the  war  ;  commis- 
sioned Second  Lieutenant  of  Company  C  June  8,  1865  ;  resides  at  Wauke- 
gan,  111.  (See  Roster  of  Company  C.) 

NOTE. — Sergeant  Wallace  Tear,  of  Company  K,  acted  as  Sergeant 
Major  from  September  20,  1863,  until  promoted  to  Lieutenant  November 
9,  1863,  and  Sergeant  F.  A.  Weir,  of  Company  A,  until  promoted  to  First 
Sergeant  in  March,  1864,  when  Sergeant  C.  A.  Partridge,  of  Company  C, 
was  detailed  to  fill  the  position.  It  was  not  known  until  April  that  Ser- 
geant Major  Quinn  was  dead. 

Quarter  Master  Sergeant  William  S.  Bean ;  appointed  from  Com- 
pany A  at  the  organization  of  the  Regiment ;  served  in  that  capacity  until 
the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  where  he  was  killed  while  bravely  encourag- 
ing his  comrades  in  the  desperate  hours  of  that  bloody  conflict.  (See 
Roster  of  Company  A.) 

Quarter  Master  Sergeant  George  Jeffers ;  appointed  from  Company 
F,  September  26,  1863  ;  was  a  son  of  the  Quarter  Master ;  returned  to 
Company  roll  to  allow  him  to  accept  a  detail  with  his  father  upon  the 
promotion  of  the  latter  as  a  Quarter  Master  in  the  Regular  Army  ;  resides 
at  Hanover,  111.  (See  Roster  of  Company  F  ) 

Quarter  Master  Sergeant  Benjamin  F.  Shepard;  appointed  from  Com- 
pany G  in  April,  1864 ;  served  in  that  capacity  until  the  close  of  the  war, 
except  when  absent  because  of  wounds  received  at  Chickamauga  ;  resides 
at  Gurnee,  111.  (See  Roster  of  Company  G.) 

NOTE. — Thomas  J.  Moore,  of  Company  I,  acted  as  Quarter  Master 
Sergeant  of  the  Regiment  for  a  time  in  1864. 


678  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

Commissary  Sergeant  Morris  S.  Hill ;  appointed  from  Company  B  at 
the  organization  of  the  Regiment,  and  served  until  discharged  for  dis- 
ability January  26,  1863  ;  resides  at  Wauconda,  111.  (See  Roster  of  Com- 
pany B.) 

Commissary  Sergeant  James  Edward  James ;  appointed  from  Com- 
pany A,  in  1863,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war  ;  died  at  Galena, 
111.,  in  1879.  (See  Roster  of  Company  A.) 

Hospital  Steward  Harvillah  Cooley  ;  appointed  from  Company  C  at 
the  organization  of  the  Regiment,  and  discharged  for  disability  Decem- 
ber 31,  1862  ;  died  at  Lament,  Mich.,  September  7,  1876.  (See  Roster  of 
Company  C.) 

Hospital  Steward  George  G.  Ferguson  ;  appointed  from  Company  D 
in  April,  1863,  serving  in  that  capacity  until  promoted  to  First  Lieuten- 
ant of  Company  H,  in  the  autumn  of  1864  ;  resides  at  Waukegan,  111. 
(See  Roster  of  Companies  D  and  H.) 

Hospital  Steward  Royal  J.  Cooper ;  appointed  from  Company  E 
October  1,  1864,  and  served  in  that  capacity  until  the  close  of  the  war -r 
resides  at  Nora,  111.  (See  Roster  of  Company  E.) 

Principal  Musician  Niles  Carver ;  appointed  from  Company  H  at  the 
organization  of  the  Regiment,  leading  the  band  as  Fife  Major  until  dis- 
charged January  20,  1863  ;  resides  at  Blanchard,  Iowa.  (See  Roster  of 
Company  H.) 

Principal  Musician  Frank  Carver ;  appointed  from  Company  H,  and 
served  as  Drum  Major  from  early  in  1863  until  the  close  of  the  war ; 
resides  at  Blanchard,  Iowa.  (See  Roster  of  Company  H.) 

Principal  Musician  Wallace  B.  Gage  ;  appointed  from  Company  D, 
and  served  as  Fife  Major  for  about  six  months  in  1863  ;  was  subsequently 
returned  to  the  roll  of  his  Company  ;  resides  in  Menominee,  Mich.  (See 
Roster  of  Company  D.) 

Principal  Musician  Hiram  Weatherly  ;  appointed  from  Company  B 
July  1,  1863,  and  discharged  for  disability  February  6,  1865  ;  served  as- 
Fife  Major,. except  when  absent  sick  in  hospital.  (See  Roster  of  Com- 
pany B.) 

Principal  Musician  Charles  O.  Biddlecom  ;  appointed  from  Company 
G,  February  6,  1865,  and  served  as  Fife  Major  until  the  close  of  the  war; 
had  acted  in  that  capacity  at  various  times  prior  to  his  appointment ; 
resides  at  Wadsworth,  Lake  County,  111.  (See  Roster  of  Company  G.) 

NOTE.— Freeman  James,  of  Company  G,  served  as  Drum  Major  most 
of  the  time  until  his  death,  which  occurred  at  Danville,  Ky.,  January  18, 
1863.  George  James,  of  Company  G,  and  Adrian  R.  Douglas,  of  Com- 
pany D,  each  acted  as  Fife  Major  for  a  time. 


SKETCH  OF  COMPANY  A.  679 


CHAPTER  XLI. 


COMPANY    A. 
BY  C.  H.  BERG. 

The  First  Company— Nearly  Filled  in  July—  Officers  Elected— Swords 
Presented — The  First  to  Reach  Camp  Fuller— Early  Experiences — 
Again  in  Galena — Good-by  Again — Final  Move  to  Rockford — The 
Letter  "A  " — Detached  at  Harrodsburg— On  the  Skirmish  Line  at 
Triune — The  First  Anniversary — The  Battle  Casualties— A  Long  List 
of  Killed  and  Wounded — Present  Whereabouts  of  the  Survivors — 
Sketches  of  the  Officers  and  Men. 

SOON  after  the  call  of  President  Lincoln^  in  July,  1862, 
for  300,000  more  volunteers,  George  Hicks,  John  G.  Schaefer, 
William  Vincent,  and  others,  opened  a  recruiting  office  in  a 
vacant  store  on  Main  street,  in  Galena,  for  the  purpose  of 
raising  a  company.  Recruiting  was  activety  commenced  about 
the  twenty-fifth.  The. different  townships  of  the  county  were 
visited,  rolls  were  circulated,  and  signatures  obtained.  On  the 
thirtieth  quite  a  number  of  young  men  from  the  city  enlisted, 
so  that  by  the  first  of  August  the  Company  was  nearly  filled, 
upward  of  eighty  names  being  on  the  rolls.  While  the  recruit- 
ing was  progressing,  the  men  were  permitted  to  remain  at 
home,  for  the  purpose  of  settling  up  their  business  affairs. 
Those  who  had  come  from  the  country  to  enlist  were  quar- 
tered at  the  different  hotels  and  boarding-houses.  August  7, 
nearly  all  of  the  members  of  the  Company  being  present,  the 
election  of  commissioned  officers  took  place,  with  the  follow- 
ing result  :  George  Hicks,  Captain  ;  William  Vincent,  First 
Lieutenant ;  Robert  Pool,  Second  Lieutenant.  Although  dis- 
appointment was  depicted  upon  the  countenances  of  some  who 
had  aspired  to  the  Second  Lieutenancy,  good  feeling  predom- 
inated, and  congratulations  were  in  order.  The  selection  of 
non-commissioned  officers  was  deferred  for  the  time  being, 
John  G.  Schaefer,  however,  acting  as  Orderly.  On  the  fol- 
lowing day  the  Company  was  drawn  up  in  line  in  front  of  the 


680  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'rn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

De  Soto  House  and  sworn  into  the  service  by  a  Regular  Army 
officer. 

After  the  organization  of  the  Company,  a  sword  was  pre- 
sented to  Captain  George  Hicks  by  the  school  teachers  of  Jo 
Daviess  County.  A  sword  was  also  presented  to  First  Lieu- 
tenant William  Vincent  by  his  friends.  Second  Lieutenant 
Robert  Pool  was  also  the  recipient  of  a  sword,  presented  to 
him  by  members  of  the  Company  and  other  Galena  friends, 
with  the  names  of  the  donors  engraved  upon  it.  J.  E.  James 
and  C.  H.  Berg  were  each  presented  with  a  fine  Colt's  revolver 
by  D.  W.  Scott,  Esq.  Indeed,  nearly  every  man  was  the 
recipient  of  some  token  of  friendship  from  near  and  dear 
friends. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  August  9,  the  Company  took  the 
cars  for  Rockford,  reaching  that  city  at  noon,  and  marching  to 
the  Holland  House  for  dinner.  After  dinner  the  men  were 
permitted  to  go  around  the  city,  but  ordered  to  report  at  the 
hotel  for  supper.  After  supper  the  Company  was  ordered  to 
"fall  in."  and  took  up  a  line  of  march  out  of  the  city  about 
two  miles,  and  came  to  a  halt  on  the  banks  of  Rock  River,— 
being  the  first  troops  on  that  memorable  camping  ground. 
Here  bundles  were  thrown  down,  and  the  men  put  at  work  in 
various  ways,  some  being  detailed  for  guard  and  others  for 
"  fatigue"  duty  ;  every  man  had  some  duty  to  perform.  For 
the  first  time  the  boys  realized  that  to  be  soldiers  meant 
work.  The  boys  always  remembered  what  a  pleasant  time 
they  had  in  putting  up  their  first  tents, — the  Sibley.  At  mid- 
night straw  arrived,  and  the  men  retired  to  rest.  Next  morn- 
ing the  Company  was  aroused  early,  and  again  marched  to 
the  hotel  for  breakfast ;  and  then  marched  back  to  camp.  At 
3  P.  M.  dinner  was  served  for  the  first  time  in  camp.  It  was 
now  learned  that  the  camp  was  to  be  called  "Camp  Fuller," 
although  the  boys  always  called  it  "Dead  Horse  Camp,"  on 
account  of  the  dead  horses  that  were  found  upon  the  ground, 
and  either  buried  or  hauled  away  from  there  by  the  members 
of  the  Company. 

On  Monday  morning  other  companies  arrived,  and  took 


SKETCH  OF  COMPANY  A.  681 

up  their  quarters  near  by,  each  company  pitching  five  Sibley 
tents. 

The  non-commissioned  officers  were  here  appointed  by  the 
Captain,  as  follows  :  First  Sergeant.  John  G.  Schaefer  ;  Ser- 
geants—  John  L.  Pringle,  David  Rogers,  Frank  A.  Weir, 
William  8.  Holmes;  Corporals  —  William  S.  Bean,  C.  H. 
Berg,  John  Vincent,  William  Price,  John  R.  Taylor,  Henry 
Peeper,  J.  E.  Shipton,  Jason  B.  Isbell.  There  had  been  a 
list  prepared  prior  to  this,  but  owing  to  the  rejection  of  sev- 
eral men  on  account  of  physical  disability,  it  was  revised  as 
above. 

The  Compan}7  remained  in  camp  at  Rockford,  drilling 
twice  a  day,  and  doing  such  other  duties  as  fell  to  the  lot 
of  soldiers  in  camp,  until  the  evening  of  August  18,  when 
they  marched  to  the  depot  and  took  the  cars  for  Galena, 
arriving  home  on  the  morning  of  August  19,  on  furlough, 
with  a  view  of  being  mustered  into  a  Regiment,  which  it  was 
thought  at  the  time  might  be  made  up  entirely  of  Jo  Daviess 
County  men.  The  Company  was  warmly  received  by  the 
citizens,  and  during  the  two  days  they  remained  in  the  city 
were  entertained  most  royally.  On  the  morning  of  August 
22  the  Company  formed  on  Main  street,  and  marched  to  the 
Fair  Grounds,  then  called  Camp  Washburne.  Here  were  two 
other  Companies,  composed  of  men  from  Galena  and  the 
immediate  vicinity.  While  at  this  camp  the  boys  had  rare 
sport,  many  amusing  incidents  occurring.  The  Company  was 
quartered  in  the  cattle-sheds,  partitioned  off  so  that  four,  six, 
or  more,  were  in  one  apartment.  These  were  fixed  up  accord- 
ing to  the  taste  and  means  at  the  command  of  the  occupants. 
Notwithstanding  the  vigilance  of  the  sentinels  and  the  Cor- 
poral of  the  Guard,  every  night  most  of  the  boys  would  be 
out  of  their  quarters,  but  back  in  the  morning  for  roll-call. 

This  happy  state  of  affairs  continued  until  the  morning  of 
September  3,  when  the  three  Companies  marched  to  the  depot, 
where  an  immense  crowd  had  assembled,  every  available 
space  being  occupied.  Here  occurred  the  saddest  event  of  all 
up  to  this  time, — the  leave-taking  from  wives,  mothers,  fathers, 
sisters,  brothers  and  sweethearts,  alas,  in  too  many  cases,  for- 


682  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

ever  !  But  the  train  was  soon  seen  coining  over  the  bridge, 
and  halted  at  the  depot ;  then,  while  the  bands  were  playing 
inspiring  music,  amid  loud  cheering  and  the  low  whisper  of 
many  a  mother's  "  God  bless  you,  my  son  !  "  the  train  moved 
slowly  away.  At  Warren  three  additional  Companies  took 
passage  on  the  train,  making  six  Companies  from  Jo  Daviess 
County. 

The  train  arrived  at.  Rockford  at  noon.  The  Company 
disembarked,  formed  in  line  and  marched  to  Camp  Fuller. 
How  changed  !  Long  lines  of  barracks  had  been  erected,  and 
instead  of  a  few  companies  occupying  the  grounds,  there 
were  now  as  many  regiments.  The  Company  was  assigned 
quarters,  and  made  as  comfortable  as  circumstances  would 
admit.  September  5  the  Company,  with  the  other  Jo  Daviess 
and  four  Lake  County  companies,  were  organized  as  the 
NLNETY-SIXTH  Regiment. 

Although  it  was  known  prior  to  this  that  the  Company 
would  have  the  letter  "A,"  the  importance  of  the  position 
was  not  generally  understood.  That  night,  after  roll-call, 
Captain  Hicks  fully  explained  what  would  be  required  of  them 
in  their  position  on  the  right  of  the  Regiment,  saying  that  it 
would  be  the  duty  of  this  Company  to  become  proficient  in 
the  skirmish  drill,  the  bayonet  exercise,  and  all  other  drills  ;. 
in  fact,  he  wanted  it  to  be  what  the  letter  A  indicated, — the 
first  Company  of  the  Regiment.  The  remarks  of  the  Captain 
were  assented  to  with  hearty  cheers.  How  well  the  men 
kept  this  promise,  their  subsequent  history  as  a  Company  has 
amply  proven.  Whether  in  camp,  on  the  march,  on  the 
skirmish-line,  or  in  line-of-battle,  Company  A  always  did  its 
full  duty.  For  proficiency  in  the  various  drills,  it  was  excelled 
by  none  ;  every  member  felt  a  pride  in  its  appearance  and 
conduct.  The  Company  was  only  once  detached  from  the 
Regiment,  when,  with  Company  E,  it  did  provost  duty  at  Har- 
rodsburg,  Ky.,  in  November,  1862,  being  quartered  in  the 
barracks  and  having  a  pleasant  time. 

On  the  9th  of  June,  1863,  when  Wheeler's  Cavalry  at- 
tacked the  camp  at  Triune,  Tenn.,  Company  A  was  thrown 
out  as  skirmishers  in  front  of  the  Regiment,  in  a  peaclt 


SKETCH  OF  COMPANY  A. 

orchard,  and  for  the  first  time  met  the  enemy.  Only  a  few 
shots  were  fired,  when  the  enemy  drew  oif.  Several  of  the 
men  were  hit  in  their  clothing,  but  no  one  was  injured. 

Saturday,  September  5,  1803,  being  the  first  anniversary 
of  the  muster  in  of  the  Regiment,  the  members  of  Company 
A  had  a  celebration.  The*  command  was  then  lying  at  Estell 
Springs.  To  provide  for  the  event,  permission  was  obtained 
to  go  outside  the  lines,  and  the  day  before  a  volunteer  party, 
under  the  lead  of  Lieutenant  Vincent,  took  a  four-mule  team 
and  army  wagon  into  the  country,  returning  with  an  abundant 
supply  of  sweet  potatoes,  pickles,  peanuts  and  other  articles. 
The  potatoes  and  peanuts  were  dug  from  the  fields  where 
they  were  growing.  The  Regimental  sutler  was  patronized 
quite  freely,  and  between  the  Quarter  Master,  the  sutler  and 
the  foragers,  an  elaborate  banquet  was  spread.  Captain  Hicks 
presided  and  made  appropriate  remarks,  and  the  day  passed 
most  pleasantly. 

At  Chickamauga,  September  20,  1863,  the  Company  suf- 
fered severely.  The  casualties  in  this  battle  were  as  follows  : 
First  Sergeant  John  G.  Schaefer  was  shot  in  the  neck  and 
almost  instantly  killed.  William  S.  Bean,  Quarter  Master 
Sergeant  of  the  Regiment,  but  always  claimed  as  a  member  of 
the  Company,  was  killed.  Corporal  William  Price  was  killed. 
Corporal  David  Isbell,  detailed  with  the  Color  Guard,  was 
first  shot  in  the  arm,  but,  going  forward  with  the  Regiment 
again,  was  struck  in  the  breast,  mortally  wounded,  and  the 
last  seen  of  him  was  on  a  stretcher,  probably  dead.  The 
killed  all  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  John  H.  Witman 
was  mortally  wounded  in  the  breast,  and  died  October  30. 
Christian  Kaufman  was  wounded  in  the  wrist  and  arm,  and 
died  four  days  after  the  battle.  First  Lieutenant  William 
Vincent  was  severely  wounded  in  the  left  leg,  below  and  back 
of  the  knee.  Sergeant  Frank  A.  Weir  was  wounded  in  the 
wrist.  Corporal  Jason  B.  Isbell  was  hit  in  the  right  shoulder, 
fracturing  the  collar-bone.  Private  John  W.  Connor  was  hit 
in  the  side,  the  ball  passing  through  his  body.  He  fell  into 
the  hands  of  the  enemy,  but  was  afterward  paroled  and  sent 
into  our  lines.  Gottlieb  Beck  was  struck  under  the  chin,  the 


684  HISTORY  OF  THE  96xH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

ball  passing  through  the  throat  and  inflicting  an  ugly  gash, 
but  he  was  not  long  disabled.  John  Einsweiler  was  severely 
wounded  in  the  thigh.  Milton  Glover  was  shot  in  the  head, 
and  severely  hurt.  Joseph  D.  Young  was  wounded  in  the 
leg.  Edward  Simpson  received  a  severe  sabre  cut  on  the 
head,  while  on  the  skirmish  line  on  Saturday.  Josephus 
Metcalf  was  wounded  in  the  head  and  rendered  temporarily 
unconscious,  being  left  on  the  field  for  dead  ;  but,  recovering, 
found  himself  inside  the  Rebel  lines,  and  was  a  prisoner  of 
war  for  nearly  a  year.  Edward  Reubeno  had  a  finger  shot 
off.  Nearly  every  man  in  the  Company  was  struck  somewhere 
about  his  clothing  and  accoutrements. 

In  the  movement  to  the  right,  on  Sunday,  thirteen  prison- 
ers were  taken  by  the  Company,  and  safely  delivered  at  corps 
headquarters  by  a  Sergeant  and  first  four  men  from  the  right. 
These  men  had  a  great  deal  of  trouble  in  getting  the  prisoners 
safely  to  headquarters,  owing  to  the  constant  changing  of  the 
lines  of  the  respective  armies  ;  and  if  it  had  not  been  for 
Gen.  Garfield,  who,  with  several  orderlies,  was  passing  and 
gave  them  instructions  how  to  proceed,  they  would,  doubtless, 
have  been  captured. 

Soon  after  this  battle  Captain  Hicks  was  promoted  to 
Major,  and  First  Lieutenant  Vincent  to  Captain,  but,  being 
absent  on  account  of  his  wound,  Lieutenant  Pool,  who  was 
promoted  to  First  Lieutenant,  took  command  of  the  Company. 
Sergeanf  Pringle  was  promoted  to  First  Sergeant,  in  which 
capacity  he  acted  until  March,  1864. 

While  at  Moccasin  Point,  opposite  Lookout  Mountain,  the 
Company  was  small,  and  fared  very  badly,  for  want  of  food 
and  clothing.  At  the  battle  of  Lookout  Mountain,  November 
24,  1863,  Lieutenant  Pool  was  slightly  wounded  in  the  head. 
Sergeant  John  Vincent  was  severely  wounded,  a  ball  entering 
just  below  the  right  eye,  passing  through  his  head  and  coming 
out  back  of  left  ear.  Harlow  D.  Ragan  was  wounded  in  the 
hand,  Nicholas  Wearmouth  was  wounded  in  the  side,  and 
some  others  were  struck,  but  none  so  severely  that  they  left 
the  command.  After  we  had  possession,  and  while  on  the 
mountain,  a  heavy  wind  storm  blew  down  a  tree  on  the  right 


SKETCH  OF  COMPANY  A.  685 

of  the  Company,  breaking  Lieutenant  Pool's  leg,  and  also 
injuring  Corporal  W.  H.  Richards  and  several  others.  Lieu- 
tenant Pool  never  recovered  sufficiently  to  be  able  to  join  the 
Company,  but  was  detailed  as  Military  Conductor  on  the 
Chattanooga  &  Knoxville  Railroad. 

At  Buzzard  Roost,  February  26,  1864,  Francis  J.  Robin- 
son was  slightly  wounded  in  the  foot,  and  Harrison  Menzemer 
and  Charles  Menzemer  were  captured.  The  latter  died  in 
prison.  Harrison's  experience  is  given  in  another  chapter. 

At  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  May  9,  1864,  Joseph  E.  Consalus 
was  wounded  in  the  face  ;  C.  H.  Berg  received  a  flesh  wound 
in  the  calf  of  the  left  leg ;  Francis  J.  Robinson  received  a 
slight  wound  in  the  left  foot ;  and  Corporal  Jason  B.  Isbell 
in  the  right  hand. 

At  Resaca,  May  14,  Gottlieb  Weber  was  wounded  in  the 
face,  and  John  A.  Binninger  in  the  face  and  shoulder.  At 
Dallas,  Francis  J.  Robinson  was  wounded  in  the  neck,  and 
Francis  Johnson  in  the  foot. 

At  Kenesaw  Mountain,  June  21,  1864,  Sergeant  F.  A. 
Weir  was  wounded  in  the  face  ;  Sergeant  C.  H.  Berg,  right 
arm  ;  Francis  J.  Robinson,  three  balls  in  left  leg,  severe  ;. 
Theodore  Hopp,  left  hand,  severe.  July  10,  Joseph  D.  Young 
was  wounded  in  the  left  leg  while  going  out  to  the  skirmish 
line,  near  the  Chattahoochie  River.  At  Atlanta,  August  19, 
William  Lewis  was  killed,  being  shot  through  the  head  ; 
Ebenezer  Tate  received  a  painful  wound  in  the  head  ;  First 
Sergeant  F.  A.  Weir  was  wounded  in  the  right  arm.  At 
Lovejoy's  Station,  Septembers,  Andrew  Disch,  Jr.,  was  killed, 
a  ball  striking  him  in  the  neck.  At  Franklin,  Tenn.,  Novem- 
ber 30,  1864,  John  H.  Holden,  was  wounded  in  the  head. 
At  Nashville,  December  16,  Eugene  Langdon  was  severely 
wounded  in  the  leg. 

In  the  autumn  and  early  winter  of  1864,  the  following 
named  men  joined  the  Company  :  John  Abel,  Philip  Allen- 
dorf,  John  Bryson,  N.  H.  Davis,  James  Delaney,  August 
Hiller,  Christian  Kuntz,  David  Reed,  Nathaniel  Tutin,  Robert 
Virtue,  John  S.  Weir,  Robert  G.  Willson,  John  Wheeldin, 
I.  M.  Wilcox,  Henry  Way  man,  Fred  Waemers,  Matt  Youtz,— 


686  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

all  of  whom  participated  in  the  battle  of  Nashville  and  the 
pursuit  of  the  enemy  to  the  Tennessee  River. 

At  Russellville,  East  Tennessee,  in  April,  1865,  the  Com- 
pany was  again  increased  by  forty  new  members  (whose 
names  appear  in  the  roster),  all  of  whom  were  transferred  to 
Company  B,  21st  Illinois  Infantry,  at  muster-out  of  the 
NINETY-SIXTH,  except  I.  M.  Wilcox,  who  died  at  Russellville, 
and  Thomas  Bray,  Thomas  Metcalf,  James  Richards  and 
Nicholas  Tippett,  who  died  at  Nashville. 

During  the  three  years'  service,  six  of  the  original  Com- 
pany were  killed  in  battle  ;  two  died  from  wounds ;  five  died 
of  disease  ;  one  died  in  prison  ;  one  was  discharged  by  order 
of  the  Secretary  of  War  ;  one  on  account  of  wounds  ;  twenty 
for  disability ;  two  deserted,  and  five  were  transferred  to 
other  commands.  Fifty-five  recruits  joined  the  Company,  five 
of  whom  died  of  disease,  six  were  mustered  out  with  the  Regi- 
ment, and  forty -four  were  transferred  to  Company  B,  21st 
Illinois  Infantry. 

It  is  due  to  the  Company  to  say  that  it  ever  maintained 
high  discipline,  and  bore  its  full  share,  in  making  the  history 
of  the  Regiment  illustrious. 

THE   COMPANY  ROSTER. 

Captain  George  Hicks. — Age  27  ;  born  in  Ludlow,  Mass. ;  lawyer  and 
•County  School  Commissioner  ;  also  associate  editor  of  the  Galena  Gazette  ; 
unlisted  from  Galena  ;  elected  Captain  at  the  organization  of  the  Com- 
pany. Was  the  senior  Captain  of  the  Regiment ;  promoted  to  Major 
September  20,  1863  ;  brevetted  Lieutenant  Colonel  near  the  close  of  the 
war  ;  brevetted  Colonel  at  the  close  of  the  war.  Participated  in  all  the 
engagements  of  the  command  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  now  Assistant 
Inspector  of  Schools  in  the  Island  of  Jamaica.  Postoffice  address, 
Kingston,  Jamaica.  (See  Roster  of  Field  and  Staff.) 

Captain  William  Vincent. — Age  33  ;  born  in  Cornwall,  England  ; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Galena.  Was  elected  First  Lieutenant  at  organ- 
ization of  Company;  promoted  to  Captain  September  20,  1863.  Was 
severely  wounded  in  the  leg  at  Chickamauga  Sept.  20,  1863  ;  absent  from 
command  four  months  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  a  prosperous  farmer 
near  Galena  ;  has  filled  the  office  of  County  Coroner,  Supervisor,  Assessor 
und  Collector.  Postoffice  address,  Galena,  111. 

First  Lieutenant  Robert  Pool. — Age  22  ;  born  in  England  ;  clerk  ; 
enlisted  from  Galena  ;  elected  Second  Lieutenant  at  organization  of  Com- 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  A.  687 

pany  ;  promotedt  o  First  Lieutenant  Sept.  20, 1863.  Was  struck  at  Chick- 
amauga, carrying  away  his  blouse  pocket,  with  hard-tack  in  it ;  also  re- 
ceived slight  wound  in  the  head  at  Lookout  Mountain  ;  severely  injured 
after  the  command  had  possession  of  the  Mountain  by  a  tree  falling  on 
him,  causing  a  fracture  of  the  right  leg,  disabling  him  for  six  months  ; 
when  able  for  duty  was  appointed  military  railroad  conductor,  and 
served  till  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Has  been  Sheriff  of  Jo  Daviess  County 
two  years.  Now  resides  at  Ashland,  Oregon  ;  is  disabled  for  manual 
labor  by  reason  of  the  fracture  of  his  leg. 

Second  Lieutenant  Frank  A.  Weir.— Age  23  ;  born  in  Mercer  County, 
Pa. ;  school  teacher ;  enlisted  from  Elizabeth  ;  appointed  Sergeant  at 
organization  of  Company  ;  promoted  to  First  Sergeant  in  March,  1864  ; 
to  Second  Lieutenant  May  19,  1865.  Wounded  in  wrist  at  Chickamauga 
Sept.  20,  1863 ;  in  face,  thigh  and  leg  at  Kenesaw — (face  and  thigh  by 
bullets,  leg  by  piece  of  shell);  by  bullet  through  right  arm  at  Atlanta, 
Aug.  19,  1864  ;  disabled  from  duty  by  reason  of  last  wound  twenty-six 
days.  Is  now  a  physician  and  surgeon,  and  holds  the  office  of  Railroad 
Surgeon  for  the  111.  C.  R.  R  Residence,  Jesup,  Iowa. 

First  Sergeant  John  G.  Schaefer. — Age  21  ;  born  in  South  Germany, 
but  came  with  his  parents  to  Galena  when  9  years  old  (1849);  enlisted 
from  Galena  ;  school  teacher  and  law  student ;  appointed  First  Sergeant 
at  organization  of  Company.  Was  killed  while  charging  the  enemy  at 
Chickamauga,  Sept.  20,  1863.  Had  passed  a  successful  examination 
before  a  military  board  at  Nashville  some  weeks  previous  to  the  battle  of 
Chickamauga  for  promotion  to  the  rank  of  Captain  in  another  branch  of 
1  the  service.  Was  an  ambitious,  hard-working  student.  At  an  early  age 
he  worked  at  printing  and  book-binding,  studying  evenings  until  quali- 
fied to  teach  school ;  then  commenced  studying  law,  teaching  evenings. 

First  Sergeant  John  L.  Pringle. — Age  21  ;  born  at  Owingsville,  Ky. ; 
school  teacher  ;  enlisted  from  Galena ;  appointed  Sergeant  at  organiza- 
tion of  Company;  promoted  to  First  Sergeant  after  battle  of  Chickamauga 
by  Captain  Hicks  ;  reduced  to  Sergeant  afterward  by  Captain  Vincent, 
owing  to  some  misunderstanding.  Participated  in  all  engagements,  with- 
out being  wounded,  and  was  mustered  out  with  Regiment.  Was  in  hos- 
pital once  at  Nashville,  February,  1863,  with  catarrhal  fever;  did  not 
remain  long.  Had  previously  served  four  months  in  the  12th  111.  Vols. 
(three  months'  service),  and  was  then  taken  home,  reduced  to  a  skeleton 
by  typhoid  fever  ;  recovered  and  enlisted  in  Company  A  at  its  organiza- 
tion. Is  a  fruit-grower  at  Brooklyn,  Ind. 

First  Sergeant  Christopher  H.  Berg. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Pittsburgh, 
Pa. ;  printer ;  enlisted  from  Galena  ;  appointed  Corporal  at  organization 
of  Company  ;  promoted  to  Sergeant  April  (5,  1863,  and  subsequently  to 
First  Sergeant.  Received  flesh  wound  in  calf  of  left  leg  at  Rocky  Face 
Ridge,  May  9,  1864 ;  struck  in  breast  at  Resaca,  May  14,  ball  passing 
through  eagle,  strap  and  memoranda  book,  cutting  skin  ;  right  arm  by 
piece  of  shell  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  June  21,  1864  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment. 


688  HISTORY  or  THE  96'rn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  1. 

Since  1867,  has  been  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Palmer,  Winall  &  Co.,  print- 
ers and  blank  book  manufacturers,  Dubuque,  Iowa. 

Sergeant  David  Rogers.—  Age  39  ;  born  in  England  ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Derinda  ;  appointed  Sergeant  at  organization  of  Company  ; 
was  taken  sick  in  Kentucky,  and  discharged  from  hospital  April  6,  1863, 
and  died  some  time  after  the  close  of  the  war. 

Sergeant  William  S.  Holmes.— Age  21  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County 
111. ;  clerk  ;  enlisted  from  Galena  ;  was  appointed  Sergeant  at  organiza- 
tion of  Company.  Participated  in  all  the  engagements  of  the  Regiment, 
but  escaped  severe  wounds  ;  was  struck  in  foot  by  piece  of  shell  at  Chick- 
amauga,  Sept.  20,  1863  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Since  the  war  has  been 
engaged  in  mercantile  business  at  La  Crosse,  Wis.  Is  now  part  proprietor 
of  a  hotel  at  Beatrice,  Nebraska. 

Sergeant  John  Vincent. — Age  22  ;  born  in  Galena,  111. ;  farmer ;  en- 
listed from  Galena ;  appointed  Corporal  at  organization  of  Company  ; 
promoted  to  Sergeant  and  Color  Sergeant.  At  the  battle  of  Chickamauga 
a  ball  passed  through  boot  top  and  pants  just  below  knee  ;  at  Lookout 
Mountain,  Nov.  24,  1863,  was  severely  wounded  by  ball  entering  just 
below  his  right  eye,  passing  through  his  head  and  coming  out  below  aud 
back  of  his  left  ear,  between  the  two  main  arteries,  causing  the  loss  of 
sight  of  right  eye ;  was  taken  to  hospital,  but  rejoined  the  Company  in 
a  few  weeks  and  served  as  Color  Sergeant  until  mustered  out  with  Regi- 
ment. Was  in  the  grocery  business  at  Galena  for  a  time,  but  is  now  farm- 
ing in  Franklin  County,  Iowa.  Postoffice  address,  Hampton,  Iowa. 

Sergeant  Jason  B.  Isbell. — Age  22  ;  born  in  Guilf  ord,  111. ;  miner  of 
lead  ore  ;  enlisted  from  Guilford  ;  appointed  Corporal  at  the  organization 
of  the  Company  ;  promoted  to  Sergeant  in  June,  1864.  At  Chickamauga, 
Sept.  20,  1863,  was  wounded  in  right  shoulder,  collar  bone  fractured  ;  dis- 
abled eight  days  :  also  bullets  through  cap-box,  five  balls  through  blouse  ; 
also  had  gun  stock  broken  by  bullet  while  in  his  hands, — all  at  Chicka- 
mauga. At  Rocky  Face  Ridge  was  wounded  in  right  hand.  Was  in  every 
engagement  of  the  command,  and  mustered  out  with  the  Regiment. 
Present  occupation,  solicitor  for  portrait  orders.  Postoffice  address, 
Winnebago,  111. 

Sergeant  Ernest  Barthold. — Age  21 ;  born  in  Germany,  but  came 
with  his  parents  to  Galena  when  quite  young ;  clerk  ;  enlisted  from 
Galena.  Was  promoted  to  Corporal,  afterward  Sergeant.  With  com- 
mand all  the  time,  participating  in  all  the  engagements,  but  escaped 
wounds  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Since  the  war  has  been  merchandizing 
at  Marshalltown,  Iowa  ;  is  now  Postmaster  at  Sheridan,  Pennington 
County,  Dakota,  and  is  also  engaged  in  mining  operations  there. 

Corporal  William  S.  Bean. — Age  24  ;  born  in  Bridgeworth,  Shrop- 
shire, England  ;  clerk  in  dry  goods  store  ;  enlisted  from  Galena  ;  ap- 
pointed Corporal  at  organization  of  Company  ;  promoted  to  Quarter 
Master  Sergeant  at  mustering-in  of  Regiment  ;  served  in  that  capacity  to 


COMPANY  A. 


First  Serg't  C.  II.  BERG 
Serg't  JOHN  VINCENT. 
OTTO  J.  BUCK 


Capt.  WM.  VINCENT. 
Q.  M.  Sersi't  WM.  S.  BEAN. 


Com.  Sersi't  J.  E.  JAMBA. 
Kiii.NKZEii  TATK. 
Ki>WAi:i>  SIMPSON. 


*•«•*** 
Hi 


ROSTEK  OF  COMPANY  A.  689 

the  satisfaction  of  all  concerned  until  killed  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga 
while  charging  with  the  Regiment.    (See  Roster  of  Field  and  Staff.) 

Corporal  William  Price. — Age  31  ;  born  in  Fulton,  111. ;  engineer  ; 
enlisted  from  Galena  ;  appointed  Corporal  at  organization  of  Company  ; 
detailed  with  color  guard  much  of  the  time,  and  was  killed  at  battle  of 
Chickamauga.  He  left  a  family  who  reside  at  Sun  River,  Montana 

Corporal  John  R.  Taylor. — Age  23  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Guilford ;  appointed  Corporal  at  organization ; 
detailed  as  Mail  Messenger,  and  served  in  that  capacity  much  of  the  time  ; 
m.  o.  with  the  Regiment,  At  last  accounts  resided  at  Palatka,  Fla. 

Corporal  Henry  Peeper. —  Age  24  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  carpenter  ; 
enlisted  from  Galena  ;  appointed  Corporal  at  organization  of  Company. 
Detailed  in  Pioneer  Corps  April  7,  1863,  and  transferred  to  1st  Regiment 
U.  S.  Veteran  Engineers  August,  1864  ;  m.  o.  of  that  command  June  30, 
1865.  Is  a  carpenter  at  East  Dubuque,  111. 

Corporal  J.  E.  Shipton. — Age  20;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.; 
farmer;  enlisted  from  Derinda  ;  promoted  to  Corporal.  Discharged  from 
hospital  at  Cincinnati,  Feb.  13,  1863,  for  disability.  After  the  war  went 
to  California,  and  was  accidentally  killed. 

Corporal  David  Isbell. — Age  25  ;  born  in  town  of  Guilford,  Jo  Daviess 
County,  111. ;  miner  ;  enlisted  from  Guilford  ;  was  appointed  Corporal  at 
organization  of  Company  ;  was  defiled  as  .colat,. guard.  At  Chicka- 
mauga, Sept.  20,  1863,  as  tl^C^e^foaienl  W^s-'fafling' Track  to  re-form  after 
the  second  charge,  he  was  struck  in  the  right  elbow,  shattering  the  bone  ; 
although  ordered  to  the  rear,  he  went  with  the  Regiment  on  the  third 
charge,  and  the  last  seen  of  him  he  was  being  carried  back,  to  all  appear- 
ance dead,  a  ball  having  struck  him  in  the  left  breast.  He  was  never 
heard  of  afterward. 

Corporal  William  H.  Richards. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County, 
111.;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Weston  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  ;  left  leg  in- 
jured on  Lookout  Mountain  by  falling  of  a  tree  ;  at  Kenesaw  a  ball 
passed  through  his  knapsack,  and  the  lock  of  his  gun  was  cut  away  by 
another  ball ;  at  the  battle  of  Nashville  a  ball  passed  through  his  coffee 
bucket,  but  he  escaped  wounds  ;  mustered  out  with  Regiment.  Is  now 
comfortably  located  on  a  320-acre  farm  near  Hampton,  Franklin  County, 
Iowa. 

Corporal  Edwin  Rogers. — Age  38  ;  born  in  England  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Woodbine;  promoted  to  Corporal  Feb.  27,  1863;  was  never 
wounded,  but  participated  in  all  the  engagements  of  the  Regiment ;  at 
Chickamauga,  Sept.  20,  1863,  received  the  print  of  a  bullet  on  the  stock 
of  his  gun  while  in  his  hands  ;  m.  o.  with  regiment.  Since  the  war  has 
been  engaged  in  farming.  Is  now  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  of  160  acres 
of  land  in  Turner  County,  Dak.  Has  a  family  ;  children  all  grown  and 
married.  P.  O.  address,  Parker,  Turner  County,  Dak. 
44 


690  HISTORY  OF  THE  96rra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

Corporal  Harrison  Menzemer. — Age  22  ;  born  in  Galena,  111. ;  machin- 
ist ;  enlisted  from  Galena  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  October,  1863  ;  knocked 
down  at  Chickamauga  by  spent  ball  striking  him  in  the  ear ;  slightly 
wounded  at  Lookout  Mountain  ;  captured  at  Buzzard  Roost,  Georgia,  in 
February,  1864  ;  was  taken  to  Andersonville,  where  he  spent  six  months  ; 
while  there  tried  to  make  his  escape  three  times— twice  by  tunnelling, 
and  the  third  time  by  taking  the  guard's  gun,  and  succeeded  in  getting 
away,  but  was  recaptured  by  blood  hounds,  taken  back  and  manacled, 
wearing  the  chains  until  the  flesh  had  swollen  over  the  shackles  before 
they  were  taken  off.  Was  then  sent  to  Florence,  S.  C.,  where,  with  other 
prisoners,  he  was  corralled  in  an  open  field  for  three  months,  when  he 
made  his  escape  ;  rejoined  the  Company,  and  was  mustered  out  with 
Regiment.  Is  now  proprietor  of  the  Shawneetown  Foundry  and  Machine 
Shops,  at  Shawneetown,  111. 

Corporal  Josephus  Metcalf. — Age  26  ;  born  in  Pecatonica,  111. ;  en- 
gineer ;  enlisted  from  Galena  ;  wounded  at  Chickamauga,  and  fell  into 
the  enemy's  hands.  Was  taken  to  Richmond,  Va.,  where  he  remained 
two  months  ;  then  taken  to  Danville,  where  he  was  kept  five  months  and 
ten  days,  and  then  exchanged.  Returning  to  the  Regiment,  he  was  left 
at  Chattanooga  to  guard  supplies,  and  when  on  his  way  to  join  Regi- 
ment at  Pulaski,  he  fell  off  the  cars  and  sprained  an  ankle  ;  sent  to  hos- 
pital at  Nashville,  and  from  there  to  St.  Louis.  Returned  to  Company, 
and  was  promoted  to  Corporal  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Before  enlisting 
in  Company  A  he  was  with  the  3d  Missouri  Cavalry.  Is  a  stationary 
engineer  at  White  Oak  Springs,  Wis. 

Corporal  Edward  J.  Godat. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Galena,  111. ;  miner  ; 
enlisted  from  Galena  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  in  January,  1864 ;  always 
with  command,  but  escaped  wounds  ;  at  Chickamauga,  a  ball  passed 
through  haversack  and  clothing ;  mustered  out  with  Regiment.  Is  en- 
gaged in  silver  mining  in  Colorado.  Postoffice  address,  Soda  Springs, 
Lake  County,  Col. 

Corporal  W.  H.  H.  Willard. — Age  22  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County, 
111. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Guilford  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  May  31, 1865  ; 
participated  in  all  the  engagements  of  the  Regiment,  but  escaped  wounds. 
Since  the  war  has  been  an  officer  in  the  Wisconsin  State  Militia.  Is  now 
a  carpenter  and  builder.  Resides  at  917  Chicago  street,  La  Crosse,  Wis. 

Corporal  William  J.  Virtue. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Galena,  111.;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  the  town  of  Rice  ;  always  with  the  Regiment.  At  Chicka- 
mauga a  ball  was  shot  through  his  canteen  and  clothing.  Promoted  to 
Corporal  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  farming  at  Galena,  111. 

Corporal  Conrad  Hesse. — Age  26  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  carpenter  ;  en 
listed  from  Galena  ;  company  bugler  for  skirmish  drill  ;  promoted  to 
Corporal.  Participated  with  the  command  in  every  engagement,  and  was 
mustered  out  with  Regiment.  Is  a  contractor  and  builder  at  Galena,  111. 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  A.  691 

Musician  Benjamin  F.  Fox. — Age  14  ;  born  in  Prairie  du  Chien,  Wis.; 
laborer  and  school-boy  ;  enlisted  from  Dunleith  as  musician.  Was  dis- 
abled at  Moccasin  Point  while  cutting  timber,  having  split  left  knee-cap  ; 
was  off  duty  two  weeks  ;  was  struck  on  the  right  elbow  by  bullet  at 
Kenesaw  Mountain,  June  27.  Always  with  the  regimental  band.  The 
youngest  man  in  the  Company  ;  mustered  out  with  Regiment.  Is  now 
one  of  the  trusted  locomotive  engineers  on  the  Iowa  Division  of  the 
111.  Cen.  R.  R.  Postoffice  address,  Waterloo,  Iowa. 

Wagoner  John  Strong. — Age  31  ;  born  in  Portsmouth,  Ohio  ;  miner; 
enlisted  from  Elizabeth,  as  wagoner  ;  served  in  that  capacity  until  dis- 
charged for  disability  at  Bridgeport,  Ala.,  Sept.  13,  1863.  Is  mining  at 
Elizabeth,  111. 

Anderson  M.  Allison. — Age  29  ;  born  in  Vermilion,  111.;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Elizabeth  ;  served  with  Company  until  its  muster-out,  partici- 
pating in  all  the  engagements  of  the  command  ;  escaped  wounds  ;  resides 
at  Scotland,  Edgar  County,  111. 

John  A.  Bininger. — Age  27  ;  born  in  Vienna,  Austria  ;  located  at  Pilot 
Knob,  near  Galena,  in  1838  ;  miner  ;  enlisted  from  Galena.  Was  cook  at 
regimental  headquarters  most  of  the  time  during  his  service,  but  partici- 
pated in  a  number  of  engagements  with  his  command.  At  Resaca  was 
wounded  in  right  shoulder,  face  and  right  side  of  head,  severely ;  was 
absent  from  command  until  recovered,  and  returning  served  until 
mustered  out  with  Regiment  at  Nashville.  Since  the  war  has  resided  at 
Galena,  his  occupation  being  that  of  a  gardener.  P.  O.  address,  Galena, 
Illinois. 

Gottlieb  Beck. — Age  35;  born  in  Wurtemberg,  Germany;  shoemaker; 
enlisted  from  Dunleith,  111. ;  was  severely  wounded  at  Chickamauga  Sept. 
20,  1863,  by  gun-shot,  ball  entering  under  chin,  passing  through  throat, 
cutting  some  of  the  arteries,  the  effects  of  which  have  impaired  his  eye- 
sight ;  was  absent  from  command  only  while  disabled  from  this  wound, 
and  participated  in  all  the  engagements  of  the  command  ;  was  m.  o.  with 
Regiment.  Since  the  war  has  been  serving  as  stationary  engineer,  and  is 
now  living  at  East  Dubuque,  111. 

John  Buys. — Age  39  ;  born  in  Wayne,  N.  Y. ;  enlisted  from  Galena. 
Discharged  at  Danville,  Ky.,  Jan.  25,  1863,  for  disability.  Died  after 
the  war. 

James  M.  Beall. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Fulton,  111. ;  farmer ;  enlisted 
from  Galena  ;  died  at  Danville,  Ky.,  Feb.  1,  1863,— the  first  death  in  the 
•Company. 

Josiah  Beall.— Age  24 ;  born  near  Ellisville,  111. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Galena ;  was  taken  sick,  and  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  April  11, 
1863,  being  the  second  death  in  the  Company.  Was  a  noble  young  man, 
beloved  by  all  his  comrades.  Is  buried  in  Nashville  National  Cemetery. 


692  HISTOKY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

Charles  Barrett. — Age,  25  ;  born  in  Jefferson,  N.  Y. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Derinda  ;  discharged  for  disability  at  Nashville,  April  3,  1863,  and 
sent  home.  Resides  near  Warren,  111. 

Otto  J.  Buck. — Age  25  ;  born  in  Maryland  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Derinda.  Participated  in  all  the  movements  of  the  command  until  dis- 
charged for  disability  at  Nickajack  Cove,  Dec.  22,  1863.  Is  still  a  sufferer 
from  disease  contracted  while  in  service.  Is  farming  at  Westminster, 
Los  Angeles  County,  Cal. 

John  Bastian. — Age  38  ;  born  in  Yorkshire,  England ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Elizabeth.  Was  with  the  Company  all  of  the  time  until  its 
muster-out,  except  when  detailed  to  be  with  the  Regimental  Pioneers. 
Has  a  family  of  children,  all  grown  up.  Lives  at  Apple  River,  Jo  Daviess 
County,  111. 

Alfred  Burgess. — Age  30  ;  born  in  Allegheny,  N.  Y. ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Scales  Mound.  Served  with  his  Company  until  its  muster- 
out,  participating  in  all  the  engagements ;  escaped  wounds.  When  last 
heard  from  was  farming  in  Illinois. 

David  R.  P.  Ball. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Erie,  Pa. ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Stockton ;  served  with  Battery  most  of  time.  Discharged  at  Blue 
Springs,  Tenn.,  in  February,  1864,  for  disability. 

George  Bowman. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Iowa  City,  Iowa  ;  lead  miner ; 
enlisted  from  Elizabeth,  111.,  as  musician,  but  preferred  to  serve  in  the 
ranks.  At  Resaca  a  ball  passed  through  the  corner  of  his  knapsack  ;  also 
had  boot-heel  «ut  in  two  ;  at  Kenesaw,  June  27,  ball  passed  through  his 
cartridge  box  ;  at  Dallas  was  buried  with  wood  and  earth,  when  a  shell 
struck  in  front  of  the  Company,  splintering  the  head-log  and  knocking 
down  part  of  earth-works.  Participated  in  all  the  engagements  of  the 
command.  Mustered  out  with  Regiment.  Was  with  Company  C,  27th 
Illinois,  as  Captain's  boy  in  the  three  months'  service  for  a  time,  but  was 
not  regularly  enlisted,  and  went  home  after  the  battle  of  Belmont.  Since 
the  war  his  occupation  has  been  that  of  master  builder.  Residence, 
4446  Cottage  Grove  avenue,  Chicago,  111. 

Harrison  M.  Campbell. — Age  25  ;  born  in  Pennsylvania  ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Woodbine  ;  deserted  in  Kentucky  January  29,  1863. 

Joseph  E.  Consalus. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Allegheny  County,  N.  Y. ; 
farmer ;  enlisted  from  Nora ;  received  wound  in  face  at  Rocky  Face 
Ridge,  May  9,  1864,  while  skirmishing  with  sharp-shooters  ;  though  pain- 
ful, did  not  leave  the  command  ;  was  taken  prisoner  only  once,  at  Big 
Shanty,  and  that  by  our  own  men,  for  foraging,  but  soon  released. 
Participated  in  all  the  engagements  of  the  command,  and  was  mustered 
out  with  Regiment.  His  occupation  since  the  close  of  the  war  has  been 
that  of  a  railroad  conductor, — for  a  long  time  on  the  Illinois  Central,  but 
is  now  running  between  Buffalo  and  New  York  City.  Postoffice  address, 
Bradford,  Pa. 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  A.  693 

John  W.  Connor. — Age  20 ;  born  in  New  Brunswick  ;  printer ;  en- 
listed from  Galena.  Was  severely  wounded  at  Chickamauga,  Sept.  20, 
1863,  a  ball  passing  through  his  body  ;  fell  into  the  enemy's  hands,  and 
was  afterward  sent  into  our  lines  and  taken  to  hospital.  Finally  recov- 
ered sufficiently  to  be  discharged  from  hospital ;  reported  to  the  Company, 
and  served  until  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Since  the  war  has  traveled  over 
the  country,  and  worked  as  a  journeyman  printer.  His  last  known 
address  was  Augusta,  Ga. 

Peter  D.  Campbell. — Age  18 ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Stockton  Center  ;  detailed  in  Pioneer  Corps  April  7,  1863,  and  trans- 
ferred to  1st  Regiment  U.  S.  Veteran  Engineers  in  August,  1864,  serving 
with  that  command  until  the  close  of  the  war.  Resides  at  Rockwell  City, 
Iowa. 

Andrew  Disch,  Sr. — Age  48 ;  born  in  Germany ;  laborer ;  enlisted 
from  Galena.  Discharged  for  disability  Jan.  25,  1863.  Returned  to 
Galena,  where  he  still  resides. 

Andrew  Disch,  Jr. — Age  19  ;  of  German  parentage;  teamster;  enlisted 
from  Galena  ;  always  with  the  Company,  participating  in  all  the  engage- 
ments of  the  Regiment  until  killed  at  Lovejoy's  Station,  on  Friday  after- 
noon, September  2,  1864.  charging  the  enemy,  the  ball  entering  his  neck, 
killing  him  instantly.  He  was  a  true  Christian,  and  a  brave  and  faithful 
soldier — beloved  and  mourned  by  all  his  comrades.  We  buried  him  not 
far  from  where  he  fell ;  but  his  remains  were  subsequently  reinterred  in 
the  National  Cemetery  at  Marietta,  Ga. 

M.  R.  Einhart. — Age  23;  born  in  Marion,  111.;  farmer;  enlisted  from 
Hanover,  111.;  was  discharged  at  Danville,  Ky.,  January  25,  1863,  for 
disability. 

John  Einsweiler. — Age  23  ;  born  in  Germany ;  miner ;  enlisted  from 
Galena;  severely  wounded  in  thigh  at  battle  of  Chickamauga,  Sept.  20, 
1863,  and  disabled  for  several  weeks  ;  returning,  served  with  Company 
until  mustered  out  with  Regiment.  Since  the  war  has  been  mining  ;  is 
now  engaged  in  farming  at  Hazel  Green,  Wis. 

R.  L.  Erskine. — Age  30  ;  born  at  Lincoln,  Me.;  farmer;  enlisted  from 
Guilford  ;  discharged  at  Chicago,  Jan.  19,  1863,  for  disability. 

James  C.  Fletcher. — Age  30  ;  born  in  Sangamon  County,  Illinois  ; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Guilford.  Discharged,  on  Surgeon's  certificate  of 
disability,  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Feb.  16,  1863.  Is  a  public -spirited  citizen, 
and  has  been  School  Director  for  ten  years  in  different  districts.  Present 
occupation,  farmer.  Postoflice  address,  Loup  City,  Sherman  County,  Neb. 

Charles  B.  Flick. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pa. ;  chairmaker  ; 
enlisted  from  Galena  ;  participated  in  all  the  movements  of  the  Regiment 
until  after  the  battle  of  Lookout  Mountain.  Not  being  strong,  he  con- 
tracted a  severe  cold,  which  resulted  in  consumption  ;  was  discharged 
Dec.  2,  1863,  at  Louisville,  Ky. ;  returned  home,  but,  thinking  it  beneficial 


HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

to  his  health,  he  moved  to  Louisiana,  Mo.,  where  he  died  at  the  age  of 
28  years,  leaving  a  wife  and  one  child. 

Adam  Funstan. — Age  24  ;  born  in  Ireland;  farmer;  enlisted  from  the 
town  of  Rice  ;  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  Sept.  25,  1863.  Died 
near  Galena  since  the  war. 

John  Greenwald. — Age  19  ;  born  in  France ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Menominee,  111.;  was  with  Company  until  discharged  for  disability, 
at  Nashville,  Feb.  13,  1863.  Went  home,  got  well,  and  re-enlisted  in 
Company  F,  12th  Illinois.  Was  severely  wounded  while  with  that  Com- 
pany at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  June  27,  1864,  having  one  ball  in  head,  one 
in  breast,  lodging  in  right  shoulder,  from  which  it  has  never  been 
extracted  ;  also  wounded  in  right  leg,  shell  wound  across  left  leg ;  also 
bayonet  wound  in  left  hand,  disfiguring  it  badly;  in  fact,  was  shot  all  to> 
pieces.  Is  living  on  a  farm,  and,  with  the  aid  of  his  sons  and  a  pension, 
manages  to  make  a  living.  Postoffice  address,  East  Dubuque,  111. 

Samuel  C.  Gault. — Age  23 ;  born  in  Mercer,  Pa. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Derinda.     Mustered  out  May  16,  1865.    Postoffice  address,  Lanark 
Illinois. 

William  L.  Gayetty. — Age  28  ;  born  in  Venango  County,  Pa. ;  farmer;, 
enlisted  from  Derinda.  Contracted  a  severe  cold  while  afflicted  with 
measles  in  Kentucky,  which  resulted  in  injury  to  spine  ;  was  discharged 
for  disability  at  Nashville,  Feb.  3,  1863 ;  re-enlisted  in  the  same  Com- 
pany, April  13,  1865  ;  reported  to  command,  and  was  transferred  to  Com- 
pany B,  21st  Illinois  ;  promoted  to  Corporal,  and  served  with  that  com- 
mand until  mustered  out  in  December,  1865.  Is  a  carpenter  at  Savanna, 
Illinois. 

William  Geyer. — Age  31  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  forester  ;  enlisted  from 
Galena  ;  was  with  Company  during  entire  term  of  service.  Participated 
in  all  the  engagements  of  Regiment,  but  escaped  wounds  ;  was  m.  o.  with 
Regiment.  Died  in  Chicago  soon  after  the  war. 

Louis  C.  G.  Goatiea. — Age  26  ;  born  in  Gratiot,  Wis. ;  farmer;  en- 
listed from  Menominee  Township,  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.  Participated 
in  all  movements  of  the  Regiment  until  he  was  taken  sick  ;  died  at  Cleve- 
land, Tenn.,  April  12,  1864. 

Milton  Glover. — Age  41  ;  born  in  Phelps,  Ontario  County,  N.  Y.; 
miner  ;  enlisted  from  Elizabeth  ;  wounded  in  the  head  at  Chickamauga, 
Sept.  20,  1863  ;  had  a  ball  shot  through  haversack  at  Kenesaw  Mountain 
June  27,  1864  ;  was  with  Regimental  Pioneers  part  of  the  time.  Always 
with  command,  and  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  mining  at  Apple  River,  Jo 
Daviess  Co.,  111. 

Theodore  Hopp. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Guilford.  Was  wounded  in  left  hand  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  June  21, 
1864 ;  was  with  command  all  the  time,  and  a  good  soldier ;  m.  o.  with. 
Regiment.  Is  farming  at  Houghton,  Jo  Daviess  County,  111. 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  A.  695 

John  H.  Holden  ;  born  in  Alton,  111.,  May  1,  1843,  of  English  parents  ; 
his  mother  died  when  he  was  five  years  old  ;  at  fifteen  he  was  left  wholly 
alone.  He  battled  through  the  years,  working  at  farming  and  the  butcher 
business  and  serving  an  apprenticeship  at  the  cooper's  trade,  which  he 
had  just  completed  at  the  time  of  entering  the  service ;  enlisted  from 
Galena ;  declined  an  appointment  as  Corporal,  and  served  through  the 
war  as  a  private,  never  missing  a  day's  duty,  an  engagement,  or  but  one 
roll-call,  and  that  by  only  five  minutes  ;  never  reported  to  the  doctors  ; 
was  a  model  soldier.  At  the  battle  of  Franklin  was  struck  in  the  head  by 
a  bullet  and  quite  seriously  wounded,  but  with  commendable  pluck  re- 
mained with  the  command ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Resides  in  San  Fran- 
cisco, Cal.,  where  he  has  a  well  established  business  as  an  employing 
cooper,  at  105  Clay  Street ;  has  a  wife,  two  sons  and  two  daughters,  and 
is  a  highly  respected  business  man. 

John  Hoch. — Age  24  ;  born  in  Wurtemberg,  Germany  ;  shoemaker ; 
enlisted  from  Galena  ;  participated  in  all  the  engagements  of  the  Regi- 
ment without  receiving  any  wounds,  although  frequently  struck  in  his 
clothing ;  had  his  haversack  shot  away  at  Chickamauga.  Served  with  the 
Regiment  until  its  muster  out.  Has  been  engaged  in  the  boot  and  shoe 
business  since  the  war,  part  of  the  time  at  Sherrill's  Mound,  Dubuque 
County,  Iowa.  Present  Postoffice  address,  Galena,  111. 

J.  Edward  James. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Liverpool,  England  ;  printer  ;  en- 
listed from  Galena  ;  served  in  the  ranks  until  after  battle  of  Chicka- 
mauga, when  he  was  promoted  to  Commissary  Sergeant  of  the  Regiment, 
in  which  capacity  he  served  until  mustered  out  with  Regiment.  Return- 
ing to  Galena,  he  engaged  in  the  photograph  business,  and  prospered. 
Died  in  Galena  in  April,  1878,  of  tuberculosis,  aged  35  years,  leaving  a 
family. 

Francis  Johnson. — Age  18  ;  born  in  St.  Joseph,  Mo. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Fairplay,  Wis. ;  was  severely  wounded  in  the  foot  at  Dallas,  Ga. 
Was  absent  sick  at  muster-out  of  Regiment,  and  was  discharged  at 

Quincy,  111.;  was  last  heard  from  at  Salida,  Chafffee  County,  Colorado. 
* 

John  Johnson. — Age  20  ;  American  ;  enlisted  from  Galena.  Deserted 
while  on  the  march  from  Danville  to  Louisville,  Ky..  Jan.  30,  1863. 

Franz  J.  Keiburz. — Age  26  ;  born  in  Switzerland  ;  pastry  cook  ;  en- 
listed from  Galena  ;  was  company  cook  until  discharged  for  disability  at 
Nashville,  Tenn.,  March  10,  1863.  Died  since  the  war. 

Christian  Kaufman. — Age  23  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Galena  ;  was  a  good,  faithful  soldier  ;  always  with  command  until 
wounded  at  Chickamauga.  Sept.  20,  1863,  from  the  effects  of  which  he 
died  four  days  later. 

Clemens  Kuntz. — Age  19  ;  born  in  France ;  enlisted  from  Galena. 
Served  with  Company  until  discharged  at  Wartrace,  Tenn.,  June  17, 
1863,  by  order  of  Secretary  of  War.  Residence,  Galena,  111. 


696  HISTORY  OF  THE  96rra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

Eugene  B.  Langdon. — Age  19;  born  in  Columbia,  N.  Y. ;  farmer; 
enlisted  from  Galena  ;  was  with  command  in  nearly  all  the  engagements 
of  the  Regiment.  Severely  wounded  at  battle  of  Chickamauga,  and  again 
at  Nashville,  Dec.  16,  1864 ;  was  discharged  on  account  of  wounds  at 
St.  Louis,  Mo.,  April  7,  1865. 

William  Lewis. — Age  21  ;  born  in  England  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Galena.  Killed  at  Atlanta,  Ga.,  August  19,  1864,  in  a  charge  made  by 
the  Regiment  on  the  Rebel  works.  His  body  was  recovered  late  in  the 
evening,  and  the  next  day  he  was  buried  with  military  honors  by  his 
comrades.  His  remains  now  rest  in  the  Marietta  cemetery. 

James  McCann. — Age  22 ;  born  in  St.  Lawrence  County,  N.  Y. ; 
miner  ;  enlisted  from  White  Oak  Springs,  Wis.  Was  with  the  Company 
in  every  engagement,  but,  with  the  exception  of  a  broken  rib,  escaped 
wounds ;  m.  o.  with  the  Regiment.  Is  farming  at  Shullsburg,  Wis. 

William  B.  McMaster. — Age  18;  born  in  Galena,  111.;  school  boy; 
enlisted  from  Galena ;  sprained  his  knee  while  in  service ;  was  Regi- 
mental Postmaster  for  some  time  ;  balance  of  time  served  with  the  Com- 
pany ;  was  previously  in  Company  F,  12th  Illinois,  for  three-months 
service.  Discharged  from  Company  A  for  promotion  in  7th  Kentucky 
Heavy  Artillery,  December,  1864 ;  was  transferred  to  colored  regiment 
and  stationed  at  Memphis,  Tenn.,  until  three  months  after  close  of  the 
war,  when  he  was  mustered  out  at  the  latter  place.  Since  the  war  he 
has  been  mining  in  Colorado. 

Samuel  R.  Marsden. — Age  22;  born  in  Jefferson  County,  Mo. ;  miner; 
enlisted  from  Galena;  served  in  the  Company  until  discharged  for  disa- 
bility at  Bridgeport,  Ala.,  Sept.  18,  1863.  Since  the  war  has  been  Captain 
and  Engineer  of  steamboat;  now  operating  the  ferry  between  Savanna, 
Illinois,  and  Sabula,  Iowa,  on  the  Mississippi  River.  Postofflce  address, 
Sabula,  Iowa. 

Richard  K.  Miller. — Aged  18  ;  born  in  Galena,  111. ;  school  boy  ; 
enlisted  from  Galena.  Participated  in  every  engagement  of  the  Regi 
ment,  and,  although  he  had  many  close  calls,  escaped  being  wounded  ; 
was  m.  o.  with  the  Regiment.  Since  the  war  has  served  five  years  in  the 
Regular  Army,  as  Sergeant.  Is  now  a  prosperous  farmer  and  stock- 
raiser  at  Clay  Center,  Clay  County,  Kansas, 

Charles  C.  Menzemer. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Galena  ;  school  boy  and 
miner ;  enlisted  from  Galena.  Participated  in  all  engagements  of  the 
Regiment  until  captured,  near  Buzzard  Roost,  Ga.,  Feb.  26,  1864 ;  was 
taken  to  Andersonville  Prison,  where  he  died  from  being  vaccinated  with 
impure  virus,  June  16,  1864.  No.  of  grave,  2,049. 

John  J.  McKinley. — Age  38  ;  born  in  Cumberland  County,  Pa. ; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Derinda.  Discharged  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  April 
5,  1863,  for  disability  ;  re-enlisted,  in  1865,  in  21st  Illinois,  and  m.  o.  in 
December  of  same  year  at  San  Antonio,  Texas.  After  his  return  home 
he  moved  to  Kansas,  where  he  held  the  office  of  Justice  of  the  Peace ; 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  A.  697 

from  Kansas  he  moved  to  Jackson  County,  Mo.,  where  he  died  Oct.  1, 
1885,  of  nervous  prostration. 

Robert  Neal.— Age  19  ;  horn  in  Pennsylvania  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Woodbine.  Died  at  Franklin,  Tenn.,  March  22,  1863. 

Harlow  D.  Ragan. — Age  21;  born  in  Meigs,  Ohio;  carpenter;  enlisted 
from  Logan  County  ;  received  a  slight  wound  in  hand  at  Lookout  Moun- 
tain, Nov.  24,  1863  ;  served  with  Ambulance  Corps  during  last  fourteen 
months  ;  was  in  three  months'  service  at  beginning  of  war  in  some  Illi- 
nois regiment ;  was  m.  o.  with  Regiment,  and,  immediately  after  being 
paid  off  at  Chicago,  went  to  Columbia,  Tenn.,  where  he  was  shot  dead  a 
few  months  later. 

Francis  J.  Robinson. — Age  17 ;  born  in  New  York  City  ;  farmer ; 
enlisted  from  Galena  ;  was  in  the  battle  of  Lookout  Mountain  and  all  of 
the  engagements  that  followed  until  Kenesaw  Mountain  ;  at  the  Buzzard 
Roost  reconnoissance,  Feb.  25,  1864,  was  slightly  wounded  in  foot ;  at 
Dallas,  Ga.,  was  wounded  in  the  neck,  and  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Ga., 
June  21,  1864,  was  three  times  hit  in  the  left  leg  by  bullets,  one  of  which 
he  still  carries  in  the  limb  ;  he  afterward  narrowly  escaped  death  from 
gangrene,  and  was  not  again  able  for  duty  until  the  Regiment  had 
reached  Huntsville ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Afterward  graduated  from 
the  State  Normal  School,  and  was  for  some  years  engaged  in  teaching  ; 
is  now  book-keeper  for  the  printing  house  of  A.  M.  Wood  &  Co.,  184 
and  186  Monroe  Street,  Chicago.  Residence  at  River  Park,  Cook  County, 
Illinois. 

Christian  Rausch. — Age  50  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  contractor  ;  enlisted 
from  Galena  ;  remained  with  the  Company  until  Feb.  20,  1863,  when  he 
was  discharged  for  disability,  at  Nashville.  Resides  at  Galena,  Illinois. 

Edward  Reubeno. — Age  23  ;  born  in  Galena  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Galena  ;  participated  in  all  the  engagements  of  the  Regiment,  and  had  a 
finger  shot  off  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is 
a  large  and  prosperous  farmer  and  stock-raiser  near  Galena,  Illinois. 

William  Saulsbury. — Age  18;  born  in  Harrison,  Virginia  ;  farmer; 
enlisted  from  Galena  ;  most  of  the  time  driving  a  Division  team,  but  par- 
ticipated in  several  battles  ;  escaped  wounds.  Died  at  Camp  Douglas, 
Chicago,  Jan.  9,  1865.  Is  buried  at  Rose  Hill  Cemetery. 

Edward  Simpson.— Age  27  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  laborer  ;  enlisted  from 
Dunleith,  111. ;  always  with  Company,  except  when  in  hospital  on  account 
of  severe  sabre  wound  in  head,  received  at  battle  of  Chickamauga;  mus- 
tered out  with  Regiment.  Is  a  laborer  on  railroad,  at  Waverly,  Iowa. 

Calvin  Turner. — Age  24  ;  born  in  Adair  County,  Kentucky  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Galena.;  was  one  of  the  Company  cooks  first  eight  months  ; 
was  discharged  for  disability  at  Nashville,  April  5,  1803  ;  has  never  been 
able  to  do  manual  labor  since  ;  has  been  a  canvasser  for  the  last  eight 
years.  Postoffice  address,  Savanna,  Carroll  County,  111. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

Theodore  Treftz. — Age  33  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  accountant  and  clerk  r 
enlisted  from  Galena  ;  served  with  Company  until  m.  o.  with  reghnent, 
participating  in  all  the  engagements.  Died  in  Galena  after  the  war  from 
disease  contracted  in  service. 

Ebenezer  Tate.— Age  26 ;  born  in  Erie,  Pa. ;  carpenter  ;  enlisted; 
from  Galena.  At  Chickamauga  his  clothing  was  riddled  with  bullets, 
but  no  injury  to  body;  at  Atlanta  received' a  slight  but  painful  wound 
on  the  head  ;  was  with  the  command  all  the  time  until  m.  o.  with  Regi- 
ment. Since  the  close  of  the  war  has  been  farming  in  Iowa;  is  now 
engaged  in  that  business  in  Kansas.  Postoffice  address,  Cheney,  Sedg- 
wick  County,  Kan. 

Frederick  Utrecht. — Age  53  ;  born  in  Prussia  ;  enlisted  from  Galena  ; 
discharged  for  disability,  April  4,  1863.  Died  at  Galena,  111.,  November 
2,  1883. 

Thomas  Vickers.— Age  32  ;  born  in  England  ;  miner  ;  enlisted  from 
Vinegar  Hill ;  was  with  command  all  the  time,  except  when  sick  with 
small-pox  at  Nashville,  Tenn. ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Postoffice  address, 
New  Diggings,  Wis. 

Nicholas  Wearmouth. — Age  26  ;  born  in  England ;  miner ;  enlisted 
from  Vinegar  Hill.  At  Chickamauga  bullet  passed  through  coat  and 
haversack  ;  at  Lookout  Mountain  was  hit  in  left  side  ;  at  Resaca  rim  of 
hat  was  taken  off  by  bullet.  Was  with  Company  until  its  muster  out. 
Is  mining  at  Mill  Bridge,  Jo  Daviess  County,  111. 

John  H.  Witman. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Illinois,  of  German  parentage  ; 
druggist ;  enlisted  from  Galena.  Served  faithfully  with  Company  until 
mortally  wounded  at  Chickamauga,  and  died  Oct.  30,  1863.  Is  buried  in 
the  National  Cemetery  at  Nashville,  Tenn. 

Gottlieb  Weber. — Age  33  ;  born  in  Wurtemberg,  Germany  ;  gardener  ; 
enlisted  from  Dunleith,  111.;  severely  wounded  in  face  by  gun-shot,  at 
Resaca,  May  14, 1864  ;  with  command  all  the  time,  participating  in  nearly 
all  the  engagements  of  the  Regiment ;  was  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is 
mining  and  gardening.  Postoffice  address,  Dubuque,  Iowa. 

Harvey  G.  Wilson. — Age  25  :  born  in  Illinois  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Elizabeth.  Discharged  July  23,  1863,  for  disability.  Residence,  Aspiu, 
Colorado. 

Joseph  D.  Young.— Age  18  ;  born  in  Holland  ;  laborer;  enlisted  from 
Menominee,  Jo  Daviess  County;  was  wounded  in  leg  at  Chickamauga, 
also  in  left  leg  near  Atlanta,  July  10,  1864 ;  was  absent  for  short  time 
only  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  farming  at  New  Richland,  Waseca 
County,  Minn. 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  A.  699 


RECRUITS  TO  COMPANY  A. 

John  A.  Abel.— Age  21  ;  born  in  Oldenburg,  Germany ;  clerk  ;  en- 
listed from  Galena,  Oct.  3,  1864  ;  was  with  the  Company  at  the  battle  of 
Nashville,  and  in  the  pursuit  of  Hood  ;  had  hemorrhage  of  lungs,  caused 
by  exposure  in  that  campaign,  and  was  sick  for  some  time ;  at  m.  o.  of 
Regiment  was  transferred  to  Company  B,  21st  Illinois ;  finally  m.  o.  at 
Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  15,  1865.  Present  occupation,  laborer  and  gardener. 
Postoffice  address,  537  Lawson  Street,  St.  Paul,  Minn. 

Philip  Allendorf. — Age  21 ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County  ;  miner  ;  en- 
listed from  Galena,  Sept.  19,  1864 ;  joined  the  Company  at  Nashville  ; 
participated  in  the  battle  and  the  campaign  following ;  m  o.  with  Regi- 
ment. Is  mining  at  Galena,  111. 

John  Bryson. — Age  45;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer;  enlisted  from  Wood- 
bine, Oct.  1,  1864  ;  joined  the  Company  in  time  to  participate  in  battle  of 
Nashville  and  pursuit  of  Hood  ;  was  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Died  in 
Galena,  Feb.  6,  1868,  from  white  swelling  and  dropsy.  He  left  a  family, 
who  reside  at  Cheever,  Dickinson  County,  Kan. 

Thomas  Bray. — Age  24  ;  born  in  Elk  Grove,  Wis. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Galena,  March  2,  1865 ;  joined  the  Company  at  Russellville,  and 
died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  April  26,  1865,  of  typhoid  fever. 

Robert  Bryson. — Age  36  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Elizabeth,  March  3,  1865  ;  joined  Company  at  Russellville,  and  at  in.  o. 
of  Regiment  was  transferred  to  Company  B,  21st  111. ;  date  of  final  m.  o  , 
Dec.  16,  1865.  Died  June  17,  1869,  at  Elizabeth,  111.,  where  his  family 
still  reside. 

Elisha  R.  Bennett. — Age  32  ;  born  in  Cayuga,  N.  Y. ;  farmer ;  en- 
listed from  Council  Hill,  March  13,  1865  ;  transferred  to  Company  B,  21st 
Illinois  ;  m.  o.  Sept.  4,  1865,  at  Prairie  du  Chien,  Wis. 

George  Bingham. — Age  32  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Galena,  March  24,  1865  ;  transferred  to  Company  B,  21st  Illinois  ;  m.  o. 
Dec.  16,  1865.  Died  in  1883. 

William  H.  Collins. — Age  19 ;  born  in  England ;  farmer ;  enlisted 
from  Galena,  March  16,  1865  ;  transferred  to  Company  B,  2lst  Illinois ; 
m.  o.  Dec.  16,  1865. 

Noah  N.  Davis.— Age  43  ;  born  in  Green,  Indiana  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Woodbine,  Sept.  21, 1864  ;  was  in  the  battle  of  Nashville  ;  m.  o.  with 
Regiment.  Is  farming  at  Pleasant  Valley,  Jo  Daviess  County,  111. 

James  Delaney. — Age  39 ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  miner ;  enlisted  from 
Galena,  Oct.  14.  1864 ;  was  in  the  battle  of  Nashville  ;  at  m.  o.  of  Regi- 
ment was  transferred  to  Company  B,  21st  Illinois,  and  died  Aug.  2,  1865, 
at  Green  Lake,  Texas. 


700  HISTOBY  OF  THE  96xH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  1. 

Henry  A.  Davis. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Delaware,  Ohio  ;  cooper  ;  enlisted 
from  Halleck,  Peoria  County,  111.,  Jan.  24,  1865  ;  transferred  to  Company 
B,  21st  Illinois  ;  m.  o.  Dec.  16,  1865. 

Charles  Eby. — Age  44  ;  born  in  Baden,  Germany;  dyer  ;  enlisted  from 
Elizabeth,  March  3,  1865  ;  joined  Company  in  East  Tennessee  ;  at  m.  o. 
of  Regiment  was  transferred  to  Company  B,  21st  Illinois ;  finally  dis- 
charged Dec.  16,  1865.  Is  now  operating  the  Elizabeth  Woolen  Mills. 
Postofflce  address,  Elizabeth,  111. 

John  Hefty.— Age  37  ;  born  in  Switzerland  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  March 
3,  1865,  from  Elizabeth  ;  was  transferred  to  Company  B,  21st  Illinois,  at 
m.  o.  of  Regiment ;  finally  m.  o.  Dec.  16,  1865.  Died  after  the  war  at 
Elizabeth,  111. 

Baalam  Hull.— Age  27  ;  born  in  Hanover,  111. ;  farmer;  enlisted  from 
Elizabeth  March  3,  1865  ;  was  transferred  to  Company  B,  21st  Illinois,  at 
m.  o.  of  Regiment ;  finally  m.  o.  Dec.  16,  1865,  at  San  Antonio,  Texas. 
Since  the  war  has  been  Postmaster  two  years ;  is  disabled  for  labor. 
Postoffice  address,  Hanover,  111. 

Albert  F.  Higley. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111. ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Galena,  March  13,  1865  ;  joined  Company  at  Russellville, 
Tenn.  Was  transferred  to  Company  B,  21st  Illinois,  at  m.  o.  of  Regi- 
ment, and  died  Aug.  21,  1865,  at  New  Orleans,  La. 

William  Hilderbrandt. — Age  30  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Rice  township,  March  2,  1865  ;  transferred  to  Company  B,  21st 
Illinois  ;  m.  o.  Dec.  16,  1865.  Resides  at  Woodbine,  111. 

August  Hiller. — Age  19;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.;  cooper; 
enlisted  from  Galena,  Sept.  27,  1864.  Was  with  command  at  battle  of 
Nashville,  and  the  pursuit  of  Hood  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  It  is  under- 
stood that  he  died  a  few  years  since  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Christian  Kuntz. — Age  29  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Galena,  Oct.  8,  1864  ;  joined  the  Regiment  at  Nashville,  and  participated 
in  the  battle  and  campaign  following.  Transferred  to  Company  B,  21st 
Illinois  ;  m.  o.  Oct.  15,  1865,  at  Victoria,  Tex.  Resides  at  Galena,  111. 

Thomas  Metcalf.— Age  24 ;  born  in  England  ;  miner ;  enlisted  from 
Benton,  Wis.,  March  2,  1865  ;  joined  Company  at  Russellville,  Tenn. 
Was  taken  sick,  and  died  at  Nashville,  May  16,  1865. 

Leonard  Metcalf. — Age  30  ;  born  in  England  ;  miner ;  enlisted  from 
the  town  of  Benton,  Wis.,  March  2,  1865 ;  joined  Company  at  Russell- 
ville, Tenn.  At  m.  o.  of  Regiment  was  transferred  to  Company  B,  21st 
Illinois  ;  m.  o.  at  San  Antonio,  Tex.,  Dec.  16,  1865.  Died  in  August,  1871. 

Christopher  Metcalf.— Age  21 ;  born  in  England  ;  miner ;  enlisted 
from  Benton,  Wis.,  March  2,  1865;  joined  the  Company  at  Russellville, 
Tenn.  At  m.  o.  of  Regiment  was  transferred  to  Company  B,  21st  Illi- 
nois Regiment ;  served  with  that  command  until  m.  o.  at  San  Antonio, 
Tex.,  Dec.  16,  1865.  Is  farming  at  Centre  Grove,  Dubuque  County,  Iowa. 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  A.  701 

James  Metcalf. — Age  22 ;  born  in  Glimerside,  England  ;  miner ;  en- 
listed from  Benton,  Wis.,  March  2,  1865  ;  joined  Company  at  Russellville, 
Tenn.  At  m.  o.  of  Regiment  was  transferred  to  Company  B,  21st  Illinois; 
served  with  that  command  until  m.  o.  at  San  Antonio,  Tex.,  Dec.  16, 
1865.  Is  now  a  druggist  at  Benton,  La  Lafayette  County,  Wis. 

John  Metcalf. — Age  23 ;  born  in  England ;  butcher ;  enlisted  from 
Benton,  Wis.,  March  2,  1865  ;  joined  Company  at  Russellville.  At  m.  o. 
of  Regiment  was  transferred  to  Company  B,  21st  Illinois  ;  served  with 
that  command  until  m.  o.  at  San  Antonio,  Tex.,  Dec.  16,  1865.  Is  a 
banker  at  Paulina,  O'Brien  County,  Iowa. 

James  H.  McAllister. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pa. ;  farmer ; 
enlisted  from  Hanover,  Feb.  24,  1865.  At  m.  o.  of  Regiment  was  trans- 
ferred to  Company  B,  21st  Illinois;  finally  mustered  out  Dec.  16,  1865. 
Is  farming  at  Freeman,  Hutchinson  County,  Dak. 

John  McCoy. — Age  34 ;  born  in  England ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Elizabeth,  111.,  March  3,  1865  ;  joined  the  Company  at  Russellville,  and 
at  m.  o.  of  Regiment  was  transferred  to  Company  B,  21st  Illinois  ;  finally 
m.  o.  at  San  Antonio,  Dec.  16,  1865.  Postoffice  address,  Elizabeth,  111. 

Christopher  Menzemer.— Age  16;  born  in  Galena,  111.;  farmer;  en- 
listed from  Galena,  March  2,  1865  ;  transferred  to  Company  B,  21st 
Illinois  ;  m.  o.  Dec.  16,  1865.  Is  mining  at  Idaho  Springs,  Colorado. 

John  Martin. — Age  18 ;  born  in  England  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Council  Hill,  March  2,  1865 ;  transferred  to  Company  B,  21st  Illinois ; 
mustered  out  Dec.  16,  1865. 

Robert  B.  Mallor. — Age  22  ;  born  in  Livingston  County,  Ky. ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Galena,  March  24,  1865 ;  transferred  to  Company  B,  21st 
Illinois  ;  mustered  out  Dec.  16,  1865. 

James  Nicholas. — Age  25  ;  born  in  Cleveland,  Ohio  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Mt.  Carroll,  111.;  joined  Company  at  Russellville,  Tenn.;  at  m.  o. 
of  Regiment  was  transferred  to  Company  B,  21st  Illinois  ;  finally  m.  o. 
at  San  Antonio,  Texas,  Dec.  16,  1865.  Is  farming  at  Cuba  City,  Wis. 

William  R.  Oliver. — Age  18 ;  born  in  Carroll  County,  111. ;  farmer ; 
enlisted  from  Derinda,  April  13,  1865  ;  transferred  to  Company  B,  21st 
Illinois  ;  m.  o.  Dec.  16,  1865. 

James  Richards. — Age  17  ;  born  in  Hazel  Green,  Wis. ;  school-boy  ; 
enlisted  from  Galena,  March  2, 1865  ;  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  May  9, 1865. 

David  Reed. — Age  38  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Rice, 
Oct.  14,  1864  ;  was  with  command  at  Nashville  and  in  the  pursuit  of 
Hood.  At  m.  o.  of  Regiment  was  transferred  to  Company  B,  21st 
Illinois  ;  was  absent  on  furlough  when  that  Regiment  was  mustered  out. 
Died  near  Galena  after  the  war. 

Henry  Rosenthal. — Age  37 ;  born  in  Prussia  ;  physician  ;  enlisted 
from  Galena,  March  2,  1865 ;  transferred  to  Company  B,  21st  Illinois  ; 


702  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  1. 

absent  sick  at  muster  out  of  that  Regiment ;  resides  at  Dickey  ville,  Grant 
County,  Wis. 

Joseph  Rubado. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Grant  County,  Wis. ;  smelter ; 
enlisted  from  Hazel  Green,  Wis.,  March  11,  1865  ;  transferred  to  Company 
B,  21st  Illinois  ;  m.  o.  Dec.  16,  1865. 

Harmon  Redeke. — Age  37  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Derinda,  April  13,  1865 ;  transferred  to  Company  B,  21st  Illinois  ;  m.  o. 
Dec.  16,  1865. 

John  Sausen. — Age  44  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  laborer  ;  enlisted  from 
Rice  Township,  March  2,  1865  ;  transferred  to  Company  B,  21st  Illinois  ; 
m.  o.  Dec.  16,  1865. 

Chas.  W.  Skemp. — Age  20  ;  born  in  England  ;  clerk  ;  enlisted  from 
Galena,  March  20,  1865  ;  transferred  to  Company  B,  21st  Illinois,  but 
never  reported  to  that  command. 

Nathaniel  Tutin. — Age  34  ;  born  in  England  ;  currier  ;  enlisted  from 
Galena,  Sept.  27,  1864  ;  was  with  command  at  Franklin  and  Nashville, 
and  in  the  pursuit  of  Hood ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  farming  at 
Bartlett,  Wheeler  County,  Nebraska. 

Nicholas  Tippit. — Age  26  ;  born  in  England  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
<ralena,  March  20,  1865 ;  joined  the  Company  at  Russellville.  Died  at 
Nashville,  Tenn.,  May  3,  1865,  of  typhoid  fever. 

William  H.  Tippit. — Age  29  ;  born  in  England ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Galena,  March  20,  1865  ;  joined  the  Company  at  Russellville,  Tenn. 
At  muster-out  of  Regiment  was  transferred  to  Company  B,  21st  Illinois. 
Was  sick  in  hospital  at  New  Orleans  two  months  with  chronic  diarrhoea  ; 
finally  discharged  at  Springfield,  111.,  Jan.  22,  1866.  Is  farming  at  Galena, 
Illinois. 

Corporal  Chapman  Thistlewait. — Age  34  ;  born  in  England  ;  miner  ; 
enlisted  from  Galena  ;  had  served  three  years  in  19th  Illinois  Volunteers  ; 
was  mustered  out  of  that  Regiment  at  Atlanta,  as  Corporal.  At  muster- 
out  of  NINETY- SIXTH  was  transferred  to  Company  B,  21st  Illinois,  and 
appointed  Corporal.  Finally  mustered  out  at  San  Antonio,  Texas,  Dec. 
16,  1865.  Is  mining  at  Cuba  City,  Grant  County,  Wis. 

Robert  Virtue. — Age  26  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  the 
town  of  Rice,  Oct.  14,  1864  ;  joined  the  Company  at  Nashville,  and  par- 
ticipated in  the  battle  and  the  campaign  following.  At  muster-out  of 
Regiment  was  transferred  to  Company  B,  21st  Illinois  ;  finally  m.  o.  Oct. 
15,  1865,  at  Victoria,  Texas.  Died  Dec.  6,  1865,  of  chronic  diarrhoea. 

John  Wheeldin. — Age  27 ;  born  in  England ;  miner  :  enlisted  from 
Galena,  Sept.  27,  1864.  Participated  in  the  battle  of  Nashville  and  in  the 
pursuit  of  Hood.  A  bullet  struck  his  frying-pan,  which  saved  him  from 
injury ;  was  injured  at  Huntsville,  in  hauling  wood  ;  m.  o.  with  Regi- 
ment ;  resides  at  Galena,  111. 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  A. 

John  S.  Weir. — Age 30  ;  born  in  Mercer  County,  Pa.;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Woodbine,  Oct.  8,  1864  ;  was  with  Company  at  the  battles  of  Frank- 
lin and  Nashville  ;  detailed  as  clerk  of  Division  Court  Martial,  at  Hunts- 
ville,  Ala.,  January,  1865.  Since  the  war  has  been  engaged  in  the  grocery 
business  ;  is  now  farming  and  stock-raising  at  Pauline,  Kansas. 

Isaac  M.  Wilcox. — Age  17  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111. ;  miner  ; 
enlisted  from  Galena,  Oct.  14,  1864 ;  joined  Company  in  time  to  partici- 
pate in  battle  of  Nashville  and  pursuit  of  Hood.  Died  at  Russellville, 
Tenn.,  April  16,  1865. 

Robert  R.  Willson. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Niagara,  Ontario  ;  clerk  ;  en- 
listed from  Hanover,  Oct.  8,  1864 ;  joined  the  Company  at  Nashville, 
before  the  battle,  and  was  with  the  Regiment  in  the  campaign  following. 
At  muster  out  of  Regiment  was  transferred  to  Company  B,  21st  Illinois  ; 
m.  o.  at  Springfield,  111.,  Oct.  15,  1865.  Is  a  prosperous  merchant  at 
Hanover,  111. 

Henry  Wayman. — Age  16  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111. ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  the  town  of  Derinda,  Oct.  15,  1864  ;  was  with  Company  in 
battle  of  Nashville  ;  transferred  to  Company  B,  21st  Illinois ;  m.  o.  Oct. 
15,  1865.  Died  at  Westminster,  Los  Angeles  County,  Cal.,  Feb.  19,  1888, 
leaving  alamily. 

Frederick  Wiemers. — Age  40  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  tailor  ;  enlisted 
from  Galena,  Oct.  14,  1864  ;  was  with  command  at  Nashville  and  pursuit 
of  Hood  ;  at  m.  o.  of  Regiment  was  transferred  to  Company  B,  21st 
Illinois  ;  absent  sick  at  final  m.  o. ;  is  a  tailor  at  Galena,  111. 

George  Woodward. — Age  37  ;  born  in  England  ;  mason  ;  enlisted  from 
Elizabeth,  March  3,  1865  ;  was  transferred  to  Company  B,  21st  Illinois  ; 
promoted  to  Corporal ;  died  Oct.  16,  1865,  at  Victoria,  Texas. 

Henry  Willy. — Age  34 ;  born  in  England  ;  sailor  ;  enlisted  from 
Council  Hill,  111.,  March  2,  1865  ;  joined  the  Company  at  Russellville,  and 
at  m.  o.  of  Regiment  was  transferred  to  Company  B,  21st  Illinois.  Date 
of  final  m.  o.  Dec.  16,  1865.  Is  farming  at  Cuba  City,  Wis. 

Frederick  Wolford. — Age  33  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  farmer ;  enlisted 
from  Galena,  March  29,  1865  ;  at  m.  o.  of  Regiment  was  transferred  to  Com- 
pany B,  21st  Illinois  ;  finally  m.  o  Dec.  16, 1865.  Is  farming  at  Galena,  111. 

Gregory  Weitzenaker. — Age  40  ;  born  in  Switzerland  ;  farmer ;  en- 
listed from  Galena,  March  24,  1865  ;  transferred  to  Company  B,  21st 
Illinois  ;  m.  o.  Dec.  16,  1865. 

Corporal  Thomas  Winters. — Age  32  ;  born  in  Warren,  N.  Y. ;  carpen- 
ter ;  enlisted  from  Galena,  April  10,  1865  ;  transferred  to  Company  B, 
21st  Illinois  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  June  16,  1865  ;  m.  o.  Dec.  16,  1865. 

Mathias  Yontz.— Age  39;  born  in  Germany;  miller;  enlisted  from 
•Galena,  Sept.  27,  1864 ;  was  with  command  at  Franklin  and  Nashville, 
and  in  the  pursuit  of  Hood ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Died  in  Galena,  111., 
in  1885. 


704  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 


XLII. 


COMPANY    B. 
BY  GEORGE  WAIT. 

How  the  Company  was  Recruited — The  Organization  at  Hainesville — 
Three  Times  Sworn  In — Incidents  in  the  Early  Days — Man  Afruid  of 
His  Knapsack — Fort  Mitchell — Promotions — Ante-Battle  Losses — 
Casualties  at  Chickamauga  —  Subsequent  Losses — "  Gus  "  Bollen- 
back's  Capture  and  Escape— Company  Statistics — A  Proud  Record — 
The  Complete  Roster. 

DURING  the  spring  and  early  summer  of  1862,  although 
opposing  armies  were  in  the  field  and  at  the  seat  of  war,  the 
rank-and-file  were  over-taxed  with  duty  and  the  Generals  com- 
manding put  to  their  wits'  end  to  know  just  whaj  to  do. 
Farther  to  the  north,  and  more  remote  from  those  accom- 
panying scenes  of  carnage  and  bloodshed,  comparative  quiet 
seemed  to  reign,  and  a  hope  that  the  worst  was  past  seemed 
to  pervade  every  neighborhood  and  fireside.  But  what  a 
change  soon  passed  over  the  country  !  Fresh  disasters  to  our 
armies  set  the  wires  in  motion,  bearing  to  the  extreme  por- 
tions of  the  North  the  call  of  our  "Father  Abraham "  for' 
300,000,  and  shortly  afterward  for  300,000  more,  making  in 
round  numbers  600,000  men.  In  obedience  to  these  calls, 
I.  L.  Clarke,  Esq.,  of  Waukegan,  and  Dr.  David  Salisbury,  of 
Hainesville,  started  out  in  July  to  recruit  and  organize  a 
Company,  believing  that,  with  the  united  efforts  of  the  peo- 
ple, Lake  County  could  raise  her  quota  of  that  mighty  host, 
and  that,  too,  without  a  draft.  In  every  town  and  village  the 
sound  of  the  mustering  drum  was  heard.  Patriotic  men  left 
the  store,  the  workshop  and  the  farm,  eager  to  place  their 
names  upon  the  rolls,  believing  the  time  had  come  when  the 
preservation  of  the  Union  depended  upon  the  united  efforts 
of  the  people  of  the  North. 

Hardly  had  Messrs.  Clarke  and  Salisbury  made  the  effort 
to  recruit  one  Company,  ere  they  found  they  had  upon   their 


COMPANY  B. 


Serg't  ARTHUR  COOK. 
DIGHTON  GRANGER. 


HENRY  DOMBSKI. 

Second  Lieut.  GEO.  WAIT. 

Corp'l  HAMILTON  C.  WHITNEY. 


Serg't  WARREN  E.  POWERS. 
OSCAR  E.  WHITCOMB. 


SKETCH  OF  COMPANY  B.  705 

rolls  names  enough  to  make  nearly  two,  and  so  by  mutual 
consent  they  parted.  About  twenty  men  who  had  signed  a 
roll  in  the  village  of  Wauconda  joined  Dr.  Saulsbury,  and  a 
Company  was  organized  at  Hainesville,  111.,  on  Saturday, 
August  10,  with  David  Saulsbury  as  Captain,  Rollin  H. 
Trumbull,  of  Wauconda,  as  First  Lieutenant,  and  Allen  B. 
Whitney,  of  Avon,  as  Second  Lieutenant,  with  a  total  of  one 
hundred  men,  varying  in  age,  with  a  few  exceptions,  from 
seventeen  to  thirty-five,  and  in  appearance  and  power  of  en- 
durance equal  to  the  heroes  of  the  15th  and  37th  Regiments, 
or,  in  fact,  to  the  men  of  any  other  organization  that  had  pre- 
viously left  Lake  County.  When  formed  in  line,  as  they 
were  upon  one  or  two  occasions,  they  gave  the  little  village 
of  Hainesville  quite  a  military  appearance. 

Shortly  after  the  organization  of  the  Company,  and  after 
swords  had  been  presented  to  the  officers  by  the  patriotic  citi- 
zens of  Avon  and  Wauconda,  the  Company  was  disbanded 
for  a  time,  the  men  being  allowed  to  return  to  their  homes, 
gather  up  their  effects  and  provi4e  for  the  future  of  their  fam- 
ilies (such  of  them  as  had,  families),  as  besj  they  could,  previ- 
ous to  entering  campy  September  1.  As  the  men,  or  boys  as 
most  of  them  were,  were  about  to  start  for  Waukegan,  en 
route  for  Rockford,  111.,  where  they  were  to  enter  camp,  who 
can  describe  the  feelings  of  father  and  mother,  of  brother  and 
sister,  of  wife  and  children,  as  they  parted  with  their  loved 
ones, — many  of  them  never  to  meet  again  this  side  of  the 
River  of  Death  !  The  writer  remembers  one  instance  where 
friends  gathered  around  a  young  man  who,  when  a  lad  of  four 
or  five  years,  was  left  an  orphan,  and,  without  so  much  as  a 
brother  or  sister,  had  made  the  journey  of  life  to  manhood 
alone,  a  neighboring  farmer  took  Him  by  the  hand,  and, 
when  he  could  trust  his  voice  to  speak,  he  said  :  "If  the  time 
ever  comes,  in  the  future,  that  you  need  money,  a  home,  or  a 
friend,  come  or  send  to  me." 

September  3  found  the  members  of  the  Company  all  to- 
gether again  in  Waukegan.  The  Company  was  formed  on 
the  Court  House  Square,  and  again  sworn  into  the  service, 
although  it  had  previously  been  sworn  in,  at  Hainesville,  by 
45 


706  HISTOKY  OF  THE  96xH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  1. 

Esquire  Marvin.  During  the  Company's  brief  stay  in  Wau- 
kegan  some  of  the  men  were  quartered  at  the  Sherman  House, 
some  at  the  Waukegan  House,  and  others  at  the  City  Hotel. 

The  morning  of  September  5  found  the  men  taking  leave 
of  the  friends  who  had  remained  in  town  to  see  them  off. 
Then,  tendering  their  thanks  to  the  patriotic  ladies  of  Wau- 
kegan, who  had  presented  each  member  of  the  Company 
with  a  nicely  arranged  pin  and  needle  cushion,  the  Company 
marched  down  to  the  depot,  and,  with  the  other  three  Com- 
panies from  Lake  County,  was  soon  on  board  the  train. 
Hardly  had  the  train  got  under  motion  over  the  up-grade, 
when  it  came  to  a  station,  then  called  Rockland,  where  there 
was  standing  what  was,  no  doubt,  a  truly  loyal  and  patriotic- 
citizen,  waving  his  handkerchief.  Hanging  upon  his  arm  was 
a  basket  containing  a  nice  roast  of  beef.  A  white-haired 
youth  of  Company  B,  believing  that,  to  be  good  soldier,  one 
should  begin  early  and  learn  easy,  slipped  his  foot  through 
the  handle  of  the  basket,  and,  as  the  boys  used  to  say,  "took 
it  in."  This  was  the  first  indulgence  in  what  afterward  be- 
came a  prominent  feature  of  the  War,  namely,  foraging. 

The  train  made  but  a  short  stop  at  Chicago,  and  was  soon 
moving  on  its  way,  a  few  hours'  run  bringing  it  to  Rockford, 
where  the  four  Companies  disembarked  and  marched  through 
the  city  to  Camp  Fuller.  When  the  men  were  ordered  to  break 
ranks,  each  one  made  a  rush  for  the  barracks  to  secure  a 
bunk  ;  the  next  thing  in  order  being  refreshments.  Hardly 
had  the  fires  been  kindled,  and  the  dinner, — or  supper,  as  it 
might  be  called, — got  under  way,  when  the  order  was  given  to 
fall  in,  and  Company  B,  with  the  other  Companies,  marched 
out  and  was  mustered  in  as  a  Regiment.  This  being  the  third 
time  Company  B  had  been  sworn  into  the  service,  the  muster- 
ing officer  no  doubt  thought  it  would  do,  so  the  men  were 
marched  back  to  camp  to  finish  the  meal  already  cooking. 
The  coffee  was  again  warmed  up,  the  meat  given  another 
turn  in  the  skillets,  and  when  the  men  were  gathered  around 
that  rude  table  which  contained  meat,  soft  bread  and  molasses, 
the  expression  upon  each  one's  countenance  seemed  to  say,— 


SKETCH  OF  COMPANY  B.  707 

<"I  am  not  dining  at  mother's  table,  but  at  Uncle  Sam's 
Hotel." 

After  finishing  their  meal  the  men  took  a  stroll  around 
camp  for  a  short  time  previous  to  entering  the  barracks,  where 
they  spent  the  evening  in  singing  songs  and  telling  stories, 
and  if  any  gloomy  thoughts  were  entertained  of  home,  they 
were  not  expressed,  but  each  one  seemed  to  do  his  part  to 
pass  off  the  first  evening  in  camp  as  pleasantly  as  possible. 
When  the  hour  for  retiring  came,  most  of  the  boys  had  their 
first  experience  in  making  up  beds, — which  consisted  of  straw 
without  a  tick,  pillows  without  a  feather,  and  the  soft  side  of 
A  pine  board  for  a  mattress, —  that  would  not  let  them  sleep 
long  enough  to  have  any  sweet  dreams  of  home  without  wak- 
ing them  up  and  causing  them  to  turn  over.  The  next  morn- 
ing the  men  came  out  of  their  quarters  seemingly  refreshed, 
and  ready  for  any  duty  that  might  be  assigned  them. 

Captain  Saulsbury,  the  previous  evening,  having  drawn 
the  second  letter  in  the  list,  the  Company  was  ever  after 
known  as  Company  B.  The  list  of  non-commissioned  officers 
was  announced,  as  follows  :  Sergeants,  E.  J.  Gillmore,  Morris 
S.  Hill,  George  H.  Burnett,  Orskine  Ferrand  and  Henry 
Annis  ;  Corporals,  Ambrose  A.  Bangs,  George  Wait,  William 
D.  Whitmore,  John  D.  Fulsom,  Daniel  Osman,  Samuel  H. 
Lindsay,  Arthur  Cook  and  Willard  Whitney.  The  men  were 
arranged  in  the  Company  according  to  size  or  height,  and  the 
commissioned  and  non-commissioned  officers  assigned  to  their 
places.  The  Company  daily  went  out  for  Company  drill, 
usually  under  command  of  Lieut.  O.  S.  Johnston,  of  Wauke- 
gan,  who  had  seen  service  in  the  51st  Illinois,  and  was  a  good 
drill-master.  When  the  Regiment  went  out  for  battalion  drill 
Company  B  took  its  place  upon  the  left  of  the  Regiment,  next 
to  Company  G,  a  position  that  ever  afterward,  when  on  the 
march,  the  order  being  right  in  front,  gave  it  the  rear,  and  if 
left  in  front,  the  advance  of  the  Regiment.  Few  things  of 
interest  transpired  while  the  Regiment  was  in  camp  at  Rock- 
ford.  The  drawing  of  arms  and  accoutrements  was  a  matter 
of  curiosity  as  well  as  interest.  The  men  looked  with  equal 
curiosity  upon  the  knapsack,  in  which  they  were  to  carry  their 


708  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'rn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

clothing  and  everything  pertaining  to  the  comfort  of  the  outer 
man  ;  the  haversack,  in  which  they  were  to  carry  their  food 
to  strengthen  the  inner  man  ;  the  canteen,  from  which  they 
were  to  slake  their  thirst ;  the  cartridge-box,  in  which  they 
were  to  carry  their  supply  of  ammunition  ;  and  their  gun, 
with  which  they  were  to  help  whip  into  subjection  those  who' 
dared  to  raise  their  arm  against  the  Constitution  and  the  Flag 
of  our  country. 

An  incident  occurred  when  the  outfit  was  drawn  that 
brought  a  smile  upon  the  faces  of  all.  George  Rix,  of  Com- 
pany B,  after  packing  his  knapsack  with  his  personal  effects, 
and  strapping  his  overcoat  and  blanket  upon  the  top,  found  it 
to  be  a  healthy  looking  object  and  a  burden  not  easily  borne. 
Being  full  of  pluck  and  nerve,  he  placed  it  upon  his  back  and 
made  secure  the  fastenings  ;  then,  straightening  up,  he  looked 
at  his  shadow  to  see  what  kind  of  an  appearance  he  made ;. 
then  looking  over  his  shoulder,  and  acting  as  if  scared  at  the 
object  he  saw,  he  went  prancing  around  the  camp  like  a  wild 
colt  loose  upon  the  prairie,  with  a  rider  strapped  to  his  back. 
Little  did  his  comrades  think  then  that  within  four  short 
months,  through  the  deep  muds  of  Kentucky,  keeping  step 
to  the  sound  of  the  muffled  drum,  they  would  be  following 
him  to  his  last  resting  place. 

October  8  found  the  Regiment  under  orders  for  Cincin- 
nati, and  the  members  of  Company  B  hurrying  to  their  place 
on  the  left  of  the  Regiment.  The  command  of  Colonel 
Champion  was  repeated  by  the  Captains  along  the  line,— 
u  Right,  face  !  "  t;  Forward,  march  !  " — and  the  NINETY-SIXTH 
was  marched  to  the  city,  boarded  the  train,  and  was  soon  on 
its  way  to  the  front.  While  the  Regiment  was  in  barracks  at 
Covington,  Ky.,  a  portion  of  the  Company,  under  command 
of  Sergeant  Ambrose  A.  Bangs,  was  detailed  to  guard  Fort 
Mitchell.  When  the  Regiment  started  for  Lexington,  Ky., 
Company  B  was  one  of  the  five  Companies  under  Colonel 
Champion,  marching  via  Williamstown  and  Georgetown. 
When  Lexington  was  nearly  reached  the  Regiment  came  to  a 
halt,  and  the  men  of  Company  B,  tired  of  their  long  march, 
stood  leaning  upon  their  guns.  Dighton  Granger,  a  lad  of 


SKETCH  OF  COMPANY  B.  709 

twenty  years,  with  no  matrimonial  prospects,  so  far  as  any  one 
knew,  gave  his  knapsack  a  nudge,  and,  turning  to  his  file- 
mate,  said  :  u  My  !  we  will  help  put  down  this  Rebellion,  but 
if  there  is  ever  another  war,  our  children  will  have  to  go  to 
the  front." 

At  Harrodsburg  Company  B  received  notice  of  the  death 
•of  Hiram  W.  Hollister,  at  Lexington,  November  25,  his 
being  the  first  death  in  the  Company.  While  at  Danville  the 
-Company  received  notice  of  the  resignation  of  First  Lieuten- 
ant Rollin  H.  Trumbull,  who  had  been  sent  to  hospital  at 
Cincinnati,  Ohio.  Upon  the  receipt  of  this  notice  Allen  B. 
Whitney  was  promoted  from  Second  to  First  Lieutenant,  and 
an  election  was  called  to  choose  a  Second  Lieutenant.  The 
election  was  an  interesting  though  friendly  one,  and  resulted 
in  a  tie  between  Corporals  John  D.  Fulsom  and  George  Wait, 
and,  consequently,  no  choice  was  made.  A  few  days  later  the 
Company  officers,  to  make  good  a  promise  given  by  them  at 
the  organization  of  the  Company,  when  it  was  thought  Cap- 
tain Salisbury  would  be  made  a  member  of  the  Medical  Staff, 
sent  the  name  of  First  Sergeant  E.  J.  Gillmore  to  Governor 
Yates,  and  requested  that  he  be  promoted  to  Second  Lieu- 
tenant, which  was  done. 

Company  B  was  detailed,  December  29,  1862.  to  guard 
the  Hickman  Bridge  across  the  Kentucky  River,  on  the  Lex- 
ington and  Danville  pike,  but  rejoined  the  Regiment  Janu- 
ary 3,  1863.  After  the  return  of  the  Regiment  to  Danville 
from  the  Lebanon  march,  through  a  torrent  of  rain,  nearly 
one-half  of  the  men  in  the  Company  were  sick,  three  of  the 
number, — George  Rix,  James  Brown  and  Alfred  Collins,— 
dying  within  a  short  period.  During  the  last  day's  march 
from  Danville  to  Louisville,  William  S.  Skinner  deserted  ; 
and  while  ascending  the  Cumberland  River  by  transport,  Cor- 
poral John  D.  Fulsom  and  Lafayette  Collins  deserted.  While 
the  Regiment  was  in  camp  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Captain  David 
Saulsbury  resigned,  and  Allen  B.  Whitney  was  promoted  from 
First  Lieutenant  to  Captain,  E.  J.  Gillmore  from  Second  to 
First  Lieutenant,  and  George  H.  Burnett  from  First  Sergeant 
to  Second  Lieutenant. 


710  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

During  the  first  year,  and  previous  to  the  battle  of  Chick- 
amauga,  the  losses  of  the  Company  were  twenty  seven,  as 
follows  :  Captain  David  Saulsbury  and  Lieutenant  Trumbull, 
resigned ;  Morris  S.  Hill,  William  Bottom,  William  S.  Clark, 
Hiram  Boogar,  John  H.  Crosby,  George  H.  Day,  Whitman 
O.  Fisher  and  James  Young  were  discharged  ;  James  Brown, 
James  Bottom,  Alfred  Collins,  Eleazer  Graves,  Hiram  W. 
Hollister,  James  O'Connel,  John  J.  Price  and  George  Rix 
died  ;  Corporal  John  D.  Fulsom  and  Privates  William  S. 
Skinner  and  Lafayette  Collins  deserted  ;  Isaac  Barrus  and 
Alfred  Castle  were  detached,  and  J.  W.  Devoe  was  transferred. 

The  survivors  of  Company  B,  like  those  of  many  other 
organizations,  will  never  forget  the  terrible  battle  of  Chicka- 
mauga  and  the  tempest  of  shot  and  shell  of  the  enemy  passing 
through  their  ranks,  like  a  whirlwind  of  death,  leaving  upon 
the  field  to  die  many  of  their  bravest  and  best  men,  while 
others  were  borne  to  the  rear,  many  of  them  crippled  and! 
maimed  for  life.  The  Company  went  into  the  battle  with  less 
than  forty  men.  Of  these,  four  were  killed  or  left  dying  upon 
the  field,  nine  were  wounded,  one  was  taken  prisoner,  and 
nearly  one-half  of  the  remainder  had  their  clothing  pierced 
by  bullets.  After  reaching  the  right,  the  Regiment  had  hardly 
halted  and  come  to  a  front,  when  Charles  N.  Fox  was  struck 
in  the  breast  by  a  ball  and  instantly  killed.  When  the  Regi- 
ment had  advanced  up  the  hill  a  few  rods,  Thomas  Potter  was 
shot  in  the  bowels.  He  returned  to  within  a  few  feet  of  where 
Charles  Fox  fell,  and  lay  down  and  died.  When  the  line  had 
fallen  back  and  re-formed,  it  was  found  that  William  Kimball 
was  missing,  having  doubtless  been  killed,  although  no  one 
saw  him  fall.  The  Regiment  had  advanced  a  second  time  but  a 
short  distance,  when  Emery  Dart  was  missed,  and  is  supposed 
to  have  been  killed  outright.  In  the  first  charge  John  H. 
Cruver  was  wounded  in  the  right  elbow  so  severely  that  he 
afterward  suffered  three  operations,  having  portions  of  the 
elbow  and  five  inches  of  the  bone  above  taken  out,  and  being 
compelled  to  carry  his  arm  in  a  sling  three  years.  Henry 
Annis  was  wounded  in  the  left  leg,  below  the  knee,  and  also 
received  a  scalp  wound.  Corporal  Hamilton  C.  Whitney  was 


SKETCH  OF  COMPANY  B.  71.1. 

shot  in  the  side,  the  ball  passing  through  and  coming  out  the 
other  side.  When  taken  from  the  field  eight  days  later,  under 
a  flag  of  truce,  his  wound  was  filled  with  maggots.  John 
Cashman  received  a  severe  wound  in  the  foot,  and  never 
afterward  rejoined  the  Company.  Sergeant  William  I).  Whit- 
more  was  wounded  severely  in  the  shoulder,  Caleb  Whitney 
slightly  in  the  heel,  William  W.  Tower  severely  in  the  right 
leg  below  the  knee,  and  Charles  McCusker  in  the  shoulder. 
Near  evening  First  Sergeant  Ambrose  A.  Bangs  received  a 
slight  scalp  wound.  Soon  afterward  he  and  Arthur  Cook, 
both  of  whom  had  remained  too  long  at  the  front,  differed  as 
to  the  direction  the  Regiment  had  taken  in  a  retrograde 
movement,  each  taking  his  own  way  ;  Cook  quickly  rejoined 
his  comrades,  and  Bangs  soon  found  himself  in  the  enemy's 
lines  and  a  prisoner.  The  total  loss  to  the  Company  in  killed, 
wounded  and  missing  at  Chickamauga  was  fourteen. 

When  the  Regiment  was  drawn  up  in  line  at  the  foot  of 
Lookout  Mountain  on  the  morning  of  November  24,  1863,  a 
thoughtful  expression  was  upon  the  face  of  every  man.  when 
Charles  McCusker  stepped  out  in  front,  and,  facing  the  Com- 
pany, said  :  "Well,  boys,  it  is  a  hard  fight  that  no  one  gets 
through  to  tell  the  story  !  "  The  spell  was  broken,  the  order 
given  to  advance,  and  soon  all  were  on  the  move.  When  the 
Regiment  was  swinging  around  the  point  of  the  mountain, 
near  the  white  house,  Esau  Rich  was  killed,  and  James  Lit- 
wiler  and  Valentine  Traut  were  slightly  wounded.  A  singu- 
lar circumstance  happened  during  this  battle.  While  Valen- 
tine Traut  and  Gustavus  Bollenback  were  passing  a  plug  of 
tobacco  from  one  to  the  other,  it  was  struck  by  a  ball,  leaving 
a  portion  in  each  of  their  hands. 

From  the  battle  of  Lookout  Mountain  to  the  opening  of 
the  Atlanta  campaign,  few  things  of  importance  transpired  in 
Company  B.  The  Company  took  part  in  the  Dalton  reconnois- 
sance,  but  without  loss.  The  service  the  men  had  seen  in  the 
past  gave  them  a  foretaste  of  what  the  future  had  in  store  for 
them,  and,  to  say  the  least,  nearly  every  man  was  a  hero, 
ready  to  stand  by  his  comrades  in  battle  and  by  the  flag  of 
his  country  at  any  hazard.  In  the  sharp  engagement  that 


712  HISTORY  OF  THE  96™  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

followed  the  first  meeting  of  the  enemy  at  Rocky  Face  Ridge, 
May  9,  1864,  Fred  Brainard  was  struck  in  the  top  of  his 
shoulder,  the  ball  passing  downward  and  causing  instant 
death.  Corporal  Warren  E.  Powers  was  severely  wounded 
in  the  right  arm,  and  Erastus  Cleveland  in  the  left  ankle.  At 
Resaca,  May  14,  while  the  Company  was  on  the  skirmish-line, 
Herman  Hoogstraat  was  killed,  and  it  was  thought  by  mem- 
bers of  the  Company  that  Malcolm  McMillen  killed  the  man 
who  shot  Hoogstraat.  Near  evening,  after  the  Company  had 
rejoined  the  Regiment,  James  Litwiler  was  struck  by  a  ball 
and  instantly  killed.  June  3,  Carlisle  Druse,  while  on  the 
skirmish-line  in  front  of  the  enemy,  was  killed  by  a  falling 
tree.  June  19,  near  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Orskine  Ferrand 
was  wounded  in  the  left  hand.  June  20,  at  the  battle  of 
Kenesaw  Mountain,  Captain  E.  J.  Gillmore  was  mortally 
wounded,  being  shot  three  times,  and  dying  three  days  later. 
Sergeant  William  D.  Whitmore  was  struck  by  a  ball,  and 
almost  instantly  killed.  David  Wells  was  severely  wounded 
in  the  left  hand.  Erastus  Cleveland  was  also  wounded  in  the 
left  hand.  August  3,  near  Atlanta,  Myron  Gillmore  was 
wounded  severely  in  the  left  leg,  and  was  never  after  able  to 
join  the  Company.  August  19,  while  the  Regiment  was 
advancing  on  the  enemy's  skirmish-line,  William  W.  Tower 
was  wounded  in  the  neck  and  shoulder,  and  died  five  days 
later. 

Just  previous  to  the  battle  of  Nashville,  Tenn.,  December 
15  and  16,  eleven  recruits  came  to  Company  B,  as  follows  : 
Herman  W.  Hall,  Ami  Lovejoy,  William  J.  Lindsay,  John 
T.  Mitchell,  Stanislaw  Mattax,  Walter  E.  Stone,  Volney 
Washburn,  Myron  A.  Bryant,  Owen  Dady,  Joel  Gove  and 
Allen  B.  Whitney,  the  latter  being  Company  B's  former  Cap- 
tain. At  the  battle  of  Nashville,  December  16,  1864,  while 
charging  the  enemy's  works,  John  Washburn  was  instantly 
killed  by  a  ball  which  struck  him  in  the  breast ;  Orskine  Fer 
rand  was  wounded  in  the  left  hand  ;  and,  after  the  Company 
had  entered  the  enemy's  works,  Corporal  John  McCusker  was 
severely  wounded  in  the  foot.  At  the  close  of  the  battle 
Company  B  was  detailed  on  picket,  and  was  relieved  the  next 


SKETCH  OF  COMPANY  B.  713 

morning,  drenched  with  rain,  only  to  find  that  the  Regiment 
had,  nearly  two  hours  previously,  taken  up  its  line  of  march 
for  Franklin.  Upon  rejoining  the  Regiment  in  the  evening, 
Company  B  received  especial  commendation  from  the  com- 
mander of  the  Regiment,  Major  Hicks,  for  its  gallant  service. 

While  the  Regiment  was  in  camp  at  Huntsville,  Ala., 
Gustavus  Bollenback  went  out  with  a  foraging  party,  and  was 
taken  prisoner;  but,  being  one  who  made  the  best  of  every- 
thing, and  an  expert  at  any  kind  of  a  game,  he  was  frequently 
-called  upon  by  his  captors  to  join  them  in  a  game  of  cards, 
and  gaining  their  confidence,  they  soon  permitted  him  to  help 
gather  wood  for  the  fire.  Going  out  one  evening,  he  got  a 
little  in  advance  and  failed  to  "gather,"  but,  striking  out 
across  the  country  a  distance  of  thirty  miles,  he  rejoined  his 
Company  the  next  evening,  somewhat  thinner  than  when  he 
left  it  twelve  days  before,  and  his  growing  appetite  and  fre- 
quent visits  from  tent  to  tent  during  the  evening  made  it 
necessary  for  the  Company  to  draw  rations  next  morning. 

While  the  Regiment  was  in  camp  at  Russellville,  Tenn., 
in  the  spring  of  1865,  Ambrose  A.  Bangs,  who  had  been 
taken  prisoner  at  Chickamauga,  rejoined  the  Company,  and 
was  mustered  as  First  Lieutenant. 

During  the  three  years'  service,  thirty  of  the  Company 
were  struck  by  bullets  or  shell  in  battle.  Twenty-three  died 
or  were  killed  before  the  close  of  the  war.  Of  this  number, 
thirteen  were  killed  or  mortally  wounded  in  battle,  ten  died 
of  disease, — nearly  all  during  the  first  year.  Those  dying 
from  disease  were  James  Brown,  James  Bottom,  Alfred  Col- 
lins, George  T.  Cooper,  Eleazer  Graves,  Hiram  W.  Hollister, 
Nelson  Huson,  John  J.  Price,  George  Rix  and  Corporal 
James  O'Connel.  Sixteen  men  were  discharged  for  disabil- 
ity, caused  by  wounds  or  disease.  Two  commissioned  officers 
resigned,  six  men  were  transferred,  three  men  deserted,  and 
two — Morris  Hill  and  Hiram  Weatherly — were  promoted  to 
the  non-commissioned  staff.  Twenty-two  different  men  were 
non-commissioned  officers  in  the  Company.  Of  the  commis- 
sioned officers,  Captain  David  Salisbury  resigned,  First  Lreu- 
.tenant  Rollin  H.  Trumbull  resigned,  Allen  B.  Whitney  was 


7M  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

promoted  from  Second  Lieutenant  to  Captain,  and  resigned ; 
E.  J.  Gillmore  was  promoted  from  First  Sergeant  to  Captain, 
and  was  mortally  wounded  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Ga.,  dying 
three  days  later,  greatly  regretted  by  his  command  ;  George 
H.  Burnett  was  promoted  from  Third  Sergeant  to  Captain, 
and  remained  with  the  Company  until  the  close  of  the  war ; 
Ambrose  A.  Bangs  was  promoted  from  First  Corporal  to  First 
Lieutenant,  and  George  Wait  from  Second  Corporal  to  Second 
Lieutenant.  The  non-commissioned  officers  at  the  close  of 
the  war  were  as  follows  :  Sergeants — Daniel  Osman,  Samuel 
H.  Lindsay,  Arthur  Cook  and  Willard  Whitney  ;  Corporals — 
Charles  McCusker,  Orville  P.  Barron,  Jerome  Burnett, 
Warren  E.  Powers,  Henry  Annis,  John  McCusker,  Caleb 
Whitney  and  Major  H.  Cleveland.  Just  previous  to  the 
Regiment's  leaving  Nashville  for  Chicago,  the  eleven  recruits 
were  transferred  to  the  2ist  Illinois.  At  the  tinal  muster-out 
of  the  Company,  only  forty  of  the  original  members  were 
present. 

During  the  three  years'  service,  Company  B  was  never 
found  wanting  when  called  for,  and  never  failed  to  do  its  full 
duty  ;  and  now,  at  the  end  of  more  than  twenty  years,  its 
survivors  look  with  pride  upon  the  results  of  the  war,  that 
they,  in  their  feeble  way,  helped  to  bring  about, — namely,  a 
happy,  united  and  prosperous  nation.  The  following  is 

THE   COMPANY  ROSTER. 

Captain  David  Saulsbury. — Age  27 ;  born  in  New  York ;  enlisted  from 
Avon,  where  he  had  been  a  physician  in  regular  practice  for  several  years  ; 
was  elected  Captain  at  the  organization  of  the  Company  ;  was  detailed  as 
Acting  Surgeon  for  a  few  weeks  ;  his  health  failing,  he  resigned  at  Nash- 
ville, Tenn.,  Feb.  17,  1863,  and  returned  home.  Nov.  11,  1864,  he  was 
made  Assistant  Surgeon  in  the  128th  Indiana  Volunteers  at  Salisbury, 
N.  C.,  and  remained  there  and  at  Morgantown  until  April,  1865.  Died  at 
Salem,  Wis.,  of  typhoid  pneumonia,  April  18,  1872. 

Captain  Allen  B.  Whitney. — Age  28  ;  born  in  Willoughby,  Ohio  : 
sailor  ;  enlisted  from  Avon  ;  was  elected  Second  Lieutenant  at  the  organ- 
ization of  the  Company  ;  promoted  to  First  Lieutenant  Jan.  6,  1863,  and 
to  Captain  Feb.  17,  1863  ;  resigned  Jan.  8,  1864,  on  account  of  ill  health  : 
recovering,  he  re-enlisted  as  a  private  Oct.  10,  1864,  and  rejoined  the 
Regiment  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  just  prior  to  the  battle  of  December  15 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  B.  715 

and  16,  in  which  he  participated  ;  returned  home  with  Regiment ;  died  in 
Chicago,  Feb.  19,  1879. 

Captain  Evangelist  J.  Gillmore. — Age  26  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer 
and  teacher  ;  enlisted  from  Avon  ;  appointed  First  Sergeant  at  the  organ- 
ization of  the  Company ;  promoted  to  Second  Lieutenant  Jan.  6,  1863, 
and  to  First  Lieutenant  Feb.  17,  1863,  and  to  Captain  Jan.  8,  18(14  ;  at  the 
battle  of  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Georgia,  June  20,  1864,  he  was  mortally 
wounded  while  attempting  to  retake  the  breastworks  from  which  the  35th 
Indiana  had  been  driven,  being  shot  three  times,  and  dying  three  days 
later,  beloved  and  regretted  by  his  associates  of  whatever  rank.  His 
body  was,  by  special  order  of  the  Department  Commander,  taken  to  his 
former  home  at  Avon  Center,  Lake  County,  111.,  for  interment. 

Captain  George  H.  Burnett. — Age  27  ;  born  in  Lyons,  Wayne  County,. 
N.  Y. ;  gun  and  locksmith ;  enlisted  from  Avon ;  appointed  Third  Ser- 
geant at  the  organization  of  the  Company  ;  promoted  to  First  Sergeant 
Jan.  6,  1863 ;  to  Second  Lieutenant  Feb.  17,  1863 ;  to  First  Lieutenant 
Jan.  8,  1864 ;  and  to  Captain  June  25,  1864 ;  was  slightly  wounded  at 
Lookoiit  Mountain  ;  was  in  charge  of  the  Regimental  Pioneers  on  the 
Atlanta  campaign  until  Captain  Gillmore  was  wounded  at  Kenesaw 
Mountain,  when  he  asked  to  be  relieved,  and  immediately  took  command 
of  the  Company,  participating  in  the  subsequent  engagements  of  the  At- 
lanta campaign  and  at  Franklin  ;  mustered  out  with  Regiment.  Has  been 
Supervisor,  Collector  and  Alderman  several  terms,  and  is  engaged  in 
business  and  a  prominent  and  influential  citizen  at  Waukegan,  111. 

First  Lieutenant  Rollin  H.  Trumbull. — Age  29  ;  born  in  Castleton, 
Vermont ;  teacher  ;  enlisted  from  Wauconda  ;  elected  First  Lieutenant 
at  the  organization  of  the  Company ;  was  seriously  ill  soon  after  the 
Regiment  went  to  Kentucky,  and  went  to  a  hospital  at  Cincinnati,  where 
he  continued  ill  for  some  months  ;  resigned  on  account  of  ill  health  Jan. 
6,  1863.  Is  a  large  stockholder  and  an  official  in  the  Marinette  Iron. 
Works,  with  office  and  salesroom  on  Lake  Street,  Chicago  ;  residence, 
Evanston,  111. 

First  Lieutenant  Ambrose  A.  Bangs. — Age  30  ;  born  in  Stanford,  Ben- 
nington  County,  Vt ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Wauconda.  Was  appointed 
first  Corporal  at  organization  of  Company  ;  promoted  to  First  Sergeant 
in  January,  1863 ;  was  taken  prisoner  at  Chickamauga,  Sept.  20,  1863  •„ 
was  in  prison  at  Richmond,  Danville  and  Andersonville.  Was  commis- 
sioned First  Lieutenant  July  22,  1864,  while  a  prisoner.  Was  exchanged 
Nov.  20,  1864,  and,  being  sick,  returned  home,  where  he  remained  until 
March,  1865,  when  he  rejoined  his  Company,  and  was  mustered  as  First 
Lieutenant,  April  9,  1865.  Mustered  out  with  Regiment.  Was  elected 
Collector  for  the  town  of  Wauconda  in  1869,  and  was  Assessor  for  city 
of  Odebolt,  Iowa,  in  1885  and  1886.  Is  a  stock-dealer  at  Odebolt,  Sac 
County,  Iowa. 

Second  Lieutenant  George  Wait. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Cuyahoga  County, 
Ohio  ;  farmer;  enlisted  f  rom  Goodale  (now  Grant);  was  appointed  Second 


716  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

Corporal  at  the  organization  of  the  Company  ;  promoted  to  Sergeant ; 
then  to  First  Sergeant  ;  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  in  June,  1865. 
Was  never  absent  from  the  command  for  more  than  a  few  hours,  except 
once  on  furlough,  and  participated  in  every  engagement  except  the  night 
fight  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  June  20,  1864,  at  which  time  he  was  ill  and 
sent  to  the  rear,  but  rejoined  the  command  next  morning.  Was  never 
wounded,  but  had  his  clothing  penetrated  by  bullets  at  Chickamauga. 
Was  Acting  First  Sergeant  during  all  of  the  time  that  Sergeant  Bangs 
was  a  prisoner.  Commanded  the  Company  at  the  battle  of  Nashville, 
Dec.  15  and  16,  1864,  and  during  the  subsequent  march  to  Huntsville, 
Ala.,  receiving  special  commendation  from  the  commander  of  the  Regi- 
ment at  the  close  of  the  campaign  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Has  been  a 
prominent  and  influential  citizen  ever  since  the  war ;  was  Chairman  of 
the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Lake  County  for  several  years  ;  was  elected 
to  the  Legislature  in  1886 ;  resides  on  a  farm  in  the  township  of  Grant. 
Postofflce  address,  Volo,  111. 

Sergeant  Morris  S.  Hill. — Age  29  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  merchant ; 
enlisted  from  Wauconda  ;  appointed  Second  Sergeant  at  the  organization 
of  the  Company  ;  promoted  to  Commissary  Sergeant  at  the  organization 
of  the  Regiment.  Resides  at  Wauconda,  111.  (See  Roster  of  Field  and 
Staff.) 

Sergeant  Orskine  Ferrand. — Age  21  ;  born  in  New  York ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Avon  ;  appointed  Sergeant  at  organization  of  Company  ; 
accidentally  wounded  in  left  hand  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Ga. ;  wounded 
in  left  hand  at  Nashville,  Tenn. ;  m.  o.  June  8,  1865.  Is  proprietor  of  a 
hotel  at  Fayette,  Iowa. 

Sergeant  Henry  Annis. — Age  31  ;  born  in  St.  Lawrence  County,  N.  Y. ; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Wauconda  ;  was  wounded  in  leg  and  on  the  head 
at  Chickamauga,  but  was  not  long  absent  from  the  Regiment ;  had 
bullets  through  clothing  and  accoutrements  in  other  engagements  ;  m.  o. 
with  Regiment.  Is  a  veterinary  surgeon  at  Columbus,  Wis. 

Sergeant  William  D.  Whitmore. — Age  26 ;  born  in  Seneca  County, 
Ohio  ;  farmer  and  teacher :  enlisted  from  Avon  ;  appointed  Third  Cor- 
poral at  the  organization  of  the  Company ;  promoted  to  Sergeant ;  at 
Chickamauga  was  severely  wounded  in  the  shoulder,  but  recovered  and 
rejoined  the  command  in  about  four  months  ;  at  the  battle  of  Kenesaw 
Mountain,  Ga.,  June  20,  1864,  was  killed  in  the  attempt  to  re- take  the 
breastworks  from  which  the  left  of  the  Brigade  had  been  driven.  A 
favorite  in  the  Company  and  Regiment,  his  death  was  a  source  of  great 
sorrow  to  his  friends  and  associates. 

Sergeant  Samuel  H.  Lindsay. — Age  31  ;  born  in  Pennsylvania  ;  farm- 
er ;  enlisted  from  Avon  ;  appointed  Fifth  Corporal  at  organization  of  the 
Company  ;  promoted  to  Sergeant ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment. 

Sergeant  Arthur  Cook. — Age  22  ;  born  in  Vermont ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Wauconda ;  appointed  Sixth  Corporal  at  the  organization  of  the 


UOSTER  OF  COMPANY  B.  717 

Company  ;  promoted  to  Sergeant.  Was  never  absent  from  the  Regi- 
ment, participating  in  every  engagement,  and  was  one  of  the  favorites  of 
the  Company  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  a  large  farmer  and  stock- 
grower,  and  a  leading  citizen  at  Wauconda,  111.  Has  several  times  been 
elected  Township  Assessor  and  Collector. 

Sergeant  Willard  Whitney. — Age  31  ;  born  in  Seneca  County,  Ohio  ; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  the  township  of  Warren  ;  appointed  Seventh  Cor- 
poral at  the  organization  of  the  Company  ;  promoted  to  Sergeant  ;  par- 
ticipated in  numerous  engagements,  but  escaped  wounds  ;  m.  o.  with 
Regiment.  Is  understood  to  be  in  Indian  Territory. 

Sergeant  Daniel  Osman. — Age  26  ;  born  in  New  York  :  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Wauconda  ;  appointed  Eighth  Corporal  at  the  organization  of 
the  Company  ;  served  as  Color  Corporal  for  several  months  ;  was  pro- 
moted to  Sergeant  in  February,  1863  ;  participated  in  almost  every  skir- 
mish and  battle  in  which  the  Regiment  was  engaged,  but  escaped 
wounds  ;  was  always  conspicuous  for  his  cool  courage  ;  m.  o.  with  Regi- 
ment. Is  a  farmer  at  Tenhassen,  Minnesota. 

Corporal  John  D.  Fulsom. — Age  35  ;  born  in  Jefferson  County,  N.  Y. : 
sailor  ;  enlisted  from  the  town  of  Cuba ;  appointed  Fourth  Corporal  at  the 
organization  of  the  Company  :  deserted  Feb.  7,  1863. 

Corporal  James  O'Connel. — Age  22  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  blacksmith  : 
enlisted  from  Avon  ;  promoted  to  Corporal ;  was  taken  with  typhoid 
fever  while  the  Regiment  was  at  Wartrace,  Tenn.,  and  sent  to  hospital  at 
Nashville,  Tenn.,  where  he  died  Aug.  24,  1863. 

Corporal  Hamilton  C.  Whitney. — Age  25  ;  born  in  Michigan  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  the  township  of  Warren  ;  promoted  to  Corporal,  and  served 
with  Color  Guard  ;  at  Chickamauga  was  desperately  wounded  in  the  left 
side,  the  bullet  passing  through  and  coming  out  on  the  opposite  side, 
completely  disabling  him  ;  he  was  reported  as  killed  at  the  time,  and 
there  was  both  surprise  and  rejoicing  when  he  was  brought  inside  the 
lines  eight  days  later,  having  been  paroled.  During  the  time  that  he  lay 
inside  the  enemy's  lines  his  wound  became  maggoty,  and  he  suffered  ex- 
ceedingly. The  wound  so  thoroughly  disabled  him  as  to  unfit  him  for 
duty  and  cause  his  discharge  from  hospital  at  Chicago,  111.,  July  28, 1864. 
Is  a  resident  of  Templeton,  San  Louis  Obispo  County,  Cal. 

Corporal  Charles  McCusker. — Age  21  ;  born  in  New  York  City  : 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Wauconda  ;  promoted  to  Corporal,  and  served  as 
Color  Corporal  ;  participated  in  nearly  every  skirmish  and  battle  in  which 
the  command  was  engaged,  but  escaped  wounds  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment. 
Is  supposed  to  be  residing  in  California  or  Washington  Territory. 

Corporal  Orville  P.  Barron. — Age  24  ;  born  in  Geauga  County,  Ohio  ; 
farmer ;  enlisted  from  Avon  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  in  February,  1863  -. 
participated  in  all  of  the  battles  of  the  Atlanta  campaign  and  the  en- 
gagements at  Franklin  and  Nashville,  and  on  the  Atlanta  line  had  bis  gun 


718  HISTORY  OF  THE  96xH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

shattered  in  his  hands  by  a  Rebel  bullet ;  was  m.  o.  with  Regiment.    Is  a 
prosperous  farmer  in  Avon.     Postoffice  address,  Hainesville,  111. 

Corporal  Jerome  Burnett. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Lyons,  Wayne  County, 
N.  Y. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Avon  ;  promoted  to  Corporal.  Was  with 
the  Regiment  in  nearly  every  battle  and  skirmish,  but  escaped  wounds  ; 
m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Has  since  held  several  township  offices.  Is  a 
brother  of  Capt.  G.  H.  Burnett.  Is  a  prosperous  farmer  and  influential 
citizen  at  Lake  Villa,  Lake  County,  111. 

Corporal  Warren  E.  Powers. — Age  25  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Fremont ;  promoted  to  Corporal ;  at  Rocky  Face  Ridge, 
May  9,  1864,  was  severely  wounded  in  right  arm,  but  rejoined  the  Regi- 
ment in  a  few  weeks,  and  participated  in  several  subsequent  engage- 
ments ;  at  the  battle  of  Nashville  had  his  haversack  strap  cut  by  a  ball ; 
m.  o.  with  Regiment;  is  a  good  citizen  and  a  prosperous  farmer  at 
Wauconda,  111. 

Corporal  John  McCusker. — Age  20  ;  born  in  New  York  City  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Wauconda  ;  promoted  to  Corporal ;  was  in  nearly  every 
engagement,  and  was  severely  wounded  in  the  foot  at  the  battle  of  Nash- 
ville, Dec.  16,  1864,  and  never  rejoined  the  command,  but  was  discharged 
from  hospital  at  the  close  of  the  war  ;  was  especially  commended  for 
bravery  by  his  commanding  officers.  Is  a  farmer  at  Wauconda,  111. 

Corporal  Caleb  Whitney. — Age  37 ;  born  in  Seneca  County,  Ohio  ; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  the  town  of  Warren  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  ;  m.  o. 
with  Regiment ;  died  in  Kansas,  a  few  years  since. 

Corporal  Major  H.  Cleveland. — Age  26  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Avon  ;  promoted  to  Corporal ;  participated  in  every  en- 
gagement, and  was  once  slightly  wounded  in  the  foot ;  m.  o.  with  Regi- 
ment. Is  a  prosperous  farmer  and  trusted  township  official  at  Garnett, 
Anderson  County,  Kansas. 

Isaac  Butterfield. — Age  38  ;  born  in  New  York ;  carpenter  ;  enlisted 
from  Avon  ;  was  never  absent  from  Regiment,  except  for  thirty  days  on 
furlough,  and  participated  in  numerous  battles  and  skirmishes,  but 
escaped  wounds.  Is  at  work  at  his  trade  as  a  carpenter  in  Waukegan, 
Illinois. 

George  A.  Bangs. — Age  20  ;  born  in  New  York ;  farmer ;  enlisted 
from  Avon  ;  was  in  the  battles  of  Chickamauga,  Lookout  Mountain,  and 
the  engagements  of  the  Atlanta  campaign  ;  was  struck  by  spent  ball  at 
Chickamauga,  and  also  at  Dallas ;  sustained  a  partial  sunstroke  near 
Dalton,  Ga.,  in  May,  1864,  but  continued  with  the  Company  until  some- 
time  during  its  last  year's  service,  when  he  was  detailed  as  Orderly  at 
Corps  Headquarters  ;  was  Orderly  for  Gen.  Wood  at  the  battle  of  Nash- 
ville  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  a  broker  and  lumber  dealer  at  Wymore, 
Nebraska. 

James  Brown. — Age  44  ;  born  in  Genesee,  N.  Y. ;  farmer ;  enlisted 
from  Avon  ;  died  at  Danville,  Ky.,  Jan.  25,  1863. 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  B.  719 

Harrison  I.  Bangs.— Age  21;  born  in  Wauconda,  111.;  farmer;  en 
listed  from  Wauconda  ;  was  with  the  Regiment  in  every  battle  and  skir- 
mish, but  escaped  wounds  ;  never  reported  to  the  Surgeon  ;  was  m.  o. 
with  Regiment.  Is  a  blacksmith,  and  also  runs  a  feed  mill  at  Mulberry 
Grove,  Kansas. 

James  A.  Beck. — Age  18  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Avon  ;  was  with  the  Regiment  all  of  the  time  during  its  three  years'  ser- 
vice ;  had  a  ball  through  hat  at  Chickamauga  ;  one  through  both  trousers 
legs  at  Resaca,  and  at  the  same  time  (May  14,  1864,)  a  ball  struck  his  gun 
while  he  was  putting  on  a  cap ;  escaped  wounds,  and  was  m.  o.  with 
Regiment.  Is  a  successful  farmer  at  Gurnee,  Lake  County,  111. 

George  Barth. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Germany ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Fremont ;  was  in  every  engagement  with  the  Regiment,  and  had  a  ball 
through  his  coat  on  the  right  shoulder  at  Kenesaw  Mountain  ;  m.  o.  with 
Regiment.  Is  in  business  as  a  merchant  at  Crawford,  Cook  County,  111. 

Isaac  A.  Barrus. — Age  33  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  carpenter  and  joiner ; 
enlisted  from  the  town  of  Goodale  (now  Grant);  detailed  in  Pioneer  Corps, 
April  7,  1863,  and  transferred  to  First  U.  S.  Veteran  Engineers,  July  29, 
1864,  serving  with  that,  organization  until  the  close  of  the  war,  and  hav- 
ing command  of  his  Company  for  a  time.  Is  a  contractor  and  builder 
at  Volo,  111. 

William  Bottom. — Age  20;  born  in  Cambridge,  England;  farmer; 
enlisted  from  Fremont ;  taken  sick  soon  after  entering  service,  and  dis- 
charged April  6,  1863.  Present  postoffice  address,  Havensville,  Pottawat- 
omie  County,  Kansas. 

Fred  Brainard. — Age  22  ;  born  in  Gill,  Mass. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Fremont;  killed  at  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  Ga.,  May  9,  1864. 

James  Bottom. — Age  22  ;  born  in  England  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Fremont ;  died  at  Estell  Springs,  Tenn.,  Aug.  23,  1863. 

Henry  Boogar. — Age  85  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
the  township  of  Cuba ;  discharged  for  disability,  at  Nashville,  Tenn., 
May  13,  1863.  Was  a  soldier  in  Switzerland  from  1843  to  1853,  and  was 
in  four  heavy  engagements  in  1848.  Is  farming  at  Orchard,  Iowa. 

Gustavus  Bollenback. — Age  19 ;  born  in  France  ;  farmer ;  enlisted 
from  Fremont ;  was  with  the  Company  nearly  all  the  time  during  its 
three  years'  service,  and  though  looked  upon  as  one  of  the  "boys"  of  the 
Company,  was  also  called  one  of  its  best  soldiers  ;  had  a  ball  pass  through 
his  pants  leg  at  Chickamauga,  and  was  captured  near  Huntsville,  Ala., 
Feb.  1,  1865,  but  made  his  escape  twelve  days  later.  When  speaking  of 
a  battle  after  it  was  over,  he  would  frequently  say  :  "Boys,  didn't  we 
give  them  a  wolley  down  thewalley?"  Mustered  out  with  Regiment. 
Is  a  farmer  near  Paulina,  O'Brien  County,  Iowa. 

Myron  A.  Bryant. — Age  32;  born  in  New  York  ;  blacksmith;  en- 
listed from  Avon,  Oct.  10,  1864  ;  joined  the  Regiment  in  time  to  partici- 


720  HISTORY  OF  THE  96xn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

pate  m  the  battle  of  Nashville  ;  at  m.  o.  of  Regiment  was  transferred  to- 
the  21st  Illinois  ;  accompanied  that  command  to  Texas,  and  was  finally 
m.  o.  at  Springfield,  111.,  in  October,  1865.  Is  a  carpenter  and  builder  at 
Waukegan,  111. 

Erastus  T.  Cleveland.— Age  18;  born  in  Columbia  County,  N.  Y.  -r 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Avon ;  was  nearly  always  with  Regiment ;  was 
wounded  in  left  ankle  at  Rocky  Pace  Ridge,  and  at  Kenesaw  Mountain 
was  wounded  in  left  hand,  causing  amputation  of  one  finger  ;  m.  o.  with 
Regiment.  Is  running  a  hotel  and  livery  at  Sutherland,  O'Brien  County, 
Iowa. 

John  H.  Cruver. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Chicago,  111. ;  farmer ;  enlisted 
from  Wauconda  ;  was  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  Sept.  20, 
1863,  in  the  right  elbow ;  an  operation  was  performed  on  his  arm  at 
Chattanooga  in  September,  1863,  and  another  at  the  Marine  Hospital, 
Chicago,  in  1864  ;  and  another  in  1866  ;  after  being  discharged,  the  entire 
elbow  joint  was  taken  out  and  five  inches  of  the  bone  from  the  elbow 
up  ;  the  arm  is  now  stiff  ;  was  compelled  to  carry  his  arm  in  a  sling  for 
nearly  three  years;  was  discharged  from  Hospital  at  Camp  Butler, 
Springfield,  111.,  in  September,  1865.  Was  Bailiff  in  the  Circuit  Court  of 
Cook  County  in  1866  and  1867,  and  a  letter  carrier  in  Chicago  for  some 
years ;  is  now  a  manufacturer  of  knit  goods  at  27  West  Lake  Street, 
Chicago,  111. 

Peter  Cossman. — Age  22  ;  born  in  Prussia  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
;  was  for  some  time  detailed  with  the  First  Kentucky  Artillery; 
.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  farming  at  Muscatine,  Iowa. 

'William  Curl. — Age  42 ;  born  in  England  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Avon  ;  fractured  a  leg  while  loading  the  boat  at  Louisville,  and  was  per- 
manently disabled  ;  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  Nov.  27,  1863. 
Resides  at  Sandago,  Stafford  County,  Kan. 

Alfred  Collins. — Age  18  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Avon  ;  died  at  Danville,  Ky.,  Jan.  28,  1863. 

Lafayette  Collins. — Age  23  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Avon  ;  deserted  Feb.  1,  1863. 

George  J.  Cooper. — Age  18 ;  born  in  Illinois  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Avon  ;  died  in  hospital  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  Nov.  18,  1863. 

Alfred  S.  Castle. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Michigan  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Ela ;  detailed  in  Pioneer  Corps,  April  7,  1863,  and  transferred  to  First 
U.  S.  Veteran  Engineers,  July  27,  1864.  Is  Chief  Engineer  of  the  Fire 
Department  at  Redding,  Shasta  County,  Cal.  Was  injured  in  the  back 
while  at  work  on  the  railroad  bridge  at  Franklin,  Tenn.,  from  the  effects 
of  which  he  is  still  lame. 

William  S.  Clark. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Greene,  Chenango  County,  N.  Y. ; 
clerk  ;  enlisted  from  Wauconda  as  musician,  and  served  as  drummer  ; 
discharged  for  disability  at  Danville,  Ky.,  Jan.  21,  1863.  Is  a  teacher  of 
penmanship  and  business  forms,  and  resides  at  Barrington,  111. 


COMPANY    B. 


C'orji'l  Major  II.  CLEVELAND. 
JOEL  (JOVE. 


ALFRED  S.  CASTLE. 
First  Lieut.  AMBROSE  A.  BANOS. 

(JrsTAVl'S    liol.I.ENBAC  K. 


MALCOLM  MC-MILLKN. 
THOS.  E.  WELLS. 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  B.  721 

John  Cashman. — Age  30  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Wauconda  ;  was  wounded  in  the  foot  at  Chickamauga,  and  disabled  for 
active  service  ;  m.  o.  July  11,  1865. 

Elijah  C.  Carpenter. — Age  23;  born  in  Morristown,  N.  Y. ;  black- 
smith ;  enlisted  from  Avon ;  was  sick  most  of  the  time  during  the  first 
year  ;  returned  to  his  home  in  Lake  County,  111.,  on  furlough,  and  it  was 
thought  would  never  be  able  to  join  his  Company  ;  but,  partly  recovering 
his  health,  he  joined  the  Regiment  in  time  to  take  part  in  the  battle  of 
Lookout  Mountain  and  the  engagements  of  the  Atlanta  campaign  ;  while 
watching  a  game  of  checkers  a  ball  struck  a  pole  in  the  shade  above,  and 
glancing,  it  struck  him  in  the  side,  knocking  him  down,  and  putting  an 
end  to  the  game  ;  was  in  the  battle  of  Nashville,  and  after  his  return  to 
the  Company  was  always  one  of  Company  B's  best  men  ;  m.  o.  with  the 
Regiment.  Is  a  good  citizen  and  a  successful  blacksmith  at  McHenry,  111. 

John  H.  Crosby. — Age  20  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Goodale  (now  Grant).  On  entering  camp  was  taken  sick  with  measles 
and  sent  to  hospital,  where  he  remained  five  months  ;  was  discharged 
April  5,  1863.  Enlisted  in  146th  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry  Sept.  3, 1864  ; 
was  chosen  Sergeant ;  promoted  to  Second  Lieutenant,  Sept.  20,  1864,  and 
m.  o.  July  8,  1865.  Died  at  Wheeler's  Ranch,  Sac  County,  Iowa,  Oct. 
30,  1875. 

Henry  Dombski. — Age  20;  born  in  Lake  County,  111.;  farmer;  en- 
listed from  Avon.  Participated  witlf' t^ie  Regiment  in  the  battles  of 
Chickamauga  and  Lookou^^OfantaiK^anCTiia;t^B"i;a,tJpr  battle  was  slightly 
wounded  in  the  right  cheek.  Was  with  the  Regimental  Pioneers  from 
March,  1S64,  until  the  close  of  the  war,  but  always  at  the  front.  Had  a 
remarkable  career,  in  that  he  was  never  disabled  or  sick  to  an  extent  that 
unfitted  him  for  active  duty.  Mustered  out  with  Regiment.  Is  a  pros- 
perous farmer  at  Hainesville,  Lake  County,  111. 

William  S.  Dunbar. — Age  26  ;  born  in  Ohio  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
the  town  of  Goodale  (now  Grant).  Having  been  a  teamster  on  the  plains 
before  the  war,  he  was  of  special  service  in  lassooing  and  hitching  up  the 
mules,  as  described  on  page  47  of  this  work,  and  was  detailed  in  the 
wagon  train  as  teamster  much  of  the  time  during  his  term  of  service  ; 
m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Was  last  heard  from  at  Faribault,  Minn. 

Carlisle  Druse. — Age  23  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
the  township  of  Warren.  While  on  the  skirmish  line  confronting  Pine 
Mountain,  Ga.,  June  13,  1864,  and  under  the  fire  of  the  enemy,  a  heavy 
pine  tree  became  uprooted  and  fell  partially  upon  him,  causing  his 
instant  death. 

Emery  Dart.— Age  34  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Wauconda.  Missing  at  battle  of  Chickamauga,  and  undoubtedly  killed 
outright,  as  he  was  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight,  and  was  not  seen  after  a 
brief  retrograde  movement  of  the  Regiment  at  a  time  when  many  fell. 

46 


722  HISTORY  OF  THE  96™  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

Owen  Dady. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Lake  County,  111. ;  blacksmith  ;  en- 
listed from  Avon,  Oct.  10,  1864,  joining  the  Regiment  in  time  to  partici- 
pate in  the  battles  of  Franklin  and  Nashville  ;  at  m.  o.  of  Regiment  was 
transferred  to  Company  G,  21st  Illinois,  and  finally  discharged  in  Texas, 
Oct.  10,  1865.  Is  at  Chamberlain,  Dakota. 

George  H.  Day. — Age  22;  born  in  McHenry,  111.;  farmer;  enlisted 
from  the  township  of  Warren  ;  discharged  for  disability  Jan.  21,  1863.  Is 
an  engineer,  and  resides  at  Wabasha,  Minn. 

Isaac  W.  DeVoe. — Age  20;  born  in  Orange,  Steuben  County,  N.  Y. ; 
medical  student  with  Dr.  Salisbury  ;  enlisted  from  Avon.  While  in  camp 
at  Rockford,  111.,  from  exposure,  had  inflammatory  rheumatism  ;  followed 
Regiment  to  Cincinnati,  and  subsequently  to  Louisville,  Ky. ;  was  sent 
to  Barracks  No.  1,  and  detailed  as  hospital  steward.  Was  examined  and 
ordered  discharged  from  service,  but  asking  permission  to  remain  was 
transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  68th  Company,  2d  Battalion,  July 
22,  1863,  and  at  the  close  of  war  was  at  officers'  general  hospital,  Louis- 
ville, Ky.,  as  Acting  Hospital  Steward.  Was  discharged  from  service  at 
Louisville,  Ky.,  July  3,  1865.  Is  a  physician  and  surgeon  at  Wausau, 
Wisconsin. 

Alfred  Edwards. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Warren,  Herkimer  County,  N.Y. ; 
farmer ;  enlisted  from  Avon.  Was  with  the  Regiment  most  of  the  time 
until  he  lost  his  speech  ;  recovered  a  long  time  after  returning  home, 
when  he  was  transferred  to  the  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  May  4,  1864  ;  dis- 
charged near  the  close  of  the  war.  Died  at  his  home  in  Avon,  111.,  July 
22,  1876. 

Whitman  O.  Fisher. — Age  23  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 

«Jf  rom  Avon  ;  taken  sick  with  measles  early  in  his  service,  and  sent  to  hos- 

jpital  at  Covington,  Ky.;  rejoining  the  Regiment  he  took  cold,  and  was 

L)  again  sent  to  hospital,  and  finally  discharged  March  23,  1863.    Resides  at 

<^j  Hainesville,  111. 

William  J.  Fuller. — Age  23  ;  born  in  Hume,  Allegheny  County,  N.Y.; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Avon  ;  detailed  in  9th  Ohio  Battery,  Feb.  22,  1863, 
where  he  served  until  August,  1863,  when  he  was  detailed  in  18th  Ohio 
Battery,  where  he  served  as  cannonier  at  Chickamauga,  Lookout  Moun- 
tain and  Mission  Ridge.  Returned  to  Regiment  at  the  opening  of  the 
Atlanta  campaign,  taking  part  in  every  skirmish  or  battle  in  which  the 
Regiment  was  engaged,  but  escaped  wounds  ;  in.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is 
farming  near  Hainesville,  111. 

Charles  N.  Fox. —  Age  19;  born  in  Ohio;  farmer;  enlisted  from 
Avon  ;  was  always  with  Regiment  during  its  first  year's  service.  Was 
killed  at  Chickamauga,  Sept.  20,  1863,  being  the  first  man  killed  in  action 
from  Company  B. 

Dighton  Granger. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Lake  County,  111. ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Goodale  (now  Grant);  was  detailed  with  ordnance  train  a  por- 
tion of  the  time,  but  participated  with  the  Regiment  in  the  battles  of 


ROSTER  or  COMPANY  B.  723 

^Lookout  Mountain,  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  Resacu,  and  in  numerous  minor 
-engagements  ;  was  never  absent  or  off  duty  because  of  sickness  during 
his  entire  term  of  service  ;  at  one  of  the  engagements  near  Kenesaw 
Mountain  drove  his  team  with  a  load  of  ammunition  out  to  a  battery  when 
the  fight  was  raging  in  all  its  fury.  The  Captain  of  the  Battery,  not 
thinking  it  safe  to  unload  ammunition  at  such  a  time,  ordered  him  back 
over  the  brow  of  the  hill.  Mustered  out  with  Regiment.  Has  held  the 
office  of  Assessor  and  Collector,  and  for  many  years  has  been  a  Justice  of 
the  Peace  for  the  town  of  Grant.  Postoffice  address,  Volo,  Lake  County, 
Illinois. 

Elihu  Gray. — Age  20 ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Goodale  (now  Grant);  went  with  Regiment  to  Covington,  Ky.;  had 
measles,  and  was  taken  to  marine  hospital ;  rejoined  the  Regiment  at 
Harrodsburg,  but  never  fully  recovered  his  health.  Was  on  detached 
service  mosf  of  the  time  at  Brigade  Headquarters  until  just  before  the 
^battle  of  Lookout  Mountain,  when  he  returned  to  Company  and  partici- 
pated in  the  battle ;  was  with  the  Regiment  on  the  Atlanta  campaign, 
;and  while  driving  team  in  November,  1864,  was  taken  prisoner  at  Spring 
Hill,  Tenn.,  Nov.  29,  1864,  but  while  the  enemy  were  burning  the  train 
made  his  escape.  Mustered  out  with  Regiment.  Is  a  resident  of  Granite 
Falls,  Minn. 

Myron  Gillmore. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Pennsylvania  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Avon  ;  had  a  ball  pass  through  his  can  tee  a  and  cartridge  box  at 
Chickamauga  ;  was  in  the  battle  of  Lookout  Mountain,  and  was  with  the 
Regiment  most  of  the  time  on  the  Atlanta  campaign.  Was  sent  back  to 
his  home  in  Lake  County  with  the  remains  of  his  brother,  Captain  E.  J. 
Gillmore,  and  shortly  after  returning  to  Regiment  was  wounded  in  the 
leg  in  front  of  Atlanta,  Ga.,  Aug.  3,  1864,  partially  disabling  him  for  life. 
Was  discharged  because  of  this  wound  Jan.  5,  1865,  at  Chicago,  111.  Has 
held  the  office  of  Sheriff  of  Barton  County,  Kansas,  two  terms,  and  is  a 
farmer  and  real  estate  dealer  at  Great  Bend,  Kansas. 

Eleazer  Graves.—  Age  20 ;  born  in  Williamstown,  Orange  County, 
Vermont  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from  Wauconda.  Died  from  disease  at 
Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  July  13,  1863. 

Joel  Gove. — Age  17  ;  born  in  Jay  County,  Ind.;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Avon,  Oct.  10,  1864 ;  joining  the  Company  in  time  to  participate  in  the 
"battle  of  Nashville,  Dec.  15  and  16,  and  was  slightly  wounded  in  the  left 
hand  ;  remained  with  the  Regiment  until  its  m.  o.,  when  he  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  21st  Illinois,  and  went  with  that  command  to  Texas  ;  was 
finally  m.  o.  at  Victoria,  Tex.,  Oct.  10,  1865  ;  enlisted  in  the  Regular 
Army,  Nov.  19,  1866  ;  had  a  narrow  escape  in  a  storm  at  sea,  and  saw 
severe  service  on  the  plains  ;  was  at  Fort  Steele,  Wyoming,  the  last  year 
of  his  service.  Is  now  a  laborer,  and  resides  at  Balbeck,  Jay  County, 
Indiana. 

Frank  Garland. — Age  41  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer :  enlisted  from 
Wauconda  ;  was  one  of  the  oldest  men  in  the  Company  ;  was  of  a  lively 


724  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

disposition  ;  never  absent  from  Regiment,  except  for  a  few  months  when* 
detailed  to  guard  and  drive  cattle  ;  was  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Though 
67  years  of  age,  is  one  of  the  "boys"  of  Wauconda,  111. 

Nelson  Huson. — Age  19;  born  in  Yates  County,  N.  Y. ;  farmer;  en- 
listed from  Wauconda  ;  detailed  as  Drummer  ;  remained  with  Company 
two  years  and  four  months,  when  he  was  taken  sick  and  sent  to  hospital, 
and  died  at  Columbia,  Tenn.,  Jan.  4,  1865. 

George  E.  Hendee. — Age  21;  born  in  Alleghany  County,  N.  Y. ; 
farmer ;  enlisted  from  Avon  ;  participated  in  the  battles  of  Chickamauga, 
Lookout  Mountain  and  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  and  at  the  former  engage- 
ment was  struck  by  a  bullet,  but  not  seriously  hurt ;  was  detailed  in 
a  hospital  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  in  May,  1864,  and  at  the  close  of  the  war 
was  Assistant  Steward  ;  discharged  at  Nashville,  June  4,  1865.  Is  farm- 
ing and  keeping  a  summer  resort  at  Round  Lake,  Lake  County,  Illinois. 
Postofflce  address,  Hainesville,  111. 

Herman  Hoogstrat. — Age  18 ;  born  in  Germany  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Goodale  (now  Grant) ;  was  never  excused  from  duty  ;  was  in  the 
battles  of  Chickamauga,  Lookout  Mountain,  and  the  engagements  of  the 
Atlanta  Campaign  until  Resaca  was  reached,  when  he  was  killed  in 
action,  May  14,  1864. 

Hiram  Hollister. — Age  30  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Wauconda  ;  died  of  disease  at  Lexington,  Ky.,  Nov.  25,  1862, — the  first 
man  to  die  from  the  Company. 

Herman  W.  Hall. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Lake  County.  111. ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Avon,  Oct.  10,  1864,  joining  the  Regiment  in  time  to  partici- 
pate in  the  battle  of  Nashville  ;  at  m.  o.  of  Regiment  was  transferred  to 
Company  G,  21st  Illinois  ;  finally  m.  o.  at  Victoria,  Tex.,  Oct.  10,  1865. 
Was  Postmaster  at  Arlington,  Wis.,  from  1872  to  1876.  Is  now  a  builder 
and  resides  at  Fox  Lake,  111. 

Alonzo  Harris. — Age  18 ;  born  in  Massachusetts  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Wauconda  ;  was  in  hospital  at  m.  o.  of  Regiment  ;  discharged  near 
the  close  of  the  war.  Resides  at  Palatine,  111. 

Oliver  C.  Kingsland. — Age  35  ;  born  in  Lisbon,  St.  Lawrence  County, 
N.  Y. ;  ship  blacksmith  ;  enlisted  from  Wauconda  ;  was  in  the  battle  of 
Chickamauga,  where  he  had  his  haversack  and  rubber  blanket  pierced 
by  bullets ;  was  detailed  in  the  Quarter  Master's  Department  as  Regi- 
mental Wagonmaker  by  Lieut.  Col.  Smith  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is 
running  a  repair  shop  at  Camp  Douglas,  Wis. 

William  Kimball. — Age  17  ;  born  in  Elgin,  111. ;  tinner  ;  enlisted  from 
Wauconda  ;  was  a  good  soldier,  and  never  absent  from  the  Regiment 
during  its  first  year's  service  ;  was  killed  at  Chickamauga,  Sept.  20,  1863. 

James  H.  Litwiler. — Age  20 ;  born  in  Pennsylvania  ;  fanner ;  en- 
listed from  Avon  ;  was  in  the  battles  of  Chickamauga,  Lookout  Moun- 
tain and  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  and  was  killed  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  14,  1664. 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  B.  725 

Ami  Lovejoy. — Age  22  ;  born  in  Cleveland,  Ohio  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Avon,  Oct. ,10,  1864,  and  joined  the  Company  in  time  to  participate 
in  the  battle  of  Nashville  ;  at  the  m.  o.  of  the  Regiment  was  transferred 
to  the  21st  Illinois,  and  went  with  that  command  to  Texas  ;  was  finally 
m.  o.  Oct.  10,  1865.  Is  a  novelty  salesman  at  West  Union,  Iowa.  Was 
a  brother  of  John  Lovejoy,  of  the  same  Company. 

William  J.  Lindsay.— Age  29;  born  in  Pennsylvania;  farmer;  en- 
listed from  Avon,  Oct.  10,  1864,  and  was  in  the  battle  of  Nashville  ;  at 
m.  o.  of  the  Regiment  was  transferred  to  the  21st  Illinois,  and  sent  to" 
Texas  ;.  m.  o.  Oct.  10,  1865. 

Henry  Montgomery. — Age  J8 ;  born  in  Cleveland,  Ohio  ;  farmer ; 
enlisted  from  Fremont ;  at  the  battle  of  Resaca,  May  14,  1864,  had  a  ball 
pass  through  his  coat,  and  at  Atlanta  was  struck  by  a  spent  ball  ;  served 
with  credit  as  Division  Teamster  or  in  ranks  during  the  three-years  ser- 
vice ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  a  police  officer  at  Austin,  Tex. 

John  T.  Morrill.  —  Age  22  ;  born  in  Vermont ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Fremont ;  was  with  the  Regiment,  except  for  a  few  days,  until 
Brentwood  was  reached,  when,  being  prostrated  by  rheumatism  and  so 
•disabled  as  to  render  him  unfit  for  field  duty,  he  was  detailed  as  Assistant 
Engineer  at  No.  2  Hospital  on  College  Hill,  Nashville  ;  was  subsequently 
transferred  to  the  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  and  finally  discharged  for  dis- 
ability May  22,  1864.  Is  a  painter  at  Hainesville,  111. 

James  H.  McMillan. — Age  23  ;  born  in  Jefferson  County,  New  York  ; 

Vf armer ;  enlisted  from  Fremont ;  was  detailed  on  gunboat  "Newsboy," 

y  on  the  Cumberland  River,  and  served  there  until  the  close  of  the  war ; 

m.  o.  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  June  24,  1865.    Is  farming  near  Hainesville,  111. 

Malcolm  McMillen. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Jefferson  County,  N.  Y. ; 
farmer  ;  enlisteu  from  Fremont  ;  participated  in  numerous  engagements 
and  had  bullets  pass  through  his  clothing,  but  escaped  wounds ;  was 
detailed  with  supply  train  for  a  time  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  pursuing 
the  occupation  of  a  stone  mason  at  Kill  Creek,  Knn. 

Cornelius  McCusker.— Age  23  ;  born  in  New  York  City  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Wauconda  ;  was  in  the  battles  of  Chickamauga,  Lookout 
Mountain,  and  in  the  engagements  of  the  Atlanta  Campaign,  and  at 
Franklin  and  Nashville  ;  had  a  ball  through  hat,  and  had  his  cup  shot  off 
from  a  canteen  string  at  Lookout  Mountain  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is 
a  policeman  at  Oshkosh,  Wis. 

James  E.  Millard. — Age  22  ;  born  in  Bennington,  Vt. ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Wauconda  ;  absent,  sick,  at  m.  o.  of  Regiment.  Resides  in 
Chicago,  111. 

James  Marble. — Age  26  ;  born  in  Ohio  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Good- 
ale  (now  Grant)  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment. 

William  Monahan. — Age  23;  born  in  Lake  County,  111.;  farmer; 
•enlisted  from  Wauconda  ;  was  6  feet  4^  inches  in  height  and  of  powerful 


726  HISTORY  OF  THE  96rrn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

frame  ;  was  an  excellent  soldier,  and  almost  constantly  with  the  com- 
mand ;  m.  o.  with  the  Regiment.  Died  at  his  home  in  Lake  County,  111., 
a  few  years  since,  from  consumption. 

William  Marble. — Age  27  ;  born  in  Cuyahoga  County,  Ohio  ;  black- 
smith ;  enlisted  from  Wauconda  ;  had  his  boot  heel  shot  off  at  Chicka- 
mauga,  and,  though  troubled  much  with  chronic  rheumatism,  remained 
with  his  command  most  of  the  time,  and  was  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Has 
worked  at  his  trade  most  of  the  time  since  the  war,  and  is  comfortably 
located  at  Wauconda,  111. 

John  T.  Mitchell. — Age  16  ;  born  in  Illinois ;  farmer  ;  enlisted"  from 
Avon,  Oct.  10,  1864 ;  joining  the  Company  in  time  to  participate  in  the 
battle  of  Nashville,  Dec.  15  and  16  ;  at  m.  o.  of  Regiment  was  trans- 
ferred to  Company  G,  21st  Illinois  ;  went  with  that  command  to  Texas, 
and  was  finally  m.  o.  at  Victoria,  Tex.,  Oct.  10,  1865.  Is  farming  at  Gay- 
lord,  Kansas. 

Stanislaw  Mattax. — Age  38  ;  born  in  Ohio ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Goodale  (now  Grant),  Oct.  10,  1864 ;  came  to  camp  in  December,  1864  ; 
was  in  battle  of  Nashville,  Tenn. ;  at  m.  o.  of  Regiment  was  transferred 
to  the  21st  Illinois,  and  sent  to  Texas ;  was  m.  o.  Oct.  10,  1864.  Is  at 
Hotchkiss,  Delta  County,  Col. 

Edwin  Potter. — Age  17 ;  born  in  Lake  County,  111. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Avon  ;  was  absent  from  the  Regiment  because  of  sickness  more  or 
less  in  the  first  year  and  a  half  of  its  service,  but,  returning,  participated 
in  all  of  its  engagements  following  Resaca,  and  was  frequently  com- 
mended for  his  courage  ;  m.  o.  with  the  Regiment.  Is  farming  at  Gurnee, 
Lake  County,  Illinois. 

John  J.  Price. — Age  20;  born  in  Lake  County,  111.;  farmer;  enlisted 
from  Fremont  ;  was  taken  ill  early  in  his  term  of  service,  and  removed' 
to  hospital  at  Quincy,  111.,  where  he  died  April  11,  1863.  He  had  two 
brothers  in  the  service,  in  Company  I,  15th  Illinois. 

Thomas  Potter. — Age  24;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer;  enlisted  from 
Wauconda ;  was  always  on  hand  and  ready  for  duty  during  the  first 
year's  service,  and  was  killed  at  Chickamauga,  Sept.  20,  1863. 

Norman  O.  Pratt. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Stamford,  Vt. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Wauconda  ;  was  detailed,  and  in  November,  1864,  was  transferred 
to  the  Signal  Corps  ;  was  captured  near  Kingston,  Ga.,  in  1864,  and  for  a 
long  time  a  prisoner  of  war.  Returned  home  broken  in  health,  and  died 
at  his  home  in  Wauconda,  111.,  May  19,  1883. 

George  Rix. — Age  18  ;  born  in  'England  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Goodale  (now  Grant).  Died  in  field  hospital  at  Danville,  Ky.,  January 
24,  1863. 

Esau  Rich.— Age  22 ;  born  in  Lake  County,  111. ;  farmer ;  enlisted 
from  Avon  ;  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Lookout  Mountain,  Nov.  24,  1863.. 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  B.  727 

William  S.  Skinner. — Age  23 ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Wauconda  ;  deserted  Jan.  29,  1863. 

Walter  E.  Stone. — Age  20  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer ;  enlisted 
from  Avon,  Oct.  10,  1864,  joining  the  Company  in  time  to  participate  in 
the  battle  of  Nashville  ;  was  transferred  to  Company  G,  21st  Illinois, 
June  9,  1865,  and  finally  m.  o.  at  Victoria,  Tex.,  Oct.  10,  1865. 

George  W.  Turner. — Age  26;  born  in  New  York ;  farmer;  enlisted 
from  Wauconda ;  failing  to  obtain  a  furlough  to  go  home  on  business 
that  seemed  imperative,  he  absented  himself  without  leave,  in  February, 
1863,  but  returned  voluntarily  in  about  one  month  ;  he  was  sentenced  to 
make  up  his  lost  time,  and  thus  came  within  the  order  requiring  those 
whose  terms  of  service  did  not  expire  until  after  October  1,  1865,  to  be 
transferred  ;  he  was  therefore  assigned  to  Company  G,  21st  Illinois,  and 
went  with  them  to  Texas,  being  finally  m.  o:  at  Victoria,  Oct.  10,  1865. 
Resides  in  the  Cooweenoowe  district  of  the  Cherokee  Nation,  Indian 
Territory.  Postoffice  address,  Coffeyville,  Kansas. 

William  Wallace  Tower. — Age  19  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer;  en- 
listed from  the  township  of  Goodale  (now  Grant) ;  at  Chickamauga  he 
received  a  severe  flesh  wound  in  the  right  leg  below  the  knee,  which  dis- 
abled him  for  nearly  eight  months,  a  part  of  which  time  was  spent  on 
furlough  with  his  friends  in  Lake  County  ;  returning  to  the  command  in 
the  summer  of  1864,  he  participated  in  several  of  the  engagements  of 
that  memorable  battle  summer,  and  always  with  commendable  bravery  ; 
in  the  demonstration  on  the  enemy's  lines  in  front  of  Atlanta,  Aug.  19,  he 
was  mortally  wounded,  being  shot  in  the  neck,  while  close  to  the  Rebel 
skirmish  pits.  Two  of  his  comrades,  John  and  Charles  McCusker,  lying 
close  to  the  ground,  drew  him  back,  a  foot  or  two  at  a  time,  to  a  place  of 
safety,  whence  he  was  carried  to  a  field  hospital ;  when  the  army  swung 
around  Atlanta  he  was  placed  in  an  ambulance,  the  intention  being  to 
take  him  to  Marietta,  but  he  was  too  low  to  endure  the  trip,  and  died  on 
the  way,  August  25,  1864. 

Valentine  Traut. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Harrisburg,  Pa. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Fremont ;  at  the  battle  of  Lookout  Mountain  was  slightly  wounded 
in  the  foot  and  leg,  and  was  also  struck  in  the  arm  by  a  spent  ball ;  was 
almost  constantly  with  the  Regiment,  and  conspicuous  for  his  bravery  ; 
m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  farming  in  Fremont,  Lake  County,  111. 

John  Washburn. — Age  19  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer ;  enlisted 
from  Avon  ;  was  killed  in  the  charge  on  the  Rebel  works  at  the  battle  of 
Nashville,  Dec.  16,  1864. 

Oscar  E.  Whitcomb. — Age  27  ;  born  in  Massachusetts  ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Wauconda,  as  Wagoner,  and  served  in  that  capacity  continu- 
ously until  the  close  of  the  war.  Is  now  a  commission  merchant  in 
Chicago,  being  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Bond  &  Whitcomb,  doing  busi- 
ness at  No.  191  South  Water  Street. 


728  HISTORY  OF  THE  96iH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

Nile  Wynkoop. — Age  19;  born  in  Waukegan,  111.;  farmer;  enlisted 
from  Waucouda  ;  was  with  the  Regiment  at  Chickamauga,  Lookout 
Mountain,  in  nearly  or  quite  all  the  battles  of  the  Atlanta  Campaign,  and 
at  Nashville  ;  m.  o.  with  the  Regiment  ;  was  one  of  Company  B's  best 
soldiers,  and  is  one  of  Wauconda's  best  citizens. 

Thomas  E.  Wells. — Age  23  ;  born  in  Kingsbury,  N.  Y. ;  blacksmith  ; 
enlisted  from  Wauconda ;  was  taken  sick  while  the  Regiment  was  at 
Franklin,  Tenn.,  in  June,  1863;  sent  to  hospital  at  Nashville,  Tenn. ; 
transferred  to  V.  R.  C. ;  subsequently  doing  guard  duty  at  Louisville,  Ky., 
Camp  Denison,  Ohio,  and  Camp  Chase,  Ohio,  until  May,  1864,  when  sent  to 
Washington,  D.  C.,  doing  guard  duty  at  the  War  Department  until  dis- 
charged ;  promoted  to  Corporal  in  1864  ;  mustered  out  June  29, 1865.  Has 
been  a  machinist,  and  is  a  partner  in  the  Iron  and  Brass  Works  at  Sandy 
Hill,  N.  Y. 

Volney  Washburn. — Age  19  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Avon,  Oct.  10,  1864  ;  joined  the  Regiment  in  time  to  take  part  in  the 
battle  of  Nashville,  Dec.  15  and  16,  1864  ;  at  m.  o.  of  Regiment  was  trans- 
ferred to  Company  G,  21st  Illinois,  accompanying  that  command  to  Texas, 
and  being  finally  m.  o.  at  Springfield,  111.,  in  October,  1865.  Is  a  miner 
at  West  Union,  Iowa. 

Hiram  Weatherly. — Age  24  ;  born  in  Genesee  County,  N.  Y. ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Wauconda  ;  promoted  to  Principal  Musician,  July  1,  1863  ; 
discharged  for  disability,  Feb.  6,  1865. 

David  Wells. — Age  24;  born  in  Cass  County,  Mich.;  farmer;  en- 
listed from  Wauconda  ;  was  in  every  engagement  until  Kenesaw  Moun- 
tain was  reached,  June  20,  1864,  when  he  was  wounded  in  the  left  hand 
and  arm,  causing  the  loss  of  a  finger  and  the  disabling  of  the  hand  to 
quite  an  extent  ;  at  the  battle  of  Lookout  Mountain  a  bullet  passed 
through  his  hat,  and  others  through  his  clothing  ;  discharged  for  wounds 
at  Mound  City,  111.,  Oct.  26,  1864.  Is  keeping  a  hotel  at  Burlington, 
Coffey  County,  Kansas. 

George  W.  Winfield. — Age  23  ;   born  in  Mansfield,    Ohio  ;   farmer  ; 

^  enlisted  from  Waucouda  ;  was  at  Chickamauga,  Buzzard  Roost,  and  other 

T  engagements,  and  at  the  battle  of  Nashville  had  bullets  pass  through  his 

5  coat  and  his  cap  box  ;  was  in  hospital  five  mouths  in  1864 ;  m.  o.  with 

*>)  Regiment.     Is  a  teamster  in  Chicago,  111. 

Thomas  Winfield. — Age  19 ;  born  in  Mansfield,  Ohio  ;  farmer ;  en- 
listed from  Wauconda  ;  discharged  for  disability,  Sept  2,  1863,  afterward 
enlisting  in  some  other  command.  Resides  at  Mansfield,  Ohio. 

James  Young. — Age  46  ;  born  in  Scotland  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Avon  ;  contracted  lung  disease  and  was  discharged  for  disability,  June 
16,  1863.  Died  in  the  township  of  Warren,  March  15,  1885. 


SKETCH  OF  COMPANY  C.  729 


CHAPTER  XLIII. 


COMPANY     C. 
BY  CHARLES  A.    PARTRIDGE. 

The  Fourth  Company— Can  Lake  County  Fill  It  ?— The  Affirmative 
Answer — Officers  Chosen — Temporary  Rendezvous  at  Waukegan — 
Sword  Presentations — Off  for  Rockford — Chosen  as  Color  Company 
— A  Promise  to  be  Prompt — Sent  to  Fort  Shaler — Recruits  from 
Rebeldom— Quartered  in  a  Church — School-day  Experiences  Re- 
vived— Terrible  Losses  at  Chickamauga — Almost  Blotted  Out — Sub- 
sequent Casualties — Some  Statistics. 

WHEN  enlistments  were  resumed  during  the  summer  of 
1862,  it  was  expected  that  perhaps  two  full  companies  could 
be  recruited  in  Lake  County.  Few  were  so  sanguine  as  to 
expect  more.  But  by  the  7th  or  8th  of  August  there  were 
enough  for  the  two  companies,  and  strong  hopes  that  the  third 
could  be  raised.  On  the  llth  the  third,  being  nearly  full, 
was  organized,  and  there  were  some  muster  rolls  still  out  to 
which  a  few  names  had  been  signed.  John  K.  Pollock,  Esq., 
a  prominent  farmer  living  near  Millburn,  in  the  township  of 
Antioch,  was  securing  quite  a  list.  "William  M.  Loughlin, 
of  Lake  forest,  and  Harrison  Huntington,  of  Ela,  immedi- 
ately began  active  work.  A  roll  in  Waukegan  was  also  cir- 
culated. Leading  men  in  the  county  asked  each  other  the 
question  as  to  whether  these  several  squads  of  men  might 
not  be  got  together  and  a  start  made  toward  a  fourth  com- 
pany. Very  few  believed  that  the  company  could  be  filled, 
even  to  the  minimum  number,  but  all  agreed  that  an  effort 
should  be  made  looking  to  this  result.  By  the  15th  it  was 
apparent  that  one  company,  to  the  command  of  which  Isaac  L. 
Clarke  had  been  chosen,  would  have  more  than  the  maximum 
number,  and  he  consented  to  the  withdrawal  of  any  squad  of 
men  who  were  willing  to  go  into  the  new  company.  After 


730  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

some  consultation,  about  a  dozen,  most  of  whom  had  enlisted 
from  the  town  of  Fremont,  agreed  to  the  transfer  of  their 
names  on  the  condition  that  A.  B.  Partridge  should  be  one 
of  their  line  officers.  This  was  assented  to,  and  a  meeting 
appointed  to  organize  the  company.  This  meeting  was  held 
in  the  old  court  house  at  Waukegan  in  the  evening,  and  was 
quite  largely  attended  by  both  citizens  and  soldiers.  The 
question  as  to  who  should  be  the  line  officers  had  been  pretty 
fully  discussed  before  the  gathering  was  called  to  order,  and 
as  a  result  there  was  little  or  no  contest,  John  K.  Pollock. 
Esq.,  being  chosen  Captain ;  Addison  B.  Partridge,  First  Lieu- 
tenant ;  and  William  M.  Loughlin,  Second  Lieutenant,  by  a  prac- 
tically unanimous  vote.  There  were  at  this  time  about  seventy 
names  secured.  The  men  were  asked  to  aid  in  the  work  of 
recruiting,  and  when  the  company  finally  left  for  Rockford  it 
numbered  about  ninety  men.  A  few  of  these  were  rejected  at 
the  final  inspection, — in  nearly  every  instance  because  of  their 
being  under  eighteen  years  of  age,  although  a  dozen  under 
eighteen  were  accepted.  But  others  came  to  take  the  places 
of  those  rejected,  so  that  there  were  ninety-two  men  enrolled 
when  the  company  left  the  State.  Of  these  about  twenty-five 
were  from  the  town  of  Antioch,  a  like  number  from  the  town 
of  Fremont,  and  a  dozen  each  from  the  towns  of  Newport, 
Ela  and  Waukegan ;  the  others  being  from  various  other 
points  in  Lake  County. 

Although  a  majority  of  the  men  were  enlisted  early  in 
August,  many  of  them  remained  at  their  homes  until  toward 
the  close  of  the  month,  in  order  to  finish  up  business  affairs 
and  put  the  work  upon  the  farms  as  far  along  as  possible.  In 
the  Waukegan  Gazette  of  August  30,  1862,  an  order  was  pub- 
lished, of  which  the  following  is  a  copy  : 

ATTENTION   COMPANY!! 

Every  member  of  Captain  Pollock's  Company  is  hereby  ordered  and 
required  to  report  themselves  to  him  in  person  at  the  city  of  Waukegan, 
on  Tuesday,  the  3d  day  of  September,  1862,  by  10  o'clock  A.  M.,  for  the 
transaction  of  such  business  as  may  come  before  them. 

Per  order,  C.  W.  EARLE, 

Orderly  pro  tern. 


SKETCH  OF  COMPANY  C.  731 

There  was  a  prompt  response,  and  that  very  day  drilling 
began  in  good  earnest,  the  race- track  and  the  court  house 
square  being  used  as  drill  grounds.  Charles  "W.  Earle  was 
the  principal  drill  master,  his  previous  experience  in  the 
Fifteenth  Illinois,  in  which  regiment  he  had  served  for  about 
six  months,  coming  into  play  and  fitting  him  admirably  for 
this  work. 

While  in  "Waukegan  most  of  the  men  were  quartered  at 
the  Sherman  House.  The  citizens  made  their  stay  exceed- 
ingly pleasant,  and  when  the  hotel  was  overcrowded  patriotic 
homes  were  always  opened  to  the  brave  volunteers.  Numer- 
ous mementoes  were  presented  by  the  ladies  of  the  city  and 
county,  including  a  "  house-wife  "  to  each  soldier.  In  these 
modern  days  it  may  be  necessary  to  explain  that  a  "house- 
wife" was  a  needle-book,  with  a  receptacle  for  thread,  buttons 
and  the  et  ceteras  necessary  for  use  when  the  soldier  should 
be  where  he  could  no  longer  call  upon  his  wife  or  mother  or 
sister  to  do  his  mending.  These  were  tastefully  made  and 
well  filled,  and  not  a  few  of  them  are  still  preserved  and 
highly  prized  as  relics  of  the  war. 

A  pleasant  incident  of  the  last  day's  stay  in  Waukegan 
was  the  presentation  of  swords  and  sashes  to  the  Captain  and 
First  Lieutenant,  a  report  of  which  is  copied  from  The  Waur 
kegan  ^Weekly  Gazette  of  Saturday,  September  6,  1862  : 

"  SWORDS  PRESENTED. — A  very  interesting  occasion  was  the  presen- 
tation of  swords  by  the  friends  of  Captain  John  K.  Pollock  and  Lieuten- 
ant A.  B.  Partridge,  first  officers  of  one  of  our  volunteer  companies,  at 
the  court  house,  on  Thursday  last.  Rev.  L.  Hawkins,  in  behalf  of  the 
citizens  of  Millburn,  in  a  short  but  strong  and  expressive  speech,  pre- 
sented a  beautiful  sword  and  sash  to  Captain  Pollock,  who,  in  words 
which  came  directly  from  his  noble  heart,  thanked  his  friends  for  the 
testimonial ;  said  he  appreciated  fully  their  kindly  feelings  toward  him 
and  his  command,  and  hoped  he  should  never  disgrace  his  name,  his 
country  or  the  sword  they  had  so  kindly  given  him. 

"  The  sword  to  Lieutenant  Partridge,  which  was  also  a  fine  one,  was 
presented  in  behalf  of  a  few  friends  and  neighbors  in  the  town  of  Fre- 
mont, by  Deacon  Bliss,  from  Wisconsin,  a  brother-in-law  of  Lieutenant 
Partridge,  who  made  some  very  pertinent  and  well-timed  remarks, 
appropriate  to  the  occasion,  which  met  a  response  from  Lieutenant  P. 
that  all  knew,  who  were  spectators  of  the  scene  and  acquainted  with 
Deacon '  Partridge,  were  words  fitly  and  honestly  spoken  ;  they  came 


732  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

from  the  depths  of  that  good  old  man's  heart,  and  he  fully  meant  what 
he  said. 

"  We  could  not  but  notice  how  earnest  were  all  the  speakers  on  this 
occasion — how  determined  were  all  their  actions  and  the  words  they 
uttered.  We  were  much  pleased  with  the  remarks  of  Rev.  Mr.  Hawkins; 
he  evidently  believes  in  a  war  of  extermination;  in  using  any  means,  in 
fact,  which  will  crush  this  dreadful  rebellion,  and  punish  those  who  were 
its  instigators  and  now  are  urging  it  on." 

The  next  day  a  sword  and  sash  were  presented,  without 
formality,  by  Luther  Rossiter,  Esq.,  of  Lake  Forest,  to  Lieu- 
tenant William  M.  Loughlin.  It  was  a  gift  from  the  Common 
Council  of  the  city  of  Lake  Forest,  of  which  that  officer  had 
long  been  an  honored  member. 

On  Friday  morning,  September  5,  1862,  the  company  pre- 
pared for  its  trip  to  the  camp  of  instruction,  at  Rockford,  111. 
The  members  of  the  company  were  early  astir,  breakfasts 
were  eaten,  bundles  or  rolls  of  blankets  were  packed,  and  the 
order  given  to  "fall  in."  The  line  was  formed  in  front  of  the 
Sherman  House  and  the  roll  called,  after  which  the  list  of 
non-commissioned  officers  was  read,  as  follows  :  First  Ser- 
geant, Charles  W.  Earle ;  Sergeants,  Ellis  L.  Schooley,  Har- 
rison Huntington,  Harvillah  Cooley  and  Joseph  B.  Porter  •, 
Corporals,  Edward  Murray,  James  Kearney,  Andrew  T. 
White,  George  N.  Ayers,  Edwin  A.  Bartles,  James  M.  Tay- 
lor, George  C.  Dodge  and  Charles  A.  Partridge.  This  list 
had  been  carefully  prepared  by  the  Captain  and  Lieutenants, 
and  its  announcement  was  looked  for  with  much  interest. 
There  may  have  been  a  few  disappointed  ones,  but  in  the 
main  the  appointments  were  well  received  by  the  members  of 
the  company,  and  fairly  vindicated  by  after  events. 

With  cheers  for  the  Union,  the  Flag,  and  the  friends  at 
home,  the  company  marched  to  the  depot,  where  it  was  joined 
by  the  three  other  Lake  County  companies.  There  occurred 
the  leave-taking  between  mothers  and  sons,  wives  and  hus- 
bands, sisters  and  brothers,  sweethearts  and  lovers, — with 
how  many,  alas,  a  final  farewell !  But  the  scene  soon  changed, 
for  seven  o'clock  was  at  hand,  and  with  iv  the  train.  Soon 
the  conductor  shouted  "All  aboard,"  and,  with  the  martial 
band  playing  "  The  Girl  I  Left  Behind  Me,'  the  train  moved 


SKETCH  OF  COMPANY  C.  733 

out.  Arrived  at  Chicago,  the  men  were  called  in  line  and 
sworn  into  the  service  by  Lieut.  Hunt,  of  the  Regular  Army. 
The  trip  to  Rockford  was  without  especial  incident.  Arriving 
in  that  city  at  a  little  after  two  o'clock  p.  M.,  the  company 
marched  to  Camp  Fuller  with  the  other  Lake  County  com- 
panies, where  they,  with  the  six  Jo  Daviess  County  compa- 
nies, were  formally  organized  as  a  regiment. 

The  announcement  that  the  company  had  drawn  the  letter 
"C,"  and  was  to  be  the  color  company  of  the  regiment,  was 
made  the  following  morning  at  roll-call,  and  was  received 
with  the  most  hearty  and  enthusiastic  cheering,  the  boys  all 
feeling  proud  of  their  position.  First  Sergeant  Earle  made 
the  announcement^  and,  stating  that  they  would  always  be 
expected  to  be  the  first  company  in  line  whenever  the  Regi- 
ment formed,  asked  if  they  would  promise,  then  and  there, 
that  the  line  should  never  be  obliged  to  wait  for  them.  To 
this  they  gave  ready  and  hearty  assent,  and  the  promise  waa 
carefully  kept,  the  Regiment  seldom,  if  ever,  being  detained 
in  forming  to  await  the  arrival  of  their  Color  Company. 
Later  on  Company  C  was  the  first  to  take  up  the  skirmish 
drill.  Always  it  was  one  of  the  best  drilled  and  most  tidy  in 
a  regiment  of  crack  companies,  and  more  than  once  it  was 
the  recipient  of  high  compliments  from  the  field  officers  and 
others  for  both  promptness  and  efficiency — compliments  which 
the  men  appreciated,  and,  it  is  believed,  deserved.  The  dis- 
cipline of  the  company  was  excellent,  and  the  moral  standing 
of  its  members  high.  More  than  one-half  of  the  entire  com- 
pany were  members  of  some  church.  Whatever  of  insubor- 
dination may  have  threatened  elsewhere,  there  was  never 
trouble  here.  The  last  of  the  four  companies  raised  in  the 
county,  and  at  its  muster-in  the  smallest  numerically  and 
averaging  the  youngest,  there  was  a  little  disposition  among 
a  few  to  regard  it  as  the  "  titman"  company  of  the  Regiment. 
However,  there  was  little  ill-feeling  engendered,  and,  in  a 
quiet  way,  the  members  of  the  company  seemed  to  resolve 
that,  though  last,  it  should  not  be  least. 

In  October  two  men, — James  Kenty  and  John  McGill,— 
were  added  to  the  company.     Both  had  been  in  the  Confed- 


734  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  1. 

erate  army,  as  members  of  the  First  Louisiana  Tigers, — one 
of  them  as  a  conscript,  and  the  other  as  an  unwilling  recruit, 
who,  having  served  the  year  for  which  he  had  enlisted,  had 
been  refused  a  discharge.  They  came  to  Kentucky  with  Gen. 
Bragg's  army,  and,  upon  a  favorable  opportunity,  slipped 
from  the  ranks  and  made  their  way  northward  until  they  met 
this  command,  when  they  offered  to  enlist  and  were  accepted. 
Kenty  had  been  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Fittsburg  Landing, 
while  with  the  Confederate  forces.  Both  proved  to  be  excel- 
lent soldiers.  Kenty  served  most  of  the  time  in  the  Quarter- 
master's Department,  being  regimental  or  brigade  butcher. 
McGill  was  for  a  time  a  Sergeant,  and  was  twice  severely 
wounded.  In  the  fall  of  1864  John  White  came  as  a  recruit, 
and  in  the  spring  of  1865  George  Johnson  was  added  to  the 
roll.  Both  were  transferred  to  the  Twenty-first  Illinois  at  the 
muster-out  of  the  Regiment.  Thus  the  total  enrollment  of 
the  Company  was  ninety-six  men, — significant  of  the  Number 
of  the  Regiment. 

At  Camp  Champion,  near  Newport,  Ky.,  October  20, 
1862,  Company  C  was  detached  from  the  Regiment,  and 
occupied  Fort  Shaler,  relieving  Company  K,  but  remained 
there  only  two  days,  when  it  rejoined  the  main  body  of  the 
Hegiment,  remaining  with  it  until  Harrodsburg  was  reached. 

November  20,  Company  C  and  Company  I  were  detached 
from  the  Regiment,  then  camped  at  Harrodsburg,  Ky.,  and 
marched  ten  miles  to  Danville,  where  they  were  quartered  in 
a  church.  Here  they  remained  until  November  29,  when, 
the  Regiment  having  come  up,  they  went  into  camp.  During 
this  brief  period  of  detached  service,  their  main  duty  was  to 
preserve  order  among  the  convalescents  in  the  town,  guard  a 
few  sick  and  wounded  Confederates,  and  furnish  escorts  for 
funerals,  —  frequent  deaths  occurring  among  the  sick  and 
wounded  left  from  Gen.  Buell's  army  after  the  battle  of  Perry- 
ville.  The  quarters  in  the  church  were  greatly  enjoyed.  On 
Sunday  religious  services  were  held,  and  on  one  or  two  week- 
day evenings  rhetorical  exercises  were  given,  the  boys  repeat- 
ing their  school-day  declamations  for  the  entertainment  of 
comrades.  Not  a  few  of  these  declamations  were  admirably 


SKETCH  OF  COMPANY  C.  735 

rendered,  and  as  a  whole  they  would  have  done  credit  to  a 
class  of  college  juniors. 

On  Thanksgiving  Day  quite  elaborate  dinners  were  spread, 
the  markets  being  visited,  and  supplies  not  on  the  Quarter- 
master's list  procured  to  supplement  the  regular  army  rations. 
Danville  was  quite  a  strong  center  of  Union  sentiment,  and 
the  officers  and  many  of  the  enlisted  men  were  not  unfre- 
quently  invited  to  dine  at  private  Louses — experiences  whicli 
they  greatly  enjoyed. 

Company  C  was  not  again  detached  from  the  Regiment, 
except  for  a  day  or  a  night  on  picket,  until  following  Chicka- 
mauga,  when,  being  left  on  Mission  Ridge  while  the  main 
army  fell  back  into  Chattanooga,  Gen.  Bragg  forcibly  de- 
tached it,  and  took  it  to  his  rear  under  guard.  And  yet  it  is 
hardly  fair  to  say  that  the  entire  company  was  captured,  for 
Corporal  Lewin,  too  sore  and  lame  from  Sunday's  wounds  to 
be  able  to  wear  his  accoutrements,  had  been  excused  from 
picket  duty,  and  was  thus  left,  "for  seed,"  as  some  of  the 
farmer  boys  expressed  it. 

Chickamauga  was  a  terrible  blow  to  this  Company.  It  went 
into  the  battle  on  Sunday  afternoon  with  thirty-five  men, 
under  Lieutenant  Earle.  Every  man  who  went  into  the  first 
charge,  unless  killed  or  wounded,  staid  until  the  battle  closed 
and  came  away  with  his  commanding  officer.  But,  oh  !  they 
were  so  few.  Twenty-five  of  the  thirty-five  had  been  hit,  and 
nearly  every  one  of  the  remaining  ten  had  bullet-holes  through 
his  clothing  or  accoutrements.  Besides  these,  seven  of  the  nine 
color-guard  attached  to  the  Company  were  killed  or  wounded. 
But  nobly  had  they  done  their  part.  When  the  colors  of  the 
Regiment  were  shot  down,  Henry  Cutler  and  Henry  Payne 
rushed  to  seize  them,  and  were  only  prevented  because  some 
of  the  color-guard  were  nearer  and  secured  them.  Not  an 
unwounded  man  straggled  or  left  the  ranks  from  the  first 
charge  until  the  last.  Not  a  disabled  man  of  the  company 
was  assisted  to  the  rear  for  a  greater  distance  than  a  few  rods. 
Never  was  there  an  order  to  advance  when  the  company  did  not 
promptly  respond,  no  matter  what  the  danger.  Every  man  had 
seemed  to  realize  the  desperate  need  of  the  hour  and  to  appre- 


736  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

date  the  fact  that  he  was  wanted  at  his  post  to  save  the  right 
and  hold  the  line  till  night  should  coine  to  the  rescue  of  the 
remnant  of  an  army  still  fighting  with  Gen.  Thomas. 

The  casualties  of  the  company  in  this  engagement  may  be 
briefly  recited.  Hem^  "Fiddler,  after  having  been  wounded  in 
the  hand  or  arm,  was  struck  by  a  bullet  and  instantly  killed. 
William  Bonner  was  shot  through  and  left  upon  the  field, 
doubtless  dying  within  a  few  hours,  if  not  in  a  few  moments. 
John  Ehlers  called  out  to  a  comrade  that  he  was  hit,  and  was 
seen  to  fall,  during  a  brief  retrograde  movement  of  the  Regi- 
ment, and  was  doubtless  killed  outright.  Squire  Inman,  who 
was  one  of  the  color-guard  that  day,  was  severely  wounded 
in  one  of  his  limbs  and  left  upon  the  battle-field,  where  he 
died  a  few  days  later.  Corporal  John  Y.  Taylor  had  his  right 
hand  shattered  at  the  wrist,  and  died  in  hospital  at  Nashville. 
These  were  the  only  falalities  in  the  company  in  this  battle. 
Sergeant  Edward  Murray  was  severely  wounded  in  the  shoul- 
der and  body,  and  again  hit  in  the  arm  while  lying  between 
the  lines.  Corporal  George  C.  Dodge  was  severely  wounded 
in  the  ankle.  Leonard  S.  Doolittle  had  his  right  leg  shat- 
tered below  the  knee.  Orrin  Howe  was  severely  wounded  in 
the  thigh.  The  four  last  named  all  fell  into  the  enemy's 
hands,  but  were  paroled  ten  days  later  and  sent  within  our 
lines,  but  none  of  them  were  ever  able  to  rejoin  the  company. 
Of  the  others,  Lieutenant  C.  W.  Earle  was  wounded  twice,  once 
on  the  shoulder  and  once  on  the  left  arm,  but  not  enough  to 
take  him  from  the  field.  Sergeant  C.  A.  Partridge  received  a 
severe  flesh  wound  in  the  right  hip.  Corporal  William  13. 
Lewin  was  cut  upon  the  head,  and  had  a  long,  raking 
wound  from  a  bullet  in  the  shoulder  and  back.  Corporal 
Lewis  H.  Bryant  was  shot  through  the  calves  of  both  legs. 
Corporal  John  McGill  had  a  deep  shoulder  wound.  Henry 
P.  Barnum  and  Norris  Hamilton  each  received  bad  wounds 
in  the  face.  James  McCredie  had  a  shell  wound  in  the  front 
of  his  ankle  or  leg.  John  Bailey,  Henry  Bater,  Ira  Cribb, 
Henry  H.  Cutler,  William  H.  Ehlers,  William  Diver  and 
Michael  Umbdenstock  were  each  wounded  in  the  arm  or  shoul- 


COMPANY  C. 


Corp'l  JOHN  Y.  TAYLOR. 
CHASE  E.  WEBB. 
CHARLES  F.  SAMMONS. 


Capt.  JOHN  K.  POLLOCK. 
Corp'l  OSCAR  RECTOR. 


Serg't  JAMES  M.  TAYLOR. 
Serg't  JAMES  G.  MCCREDIE 
TIMOTHY  FINLEY. 


SKETCH  OF  COMPANY  C.  737 

der ;  and  Oscar  Rector  had  a  ball  through  his  shoulder,  which 
passed  entirely  through  the  upper  lobe  of  the  right  lung. 

Following  this  terrible  battle  came  the  capture,  two  days 
later,  of  fifteen  members  of  the  company,  heretofore  al- 
luded to.  Those  captured  were :  Lieutenant  C.  W.  Earle, 
Sergeant  Harrison  Huntington,  John  Bensinger,  Henry  H. 
Cutler,  Henry  C.  Green,  James  Kearney,  William  McClellan, 
William  McCreadie,  Loughlin  Madden,  Henry  C.  Payne,  Hugo 
Rodenberger,  Joseph  Savage,  Charles  Sturm,  Joseph  Schweri 
and  Christian  Weistoif.  Of  these,  Huntington,  Bensinger, 
Green,  McClellan,  McCreadie,  Madden,  Payne,  Rodenberger 
and  Sturm  died  in  rebel  prisons.  For  a  more  detailed  account 
of  their  prison  experiences,  reference  is  made  to  the  chapter  on 
"PRISONS  AND  PRISONERS,"  in  this  work. 

Following  Chickamauga,  Company  C  was  very  small  for 
some  weeks.  Captain  Pollock,  who  had  been  left  in  charge 
of  the  camp  and  garrison  equipage  at  Bridgeport  when  the 
march  to  Chattanooga  was  made,  rejoined  the  Regiment  at 
Nickajack  Cove.  A  few  convalescents  came  up,  and  some 
of  the  wounded  returned,  so  that  by  the  opening  of  the 
Atlanta  campaign  there  were  some  twenty-five  men  in  line. 
But,  though  few  in  numbers,  this  company  was  never  lacking 
in  promptness  or  in  pluck,  and  its  casualties  in  subsequent 
engagements  were  more  than  proportionate  to  its  numbers. 
At  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  May  9,  1864,  Sergeant  James  M.  Tay- 
lor had  his  right  arm  shattered  by  a  ball,  and  amputation  was 
twice  resorted  to,  so  that  he  never  rejoined  the  company.  At 
the  same  engagement  Corporal  Martin  Efinger  was  wounded 
in  the  hip,  Oscar  Rector  in  the  left  hand,  and  Frank  Milheiser 
in  the  arm,  but  none  of  the  latter  were  long  away  from  the 
command.  At  Resaca,  May  14,  1864,  Corporal  William  B. 
Lewin  and  Orange  M.  Ayers  were  captured,  the  latter  dying 
in  prison.  May  22,  1864,  in  the  engagement  at  Dallas,  Ga., 
Corporal  James  Murrie  was  quite  severely  wounded  in  the 
foot,  and  Oscar  Rector  in  the  arm.  At  Kenesaw  Mountain, 
June  19,  1864,  William  H.  Ehlers  was  captured.  The  next 
day  Corporal  Henry  P.  Barnum  received  a  second  very  severe 
wound  through  the  face,  one  eye  being  ruined.  He  was  never 


738  HISTORY  or  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

able  to  rejoin  the  company.  June  21 ,  1864,  Sergeant  Samuel 
B.  Payne  was  mortally  wounded,  being  shot  through  the  bod}' 
and  dying  a  month  later.  The  following  day  Henry  Sneesby 
was  wounded  in  the  face.  At  Atlanta,  August  24,  1864,  John 
McGill  was  so  severely  wounded  in  the  shoulder  as  to  never 
be  again  able  for  duty.  At  the  battle  of  Franklin,  Tenn., 
November  30,  1864,  Sergeant  Martin  Eh'nger  was  very 
severely  wounded  in  the  shoulder,  carrying  the  ball  for  a  year 
before  the  surgeons  were  able  to  extract  it.  At  the  battle  of 
Nashville,  Tenn.,  December  16,  1864,  Corporal  Norris  Ham- 
ilton was  instantly  killed  by  a  bullet  which  passed  through 
his  head ;  and  Corporal  Henry  H.  Cutler  was  mortally 
wounded,  being  shot  in  the  side,  and  living  but  a  few  hours. 
During  the  three  years'  service  thirty  of  the  company  were 
struck  by  bullets  or  shell  in  battle,  the  number  of  wounds 
aggregating  more  than  forty.  Twenty-four,  or  exactly  one- 
fourth  of  the  entire  company,  died  or  were  killed  before  the 
close  of  the  war.  Of  this  number  eight  were  killed  or  mor- 
tally wounded  in  battle  ;  ten  died  in  rebel  prisons,  and  but 
six  from  disease  alone.  Those  dying  from  disease  were: 
Henry  H.  Swan,  Samuel  Clements,  Edwin  A.  Bartles,  Caleb 
E.  Colgrove,  Hamden  Huntington  and  Henry  Schnell, — the 
latter  a  few  days  after  being  transferred  to  the  Veteran  Re- 
serve Corps,  and  all  during  the  first  year  of  the  Regiment's 
service.  Three  members  of  the  company  deserted,  two  were 
dropped  from  the  rolls, — never  really  joining  the  company  ; 
two,  Harvillah  Cooley  and  C.  A.  Partridge,  were  promoted 
to  the  non-commissioned  staif,  and  a  half  dozen  were  trans- 
ferred to  other  commands.  Thirty  different  men  were  non- 
commissioned officers  in  the  company.  Of  the  commissioned 
officers,  Captain  John  K.  Pollock  served  through  without 
change  of  rank,  and  for  twenty-one  months  was  the  senior 
Captain  in  the  Regiment,  and  at  the  close  of  the  war  was 
breveted  Major.  First  Lieutenant  Addison  B.  Partridge  re- 
signed in  February,  1863,  his  health  completely  failing.  Sec- 
ond Lieutenant  William  M.  Loughlin  was  promoted  to  First 
Lieutenant,  detailed  in  an  engineer  corps,  and  subsequently 
transferred  to  the  First  Regiment  of  United  States  Veteran 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  C.  739 

Engineers.  Sergeant  Charles  "W.  Earle  was  promoted  to 
Second  Lieutenant,  and  subsequently  to  First  Lieutenant  and 
Brevet  Captain.  During  the  last  eight  months  of  his  service 
he  was  Aide-de-Camp  and  Acting  Assistant  Inspector  General 
on  the  staff  of  the  Brigade  Commander.  Sergeant  Major 
Charles  A.  Partridge  was  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant 
in  June,  1865.  The  company  was  always  bravely  commanded, 
and  never  failed  to  do  its  full  duty.  At  the  final  muster-out 
there  were  less  than  thirty  present.  The  following  is 

THE   COMPANY   ROSTER. 

Captain  John  K.  Pollock.  —  Age  34;  born  in  New  Hampshire;  of  Scotch 
parentage;  farmer;  enlisted  from  Antioch;  was  elected  Captain  at  the 
organization  of  the  Company;  was  the  ranking  Captain  in  the  Regiment 
for  21  months  prior  to  his  muster  out,  and  in  command  of  the  Regiment 
for  some  hours  during  the  fight  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Ga.,  June  20,  1864, 
and  at  occasional  periods  afterward.  He  was  a  cool,  brave  officer,  and 
was  especially  commended  for  meritorious  conduct  in  the  report  of  his 
commanding  officer  of  the  part  taken  by  the  Regiment  in  the  Atlanta 
campaign.  Participated  in  all  of  the  engagements  following  Lookout 
Mountain  ;  was  brevetted  Major  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  In  1885  is  a 
leading  citizen  and  large  farmer  and  stock  grower  at  MHttmrnrlH- 


First  Lieutenant  Addison  B.  Partridge.  —  Age  55,  born  in  Westford, 

Vt.  ;  farmer;  enlisted  from  Fremont;  was  elected  First  Lieutenant  at  the 

organization  of  the  Company.     Had  previously  been  a  Lieutenant  in  the 

Vermont  militia.     His  influence  in  the  Company  was  excellent,  and  he 

helped  greatly  in  making  both  its  moral  and  military  standing  high.     He 

endured  the  fatigue  of  the  early  marches  admirably,  but  was  taken  ill  at 

v/Danville,  Ky.,  from  camp  disease.     His  advanced  age  rendered  his  recov- 

j  ery  exceedingly  doubtful,  and  he  very  reluctantly  resigned  his  commis- 

J  sion  Feb.  16,  1863,  leaving  the  command  at  Nashville,  Tenn.    He  never 

*>)    fully  recovered  his  health,  his  disease  following  him  through  the  years 

and  resulting  in  paralysis,  which  rendered  him  comparatively  helpless. 

In  1885,  resides  at  261  Park  Avenue,  Chicago. 

First  Lieutenant  William  M.  Loughlin.  —  Age  38  ;  master  builder  ; 
enlisted  from  city  of  Lake  Forest  ;  elected  Second  Lieutenant  at  the 
organization  of  the  Company;  promoted  First  Lieutenant  Feb.  16,  1863; 
detailed  in  Pioneer  Corps  April  7,  1863,  on  the  recommendation  of  Gen- 
erals Sherman  and  Thomas;  commissioned  by  the  War  Department  First 
Lieutenant  of  Engineers  July  2,  1864;  assigned  to  duty  as  Adjutant  of 
1st  U.  S.  Veteran  Engineers;  promoted  Captain  in  that  Regiment  April 
17,  1865;  assigned  to  special  duty  July  1,  1865,  as  acting  Major  command- 
ing Companies  "A"  and  "F"  of  that  Regiment,  and  was  mustered  out 


740  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

as  such  with  his  Regiment  in  November,  1865,  at  Nashville,  Tenn.  Major 
Loughlin,  although  born  in  Canada,  properly  claims  the  United  States  as 
his  country,  his  father  becoming  a  resident  and  citizen  when  he  was  only 
a  child,  and  his  mother  being  the  daughter  of  Capt.  Amos  Hall,  a  dis- 
tinguished soldier  of  the  American  Revolution;  in  fact,  the  Major  can 
justly  claim  that  since  the  French  and  Indian  War,  no  war  has  been 
fought  for  the  defence  or  maintenance  of  the  authority  of  the  United 
States  in  which  his  family  was  not  represented,  and  in  the  War  of 
1812-14  on  both  sides,  his  father  serving  as  a  Warrant  Officer  in  the 
English  army  in  the  attack  and  capture  of  Casteen,  on  the  coast  of 
Maine.  After  the  close  of  the  war  Major  Loughlin  entered  the  Civil 
Service  under  Gen.  J.  D.  Webster  (formerly  Chief  of  Staff  of  Gen.  Sher- 
man), first  as  Master  Mechanic  and  Assistant  Superintendent  of  Con- 
struction of  the  U.  S.  Marine  Hospital,  Chicago,  and  afterward  in  the 
Internal  Revenue  Service.  In  recent  years  he  has  been  a  successful  con- 
tractor and  builder,  residing  at  386  Hermitage  Avenue,  Chicago. 

First  Lieutenant  Charles  W.  Earle. — Age  17;  born  in  Westford,  Vt. ; 
farmer;  enlisted  from  Fremont,  111. ;  had  previously  served  as  private  for 
six  months  in  15th  111.  Appointed  First  Sergeant  upon  the  organization 
of  the  Company;  promoted  Second  Lieutenant  Feb.  16,  1863,  receiving 
his  commission  a  few  days  before  he  was  18;  promoted  First  Lieutenant 
August  12,  1864.  Was  prisoner  of  war  from  Sept.  22,  1863,  to  Feb.  9, 

1864,  and  escaped  from  Libby  Prison,  Richmond,  Va.,  by  tunneling. 
Was  twice  slightly  wounded  at  Chickamauga  while  in  command  of  the 
Company,  and  was  especially  commended  for  bravery  in  the  report  of 
that  battle.    Commanded  Company  "D"  for  two  months  on  Atlanta 
campaign,  and  at  the  close  of  the  campaign  was  again  given  special 
mention  for  personal  bravery  by  the  commander  of  the  Regiment,  and 
chosen  as  Aide  and  Inspector  on  the  Staff  of  the  Brigade  Comman- 
der, which  position   he  held  until  the  close   of  the  war ;  m.   o.  with 
Regiment;  was  brevetted  Captain.    Attended  Beloit  College  three  years 
after  muster  out,  and  graduated  from  the  Chicago  Medical  College  in 
1870,  and  is  now  a  successful  practicing  physician.     Has  been  a  member 
of  the  Faculty  of  the  Woman's  Medical  College  since  1870,  and  occupies 
the  Chair  of  Diseases  of  Children  and  Clinical  Medicine.    Was  one  of 
the  founders  of  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  of  Chicago,  and 
is  Professor  of  Obstetrics  in  this  Institution.     Residence  in  1885,  535 
Washington  Boulevard,  Chicago. 

Second  Lieutenant  Charles  A.  Partridge. — Age  18;  born  in  Westford, 
Vt. ;  farmer  and  teacher;  enlisted  from  Fremont;  appointed  Eighth  Cor- 
poral at  organization  of  Company;  promoted  Sergeant  in  June,  1863,  and 
Sergeant  Major  May  1,  1864;  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  in  June, 

1865,  but  not  mustered,  as  Company  was  below  the  minimum  number. 
At  Chickamauga,   while  a  Serg'eant,  was  wounded,   a  bullet  passing 
through  his  cap-box,  carrying  several  gun-caps  into  his  right  hip,  some  of 
them  exploding  after  entering;  also  a  copper  rivet  which  held  the  loop 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  C.  741 

about  the  waist-belt.  Remained  with  the  Regiment  for  a  time,  narrowly 
escaping  capture  when  the  Regiment  fell  back,  owing  to  lameness 
resulting  from  the  wound.  The  bullet  was  extracted  by  surgeons  on  the 
field,  and  preserved  by  him  as  a  relic;  three  months  afterward  the  rivet 
was  cut  out.  Rejoined  the  Regiment  in  January  following,  participating 
in  all  subsequent  engagements,  and  receiving  favorable  personal  mention 
in  report  of  Regiment's  experiences  on  Atlanta  campaign;  m.  o.  with 
Regiment.  Was  County  Treasurer  of  Lake  County,  1869  to  1873,  and 
Postmaster  at  Waukegan,  1877  to  1881.  With  his  brother  published  The 
Waukegan  Weekly  Gazette,  1870  to  1885.  Is  editor  of  the  History  in  which 
this  sketch  appears.  Residence  in  1885,  Waukegan,  111. 

First  Sergeant  Ellis  L.  Schooley. — Age  27  ;  born  in  New  York ; 
appointed  Second  Sergeant  at  organization  of  the  Company;  promoted 
First  Sergeant  Feb.  16,  1863;  was  in  Quartermaster's  Department  much, 
of  the  time  the  last  year  of  his  service.  Discharged  as  private  at  Nash- 
ville, Tenn.,  in  June,  1865.  Residence  in  1885,  Denver,  Colorado. 

First  Sergeant  Samuel  B.  Payne. — Age  19;  born  in  Fremont,  111.; 
farmer;  enlisted  from  Fremont,  as  private;  promoted  Corporal  Oct.  16, 
1862,  then  Sergeant;  then  First  Sergeant;  was  mortally  wounded  on  the 
skirmish  line  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Ga.,  June  21,  1864.  and  died  in  hos- 
pital at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  July  24,  1864.  Conspicuous  for  his  cool  courage 
and  greatly  beloved  bj-  his  comrades,  his  death  was  deeply  lamented. 

First  Sergeant  Lewis  H.  Bryant. — Age  24;  born  in  Vermont;  farmer; 
enlisted  from  Fremont  as  private;  promoted  to  Corporal,  then  to  Ser- 
geant, and  to  First  Sergeant  Aug.  19,  1864;  was  badly  wounded  through 
both  legs  at  Chickamauga,  and  absent  five  months;  never  absent  except 
at  that  time;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  In  1885  was  a  thrifty  farmer  and 
prominent  citizen  in  Fremont;  P.  O.  address,  Ivanhoe,  111. 

Sergeant  Harrison  Huntington. — Age  23;  born  in  Vermont;  left  col- 
lege to  enter  the  service;  enlisted  from  Ela;  appointed  Third  Sergeant  at 
organization  of  Company;  promoted  to  Second  Sergeant;  after  fighting 
bravely  at  Chickamauga,  was  captured  on  Mission  Ridge  Sept.  22,  1863, 
and  died  from  small  pox  in  prison  hospital  at  Danville,  Va.,  Feb.  27,  1864- 

Sergeant  Harvillah  Cooley. — Age  31;  born  in  Ohio;  farmer;  enlisted 
from  Antioch;  had  previously  served  four  months  as  Sergeant  in  Com- 
pany "F,"37th  Illinois  Regiment;  appointed  Sergeant  at  organization  of 
the  Company,  and  Hospital  Steward  at  the  organization  of  the  Regi- 
ment; was  discharged  Dec.  31,  1862,  for  disability;  died  at  Lamont,  Mich., 
Sept.  7,  1876,  from  consumption,  resulting  from  his  army  service,  as  his 
physicians  asserted. 

Sergeant  Joseph  B.  Porter.— Age  30  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  builder; 
enlisted  from  Waukegan ;  appointed  Fifth  Sergeant  at  organization  of 
the  Company;  discharged  May  11,  1863, -because  of  having  heart  disease, 
this  ailment  continuing  and  causing  his  death  at  Warren,  Lake  County 
111.,  Nov.  29,  1876. 


742  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

Sergeant  Edward  Murray.  —  Age  33  ;  born  in  Glasgow,  Scotland ; 
farmer;  enlisted  from  Newport;  appointed  First  Corporal  at  the  organi- 
zation of  the  Company;  promoted  to  Sergeant  Oct.  16,  1862;  at  Chicka* 
mauga  was  desperately  wounded,  being  struck  between  the  shoulders  by 
a  bullet  which,  passing  through  the  lungs,  lodged  in  such  a  position  that 
the  surgeons  were  never  able  to  remove  it,  so  that  he  still  carries  it  in 
his  person.  His  lower  limbs  were  so  paralyzed  that  he  could  not  move, 
and  in  this  helpless  condition  he  lay  on  the  battlefield.  The  Regiment 
being  outflanked  and  forced  to  retreat,  he  was  between  the  lines,  exposed 
to  a  terrific  fire,  and  in  this  perilous  position  was  twice  hit,  one  bullet 
striking  his  arm  at  the  shoulder  and  passing  out  near  the  elbow,  and  the 
other  inflicting  a  flesh  wound  in  the  hip.  Those  of  his  comrades  who 
saw  him  after  he  received  the  first  wound  thought  he  could  not  live  for 
any  great  length  of  time,  and  all  were  surprised  and  gratified  when  he 
was  brought  within  the  Union  lines  at  Chattanooga,  in  an  ambulance, 
ten  days  later,  having  been  paroled.  He  was  almost  entirely  helpless 
for  many  months,  but  after  a  long  period  partially  recovered  his  health, 
although  always  a  sufferer  and  greatly  enfeebled  from  his  terrible 
wounds.  Some  years  after  being  wounded  he  coughed  up  a  piece  of  his 
gray  army  shirt,  which  had  been  carried  into  his  lungs  by  the  bullet. 
Was  finally  discharged  from  hospital  at  Quincy,  111.,  Aug.  19,  1864.  In 
1885  resides  on  a  large  farm  in  Newport.  P.  O.  address,  Russell,  111. 

Sergeant  Andrew  T.  White. — Age  20  ;  born  in  New  York ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Antioch;  was  appointed  Third  Corporal  at  the  organization 
of  the  Company;  promoted  to  Sergeant  Jan.  27,  1863;  had  been  in  the 
three-months  service  with  the  12th  Illinois.  Was  severely  sick  following 
the  Duck  River  campaign,  and  was  discharged  for  disability  May  5,  1863. 
In  1885  was  a  prosperous  farmer  in  Antioch. 

Sergeant  James  M.  Taylor. — Age  21;  born  in  Scotland;  enlisted  from 
Warren;  appointed  Sixth  Corporal  at  organization  of  the  Company;  pro- 
moted to  Sergeant;  right  arm  shattered  at  battle  of  Rocky  Face  Ridge, 
Ga.,  May  9,  1864,  necessitating  amputation,  and  lea\ing  him  in  a  critical 
condition  for  many  months;  discharged  because  of  this  wound  and  loss 
of  arm  March  18,  1865;  studied  law  and  became  a  successful  practitioner; 
has  held  numerous  official  positions,  and  in  1884  was  the  Republican  can- 
didate for  Representative  in  Congress  in  the  Springfield  District,  but  was 
defeated,  although  running  far  ahead  of  his  ticket.  Residence  in  1885, 
Taylorville,  Christian  County,  Illinois. 

Sergeant  Martin  Efinger. — Age  24  ;  born  in  Wertemberg,  where  he 
served  as  a  soldier  for  six  months  ;  enlisted  from  Antioch  as  private  ; 
promoted  to  Corporal  and  Sergeant  ;  slightly  wounded  in  hip  at  Rocky 
Face  Ridge,  May  9, 1864;  at  the  battle  of  Franklin,  Nov.  30,  1864,  was 
shot  in  the  shoulder  and  very  severely  wounded,  most  of  his  comrades 
thinking  his  injuries  fatal  at  the  time.  He  subsequently  partially 
recovered,  and  was  able  to  rejoin  the  command  just  in  time  to  be  m.  o. 
with  the  Regiment.  The  bullet  was  removed  a  year  after  his  return 
home.  In  1885  was  farming  near  Waukegan,  111. 


ROSTEK  OF  COMPANY  C.  743 

Sergeant  James  McCredie. —  Age  25  ;  born  in  Scotland  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Antioch  as  wagoner,  but  soon  tired  of  teaming,  and  from 
choice  took  a  musket ;  was  quite  severely  wounded  on  the  shin  or  ankle 
at  Chickamauga,  and  disabled  for  four  months;  was  promoted  to  Cor- 
poral and  Sergeant;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  His  health  was  broken  by  his 
long  term  of  service,  and  he  died  at  Millburn,  111.,  July  30,  1874,  from 
consumption,  leaving  a  widow  and  three  children. 

Sergeant  James  Murrie. — Age  20  years;  born  in  Scotland  ;  enlisted 
from  Newport  as  private;  promoted  Corporal  May  25,  1863,  and  to  Ser- 
geant Aug.  1,  1864;  was  wounded  in  foot  in  battle  of  Dallas,  Ga.,  May 
27,  1864,  losing  a  toe,  but  rejoined  the  Regiment  Sept.  17,  1864;  and  was 
present  at  final  muster  out.  In  1885  was  a  prosperous  farmer  and  influ- 
ential citizen  in  Antioch,  111.  P.  O.  address,  Millburn,  111. 

Sergeant  John  McGill.  —  Enlisted    in    Scott  County,  Ky.,  Nov.  1, 
1862.     He  had  been  a  conscript  in  the  1st  Louisiana  Regiment,  in  the 
Confederate  service,  but  left  while  that  regiment  was  with  Bragg  in  Ken- 
tucky, and  at  the  first  opportunity  enlisted  in  the  Union  service;  was 
quite  severely  wounded  in  the  arm  or  shoulder  at  Chickamauga,  but 
ujrejoined  the  command,  and  in  front  of  Atlanta,  Aug.  24,  1864,  was  again 
9  wounded  in  the  shoulder,  this  time  so  severely  as  to  discharge  him  from 
j  the  service.    He  is  borne  upon  the  rolls  as  having  been  transferred  to  the 
n  21st  Illinois,  but  as  a  matter  of  fact  was  discharged  from  the  hospital,  as 
'   private,  prior  to  the  m.  o.  of  the  Regiment.    He  was  living,  in  1885» 
in  poor  health,  at  Walled  Lake,  Mich. 

Corporal  James  Kearney. — Age  27  ;  a  native  of  Ireland  ;  farmer; 
enlisted  from  Antioch;  proved  a  most  excellent  and  brave  soldier,  doing 
his  full  duty  in  the  terrible  battle  of  Chickamauga.  Was  captured  two 
days  later,  and  for  sixteen  months  a  prisoner  of  war.  Toward  the  close 
of  the  war  he  was  exchanged,  but  was  not  able  to  join  the  Regiment,  and 
was  discharged,  as  private,  at  Chicago,  in  July,  1865.  His  health  was 
badly  impaired  by  his  prison  experience,  and  was  never  .regained.  He 
died  in  Osage,  Iowa,  Aug.  3,  1881,  leaving  a  widow  and  four  children. 

Corporal  George  N.  Ayers. — Age  38 ;  a  native  of  Vermont,  enlisted 
from  Fremont ;  appointed  Fourth  Corporal  at  the  organization  of  the 
Company;  was  taken  with  typhoid  fever  at  Camp  Champion  in  October, 
1862;  removed  to  a  hospital  in  Cincinnati,  and  discharged  for  disability 
Feb.  21,  1863.  Resided  in  1885  in  Rochester.  Minn. 

Corporal  Edwin  A.  Bartles. — Age  22  ;  born  in  Middlebury,  N.  Y. ; 
farmer;  enlisted  from  Ela;  was  appointed  Fifth  Corporal  at  the  orgauiza' 
tion  of  the  company;  was  a  model,  Christian  soldier.  Taken  with  measles 
at  Danville,  Ky.,  he  died  Feb.  6,  1863. 

Corporal  George  C.  Dodge. — Age  20;  a  native  of  Maine;  farmer; 
enlisted  from  Avon;  appointed  Seventh  Corporal  at  the  organization  of 
the  Company  ;  was  severely  wounded  at  Chickamauga,  being  shot 


74:4  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

through  the  ankle;  lay  between  the  lines  for  a  time,  and  fell  into -the 
enemy's  hands;  paroled  ten  days  later;  never  again  able  for  duty;  dis- 
charged because  of  wounds  Aug.  18,  1864.  Lived,  in  1885,  on  a  farm  near 
MUlburn,  111. 

Corporal  George  L.  Stewart.— Age  19;  born  in  Millburn,  111.;  enlisted 
from  Warren  Township  as  private ;  promoted  Corporal  Oct.  16,  1862 ; 
suffered  severely  from  periosteal  inflammation,  and  was  in  hospital  at 
Camp  Denison,  Ohio,  five  months.  At  one  time  a  council  of  physi- 
cians had  about  determined  to  amputate  both  of  his  feet,  but  decided 
that  he  was  too  low  to  undergo  the  operation;  was  discharged  for  disa- 
bility March  11,  1863,  and  for  many  months  walked  but  little;  but  he 
eventually  overcame  the  difficulty  to  a  considerable  degree.  Has  been  a 
successful  merchant,  and  more  recently  a  commercial  traveler.  P.  O. 
address  in  1885,  Millburn,  111.,  where  he  has  always  been  a  leading  and 
public-spirited  citizen. 

Corporal  William  B.  Lewin. — Age  19 ;  born  in  England  ;  farmer ; 
enlisted  from  Newport  as  private  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  ;  at  Chicka- 
mauga  received  a  severe  wound  while  lying  down,  the  bullet  slightly 
cutting  his  head  and  plowing  a  deep  furrow  about  ten  inches  in  length 
along  his  back  ;  although  disabled  for  duty,  he  rejoined  the  Regiment 
the  next  morning,  and  was  the  sole  survivor  of  the  Company  with  the 
Regiment  after  the  capture.  At  the  battle  of  Resaca,  Ga  ,  May  14,  1864, 
he,  with  a  few  others,  was  captured  after  the  Regiment  had  been  out- 
flanked and  while  being  forced  to  the  rear,  unfortunately  crossing  a  road 
a  few  rods  distant  from  and  in  full  view  of  the  enemy  ;  remained  a  pris- 
oner of  war  until  Feb.  28,  1865,  never  rejoining  the  command ;  was  dis- 
charged at  Springfield,  111.,  June  24,  1865.  Is  a  prosperous  farmer  and 
influential  citizen  of  Newport.  P.  O.  address  in  1885,  Rosecrans,  111. 

Corporal  John  Y.  Taylor. — Age  19;  born  in  Scotland  ;  farmer  and 
schoolteacher;  enlisted  from  Newport  as  private  ;  promoted  Corporal;  at 
Chickamauga  was  shot  through  right  wrist;  his  injuries  proved  fatal,  and 
he  died  in  hospital  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Nov.  24,  1863.  He  was  a  brother 
of  Sergt.  Taylor. 

Corporal  Henry  P.  Barnum. — Age  16;  born  in  Canada;  enlisted  from 
Waukegan  as  private;  promoted  Corporal;  at  Chickamauga  was  badly 
wounded  in  the  face,  the  bullet  striking  his  right  cheek,  and'passing  out 
through  the  bridge  of  his  nose;  just  afterwards  the  Regiment  made  a  re- 
trograde movement  and  he  was  for  a  time  inside  the  enemy's  lines,  but 
soon  there  was  an  advance  and  he  was  released,  and  made  his  way  to  the 
rear.  The  wound  healed  quickly,  and  he  rejoined  the  Regiment  in  nine 
weeks.  At  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Ga.,  June  20,  1864,  by  a  strange  fatality 
he  was  again  wounded  in  the  face,  the  bullet  striking  his  left  cheek  and 
going  directly  through,  passing  out  but  an  inch  from  the  spot  where  the 
first  bullet  entered,  paralyzing  one  eye,  taking  out  one  tooth  and  leaving 
hiir,  terribly  scarred.  His  remark,  "  I  should  think  they  might  have  left 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  C.  745 

my  face  alone,"  was  often  alluded  to  afterward  by  his  comrades.  His 
wound  was  painful  and  long  in  healing;  in  fact,  has  never  healed  inter- 
nally. He  was  never  again  able  for  field  duty,  and  was  discharged  from 
Marine  Hospital,  Chicago,  for  wounds,  Jan.  5,  1865.  In  1885  was  a  letter 
carrier  in  Chicago  P.  O. ;  residence  at  Waukegan,  111. 

Corporal  Henry  H.  Cutler. — Age  21;  born  in  Massachusetts;  farmer; 
enlisted  from  the  town  of  Warren  as  private;  promoted  Corporal.  At 
Chickamauga  was  wounded  in  the  arm,  but  remained  with  the  Regiment 
and  was  captured  with  the  Company  two  days  later;  was  sick  in  prison 
and  exchanged  in  a  few  weeks.  Rejoining  the  Regiment  he  participated 
in  nearly  all  of  its  campaigns  and  battles,  and  at  Nashville,  Dec.  16,  1864, 
was  one  of  the  first  men  to  reach  the  Rebel  breastworks  in  the  final 
charge,  but  was  shot  a  moment  later,  and  died  from  his  wound  the  next 
day.  He  was  always  conspicuous  for  his  bravery,  and  after  he  fell, 
and  while  prostrate  and  faint  from  his  fatal  wound,  said  to  Lieut. 
Earle:  "God  bless  father,  God  bless  mother,  and  save  the  country,"  and 
afterward  remarked,  that  if  any  one  must  fall,  he  was  willing  it  should 
be  himself. 

Corporal  Norris  Hamilton. — Born  in  Canada;  farmer;  enlisted  from 
township  of  Cuba,  as  private;  promoted  to  Corporal;  at  Chickamauga 
was  badly  wounded  through  the  face,  the  ball  passing  in  at  one  cheek, 
and  out  through  the  other.  Rejoined  the  Regiment  in  five  months,  and 
participated  in  all  of  the  subsequent  engagements,  until  the  battle  of 
Nashville,  Dec.  16,  1864,  when,  in  the  charge  on  the  Rebel  skirmish  line, 
he  was  shot  through  the  head,  and  instantly  killed.  He  \\ps  a  gallant 
soldier,  and  left  a  family. 

Corporal  Oscar  Rector. — Age  18;  born  in  Bridgeport,  Madison  Co., 
New  York;  enlisted  from  Antioch,  as  private;  promoted  Corporal  July 
18, 1864.  At  Chickamauga  was  shot  through  the  right  lung,  but  recovered, 
and  rejoined  the  Regiment  in  four  months;  at  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  May  9, 

1864,  was  wounded  in  middle  finger  of  left  hand,  and  had  his  haversack 
badly  shattered,  and  May  27,  1864,  at  the  battle  of  Dallas,  Ga.,  received 
a  flesh  wound  in  the  left  arm,  but  did  not  leave  the  command;  partici- 
pated in  every  engagement,  except  Lookout  Mountain,  and  was  m.  o. 
with  Regiment.     In  1885  was  farming  in  the  town  of  Antioch,  111.,  P.  O. 
address,  Hickory,  111. 

Corporal  John  W.  Bailey. — Age  17;  born  in  Illinois;  enlisted  from 
Antioch,  as  private;  promoted  Corporal;  at  Chickamauga  received 
severe  flesh  wound  in  shoulder;  rejoined  Regiment  in  a  few  weeks,  and 
served  through,  participating  in  nearly  every  engagement,  and  being  m.  o. 
with  his  command.  In  1885  resided  at  Maquoketa,  Iowa. 

Corporal  Christian  Weistoff. — Age  25;  born  in  Germany;  farmer; 
enlisted  from  Ela,  as  private;  captured  with  Company,  Sept.  22,  1863; 
was  a  prisoner  of  war  about  15  months;  rejoined  the  Regiment  in  April, 

1865,  and  was  promoted  Corporal;  in.  o.  with  Regiment;  residence  in  1885, 
Springfield,  111. 


746  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

Corporal  Samuel  Clark. — Age  16;  born  in  England;  enlisted  from 
Ela,  as  private;  promoted  Corporal:  served  to  the  close  of  the  war,  and 
was  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  In  1885  his  home  was  at  Barrington,  111. 

Corporal  John  J.  Swazy. — Age  25;  American:  farmer;  enlisted  from 

*/Ela;  was  detailed  with  an  Ohio  Battery  for  some  months,  serving  with 

f  credit  in  several  engagements,  but  returned  to  the  Regiment,  and  was 

J   promoted    to    Corporal  ;    m.  o.    with    Regiment  ;    residence ,   in  1885, 

°\    Chicago,  111. 

Musician  Julius  Schwarm — Age  21;  born  in  Rhein,  Bavaria;  carpen- 
ter; enlisted  from  Waukegan;  was  severely  ill  and  discharged  Oct.  19, 
1863,  for  disability,  never  fully  regained  his  health  and  died  in  Waukegan, 
111.,  from  consumption,  Aug.  25,  1872,  leaving  a  family. 

Willard  Ames. — Age  17;  born  in  Antioch,  111.;  enlisted  from  Antioch; 
was  very  seriously  ill  for  several  months,  and  was  discharged  for  dis- 
ability, Aug.  28,  1863;  was  a  merchant  at  Caberry,  111.,  several  years.  In 
1885  was  farming  at  Hickory,  Lake  Co.,  111. 

Orange  M.  Avers.— Age  32;  American;  farmer;  enlisted  from  Fre- 
mont; captured  at  battle  of  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  14, 1864,  and  died  in  prison 
near  the  close  of  the  war.  He  is  known  to  have  escaped  from  the  prison 
at  Florence,  but  is  believed  to  have  been  recaptured,  and  it  is  understood 
that  some  Vermont  soldier,  who  was  a  former  acquaintance,  was  with 
him  when  he  died.  Was  a  brother  of  Corporal  George  N.  Ayers. 

Amelius  Ames.— Age  17;  born  in  New  York;  farmer;  enlisted  from 
Wauconda;  m.  o.  with  Regiment;  address  in  1885,  Wauconda,  111.,  where 
he  was  engaged  in  farming. 

Timothy  W.  Bliss. — Age  17;  born  in  Ohio,  residence  Burlington, 
Wis. ;  enlisted  from  Fremont;  was  drummer  for  a  time,  but  afterwards 
detailed  on  gunboat  "News  Boy,"  and  served  with  that  craft  on  the 
Cumberland  River,  until  the  close  of  the  war;  m.  o.  with  Regiment;  died 
from  asthma  or  consumption  in  Pueblo,  Colorado,  Feb.  22,  1877. 

John  W.  Besley. — Age  19;  born  in  Michigan ;  clerk;  was  on  detached 
service  much  of  the  time  as  clerk  at  Regimental.  Brigade  and  Division 
Headquarters;  although  excused  from  duty  with  the  command,  he  more 
than  once  took  a  musket  and  participated  with  the  Regiment  in  its  active 
campaigns,  and  on  the  Atlanta  campaign  was  a  frequent  visitor  on  the 
skirmish  line;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  In  1885  was  book-keeper  for  the 
Besley  Brewing  Company,  at  Waukegan,  111. 

William  Bonner. — Age  21;  of  Scotch  nativity;  farmer;  enlisted  from 
Avon;  at  battle  of  Chickamauga,  was  shot  through  the  body,  and  left 
upon  the  field,  doubtless  dying  within  a  few  hours.  He  was  a  brave, 
Christian  soldier.  For  long  months  his  friends  clung  to  the  belief  that  he 
was  alive,  and  would  be  heard  from,  but  no  tidings  ever  came  to  confirm 
their  hope. 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  C.  T4T 

John  Bensinger. — Age  24;  born  in  New  York;  farmer;  enlisted  from 
Newport;  captured  with  Company,  Sept.  22,  1863,  and  died  in  prison 
hospital  at  Danville,  Va.,  Feb.  8,  1864. 

Henry  Bater. — Age  24;  of  English  nativity;  enlisted  from  Warren 
township;  had  previously  served  three  mouths  in  the  12th  Illinois;  was 
severely  wounded  through  the  shoulder  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga, 
Ga.,  Sept.  20,  1863,  and  discharged  for  wounds,  March  28,  1865.  Re- 
sidence in  1885,  Newman  Grove,  Neb. 

Hiram  Clark. — Age  21;  born  in  Illinois;  fanner;  enlisted  from  Fre- 
mont; detailed  as  Adjutant's  clerk,   at  Rockford,  and  served  in   that 
capacity,  or  as  clerk  at  Corps  Headquarters,  most  of  his  term  of  service. 
VMore  than  once,  when  an  engagement  was  expected,  he  asked  leave  to 
i  join  the  Company,  and  taking  a  musket  went  to  his  command,  taking  up 
tj  his  pen  only  when  the  danger  was  past;  m.  o.  with  Regiment,  but  im- 
mediately  returned  South,  serving  as  a  citizen  clerk  in  Texas,  until  the 
army  disbanded;  was  subsequently  in  the  Internal  Revenue  Service  for 
some  years.     In  1885  was  merchandizing  at  Victoria,  Texas. 

Ira  Cribb. — Age  16;  born  in  Illinois;  enlisted  from  Antioch;  at 
Chickamauga  was  wounded  in  shoulder,  but  .rejoined  the  Regiment,  and 
served  to  the  close  of  the  war;  being  in  nearly  every  skirmish  or  battle; 
m.  o.  with  Regiment.  P.  O.  address  in  1885,  Evanston,  111. 

Samuel  Clements. — Age  39;  born  in  England;  farmer;  enlisted  from 
Fremont;  died  in  hospital  at  Danville,  Ky.,  Jan.  22, 1863,  leaving  a  family. 

Caleb  E.  Colgrove. — Age  46;  born  in  New  York;  laborer;  enlisted 
from  Waukegan;  died  in  hospital  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  April  2,  1863, 
leaving  a  family.  Had  one  son  in  the  19th  Illinois. 

Samuel  W.  Dodge.— Age  24;  American;  enlisted  Sept.  20,  1862,  at 
Rockford,  111. ;  transferred  to  Signal  Corps,  Oct.  20,  1863,  and  served  to 
the  close  of  the  war.  Residence  in  1885,  Peoria,  111. 

Leonard  S.  Doolittle. — Age  22;  born  in  Pennsylvania;  farmer;  en- 
listed from  Fremont;  at  Chickamauga  had  his  right  leg  shot  below  the 
knee;  was  inside  the  Rebel  lines  ten  days,  and  then  paroled  and  sent  to 
Chattanooga.  The  surgeons  insisted  that  his  limb  must  be  amputated; 
but  he  plead  so  strong  that  they  promised  to  defer  the  operation  for  a 
day,  and  meanwhile  make  a  careful  examination.  It  was  found  that  one 
side  of  the  bone  was  not  broken,  and  the  limb  was  saved,  but  he  was 
never  able  for  duty,  and  was  discharged  at  Chicago,  in  June,  1865.  His 
wound  is  still  troublesome.  He  was  appointed  Superintendent  of  the 
National  Cemetery,  at  Murfreesboro  or  Stone's  River,  Tenn.,  in  1866;  re- 
mained there  eight  years,  and  was  then  transferred  to  the  Cemetery  at 
Pittsburg  Landing,  Tenn.,  where  he  still  resided  in  1885. 

William  Diver. — Age  35;  American;  farmer;  enlisted  from  Fremont; 
at  Chickamauga  was  badly  wounded  in  arm;  rejoined  the  Regiment,  and 
served  nearly  to  the  close  of  the  Atlanta  Campaign,  when  he  was  taken 


7*8  HISTORY  OF  THE  96™  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

sick,  and  sent  to  the  hospital,  where  h«  was  discharged  May  18,  1865. 
P.  O.  address  in  1885,  Webster,  Iowa,  where  he  is  a  large  farmer  am1 
stock  dealer. 

William  H.  Ehlers. — Age  21;  German;  farmer;  enlisted  fromEla;  at 
Chickamauga  was  wounded  in  the  arm;  rejoined  the  Regiment  in  five 
months.  At  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Ga.,  June  19,  1864,  while  the  skirmish 
line  was  making  an  advance  in  some  timber,  he  ventured  through  a  fence, 
behind  which  some  rebels  were  concealed,  and  was  captured;  was  a 
prisoner  until  near  the  close  of  the  war.  Resides  in  Nebraska. 

John  H.  Ehlers.— Age  22;  German;  farmer;  enlisted  from  Ela;  at 
Chickamauga  was  shot  through, during  a  brief  retreat  of  the  Regiment, 
and  is  supposed  to  have  been  killed  outright. 

Timothy  Finley. — Born  in  Ireland;  enlisted  from  Liberty ville ;  dis- 
charged from  hospital  in  June,  1865  ;  residence  in  1885  in  Central 
Wisconsin. 

Charles  Fordham. — Age  30;  born  in  England;  enlisted  from  Fremont. 
Deserted  Jan.  27, 1863. 

John  Fidler. — Age  16  ;  German  ;  enlisted  from  Avon ;  was  first 
wounded  in  the  hand  or  arm  at  Chickamauga,  and  immediately  after- 
ward struck  by  a  second  bullet  and  killed  outright, — the  first  man  killed 
in  battle  in  the  Company. 

Henry  C.  Green. — Age  18;  born  in  Fremont;  enlisted  from  Ela.  Al- 
though not  fully  recovered  from  a  recent  severe  illness,  and  really  unfit  for 
duty,  he  participated  in  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  and  was  conspicuous 
for  his  bravery.  Two  days  later  he  was  captured  with  his  Company,  and 
remained  a  prisoner  of  war  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  the  prison 
hospital  at  Danville,  Va.,  Jan.  20,  1864. 

Hamden  Huntington. — Age  16;  born  in  Illinois;  died  at  Wartrace, 
Tenn.,  July  28,  1863.  He  was  a  brother  of  Sergeant  Huntington,  and  an 
excellent  soldier. 

Columbus  Haycock. — Age  18  ;  of  English  descent  ;  enlisted  from 
Antioch;  deserted  Sept.  22,  1862. 

Orrin  Howe. — Age  27;  born  in  New  York;  wagon-maker;  enlisted 
from  Benton;  at  Chickamauga  was  badly  wounded  in  right  thigh,  and 
left  in  the  enemy's  hands,  being  paroled  and  sent  to  Chattanooga  ten 
days  later.  Was  never  again  able  for  field  duty,  but  served  as  a  nurse  for 
a  year  or  more,  and  was  discharged  at  Springfield,  111.,  June  29,  1865. 
In  1885  resides  in  Waukegan,  111. 

Squire  W.  Inman. — Age  28  ;  born  in  Ohio  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Antioch;  at  Chickamauga  was  acting  Color  Corporal,  and  was  so  badly 
wounded  in  the  limb  or  knee  as  to  be  unable  to  leave  the  field,  and  died 
in  the  enemy's  hands  a  week  later. 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  C. 

Reuben  C.  Jones. — Age  18;  born  in  Illinois;  enlisted  from  Antioch; 
discharged  for  disability,  Dec.  29,  1862,  but  subsequently  re-enlisted  in 
the  17th  111.  Cavalry,  and  served  to  the  close  of  the  war.  Residence  in 
1885,  Antioch,  111. 

Henry  F.  Jones. — Age  21 ;  born  in  England;  enlisted  from  Waukegan; 
m."  o.  with  Regiment.  Died  at  Oak  Park,  111.,  March  30,  1878. 

George  Johnson. — Age  40;  born  in  England;  enlisted  March  22,  1865; 
transferred  to  Company  "G,"  21st  111.,  June  10,  1865,  and  finally  m.  o. 
Dec.  16,  1865.  Resided  on  a  farm  near  Wauconda,  111.,  in  1885. 

Henry  Kern. — Age  26 ;  American  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Fremont ; 
while  the  steamer  which  conveyed  the  command  from  Louisville  to 
Nashville  was  being  loaded  he  was  in  the  hold,  assisting  to  stow  away  the 
goods,  when  the  corner  of  a  mess-chest  struck  him  in  the  groin,  injuring 
him  so  that  he  was  forced  to  go  to  hospital  at  Nashville;  was  discharged 
from  the  service  May  11,  1863.  In  1885  is  keeping  a  hotel  at  Liberty- 
vine,  111. 

i 

Joshua  King.— Enlisted  from  Newport;  sent  home  from  Rockford 
sick  and  dropped  from  rolls. 

James  Kenty.— English;  enlisted  in  Scott  Co.,  Ky.,  Nov.  1,  1862. 
Had  been  in  Confederate  service;  transferred  to  21st  111.,  June  10,  1865, 
and  finally  discharged  Nov.  3,  1865.  Residence  in  1885,  Elizabeth,  Jo 
Daviess  Co.,  111. 

Wm.  McClellan. — Age  21;  born  in  Wisconsin  ;  farmer;  enlisted  from 
Newport ;  captured  with  Company  Sept.  22,  1863,  and  died  at  Annapolis, 
Md.,  May  6,  1864,  just  after  being  released  from  Rebel  prison. 

James  McBride. — Age  30;  born  in  Ireland;  enlisted  from  Fremont; 
farmer;  was  sick  and  sent  to  hospital,  and  subsequently  transferred 
to  the  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  serving  there  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
Residence  in  1885,  Milo,  Lincoln  Co.,  Kansas. 

v  William  Moriey. — Age  24;  born  in  England;  wagon-maker;  detailed 

j  in  Pioneer  Corps  in  April,  1863,  and  transferred  to  First  Regiment  U.  S. 

jj  Veteran  Engineers,  Aug.  25, 1864,  serving  to  the  close  of  the  war  with  that 

ty  command.     Residence  in  1885,  Antioch,  111. 

David  J.  Minto. — Age  20;  born  in  New  York;  farmer;  was  seriously 
ill  for  some  weeks  in  the  first  winter  and  spring  of  the  Regiment's 
service,  and  was  discharged  for  disability  April  11,  1863.  Is  a  model 
citizen,  and  in  1885  resides  on  his  farm  in  Antioch.  P.  O.  address, 
Millburn,  111. 

William  McCreadie. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Scotland  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Avon  :  after  participating  in  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  was 
captured  with  the  Company  Sept.  22,  1863,  and  died  in  Andersonville 
prison,  June  4,  1864. 


750  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

Watson  Markley. — Age  21;  born  in  England;  served  with  regimental 
pioneers  much  of  the  time;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Residence  in  1885, 
Minneapolis,  Kansas. 

Loughlin  Madden. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Ireland ;  enlisted  from  New. 
port;  captured  with  Company  Sept.  22,  1863,  and  died  in  prison. 

Frank  Milheiser. — Age  46;  born  in  Germany;  laborer;  enlisted  from 
Waukegan.  At  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  June  9, 1864,  was  slightly  wounded  in 
arm;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Residence  in  1885,  Appleton,  Wis.  Had  two 
sons  in  other  regiments. 

Marshall  Newton. — Age  34;  born  in  England;  laborer;  enlisted  from 
Fremont;  deserted  Jan.  27,  1863. 

Henry  C.  Payne. — Age  18;  born  in  Fremont,  Illinois;  enlisted  from 
Fremont.  At  Chickamauga  had  two  guns  shattered  in  his  hands,  and 
was  conspicuous  for  his  bravery  all  through  that  terrible  battle;  captured 
Sept.  22,  1863,  with  his  Company;  and  died  in  prison  hospital  at  Danville, 
Va.,  Jan.  6,  1864,  was  a  brother  of  Sergeant  Payne,  who  was  mortally 
wounded  at  Kenesaw  Mountain. 

Charles  Phillips. — Age  31;  born  in  Cazenovia,  Madison  Co.,  New 
York;  enlisted  from  Fremont;  detailed  in  Pioneer  Corps,  April  7,  1863, 
and  transferred  to  First  Regiment  U.  S.  Veteran  Engineers,  Aug.  25, 
1864,  serving  with  that  command  to  the  close  of  the  war.  Was  County 
Treasurer  of  Lake  County,  111.,  from  1873  to  1877;  elected  Circuit  Clerk 
in  1880  and  re-elected  in  1884.  P.  O.  address,  Waukegan,  111. 

William  F.  Rider. — Age  31  ;  born  in  Lockport,  N.  Y.,  baker ;  en- 
listed from  Lake  Forest ;  discharged  for  disability  April  5,  1863.  Re- 
sidence in  1885,  3021  Calumet  Avenue,  Chicago  ;  is  a  contractor  and 
builder. 

Hugo  Rodenberger. — Born  in  Germany ;  enlisted  from  Newport : 
captured  with  Company  Sept.  22,  1863,  and  died  at  Andersonville  prison, 
June  4,  1864. 

Jonathan  Smith. — Age  29;  American;  carpenter;  enlisted  from  Ela; 
was  with  regimental  hospital  much  of  the  time  as  cook  and  nurse;  m.  o. 
with  Regiment.  Died  at  Jesup,  Iowa,  in  1883. 

Henry  Schnell. — German;  enlisted  from  Fremont;  died  in  hospital  at 
Nashville,  Tenn.,  in  the  spring  of  1863,  just  after  being  transferred  to 
the  Veteran  Reserve  Corps, 

Henry  Sneesby. — Age  20 ;  English  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Warren 
township.  Was  wounded  in  face  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Ga.,  June  21, 
1864;  served  through  and  was  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Residence  in  1885 
Willard,  Pope  Co.,  Minnesota. 

John  Shatswell. — Age  17  ;  born  in  Illinois  ;  enlisted  from  Antioch; 
discharged  March  11,  1863,  to  enlist  in  Mississippi  Marine  Brigade,  where 


.ROSTER  OF  COMPANT  C.  751 

he  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.    In  1885  resides  on  a  farm  at  Doon, 
Lyon  Co.,  Iowa. 

Charles  Sammons. — Age  14,  and  probably  the  youngest  enlisted  man 
in  the  Regiment ;  born  in  Chicago,  111.,  March  22,  1848 ;  enlisted  from 
Antioch.  Was  with  the  Regiment  most  of  the  time,  but  escaped  wounds; 
m.  o.  with  command.  In  1885  was  a  locomotive  engineer.  P.  O.  address, 
Toyah,  Texas. 

Benjamin  Shumerski. — Age  20;  enlisted  from  Newport;  sent  home 
from  Rockford  sick,  being  dropped  from  the  rolls,  and  died  in  1864. 

Joseph  Savage. — Age  25;  born  in  New  York;  enlisted  from  Antioch; 
farmer;  was  captured  with  Company  Sept.  22, 1863,  and  a  prisoner  of  war 
until  near  the  close  of  service.  In  1885  was  proprietor  of  a  pleasant  sum- 
mer resort  at  Antioch,  111. 

Charles  Sturm. — Age 23;  German;  farmer;  enlisted  from  Ela;  fought 
bravely  at  Chickamauga,  but  was  captured  with  Company  Sept.  22,  1863, 
and  died  at  Andersonville  prison,  Nov.  28,  1864. 

Jerry  Savage. — Age  20;  American;  enlisted  from  Avon;  transferred 
to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  where  he  served  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
P.  O.  address  in  1885,  Antioch,  111. 

Henry  H.  Swan. — Age  21;  American;  farmer;  enlisted  from  Fremont; 
died  from  the  after  effects  of  measles,  in  hospital  at  Danville,  Ky.,  Dec. 
3,  1862.  The  first  death  in  the  Company. 

Joseph  Schweri. — Age  37;  German;  tailor;  enlisted  from  Newport; 
had  a  bullet  through  his  cartridge  box  at  Chickamauga,  but  escaped 
wounds;  captured  Sept.  22,  1863,  with  Company,  and  was  a  prisoner  of 
war  considerably  more  than  a  year.  Rejoined  command  in  spring  of 
1865,  and  was  present  at  final  m.  o.  Residence  in  1885,  Waukegan,  111. 

Michael  Umbdenstock. — Age  17;  born  in  France,  but  came  to  America 
when  six  months  old;  enlisted  from  Ela,  Oct.  6,  1862,  two  days  before  the 
Regiment  left  for  the  front;  had  typhoid  fever  at  Franklin,  Tenn.,  in  the 
summer  of  1863,  but  rejoined  the  Regiment  in  time  to  participate  in  the 
battle  of  Chickamauga,  where  he  was  severely  wounded  in  the  right  arm; 
was  sent  to  hospital  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  transferred  to  New  Albany,  Ind. ; 
on  detached  service  in  a  Government  printing  office,  until  close  of  the 
war.  Is  borne  on  rolls  as  transferred  to  21st  111.,  at  m.  o.  of  the  Regi- 
ment, but  as  a  matter  of  fact,  was  discharged  at  Louisville,  Kyr,  May  16, 
1865,  and  came  home  with  Regiment.  Has  since  worked  at  printing,  and 
for  twelve  years  prior  to  1885  in  business  for  himself;  now  of  the  Globe 
Lithographing  and  Printing  Company,  M.  Umbdenstock  &  Co. ;  office,'  134 
Madison  St.,  Chicago;  works  at  560-562  Market  St.,  Chicago. 

Nelson  C.  West. — Age  34  ;  American  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from  Fre- 
mont; was  taken  sick  early  in  his  term  of  service,  and  discharged  for 
disability,  Feb.  25,  1864.  Never  fully  regained  his  health,  and  died,  as  is 


752  HISTORY  OF  THE  96rm  KEGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

believed,  from  the  effects  of  his  army  service,  at  Lewiston,  N.  Y.,  June 
29,  1884. 

Chase  E.  Webb. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Ithaca,  N.  Y. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Antioch  ;  served  as  teamster  a  portion  of  the  time  ;  m.  o.  with  Regi- 
ment ;  has  been  a  successful  farmer  and  stock  dealer  since  the  war  ;  lias 
repeatedly  represented  the  township  of  Avon  in  the  Board  of  Supervisors, 
and  in  1886  was  elected  Sheriff  of  Lake  County;  residence,  Waukegan,  III. 

Charles  W.  White.— Age  30  ;  born  in  Erie  County,  N.  Y. ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Waukegan ;  was  in  many  engagements,  but  escaped 
wounds  ;  m.  o.  with  the  Regiment ;  is  farming  at  Forestville,  Allamakee 
County,  Iowa. 

Joseph  C.  Whitney. — Age  29;  born  in  Oswego,  N.  Y. ;  farmer;  en- 
listed from  Ela  ;  was  with  Regimental  hospital  much  of  the  time  and  did. 
valuable  service  to  many  a  sick  or  wounded  member  of  the  command  ; 
mustered  out  with  Regiment.  Is  a  prosperous  farmer  at  Lake  Zurich,  111. 

William  G.  Walmsley. — Age  24  ;  born  in  England  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Wauconda  ;  deserted  Feb.  6,  1863. 

John  White. — Age  36  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  stone-mason  ;  enlisted  from 
Newport,  Oct.  4,  1864,  joining  the  Company  at  Nashville,  just  before  the 
battle  of  Dec.  15  and  16,  1864,  in  which  he  participated.  At  m.  o.  of 
Regiment  was  transferred  to  Company  G,  21st  111.,  and  sent  to  Texas  ; 
was  finally  discharged  Oct.  10, 1865.  In  1885  was  farming  in  Newport,  111, 
P.  O.  address,  Cypress,  Wis. 

NOTE.— The  sketch  and  roster  of  Company  C,  except  the  last  page, 
was  prepared  in  1885,  when  the  work  of  writing  this  book  was  first  under- 
taken, and  at  once  stereotyped.  Several  responses  to  requests  for  infor- 
mation have  since  been  received  ;  but  it  being  impracticable  to  change 
the  stereotyped  forms,  the  sketches  have  been  allowed  to  remain  as  first 
written.  A  few  notes  may  be  added,  as  follows  : 

Captain  Loughlin  has  changed  his  residence  to  336  South  Oakley 
Avenue,  Chicago. 

Ellis  L.  Schooley  is  at  San  Diago,  California. 

Sergeant  Edward  Murray  has  removed  to  Waukegan,  111. 

Corporal  John  J.  Swazy  is  manufacturing  soap  at  Courtland,  Sacra- 
mento County,  California. 

The  fate  of  Orange  M.  Ayers  has  been  more  definitely  learned,  and  is 
given  in  one  of  the  prison  chapters. 

John  H.  Ehlers  is  at  Syracuse,  Nebraska. 

Timothy  Finley  is  at  Mount  Sterling,  Crawford  County,  Wis. 

j'ames  Kenty  is  at  Stockton,  Rooks  County,  Kansas. 

Frank  Millheiser  committed  suicide  at  Appleton,  Wisconsin,  in 
August,  1886. 

Charles  Sammons  is  at  Big  Springs,  Texas. 


COMPANY  D. 


\V.  V.  SMITH. 
ALBERT  BARNEY. 
AUSTIN  E.  LOTT. 


Capt.  W.  W.  HASTINGS 

dipt.  A.  X.  BLODGETT. 

Lieut.  M.  DEVLIN. 


t':l))t.  .1.  11.  CDI.I.IKU. 
•  IilIIN    SwiMlKLI.S. 

1.  M.  DOUGLAS. 


SKETCH  or  COMPANY  D.  753 


CHAPTER   XLIV. 


COMPANY     D. 

How  the  Company  was  Recruited — Headquarters  in  Waukegan — The 
Millburn  Ladies'  Supper — Officers  and  Soldiers — Beechwood  Battery 
—  A  Trip  to  Camp  Chase  —  Deaths  and  Promotions  —  Eight  Men 
Killed  —  The  Wounded  —  The  Recruits— Company  Statistics  — Bio- 
graphical. 

ABOUT  the  middle  of  July,  1862,  A.  Z.  Blodgett,  then 
station  agent  and  telegraph  operator  at  Waukegan,  received  a 
recruiting  commission  from  Governor  Yates,  and,  with  the 
cooperation  of  leading  citizens  and  business  men,  undertook 
the  work  of  enrolling  a  sufficient  number  of  men  to  form  a 
Company.  A  war  meeting  was  held  on  Saturday  evening, 
July  19,  and  also  on  the  following  Monday  evening,  at  each 
of  which  several  men*  enlisted'.  .''ftec^tjiftiig  continued,  and 
early  in  August  more  than  the  full  number  was  secured,  and 
there  was  quite  an  overflow  into  other  Companies.  The  formal 
organization  was  made  Saturday,  August  9.  There  was  little 
or  no  contest  over  the  election  of  officers,  A.  Z.  Blodgett 
being  chosen  Captain,  C.  A.  Montgomery  First  Lieutenant, 
and  W.  W.  Hastings  Second  Lieutenant.  As  finally  made 
up  there  were  about  forty  men  from  the  township  of  Antioch, 
twenty-six  from  Waukegan,  a  dozen  from  Newport,  seven 
from  Warren,  six  from  Avon,  four  from  Goodale,  and  a  few 
from  other  townships  ;  Antioch,  Waukegan  and  Newport  pro- 
viding most  of  the  men,  however.  The  Company  was  in- 
spected and  mustered  on  Friday,  August  29,  by  a  surgeon 
and  a  Regular  Army  officer.  Headquarters  was  established 
at  the  Waukegan  House,  and  such  as  chose  to  do  so  remained 
there.  A  majority  of  the  men  continued  at  their  usual  avoca- 
tions until  the  order  to  proceed  to  Kockford,  to  enter  the 
camp  of  instruction.  There  was  active  drilling  at  the  race 
track  and  on  the  public  square  during  the  last  days  at  the 
48 


754  HISTORY  OF  THE  96™  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

county  seat.  Each  of  the  soldiers  was  the  recipient  of  a 
"housewife,"  presented  by  the  ladies,  and  all  were  made  to 
feel  that  they  had  the  best  wishes  of  the  patriotic  people  of 
the  county,  for  citizens  vied  with  each  other  in  their  efforts  to 
minister  to  their  comfort  while  in  Waukegan.  On  Saturday, 
August  30,  the  ladies  of  Millburn  provided  an  elegant  supper 
for  the  members  of  the  Company,  the  occasion  being  as 
pleasant  as  it  was  possible  to  make  it,  with  the  thought  upper- 
most in  the  minds  of  all  that  the  guests  were  going  upon  a 
hazardous  undertaking. 

On  the  morning  of  their  departure  for  Rockford  the  list  of 
non-commissioned  officers,  as  made  up  by  the  Captain  and 
Lieutenants,  was  announced,  as  follows  :  First  Sergeant, 
Theodore  F.  Clarkson  ;  Sergeants — John  H.  Collier,  Jerry  H. 
Linklater,  Cornelius  E.  Hartnett  and  George  G.  Ferguson  ; 
Corporals  —  John  Sluman,  Edmund  S.  Stevens,  Henry  W. 
Turk,  Worthy  S.  Taylor,  Henry  A.  Webb,  Isaac  M.  Douglas, 
Henry  J.  Ring,  Marion  R.  Brewster.  The  Company  pro- 
ceeded to  Rockford  September  5,  where  they  were  formally 
mustered,  with  the  other  Companies,  as  a  Regiment.  In  the 
casting  of  lots  for  position,  the  letter  "D"  was  drawn. 

Upon  arriving  at  Newport,  Ky.,  Company  D  was  detached 
from  the  Regiment  and  assigned  to  duty  at  Beechwood  Bat- 
tery, a  heavy  fort,  or  earthwork,  about  six  miles  from  Cincin- 
nati. There  they  remained  until  the  Regiment  moved,  when 
they  joined  the  detachment  under  Colonel  Champion  and 
went  into  quarters  at  Covington  Barracks.  Simultaneously 
with  the  movement  to  Covington,  fifty  men,  under  command 
of  Lieutenant  Montgomery,  were  sent  to  Camp  Chase,  Colum- 
bus, Ohio,  in  charge  of  a  large  number  of  Rebel  prisoners, 
leaving  at  ten  o'clock  p.  M.  and  arriving  at  Columbus  at  four 
o'clock  next  morning,  escorting  them  safely,  and  rejoining 
their  command  after  an  absence  of  three  days.  The  Company 
was  not  again  detached  from  the  Regiment,  except  for  skir- 
mish or  picket  duty,  during  its  entire  term  of  service. 

The  first  death  in  the  Company  occurred  at  Harrodsburg, 
Ky.,  where  John  Chope  died  in  hospital,  December  8,  1862. 
Richard  Wilton  died  at  Danville,  Ky.,  December  19,  1862  ; 


SKETCH  OF  COMPANY  D.  755 

First  Lieutenant  Caleb  A.  Montgomery,  at  Danville,  Ky., 
January  28,  1863  ;  Corporal  John  Sluraan,  at  Quincy,  111., 
February  18,  1863  ;  Miles  Jones,  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  April 
7,  1863  ;  William  D.  Sells,  at  Wartrace,  Tenn.,  July  30, 
1863  ;  Mason  C.  Beecher,  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  September 
27,  1863;  Arnold  Willett,  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  October  28, 
1863  ;  Andrew  Farrier,  at  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  December 
2,  1863  ;  John  E.  Dunmore,  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  July 
1,  1864.  These  were  all  of  the  deaths  from  disease  dur- 
ing the  period  in  which  the  Company  was  in  the  service, 
although  Henry  W.  Mitchell,  a  recruit,  died  at  New  Orleans, 
La.,  December  7,  1865,  after  being  transferred  to  Company  G, 
51st  Illinois. 

Upon  the  death  of  Lieutenant  Montgomery,  Second  Lieu- 
tenant Hastings  was  promoted  to  fill  the  vacancy,  and  Ser- 
geant Clarkson  became  Second  Lieutenant.  August  1,  1864, 
Captain  Blodgett  resigned,  having  been  disabled  for  field 
•duty  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga.  Lieutenant  Hastings  was 
then  promoted  to  Captain,  and  Second  Lieutenant  Clarkson  to 
First  Lieutenant.  The  Company  being  below  the  minimum 
number,  no  Second  Lieutenant  was  appointed  at  the  time.  In 
May,  1865,  Captain  Hastings  resigned,  being  disabled  by  a 
wound  received  at  the  battle  of  Resaca,  and  Lieutenant  Clark- 
son  was  promoted  to  Captain.  Sergeant  Linklater  was  pro- 
moted to  First  Lieutenant,  and  on  June  8,  ]865,  Sergeant 
Michael  Devlin  was  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant.  Thus 
the  Company  had  three  different  Captains  and  six  different 
commissioned  officers.  In  December,  1863,  Sergeant  Collier 
was  commissioned  Lieutenant  in  a  colored  regiment,  and  sub- 
sequently rose  to  the  rank  of  Captain.  Two  men  were  pro- 
moted to  the  non-commissioned  staff,  viz. :  Wallace  B.  Gage, 
who  was  appointed  Principal  Musician,  and  Sergeant  George 
Ferguson,  who  was  appointed  Hospital  Steward,  and  subse- 
quently became  First  Lieutenant  of  Company  H.  Thirty-one 
different  men  were  non-commissioned  officers  in  the  Company. 

The  battle  casualties  were  numerous,  eight  men  being 
killed  in  action  and  thirty-six  others  receiving  wounds  more 
or  less  severe,  the  total  number  of  wounds — including  the 


756  HISTORY  OF  THE  96rm  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

eight  killed  —  aggregating  forty-five.  Six  members  of  the 
Company  were  prisoners  of  war.  Those  killed  in  action  were  : 
Worthy  S.  Taylor,  near  Camp  Denison,  Ohio,  July  14,  1863, 
where  he,  with  others,  sought  to  resist  the  advance  of  the 
famous  raiders  under  the  lead  of  Gen.  John  Morgan  ;  Ser- 
geant Isaac  Quigley,  Sergeant  William  W.  McKey,  Corporal 
Elisha  Haggart,  Elias  Hosley  and  James  Rich,  at  Chicka- 
mauga,  and  Louis  Brochon  and  Philip  R.  Clawson,  at  Kene- 
saw Mountain.  It  is  notable  that  none  are  reported  "died  of 
wounds,"  the  mortal  wounds  in  every  instance  proving  almost 
immediately  fatal. 

At  Chickamauga,  in  addition  to  the  five  mentioned  as 
killed,  seventeen  were  wounded.  Captain  A.  Z.  Blodgett  was 
struck  in  the  shoulder  by  a  bullet  on  Friday  evening,  but  not 
entirely  disabled.  On  Sunday  afternoon  he  was  seriously 
injured  by  the  falling  of  a  tree-top  which  had  been  torn  off  by 
a  cannon  shot,  and  compelled  to  leave  his  command.  Lieut. 
Clarkson  was  terribly  wounded  by  an  exploding  shell,  his 
jaw  being  fractured  and  his  neck  and  face  badly  lacerated. 
He  was  supposed  by  his  comrades  to  have  been  killed,  but 
while  being  carried  to  the  rear  he  regained  consciousness  and 
eventually  recovered,  although  it  was  many  months  before  he 
rejoined  the  command.  First  Sergeant  John  H.  Collier  had  a 
severe  wound  through  the  thigh,  which  disabled  him  for  sev- 
eral months.  Corporal  Charles  Ellis  was  slightly  wounded  in 
the  leg,  and  Corporal  Orson  V.  Young  in  the  foot,  but  neither 
of  them  left  the  field  until  the  battle  closed.  Corporal  Edward 
Rix  was -wounded  in  the  head,  but  not  long  disabled.  Joseph 
A.  Roth  was  shot  in  the  hand,  and  H.  G.  Levagood  in  the 
arm.  Edmund  S.  Stevens  was  severely  bruised  by  a  fragment 
of  shell,  but  kept  on  fighting  until  shot  through  the  side.  He 
was  left  for  dead  upon  the  battle-field,  and  his  name  placed 
upon  the  list  of  killed,  but  eight  days  afterward  was  brought 
inside  the  Union  lines  at  Chattanooga.  He  partially  recov- 
ered, but  was  not  again  able  for  field  service.  John  Swindells 
had  his  left  hand  split  by  a  piece  of  shell,  the  index  finger 
being  badly  stiffened  and  out  of  line.  The  wound  was  an 
ugly  one  and  disabled  him  for  farther  service,  but  he  was 


SKETCH  OF  COMPANY  D.  757 

afterward  on  duty  as  a  nurse  in  hospital.  William  Sabin  had 
his  left  thigh  badly  lacerated,  and  is  still  lame.  Alza  Stewart 
was  severely  wounded  in  the  thigh,  and  long  disabled.  Rob- 
ert E.  Stanley  was  wounded  in  the  face,  James  T.  Guppy  on 
the  hand,  and  Jacob  Yan  Patten  on  the  knee  and  breast, — 
none  of  the  latter  seriously.  John  C.  Thompson  had  a  knee- 
cap displaced  while  climbing  a  fence  on  the  march  from  the 
left  to  the  right  of  the  battle-field.  Eli  Tha}rer  was  stunned 
by  a  bullet,  and  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  His  inju- 
ries being  slight  he  was  sent  to  Richmond,  and  thence  to 
Andersonville  and  Florence,  and  is  supposed  to  have  died  at 
the  latter  place.  At  the  close  of  the  battle  Sergeant  Linklater 
was  in  command  of  the  Company,  all  officers  above  him  in 
rank  having  been  disabled.  The  Company  may  claim  the 
honor  of  holding  the  battle-field  that  Sunday  night,  as  James 
T.  Guppy,  becoming  separated  from  his  command  and  being 
exhausted  from  fatigue,  lay  down  with  the  dead  and  wounded 
all  about  him  and  slept  until  morning,  when  he  awoke  to  find 
that  the  Union  forces  had  retired  the  night  before.  He  then 
took  his  musket  and  fell  back  to  Rossville  unmolested. 

October  29,  1863,  the  Regiment,  with  other  troops,  being 
sent  to  reinforce  Gen.  Hooker  at  Wauhatchie,  a  Rebel  shell 
made  some  havoc  in  the  Company,  exploding  and  very  seri- 
ously injuring  George  S.  Shaw.  Corporal  D.  G.  Stewart, 
Walter  Crapo  and  Henry  J.  Ring  were  also  harmed,  but  none 
so  seriously  as  to  compel  them  to  leave  the  command.  At 
Rocky  Face  Ridge,  May  9,  1864,  Frank  Rahling  was  slightly 
wounded  on  the  knee.  At  Resaca,  May  14,  1864,  Lieutenant 
Hastings  was  severely  wounded  in  the  foot,  Corporal  Charles 
Pepperd  in  the  hand,  Aralzeman  Stanley  in  the  right  thigh, 
and  William  Fleming  in  the  breast.  June  18,  1864,  while 
attempting  to  relieve  the  skirmish  line  after  dark,  Sergeant 
Michael  Devlin  and  Albert  Barney  got  beyond  the  lines  and 
were  captured,  both  enduring  a  long  imprisonment.  In  the 
battle  of  Kenesaw  Mountain,  June  20,  1864,  Philip  R.  Claw- 
son  and  Lewis  Brochon  were  killed,  Corporal  Alex.  R.  Thain 
•was  wounded  in  the  leg,  Abner  L.  Chandler  in  the  body,  Peter 
Melindy  in  the  leg  and  James  McCann  in  the  leg.  Next  day 


758  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

Charles  Spaulding  was  severely  wounded  in  the  thigh,  being 
disabled  for  further  service,  and  Dominick  Burke  was  seriously 
cut  across  the  forehead  and  cheek,  but  not  long  disabled.  At 
Peach  Tree  Creek,  July  20,  George  Deedrich  was  wounded 
in  the  leg.  Near  Atlanta,  August  2,  Henry  M.  Williams  was 
captured,  in  rear  of  the  lines,  by  some  Rebel  scouts,  and  was 
a  prisoner  of  war  until  the  spring  of  1865.  In  a  demonstra- 
tion before  Atlanta,  August  19,  1864,  Corporal  Frank  Fepperd 
was  wounded  on  the  right  hand  ;  at  Lovejoy  Station,  Septem- 
ber 2,  1864,  Charles  Hawkins  was  also  wounded  on  the  hand, 
and  at  Franklin,  November  30,  1864,  Fred  Worth  was 
wounded,  likewise  in  the  hand,  but  none  of  the  three  were 
disabled.  At  Franklin,  November  30,  1864,  Albert  Paddock 
was  captured,  remaining  a  prisoner  of  war  until  the  spring 
of  1865. 

During  its  term  of  service  thirteen  recruits  joined  the 
Company,  making  a  total  membership,  from  first  to  last,  of 
111.  In  all,  nineteen  died  or  were  killed,  eighteen  were 
transferred  to  other  commands,  thirty-three  were  discharged 
from  hospitals,  two  deserted,  and  thirty-nine  returned  home 
with  the  Regiment.  About  eighty  were  farming  before  the 
war.  Of  those  still  living  at  the  time  this  chapter  is  written 
about  thirty  are  in  agricultural  pursuits.  The  average  age  at 
enlistment  was  twenty-six  years,  and  the  average  of  those 
present  at  the  final  muster-out  was  but  a  fraction  of  a  year 
more,  although  nearly  three  years  had  passed. 

The  Company  did  its  full  part  in  keeping  up  the  high 
standard  of  the  Regiment  in  soldierly  deportment  and  courage. 
The  following  is 

THE  COMPANY  ROSTER. 

Captain  Asiel  Z.  Blodgett. — Age  25  ;  born  in  DuPage  County,  111.  -T 
Station  Agent  and  telegraph  operator ;  enlisted  from  Waukegan.  Was 
elected  Captain  at  the  organization  of  the  Company.  At  Chickamauga, 
was  wounded  in  the  left  shoulder  on  Friday  evening,  while  advancing 
the  skirmish  line,  but  did  not  leave  the  command,  remaining  until  Sun- 
day, when  he  was  disabled  by  the  falling  of  a  heavy  limb  of  a  tree  which 
had  been  torn  off  by  the  artillery  and  dropped  directly  in  the  Company  ; 
the  principal  injury  was  to  his  back,  and  is  still  quite  serious,  prostrating 
him  at  times.  He  returned  to  his  command  in  a  few  months  after  receiv- 


HOSTER  OF  COMPANY  D.  759 

ing  the  injury,  but  was  unable  to  endure  the  exposures  of  the  campaign, 
and  reluctantly  resigned  August  1,  1864.  Has  since  been  Mayor  of  the 
city  of  Waukegan  several  terms,  and  is  still  occupying  the  position  of 
Station  Agent  at  Waukegan  which  he  left  to  enter  the  service.  Is  also 
engaged  in  importing  and  selling  fine  stock,  having  handled  many  hun- 
dreds of  valuable  Clydesdale  horses  and  Galloway  cattle  in  recent  years. 

Captain  Walter  W.  Hastings.— Age  22  ;  born  in  Cuyahoga  County, 
N.  Y. ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from  Antioch  ;  elected  Second  Lieutenant  at  the 
organization  of  the  Company  ;  promoted  to  First  Lieutenant  Jan.  30, 
1863 ;  and  to  Captain  Aug.  1,  1864 ;  had  previously  served  for  three 
months  in  the  12th  Illinois  ;  at  the  battle  of  Resaca,  Qa.,  May  14,  1864, 
was  severely  wounded  in  left  foot,  and  disabled  for  six  months  or  more  ; 
jn  fact,  was  never  again  fit  for  field  service,  but  was  assigned  to  duty  at 
Nashville  in  December,  1864,  remaining  on  detached  service  until  May  11, 
1865,  when  he  resigned  because  of  continued  disability.  His  wound  con- 
tinues to  trouble  him.  For  a  few  years  past  has  been  a  carpenter  and 
builder  at  Dixon,  111. 

Captain  Theodore  F.  Clarkson.— Age  26  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  photo- 
grapher ;  enlisted  from  Waukegan ;  appointed  First  Sergeant  at  the 
organization  of  the  Company  ;  promoted  to  Second  Lieutenant  Jan.  30, 
1863  ;  to  First  Lieutenant,  Aug.  1,  1864 ;  and  to  Captain,  May  11,  1865. 
At  Chickainauga,  Sept.  20,  1863,  was  very  severely  wounded  on  the  head 
and  face  by  a  fragment  of  shell,  the  injury  being  so  serious  as  to  entirely 
disable  him  for  many  months.  After  his  partial  recovery  he  was  assigned 
to  duty  as  a  military  conductor  on  the  Louisville  &  Nashville  Railroad, 
but  returned  to  the  Company  before  the  close  of  the  Atlanta  campaign, 
serving  with  it  most  of  the  time  until  the  close  of  the  war  ;  mustered  out 
with  Regiment.  Following  his  return  home  he  was  in  poor  health  much 
of  the  time  for  some  months,  developing  Bright's  disease, — his  friends 
believe  as  a  direct  result  of  his  army  service  — and  died  at  Waukegan, 
111.,  July  1,  1876. 

Captain  John  H.  Collier. — Age  18 ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Antioch  ;  appointed  Sergeant  at  organization  of  the  Com- 
pany ;  promoted  to  First  Sergeant  Jan.  30,  1863 ;  at  Chickamauga,  was 
severely  wounded  in  the  left  thigh,  and  was  disabled  for  six  months  ; 
discharged  Dec.  26,  1863,  for  promotion  to  Second  Lieutenant  in  12th 
U.  S.  C.  I.,  and  subsequently  promoted  to  First  Lieutenant  and  to  Cap- 
tain. Was  in  numerous  engagements,  and  was  wounded  in  left  arm  at 
the  battle  of  Nashville,  Dec.  15,  1863,  but  not  disabled  ;  finally  mustered 
out  in  January,  1866.  Has  served  three  terms  in  the  Illinois  Legislature  ; 
is  a  hardware  merchant  at  Gibson  City,  111. 

First  Lieutenant  Caleb  A.  Montgomery. — Age  36  ;  born  in  Richland 
County,  Ohio ;  merchant  and  miller ;  enlisted  from  Waukegan  ;  was 
elected  First  Lieutenant  at  the  organization  of  the  Company.  In  Decem- 
ber, 1862,  while  the  command  was  in  Kentucky,  he  was  detailed  on  the 


760  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

staff  of  the  Brigade  commander  as  Acting  Quarter  Master.     He  was 
taken  with  inflammation  of  the  bowels  at  Danville,  Ky.,  dying  Jan.  28, 

1863,  after  an  illness  of  a  few  days.     He  was  from  the  first  one  of  the  most 
popular  officers  in  the  Regiment,  and  his  death  created  a  profound  sensa- 
tion in  the  ranks.    His  wife  attended  him  during  the  last  days  of  his  ill- 
ness,  and  accompanied  his  remains  to  Waukegan,   where  they  were 
interred. 

First  Lieutenant  J.  H.  Linklater. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Scotland  ;  printer 
in  Gazette  office  ;  enlisted  from  Waukegan  ;  was  appointed  Third  Ser- 
geant at  the  organization  of  the  Company  ;  promoted  to  First  Sergeant 
Dec.  26,  1863,  and  to  First  Lieutenant  May  27,  1865.  At  Chickamauga 
his  hat  was  shot  through,  and  a  bullet  cut  the  strap  of  his  haversack.  At 
Resaca  a  bullet  passed  through  his  coat  sleeve  ;  was  never  absent  from 
the  command  except  for  a  short  time  when  the  Regiment  was  at  Danville, 
Ky.,  when  he  was  detailed  as  Sergeant  of  Orderlies  at  Brigade  Head- 
quarters, and  for  a  few  days  in  the  autumn  of  1863  when  he  was  sick 
from  ague  contracted  at  Moccasin  Point.  Participated  in  every  skirmish 
and  battle  except  Lookout  Mountain.  Mustered  out  with  Regiment.  Is 
with  The  J.  M.  W.  Jones  Stationery  and  Printing  Company,  corner  of 
Dearborn  and  Monroe  Streets,  Chicago.  Residence,  1314  West  Van 
Buren  Street. 

First  Lieutenant  George  G.  Ferguson. — Age  43  ;  born  in  Scotland  ; 
enlisted  from  Waukegan  ;  appointed  Fourth  Sergeant  at  organization  of 
the  Company  ;  promoted  to  Hospital  Steward  May  14,  1863,  and  to  First 
Lieutenant  of  Company  H  to  date  Oct.  1,  1863,  but  not  mustered  until 
Oct.  1,  1864.  Resides  at  Waukegan,  111.  (See  Roster  of  Co.  H.) 

Second  Lieutenant  Michael  Devlin. — Age  23;  born  in  Ireland;  farmer; 
enlisted  from  Newport  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  March  1,  1863  ;  to  Ser- 
geant, Sept.  20,  1863  ;  and  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  June  8, 
1865  ;  participated  with  the  Regiment  in  all  of  its  engagements  until  June 
18,  1864,  when  he,  with  Albert  Barney,  of  the  same  Company,  was  cap- 
tured while  relieving  the  picket  line  at  night  as  the  army  was  approach- 
ing Kenesaw  Mountain  ;  had  a  severe  experience  as  a  prisoner  of  war, 
being  confined  at  Andersonville  and  Florence  ;  finally  escaping  to  the 
Union  lines,  near  Wilmington,  N.  C.,  in  February,  1865 ;  rejoined  the 
command  in  the  following  spring  and  was  m.  o.  with  Regiment ;  is  em- 
ployed in  the  commission  house  of  Marshfield  &  Nickerson,  243  South 
Water  Street,  Chicago  ;  residence,  146  Aberdeen  Street,  Chicago. 

First  Sergeant  Charles  Ellis. — Age  41  ;  born  in  Manchester,  England  ; 
cabinet  maker ;  enlisted  from  Waukegan  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  in 
March,  1863;  to  Sergeant  Sept.  21, 1863,  and  to  First  Sergeant  May  27, 1865  ; 
was  never  absent  from  command  except  for  two  months  in  the  spring  of 

1864,  owing  to  illness  of  family  ;  participated  in  every  engagement  of  the 
Regiment,  except  Rocky  Face  Ridge  ;  was  slightly  wounded  in  the  leg  at 
Chickamauga,  but  not  disabled ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment ;  is  a  janitor  at  116 
E.  Monroe  Street,  Chicago. 


KOSTER  OF  COMPANY  D.  761 

Sergeant  Cornelius  E.  Hartnett. — Age  29 ;  born  in  New  York  City  ; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Millburn  ;  appointed  Fourth  Sergeant  at  the  organi- 
zation of  the  Company  ;  was  ruptured  on  the  severe  march  from  Danville 
toward  Lebanon  and  return,  Dec.  26  and  27,  1863,  and  disabled  thereby 
for  further  service;  discharged  at  Lexington,  Ky.,  April  15,  1863;  is  a 
carpenter  and  builder,  and  resides  at  Waukegan,  111. 

Sergeant  Edmund  S.  Stevens. — Age  27  ;  born  in  Batavia,  N.  Y.  ; 
printer  in  Gazette  office  ;  enlisted  from  Waukegan  ;  appointed  Corporal 
at  the  organization  of  the  Company  ;  promoted  to  Sergeant  Feb.  1,  1863  ; 
at  Chickamauga  was  wounded  by  a  piece  of  shell,  which  did  not  disable 
him,  and  later  by  a  bullet,  which  passed  through  the  left  lower  rib  and 
lodged  near  the  spine,  rendering  him  unconscious  for  several  hours,  so 
that  he  was  left  for  dead  upon  the  battle-field  ;  regaining  consciousness  he 
found  himself  a  prisoner  and  remained  in  the  enemy's  hands  eleven  days, 
when  he  was  paroled  and  taken  to  Chattanooga  and  afterward  to  hospi- 
tals farther  north.  He  was  subsequently  declared  exchanged  at  Colum- 
bus, Ohio,  and  for  a  time  detailed  in  a  Government  printing  office  at 
Nashville,  at  which  point  he  was  discharged  by  reason  of  the  close  of  the 
war,  May  15,  1865 ;  is  an  employing  job  printer  at  Parsons,  Labette 
County,  Kansas. 

Sergeant  Isaac  Quigley. — Age  35  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  carpenter  ;  enlisted 
from  Millburn  ;  had  previously  served  in  the  Regular  Army  ;  promoted  to 
Corporal  Feb.  10,  1863,  and  to  Sergeant  May  15,  1863 ;  was  mortally 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  Ga.,  Sept.  20,  1863,  dying  within 
a  day  or  two. 

Sergeant  William  W.  McKey. — Age  20  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  miller  ; 
•enlisted  from  Waukegan ;  promoted  to  Corporal  Feb.  20,  1863,  and  to 
:Sergeant  July  22, 1863 ;  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  Ga., 
Sept.  20,  1863. 

Sergeant  Orson  V.  Young. — Age  16  ;  born  in  Pennsylvania  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Newport ;  promoted  to  Corporal  May  15,  1863,  and  to  Ser- 
geant Jan.  1,  1864  ;  at  Chickamauga  was  wounded  on  the  heel  by  a  piece 
of  shell,  but  remained  with  the  command.  Although  one  of  the  youngest 
men  in  the  Company  he  was  never  absent  from  duty,  and  participated  in 
every  battle  and  skirmish  in  which  the  Regiment  was  engaged;  m.  o. 
with  the  Regiment ;  after  the  war  he  was  engaged  in  teaching  and  farm- 
ing for  a  time,  afterward  taking  up  the  study  of  medicine,  and  graduating 
from  Rush  Medical  College,  Chicago,  Feb.  22, 1882.  Is  a  physician  and 
surgeon  at  Rosecrans,  Lake  Co.,  111. 

Sergeant  Berzelus  O'Hara. — Age  41  ;  born  in  Jefferson  Co.,  N.  Y.  ; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  the  township  of  Warren  ;  promoted  to  Corporal 
.June  1,  1863,  and  to  Sergeant  July  1,  1864  ;  at  Chickamauga  had  his  haver- 
sack shot  off  ;  participated  in  nearly  every  engagement,  but  escaped 
^wounds  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment ;  is  farming  at  Oconto,  Wis. 


762  HISTORY  or  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

Sergeant  Charles  Pepperd. — Age  29 ;  born  in  England  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Avon  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  July  22, 1863,  and  to  Sergeant  in- 
May,  1865  ;  participated  in  almost  every  skirmish  and  battle  until  Resaca, 
when  he  was  wounded  in  the  left  hand  and  had  two  ribs  broken,  dis- 
abling him  for  two  months ;  returned  and  took  part  in  the  battles  of 
Franklin  and  Nashville  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment ;  is  farming  at  Odell,  111. 

Corporal  John  Sluman.— Age  31  ;  American  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Millburn  ;  appointed  Corporal  at  the  organization  of  the  Company  ;  died 
from  disease  in  hospital  at  Quincy,  111.,  Feb.  18,  1863. 

Corporal  Henry  W.  Turk. — Age  26  ;  born  in  England  ;  fanner ;  en- 
listed from  Newport ;  appointed  Corporal  at  the  organization  of  the 
Company  ;  was  sent  to  hospital  in  February,  1863,  being  first  at  Louisville, 
Ky.,  and  then  at  Quincy,  111.  ;  was  under  treatment  several  months  ;  re- 
covering was  assigned  to  duty  at  hospital  headquarters  as  acting  Com- 
missary Sergeant,  and  then  placed  in  charge  of  Medical  Purveyor's  guards 
at  Louisville,  where  he  remained  on  duty  until  m.  o.,  June  8,  1865  ;  was 
51  days  in  Kansas  militia  during  the  border  ruffian  troubles;  has  held 
numerous  township  offices,  and  is  a  prosperous  farmer  and  dairyman  at 
Washougal,  Washington  Territory. 

Corporal  Worthy  S.  Taylor. — Age  31  ;  American  ;  farmer ;  enlisted 
from  Antioch  ;  appointed  Corporal  at  the  organization  of  the  Company ; 
was  sent  to  hospital  because  of  sickness,  and  on  his  recovery  he,  with  a 
large  detail  of  convalescents,  was  sent  to  intercept  the  Rebel  General 
Morgan,  then  on  his  famous  raid  through  Southern  Ohio,  and  was  killed 
in  action  near  Camp  Denison,  Ohio,  July  14,  1863. 

Corporal  Henry  A.  Webb.— Age  24  ;  born  in  Otsego  Co.,  N.  Y.  ; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Antioch  ;  appointed  Corpocal  at  the  organization 
of  the  Company ;  subsequently  assigned  to  duty  with  the  Regimental 
Band,  for  a  time  ;  was  at  Chickamauga,  Resaca,  Lookout  Mountain  and 
some  of  the  engagements  on  the  Atlanta  campaign,  but  had  a  disease  of 
the  eyes  that  compelled  him  to  go  to  hospital ;  discharged  for  disability 
at  Mound  City,  111.,  March  8,  1865 ;  is  agent  for  the  American  White 
Bronze  Monument  Company,  and  resides  at  Aurora,  111. 

Corporal  Isaac  M.  Douglas. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Franklin  Co.,  N.  Y.  ; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Avon  ;  appointed  Corporal  at  the  organizatien  of 
the  Company,  but  was  subsequently  reduced  to  the  ranks  at  his  own 
request ;  was  seldom  absent  from  the  command,  and  was  always  a  faith- 
ful soldier  and  a  pleasant  companion  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment ;  is  farming 
in  the  town  of  Avon  ;  P.  O.  address,  Millburn,  111. 

Corporal  Marion  R.  Brewster. — Age  27  ;  born  in  Greene,  Chenango 
Co.,  N.  Y.  ;  farmer  and  teacher ;  enlisted  from  Benton  ;  was  appointed 
Eighth  Corporal  at  the  organization  of  the  Company  ;  his  health  failing 
he  was  discharged  April  6,  1863  ;  returning  home  he  never  fully  recov- 
ered, and  died  at  Evanston,  111.,  April  19,  1871,  leaving  a  widow  and  five 
children. 


ROSTEE  OF  COMPANY  D.  76& 

Corporal  Crofton  Crocker.  —Age  25  ;  American  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
the  township  of  Warren  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  Oct.  16,  1862 ;  deserted 
Feb.  1,  1863. 

Corporal  John  C.  Thompson. — Age  39 ;  born  in  Scotland  ;  mason  ; 
enlisted  from  the  township  of  Warren  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  May  1, 
1863  ;  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  in  climbing  a  fence,  he  sustained  a 
fracture  of  the  right  patella,  or  knee-pan,  which  partially  disabled  him 
all  through  the  remainder  of  his  term  of  service,  although  he  remained 
with  the  command  most  of  the  time  ;  at  the  same  battle  a  bullet  passed 
through  a  tin  cup  strapped  to  his  haversack  ;  the  injury  mentioned  still 
gives  him  much  trouble ;  is  engaged  in  orange  culture  at  Middleburg, 
Clay  Co.,  Florida. 

Corporal  Elisha  Haggart. — Age  25  ;  American  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Waukegan  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  May  15,  1863  ;  was  killed  at  the  battle 
of  Chickamauga,  being  the  first  man  killed  in  the  Regiment  in  that  ter- 
rible battle. 

Corporal  Edward  Rix. — Age  28  ;  born  in  England  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  township  of  Goodale  (now  Grant) ;  was  slightly  wounded  on  the 
head  at  Chickamauga,  being  unconscious  for  some  time  ;  had  bullet  pass 
through  his  clothing  in  an  engagement  near  Marietta,  Ga.,  was  promoted 
to  Corporal  in  July,  1863,  and  was  one  of  the  Color  Guard  from  March, 
1864,  until  the  close  of  the  war ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment ;  is  a  potter,  and 
resides  at  White  Hall,  Green  Co.,  111. 

Corporal  Daniel  G.  Stewart. — Age  29  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer  -r 
enlisted  from  Newport ;  promoted  to  Corporal  Feb.  3,  1864 ;  at  Chicka- 
mauga was  wounded  in  the  left  foot,  had  his  gun  stock  shattered  by  a 
bullet,  his  haversack  was  cut  off,  and  three  bullets  passed  through  his 
clothing ;  at  the  crossing  of  the  Tennessee  River  in  October,  1864,  was 
wounded  in  the  shoulder  by  a  piece  of  shell ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment  ;  is 
farming  at  Bellwood,  Butler  Co.,  Nebraska. 

Corporal  Alexander  R.  Thain. — Age  22  ;  born  in  Scotland  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Millbum  ;  appointed  Corporal  Feb.  4,  1864  ;  wounded  in 
the  leg  at  the  battle  of  Kenesaw  Mountain,  but  did  not  leave  the  com- 
mand ;  in  fact,  was  not  absent  from  the  command  during  its  entire  term* 
of  service,  and  participated  in  every  skirmish  and  battle  in  which  the- 
Regiment  was  engaged ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Following  the  war  he 
spent  some  years  in  school,  graduated  from  the  Chicago  Theological 
Seminary  and  entered  the  ministry  ;  is  now  pastor  of  the  First  Congre- 
gational Church  at  Galesburg,  111.,  where  he  has  been  located  for  nine 
years.  Is  the  author  of  Chapters  XII  and  XIII  of  this  work. 

Corporal  Frank  Pepperd. — Age  22  ;  born  in  England  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Antioch  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  June  23,  1864  ;  was  in  nearly  every 
engagement  with  the  Regiment,  and  was  wounded  in  the  right  hand  in 
the  demonstration  before  Atlanta,  Aug.  19.  1864,  but  not  disabled  ;  was 
a  brother  of  Sergeant  Charles  Pepperd  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment ;  is  farming 
at  Odell,  111. 


764  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

Corporal  James  McCann. — Age  17  ;  born  in  New  Albany,  N.  Y.  ; 
farmer ;  enlisted  from  Antioch  ;  was  almost  constantly  with  the  Regi- 
ment, and  was  promoted  to  Corporal  June  25,  1864  ;  at  Rocky  Face  Ridge 
a  bullet  passed  through  his  coat  collar,  and  at  Kenesaw  Mountain  he 
received  a  flesh  wound  in  the  leg,  but  was  not  long  disabled  ;  m.  o.  with 
Regiment ;  is  farming  near  Wadsworth,  111. 

Corporal  George  E.  Thayer.— Age  18  ;  born  in  Lake  County,  111.  ; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Avon ;  promoted  to  Corporal  June  25,  1864  ;  was 
wounded  in  the  hand  at  the  battle  of  Kenesaw  Mountain,  but  did  not 
leave  the  command  ;  was  in  hospital  at  Franklin,  Tenn.,  one  day,  but 
never  absent  from  the  command  at  any  other  time  ;  took  part  in  every 
engagement ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment  ;  is  a  prosperous  farmer,  and  also 
works  at  his  trade  as  a  mason.  P.  O.  address,  Gage's  Lake,  Lake  Co., 
111. 

Corporal  Fred  G.  Worth. — Age  22  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  farmer ;  en- 
listed from  the  township  of  Warren  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  May  27, 
1865  ;  had  stock  of  musket  shattered  in  his  hands  at  Rocky  Face  Ridge, 
was  slightly  wounded  on  the  side  of  head  and  had  a  bullet  through  his 
blanket  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  and  was  bruised  upon  the  hand  by  a  bullet 
at  Franklin  ;  was  absent  from  the  command  but  two  months,  and  was  in 
nearly  every  skirmish  and  battle  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment ;  is  a  prosperous 
farmer  at  Wadsworth,  111. 

Edward  Alexander. — Age  37  ;  American  ;  tailor  ;  enlisted  from  Wau- 
kegan ;  discharged  for  disability  March  20,  1868,  and  died  at  Waukegan, 
111.,  March  20,  1867. 

Mason  C.  Beecher. — Age  24  ;  American  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Antioch  ;  died  of  disease  in  hospital  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Sept.  27,  1863. 

John  Bessey. — Age  51  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  wagon  maker  ;  enlisted 
from  Antioch  ;  discharged  for  disability  from  hospital  at  Nashville, 
'Tenn.  ;  resides  at  Bellevue,  Kas. 

Louis  Brochon. — Age  39 ;  born  in  France  ;  carpenter  ;  enlisted  from 
Waukegan  Dec.  29.  1863,  and  joined  the  Regiment  before  the  opening  of 
the  Atlanta  campaign  ;  participated  in  all  of  the  early  engagements  of 
the  campaign,  and  was  killed  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Ga.,  June  20,  1864. 

Martin  M.  Blunt. — Age  32  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  wagon  maker  ;  en- 
listed from  Antioch  ;  detailed  in  Pioneer  Corps  April  7,  1863,  and  trans- 
ferred to  the  First  Regiment  U.  S.  Veteran  Volunteer  Engineers,  July 
25,  1864,  being  promoted  to  Corporal,  and  serving  with  that  command 
until  the  close  of  the  war:  finally  discharged  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  June 
30,  1865  ;  has  since  held  numerous  township  official  positions,  and  is  a 
prominent  farmer  and  stock  raiser  at  Marena,  Hodgman  Co.,  Kansas. 

Albert  Barney. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Du  Page  County,  111.  ;  farmer ;  en- 
listed from  Waukegan  ;  was  on  detached  service  with  the  9th  Ohio  Bat- 
tery seven  months,  and  with  the  18th  Ohio  five  months,  participating 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY J§.    -^  765 

with  them  in  the  battles  of  Chickamauga,  Lookout  Mountain  and  Mission 
Ridge  ;  rejoined  Regiment  in  March,  1864,  and  participated  in  all  of  the 
earlier  engagements  of  the  Atlanta  campaign  ;  near  Kenesaw  Mountain, 
on  the  night  of  June  18,  1864,  he,  with  Sergeant  Devlin,  of  the  same 
Company,  was  captured  by  the  enemy  while  relieving  the  picket  line, 
and  was  a  prisoner  of  war  more  than  five  months,  at  Andersonville  and 
Florence  ;  was  paroled  Nov.  30,  1864,  but  was  so  badly  disabled  as  to  be 
unfitted  for  further  service,  and  never  rejoined  the  Regiment ;  m.  o.  at 
Springfield,  111.,  May  24,  1865  ;  is  residing  at  Bandow,  Cook  Co.,  111.,  and 
is  in  poor  health. 

William  Bete. — Age  35  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Waukegan  Jan.  4,  1864  ;  participated  in  most  of  the  engagements  follow- 
ing that  date  ;  at  m.  o.  of  Regiment  was  transferred  to  Company  G,  21st 
Illinois,  serving  with  that  command  until  December,  1865 ;  is  an  inmate 
of  the  Insane  Asylum  at  Kankakee,  111. 

Dominick  Burke. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  laborer  ;  enlisted  from 
Waukegan  Jan.  4,  1864,  joining  the  command  soon  after ;  at  Kenesaw 
Mountain,  June  21,  1864,  was  wounded  in  the  head  and  disabled  three 
months,  returning  in  time  to  take  part  in  the  battles  of  Franklin  and 
Nashville  ;  resides  at  Waukegau,  111. 

Abner  L.  Chandler. —Age  17;  born  in  Pennsylvania;  farmer;  en- 
listed from  the  township  of  Warren  ;  was  at  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  Dalton, 
Resaca,  Dallas,  Pine  Mountain,  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Franklin  and  Nash- 
ville ;  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  June  20,  1864,  was  wounded  in  the  abdo- 
men, it  at  first  being  supposed  that  the  wound  was  necessarily  fatal,  but 
it  proved  that  the  ball  had  passed  out  without  cutting  the  bowels,  and  in 
about  two  months  he  was  again  on  duty  ;  at  m.  o.  of  Regiment  was  trans- 
ferred to  Company  G,  21st  Illinois,  serving  with  that  command  until  Dec. 
16,  1865  ;  is  a  prosperous  farmer  at  Odebolt,  Iowa. 

George  W.  Carpenter. — Age  18 ;  born  in  Ohio  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Avon  ;  was  in  nearly  all  of  the  engagements,  but  escaped  wounds  ;  m.  o. 
with  Regiment ;  address  unknown. 

John  E.  Clarkson. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Lake  Coxmty,  111.  ;  enlisted  from 
Waukegan ;  was  detailed  as  an  Orderly,  and  served  in  that  capacity,  at 
Brigade  and  Division  Headquarters,  during  the  greater  part  of  his  term 
of  service ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment ;  is  on  the  Grain  Inspection  Force  in 
Chicago.  P.  O.  address,  Englewood,  Cook  County,  111. 

W.  W.  Chamberlain.— Age  26 ;  born  in  Chateaugay,  N.  Y.  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Waukegan  ;  his  lungs  becoming  diseased  he  was  discharged 
at  Brentwood,  Tenn.,  April  2,  1863  ;  has  residtt!  in  Waukegan  most  of 
the  time  since,  but  is  now  living,  in  poor  health,  at  No.  60  North  Ann 
Street,  Chicago,  and  following  the  occupation  of  a  painter. 

Philip  R.  Clawson. — Age  37  ;  American  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Wau- 
kegan ;  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Ga.,  June  20, 


766  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  1. 

1864  ;  had  been  in  several  engagements,  and  was  for  a  time  detailed  with 
the  9th  Ohio  Battery. 

John  Chope. — Age  20  ;  American  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from  Newport ; 
died  at  Harrodsburg,  Ky.,  Dec.  8,  1862. 

Walter  Crapo.— Age  31 ;  born  in  Portage  County,  N.  Y.  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Antioch  ;  was  with  the  Regiment  at  Chickamauga  ;  slightly 
wounded  in  the  ear,  near  Lookout  Mountain,  Oct.  27,  1863  ;  was  detailed 
with  Brigade  commissary  department  at  Cleveland,  Tenn.,  in  the  spring 
of  1864,  remaining  absent  from  the  Regiment,  but  with  the  Brigade,  for 
a  year  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment ;  is  a  well  digger  and  contractor  at  Wau- 
kegan,  111. 

John  M.  Clark. — Age  40  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  blacksmith  ;  enlisted 
from  Antioch  ;  discharged  for  disability  at  Brent  wood,  Tenn.,  March  20, 
1863  ;  is  proprietor  of  a  grocery  store  at  Hebron,  New  York. 

Charles  L.  Devine. — Age  40  ;  born  in  Sullivan  County,  N.  Y.  :'f  armer  ; 
•enlisted  from  Antioch ;  was  sent  to  hospital,  sick,  June  3,  1863,  and  did 
not  again  join  the  command,  but  served  as  a  nurse  and  in  other  capacities 
until  the  close  of  the  war  ;  died  Feb.  9,  1878,  in  Linn  County,  Mo. 

James  R.  Daley. — Age  21  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Newport ;  went  to 
hospital,  sick,  Sept.  12,  1863,  and  did  not  again  join  the  command,  but  is 
understood  to  have  done  hospital  duty  until  the  close  of  the  war  ;  pres- 
ent address  unknown. 

Chester  W.  Douglas. — Age  26  ;  born  in  Franklin  County,  N.  Y.  ; 
unlisted  from  Avon  Oct.  10,  1864,  joining  the  Regiment  in  time  to  parti- 
cipate in  the  battles  of  Franklin  and  Nashville  ;  at  the  m.  o.  of  the  Regi- 
ment was  transferred  to  Company  G,  21st  Illinois,  and  became  leader  of 
the  Band  of  that  Regiment ;  was  m.  o.  at  Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  10,  1865  ; 
is  a  watchmaker  at  Longmont,  Colorado. 

Adrian  R.  Douglas. — Age  38  ;  carpenter  ;  born  in  New  York ;  en- 
listed from  Waukegan  ;  was  leader  of  the  Regimental  Band  for  a  time  ; 
discharged  for  disability,  March  21,  1863  ;  is  farming  in  the  township  of 
Warren.  P.  O.  address,  Gurnee,  Illinois. 

Robert  J.  Douglas. — Age  15;  b®rn  in  Vermont;  enlisted  from  Wau- 
kegan Feb.  27,  1864,  joining  the  Regiment  in  time  to  participate  in  most 
of  the  engagements  of  the  Atlanta  campaign,  and  the  battles  of  Frank- 
lin and  Nashville ;  although  but  a  mere  lad,  light  and  seemingly  frail,  he 
was  continuously  in  the  ranks,  doing  the  full  duty  of  a  soldier,  and  more 
than  once  refusing  to  accept  of  easier  positions  offered  him  at  the  rear  ; 
at  the  m.  o.  of  the  Regiment  was  transferred  to  Company  G,  21st  Illinois, 
and  went  with  that  command  to  Texas.  A  sister,  without  the  knowledge 
of  her  brother  or  of  her  parents,  wrote  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  stating 
the  facts  as  to  his  extreme  youth,  and  the  services  he  had  rendered,  and 
asking  that  he  might  be  discharged.  The  request  met  with  favor,  and, 
Sept.  6,  1865,  he  was  discharged  by  a  special  order  from  the  War  Depart- 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  D.  767 

ment,  and  returned  home  ;  is  the  head  of  the  firm  of  R.  J.  Douglas  & 
Co.,  extensive  manufacturers  of  boats,  pumps,  windmills,  etc,,  at  Wau- 
kegan,  111. 

AndrewJ.  Derrick.— Age  20  ;  born  in  Cuyahoga  County,  Ohio  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Antioch  ;  was  detailed  in  Pioneer  Corps  April  7,  1863,  and 
transferred  to  the  First  U.  S.  V.  V.  Engineers  Aug.  16,  1864  ;  promoted 
to  Sergeant  Jan.  1,  1865  ;  was  disabled  for  three  months  in  the  summer  of 
1864  by  cutting  his  knee  with  an  axe  while  with  Engineers,  near  Hiawasee 
River ;  finally  discharged  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  June  30,  1865 ;  is  stock 
raising  at  Lowe,  Chautauqua  County,  Kansas. 

Watson  P.  Davis. — Age  23  ;  born  in  Brandon,  Vt.  ;  engineer  ;  en- 
listed from  Antioch  ;  left  the  Regiment,  because  of  sickness,  in  Septem- 
ber, 1863,  and  was  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  April  30,  1864  ; 
died  at  Gibson  City,  111.,  Sept.  19,  1876. 

John  R.  Dunmore. — Age  23  ;  born  in  Johnstown,  N.  Y.  ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Benton  Dec.  22, 1863 ;  died  in  hospital  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn., 
July  1,  1864. 

Jacob  E.  Dunmore. — Age  22  ;  born  in  Johnstown,  N.  Y.  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Benton  Dec.  23,  1863  ;  was  in  hospital  most  of  the  time  ; 
at  m.  o.  of  Regiment  was  transferred  to  Company  G,  21st  Illinois  ;  is 
reported  as  absent,  sick,  at  the  m.  o.  of  that  Regiment ;  residence  un- 
known. 

Charles  T.  Dickinson. — Age  30  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  carpenter  ;  en- 
listed from  Waukegan  Dec.  29,  1863,  joining  the  Regiment  in  the  early 
spring  of  1864  ;  was  discharged  from  hospital  at  Chicago  May  22, 1865  ; 
resides  in  Chicago,  111. 

George  Deedrich. — Age  18  ;  born  in  McConnellsville,  Ohio  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Newport ;  was  never  absent  from  the  command  except 
for  a  short  time  at  Danville,  Ky.,  during  the  first  winter  ;  participated  in 
every  engagement,  and  was  twice  struck  by  bullets,  once  at  Kenesaw 
Mountain  and  again  at  Peach  Tree  Creek,  but  not  disabled  ;  m.  o.  with 
Regiment.  Is  a  stationary  engineer  at  Marietta,  Ohio. 

William  J.  Fleming. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Cleveland,  Ohio  ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Waukegan  Jan.  4,  1864,  and  joined  the  Regiment  before  the 
opening  of  the  Atlanta  campaign  ;  was  wounded  in  the  breast  at  the  bat- 
tle of  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  14,  1864 ;  at  m.  o.  of  Regiment  was  transferred 
to  Company  G,  21st  Illinois,  serving  with  that  command  until  about  the 
•close  of  1865;  died  from  consumption  at  Waukegan,  111.,  Feb.  16,  1876. 

Alexander  O.  Ferguson. — Lacked  six  days  of  being  15  at  time  of  en- 
listment ;  was  a  son  of  Lieutenant  Ferguson,  and  one  of  the  youngest 
men  in  the  command  ;  born  in  Waukegan,  111.  ;  enlisted  from  Waukegan 
Jan.  4,  1864  ;  joined  the  Regiment  before  the  opening  of  the  Atlanta 
campaign  ;  in  all  engagements  afterward  ;  at  the  m.  o.  of  the  Regiment 
was  transferred  to  Company  G,  21st  Illinois,  serving  until  Dec.  16,  1865, 


768  HISTORY  or  THE  96ra  EEGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

and  returning  home  with  that  command  ;  has  recently  located  at  Den- 
ver, Col. 

Andrew  Farrier. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Lake  County,  111.  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Millburn  ;  died  at  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  Dec.  2,  1863. 

James  T.  Guppy.— Age  21  ;  born  in  England  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Antioch  ;  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  two  bullets  passed  through  his 
hat,  one  giving  him  a  scalp  wound ;  remained  on  the  battle-field  that 
night,  and  next  morning  was  aroused  by  a  Rebel  surgeon,  who  gave  him 
the  first  definite  knowledge  that  the  Federal  forces  had  retreated  ;  he  then 
made  his  way  back  to  Rossville  ;  was  with  the  Regiment  until  near  the 
close  of  May,  1864,  when  he  was  sent  to  Jeffersonville  hospital,  sick,  re- 
maining about  a  year  ;  discharged  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  May  29,  1865  ;  is 
farming  at  Mankato,  Jewell  County,  Kansas. 

Wallace  B.  Gage. — Age  31  ;  born  in  New  York ;  farmer ;  enlisted 
from  Antioch  ;  was  at  once  detailed  in  Regimental  Band,  and  for  about 
six  months  served  as  Principal  Musician  ;  in  May,  1863,  was  sent  to  hos- 
pital, and  on  his  recovery  was  detailed  as  Ward  Master  in  Hospital  No. 
2,  Quincy,  111.  ;  discharged  at  Quincy  June  22,  1865  ;  is  a  general  hard- 
ware merchant  at  Menominee,  Mich. 

Gustavus  A.  Greer. — Age  18  ;  American  ;  blacksmith  ;  enlisted  from 
Antioch  ;  discharged  for  disability  at  Brentwood,  Tenn.,  April  5,  1863  -r 
died  at  Lake  Geneva,  Wis.,  about  1866. 

Riley  Hicks. — Age  48  ;  born  in  Angelina,  N.  Y.  ;  farmer ;  enlisted 
from  Antioch ;  discharged  for  disability  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Aug.  10, 
1863 ;  considered  himself  about  the  oldest  private  soldier  in  the  Regiment  -r 
resides  at  Union  City,  Mich. 

Elias  Hosley. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Madison  County,  N.  Y.  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Goodale  (now  Grant);  mortally  wounded  at  the  battle 'of 
Chickamauga,  dying  the  same  night ;  was  a  brother  of  Austin  Hosley  of 
the  same  Company. 

Austin  Hosley. — Age  29 ;  born  in  Madison  County,  N.  Y.  ;  farmer  -T 
enlisted  from  Goodale  (now  Grant) ;  discharged  for  disability  at  Nash- 
ville, Tenn.,  May  23,  1863.  Is  a  prosperous  stock  raiser  at  Bartlesville, 
Delaware  Nation,  Indian  Territory. 

Charles  S.  Hawkins. — Age  31  ;  born  in  Clinton  County,  N.  Y. ;  farmer ; 
enlisted  from  Avon  ;  participated  in  all  of  the  engagements  of  the  com- 
mand following  Kenesaw  Mountain  ;  at  Lovejoy  Station  was  wounded, 
a  bullet  cutting  across  the  back  of  his  left  hand,  but  was  not  obliged  to 
leave  the  Regiment  li^on  the  farm  he  left  to  go  to  the  war.  P.  O.  ad- 
dress, Fox  LaTfeH&P^ 

Harrison  Jones. — Age  26  ;  born  in  Kendall  County,  111.  ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Antioch  ;  transferred  to  the  V.  R.  C.  Oct.  29,  1863,  serving 
with  that  organization  until  the  close  of  the  war ;  discharged  July  2, 
1865,  at  Chicago,  111.  Resides  at  Antioch,  111. 


COMPANY    D. 


AUSTIN  E.  I,OTT. 

s-T-'t  HEKZELUS  O'HARA. 


Serg't  GEORGE  G.  FKIK.I  SON. 

First  Lieut.  CAI.KB  A.  MoMTOOMBBT. 

Cor])']  EDWARD  Rix. 


JOHN  M.  CLARK  . 

First  Serg't  CHARLES  ELLIS. 


Til 

.  •"  v 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  D.  769 

Miles  Jones. — Age  29  ;  American  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from  Antioch. 
Died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  April  7,  1863. 

Austin  E.  Lott. — Age  18 ;  born  in  Seneca,  N.  Y, ;  farmer ;  enlisted 
from  Waukegan  ;  was  an  Orderly  at  Regimental  and  Brigade  Head- 
quarters from  July,  1863,  and  was  always  with  the  command  ;  m.  o.  with 
Regiment ;  was  for  many  years  with  the  Cerro  Gordo  Freighting  Com- 
pany, and  afterward  became  its  owner,  but  is  now  residing  at  Los  Angeles, 
California,  and  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business. 

Henry  G.  Levagood. — Age  35  ;  American  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Anlioch  ;  at  Chickamauga  was  wounded  in  the  arm  and  disabled  for 
further  field  service  ;  discharged  June  17,  1864 ;  is  engaged  in  the  milk 
business,  and  in  teaming  at  Waukegan,  111. 

William  Mitchell. — Age  18  ;  American  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Wau- 
kegan, Dec.  30,  1863.  joining  the  command  before  the  opening  of  the 
Atlanta  campaign,  in  which  he  participated  ;  was  discharged  from  hospi- 
tal at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  May  18,  1865.  Is  farming  near  Waukegan,  111. 

Henry  W.  Mitchell. — Age  19;  born  in  Lake  Co.,  111.  ;  farmer;  en- 
listed from  Benton  Dec.  23,  1863.  joining  the  Regiment  in  time  to  partici- 
pate in  all  the  engagements  following  Lookout  Mountain  ;  at  m.  o.  of 
Regiment  was  transferred  to  Company  G,  21st  Illinois,  and  died  in  hospi- 
tal at  New  Orleans  -Dec.  7,  1865. 

Peter  P.  Melindy. — Age  45  ;  born  in  "N;ew  Hampshire  ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Antioch  ;  took  pa£- io'tag  .enga^^fenjs  a,t jRpcky  Face  Ridge, 
Resaca,  Dallas  and  elsewhere,  and  at  Kenesaw  Mountain  was  wounded 
in  the  leg  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  farming  at  Blaine,  Portage  County, 
Wis. 

Alfred  Morton. — Age  24  ;  born  in  New  York ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
MiUburn  ;  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  April  20,  1864,  serving  to 
the  close  of  the  war.  Is  employed  in  a  grain  elevator  at  Grover,  Seward 
County,  Neb. 

William  Norton.— Age  21  ;  born  in  Lake  County,  111.  ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Antioch  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  farming  in  Lake  County. 
P.  O.  address,  Nippersink,  111. 

William  W.  Nellis. — Age  19 ;  American  ;  teamster  ;  enlisted  from 
Waukegan  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Resides  in  Chicago,  111. 

Charles  J.  Neal. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Erie  County,  Ohio  ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Shields  ;  discharged  for  disability  from  hospital  at  Nashville, 
Tenn.,  March  7,  18H3  ;  subsequently  re-enlisted  in  Battery  M,  Second 
Illinois  Light  Artillery,  but  was  soon  transferred  to  Battery  C,  of  the 
same  Regiment,  serving  for  a  year  and  a  half  with  that  command,  and 
taking  part  in  numerous  skirmishes,  mostly  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Donel- 
son.  Resides  at  Random  Lake,  Wis. 

Albert  Paddock. — Age  19;  born  in  Lake  County,  111.  ;   farmer;  en- 
listed from  Antioch  ;  was  in  all  of  the  engagements  of  the  Regiment, 
49 


770  HISTOKY  OF  THE  96i'H  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  L 

except  •Lookout  Mountain,  up  to  Nov.  30,  1864,  when  he  was  captured  ; 
was  worn  out  with  constant  marching  from  Pulaski,  and  when  the  Regi- 
ment halted  on  the  range  of  hills  outside  the  village  of  Franklin,  went 
to  sleep  and  was  not  missed  until  the  lines  had  fallen  back  ;  he  awoke  to 
find  himself  a  prisoner  ;  was  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy  about  four 
months,  being  confined  at  Cahawba,  Ala.,  most  of  the  time  ;  was  paroled 
and  sent  via  Vicksburg  to  St.  Louis  in  the  spring  of  1865  ;  rejoined  the 
Regiment  at  the  time  of  their  discharge  in  Chicago.  Is  farming  at 
Spencer,  Clay  County,  Iowa. 

George  Paddock. — Age  22  ;  born  in  Milwaukee,  Wis.  ;  farmer ;  en- 
listed from  Antioch  ;  discharged  for  disability  at  Quincy,  111.,  Feb.  25, 
1865 ;  was  a  brother  of  Albert  Paddock,  of  this  Company.  Is  a  mer- 
chant at  Saunemin,  Livingston  County,  111. 

Thomas  Pullen. — Age  31  ;  American  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from  Antioch  ; 
was  seldom  absent  from  the  command  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment ;  died  from 
inflammation  of  the  bowels,  at  Clayton,  Faribault  County,  Minn.,  Jan. 
13,  1868. 

Joseph  A.  Roth. — Age  32  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Newport ;  at  Chickamauga  was  quite  seriously  wounded  in  the  hand,  but 
did  not  leave  the  Regiment ;  at  Kenesaw  Mountain  his  pants  were  torn 
and  his  poncho  cut  by  bullets  ;  was  in  all  of  the  engagements  of  the 
command,  and  an  excellent  soldier  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment ;  has  since  held 
numerous  positions  of  trust,  and  is  now  Township  Treasurer  and  Justice 
of  the  Peace,  and  also  is  a  large  land  owner  and  prosperous  farmer  at 
Sheldon,  Iowa.  , 

Frank  Rahling. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  teamster  ;  enlisted  from 
Waukegan  ;  drove  team  for  a  time,  but  returned  to  Regiment  before  the 
battle  of  Lookout  Mountain,  and  participated  in  that  engagement  and 
all  that  followed  ;  was  wounded  in  the  knee  at  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  but 
not  disabled,  and  at  Kenesaw  Mountain  had  a  bullet  through  his  hat  ;  m. 
o.  with  Regiment.  Is  farming  near  Waukegan,  111. 

John  L.  Richmond. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Stafford,  N.  Y.  ;  tinsmith  ;  en- 
listed from  Waukegan  ;  was  seriously  ill  and  discharged  for  disability  at 
Louisville,  Ky.,  May  26,  1863.  Resides  in  Waukegan,  111. 

Vincent  L.  Reed. — Age  36  ;  born  in  Jefferson  County,  N.  Y.  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  the  township  of  Warren  ;  discharged  because  of  disability 
at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  in  the  spring  of  1868.  Resides  at  Evanston,  111. 

James  Rich. — Age  19  ;  American  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from  Antioch  ; 
was  mortally  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  ;  was  carried  to  the 
rear  for  some  distance,  but  left,  with  other  wounded,  and  died  in  a  few 
hours. 

Abram  L.  Replogan. — Age  23  ;  American  ;  law  student ;  enlisted  from 
Waukegan  ;  had  previously  served  in  an  Indiana  Regiment ;  discharged 
for  disability  Oct.  16,  1863.  Present  address  unknown. 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  D.  771 

Henry  J.  Ring. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Indiana  ;  merchant  ;  enlisted  from 
Antioch  ;  had  previously  served  three  months  in  Company  K,  12th  Illinois; 
was  wounded  in  the  thigh  at  the  crossing  of  the  Tennessee  River,  Oct.  27, 
1863  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  a  carpenter,  and  resides  at  Gibson  City, 
111. 

George  W.  Rice. — Age  19;  born  in  Canada ;  farmer;  enlisted  from 
Waukegan  Jan.  4, 1864  ;  at  m.  o.  of  Regiment  was  transferred  to  Company 
O,  21st  Illinois,  serving  until  about  the  close  of  1865.  Is  an  inmate  of  an 
insane  asylum. 

Charles  Spaulding. — Age  27  ;  born  in  Lake  County,  111 ;  farmer ;  en- 
listed from  Waukegan  ;  was  severely  wounded  in  right  thigh  at  Kenesaw 
Mountain  June  21,  1864,  and  so  seriously  disabled  as  to  unfit  him  for  fur- 
ther field  service  ;  discharged  at  Quincy,  111.,  May  12,  1865.  Is  a  farmer 
and  brick  manufacturer  at  Waukegan,  111. 

Aralzeman  M.  Stewart. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Illinois  ;  farmer ;  enlisted 
from  Newport  ;  severely  wounded  in  hip  at  Chickamauga ;  m.  o.  with 
Regiment.  Is  farming  at  North  Loup,  Neb. 

George  S.  Shaw. — Age  32  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Newport ;  at  the 
crossing  of  the  Tennessee  River,  near  Wauhatchie,  Oct.  29,  1863,  was 
severely  wounded  by  a  shell  which,  exploding  near  him,  shattered  his 
gun,  and  injured  his  knee  very  badly,  permanently  disabling  him.  Re- 
sides at  Verbeck,  Barton  County,  Kan. 

John  Swindells. — Age  33  ;  born  in  Cheshire,  England  ;  farmer  ;  at 
Chickamauga  his  left  hand  was  struck  by  a  fragment  of  shell  and  split 
open  between  the  index  finger  and  the  second  finger,  the  gash  being  about 
three  inches  long  ;  having  good  care  the  hand  was  saved,  although  badly 
out  of  shape  ;  was  transferred  to  the  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  April  10, 

1864,  and  assigned  to  duty  as  a  nurse  in  Cumberland  Hospital,  Nashville, 
where  he  served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  being  discharged  June  30, 

1865.  Is  working  a  quartz  mill  at  Bellville,  Esmeralda  County,  Nevada. 

William  D.  Sells. — Age  28  ;  born  in  England  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Avon,  leaving  a  family  at  home  ;  died  at  Wartrace,  Tenn.,  July  3D,  1863. 

Willard  V.  Smith.— Age  18  ;  born  in  McHenry,  111.  ;  machinist ;  en- 
listed from  Waukegan ;  participated  in  all  of  the  engagements  of  the 
Regiment  following  Chickamauga,  but  escaped  wounds  ;  m.  o.  with  Regi- 
ment. Has  followed  the  occupation  of  a  carpenter  at  McHenry,  111.,  but 
recently  removed  to  Lincoln,  Neb. 

Robert  E.  Stanley. — Age  26 ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Goodale  (now  Grant) ;  took  part  in  nearly  every  skirmish  and  battle  in 
which  the  Regiment  was  engaged  ;  had  many  narrow  escapes,  and  at  the 
battle  of  Chickamauga  was  slightly  wounded  in  the  face  ;  at  the  m.  o.  of 
the  Regiment  was  absent  ou  furlough,  but  joined  it  on  its  arrival  in  Chi- 
cago, and  returned  home  with  his  comrades.  Keeps  a  boarding  house 
and  summer  resoi't  at  Fox  Lake  ;  P.  O.  address,  Nippersink,  Lake  County, 
111.  Is  a  brother  of  Aralzeman  Stanley,  of  the  same  Company. 


772  HISTORY  OF  THE  96rrn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  1. 

Aralzeman  Stanley. — Age  28 ;  born  in  Erie  County,  N.  Y.  ;  farmer ; 
enlisted  from  the  town  of  Goodale  (now  Grant)  ;  participated  in  the  bat- 
tles of  Chickamauga,  Lookout  Mountain,  Rocky  Face  Ridge  and  Resaca  ; 
at  the  latter  engagement  was  severely  wounded  in  the  thigh,  and,  being 
entirely  unfitted  thereby  for  field  service,  was  transferred  to  the  Veteran 
Reserve  Corps  March  22,  1865,  serving  with  that  organization,  most  of 
the  time  at  Indianapolis,  Ind.  until  the  close  of  the  war,  and  being  dis- 
charged June  30,  1865.  Is  living  at  Nippersink,  Lake  County,  111.,  and, 
being  incapacitated  for  hard  labor  because  of  his  wound,  has  taken  up 
the  occupation  of  a  sportsman,  and  spends  his  time,  with  gun  and  boat, 
along  Fox  River,  or  the  adjacent  lakes. 

George  E.  Smith,  Jr.— Age  21  ;  born  in  Lake  County,  111.  ;  farmer ; 
enlisted  from  Antioch  ;  was  never  absent  from  duty  ;  at  Chickamauga 
had  a  bullet  mark  on  his  foot,  and  at  Kenesaw  Mountain  was  wounded 
on  the  ankle,  but  not  disabled  for  service  ;  in  every  engagement  follow- 
ing Lookout  Mountain  he  was  on  duty  as  a  stretcher  bearer,  and  per- 
formed this  difficult,  and  very  often  hazardous,  work  with  such  prompt- 
ness and  courage  as  to  call  forth  the  commendation  of  both  officers  and 
men  ;  it  was  a  matter  of  common  remark  that  he  would  go  anywhere  for 
a  wounded  man,  and  very  often,  at  great  risk,  he  assisted  in  bearing  dis- 
abled comrades  from  the  most  exposed  points  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is 
farming  at  Otis,  Weld  County,  Col. 

William  Sabin. — Age  27  ;  born  in  Essex,  Vt.  ;  teamster  ;  enlisted  from 
Newport ;  at  Chickamawga  was  severely  wounded  in  thigh,  from  the 
effects  of  which  he  still  suffers  ;  was  not  again  able  for  duty,  but  returned 
in  time  to  be  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  proprietor  of  a  livery  stable  at 
Belmond,  Iowa. 

Lewis  Thwing. — Age  32 ;  born  in  Jefferson  County,  N.  Y.  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  W^uikegan ;  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  Jan.  7, 
1864  ;  discharged  at  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  June  24,  1865.  Died  at  State  Line, 
Kenosha  County,  Wis.,  Oct.  20,  1873. 

Richard  S.  Thain. — Age  17 ;  born  on  a  propeller  on  Lake  Michigan  : 
farmer  ;  enlisted  fro'm  Millburn  ;  had  a  bullet  through  his  shoe  and  had 
his  cunteen  shot  off  al  Cliickamauga,  and  was  struck  in  the  leg  by  a  bul- 
let at  Lookout  Mountain  ;  in  the  spring  of  1864  was  detailed  as  Assistant 
Brigade  Postmaster,  and  subsequently  as  Postmaster,  serving  in  this 
capacity  to  the  close  of  the  war.  While  on  this  service  had  many  excit- 
ing experiences,  and  some  narrow  escapes,  which  are  more  fully  set  forth 
in  another  chapter  in  this  work  ;  was  never  absent  from  duty  when  the 
command  was  in  active  service  ;  is  a  brother  of  Corporal  A.  R.  Thain,  of 
this  Company.  Resides  at  Oak  Park,  111  ,  and  is  connected  with  the  Ad- 
vertising Agency  of  Lord  &  Thomas,  45,  47  and  49  Randolph  St.,  Chicago. 

Eli  Thayer. — Age  24 ;  born  in  Lake  County,  111.  ;  farmer ;  enlisted 
from  Avon  ;  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  was  one  of  the  foremost  men 
in  the  charge,  and  was  struck  down  by  a  bullet  which,  however,  merely 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  D.  773 

inflicted  a  scalp  wound,  and  left  him  unconscious  for  a  few  moments ; 
meanwhile  the  lines  had  shifted,  and  he  was  a  prisoner ;  he  endured  a 
long  confinement  in  the  different  prisons,  including  Andersonville  and 
Florence,  and  died  while  a  prisoner  of  war. 

Jacob  Van  Patten. — Age  31 ;  born  in  Albany  County,  N.  Y. ;  farmer  ; 
unlisted  from  Antioch  ;  participated  in  the  engagements  of  Chickamauga, 
Lookout  Mountain,  Dalton,  Rocky  Pace  Ridge,  Resaca  and  others ;  at 
Chickamauga  was  wounded  in  the  leg  and  on  the  breast.  Worn  out  with 
the  long  campaign,  and  being  in  poor  health,  he  was  sent  to  hospital  in 
June,  1864,  and  was  not  again  able  to  join  the  command  ;  was  discharged 
from  hospital  at  Louisville,  Kj*.,  June  26,  1865.  Is  farming  at  Antioch, 
111. 

Henry  M.  Williams. — Age  19  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Antioch  ;  had 
previously  served  three  months  with  Company  K,  12th  Illinois  ;  was  in  all 
of  the  battles  of  the  Regiment  up  to  Atlanta  ;  was  captured  by  a  party  of 
Rebel  cavalry  while  out  after  forage  near  Atlanta,  Aug.  2,  1864,  and  a 
prisoner  of  war  until  the  spring  of  1865  ;  was  m.  o.  at  Columbus,  Ohio, 
in  July,  1865.  Resides  at  Libertyville,  111. 

William  Warren. — Age  38  ;  born  in  Sullivan,  N.  Y. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Antioch  ;  discharged  for  disability  at  Brentwood,  Tenn.,  April  5, 
1863  ;  enlisted  again  Oct.  13,  1864  in  Company  G,  12th  Illinois,  and  was 
discharged  July  10,  1865.  Died  at  Bushnell,  111.,  from  a  liver  or  kidney 
trouble,  Aug.  30,  1884. 

Richard  Wilton. — Age  25  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Antioch.  Died  at 
Danville,  Ky.,  Dec.  19,  1862. 

Arnold  Willett. — Age  28;  born  in  England;  farmer;  enlisted  from 
Antioch.  Died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Oct.  28,  1863. 

Charles  E.  Webb. — Age  25  ;  born  in  Antioch  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Antioch  ;  m.  >o.  with  Regiment.  Resides  at  88  Artesian  Avenue,  Chicago, 
111. 

Sherwood  B.  Young. — Age  28  ;  American  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Wauconda  ;  deserted  Feb.  1,  1863. 


774  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  L 


CH APTKR  XLV. 


COMPANY  E. 

The  Apple  River  Company — How  it  was  Recruited  and  Organized — 
Officers  and  Non  Commissioned  Officers  Elected — A  Sword  to  the 
Colonel— On  Provost  Duty  at  Harrodsburg — The  Terrible  Death-Roll 
at  Chickamauga — Almost  Unparalleled  Losses — Twelve  Men  Killed 
or  Mortally  Wounded  in  One  Engagement — Other  Losses — Moccasin 
Point  Duties — Detached  on  Lookout  Mountain — Subsequent  Casual- 
ties— Some  Statistics — Personal  Sketches. 

COMPANY  E,  when  organized,  mustered  ninety-seven  men, 
all  of  whom  were  enlisted  and  sworn  in  as  private  soldiers. 
They  were  mainly  recruited  by  three  men,  living  in  different 
townships  and  acting  independently  of  each  other.  The  men 
were  residents  of  Jo  Daviess  County,  except  a  few  who, 
living  just  across  the  line  in  Wisconsin,  were  accustomed  ta 
get  their  mail  and  do  their  marketing  at  some  of  the  villages 
in  the  county.  Joseph  P.  Black  secured  the  largest  number 
of  men,  his  list  showing  fifty-seven — nearly  all  from  Apple 
River,  Thompson  and  Rush.  Silas  Corey,  of  Scales  Mound, 
who  held  a  recruiting  commission  from  Governor  Yates, 
secured  the  enrollment  of  thirty  men  from  Scales  Mound, 
Guilford  and  Thompson.  Halsey  H.  Richardson,  of  War- 
ren, recruited  ten  men  from  his  own  township  and  Southern 
Wisconsin. 

These  men  were  mainly  farmers,  farmers'  sons,  miners  or 
mechanics,  and  were  many  of  them  in  good  circumstances. 
All  were  accustomed  to  hard  labor,  and  all  were  self  support- 
ing. They  enlisted,  not  for  the  mere  novelty  of  wearing  a 
uniform  and  enjoying  camp  life,  but  because  they  believed 
their  country  needed  their  services.  All  had  met  wounded 
men  from  Fort  Donelson,  Shiloh  and  Corinth,  and  knew  that 
war  meant  hardship  and  privation.  They  fully  realized  that 
it  was  no  holiday  upon  which  they  were  entering,  but  that 
stern  duties  and  continued  peril  awaited  them  in  the  field. 


SKETCH  OF  COMPANY  E.  775 

Silas  Corey  began  recruiting  about  July  15,  1862,  and 
Joseph  P.  Black  and  H.  H.  Richardson  a  little  later.  No 
one  of  the  three  secured  a  sufficient  number  for  a  full  Com- 
pany, and  each  was  looking  around  to  see  what  disposition 
could  be  made  of  his  squad.  Mr.  Corey  visited  Galena,  to 
confer  with  other  recruiting  officers,  but  could  get  no  promise 
of  a  commission,  the  most  favorable  offer  being  that  they 
"would  try  to  give  his  squad  the  position  of  First  Sergeant." 
Whether  he  seriously  contemplated  accepting  this  offer  is  not 
positively  known,  but  that  they  expected  him  to  join  them  is 
true.  The  men,  upon  learning  of  the  offer,  were  not  well 
pleased,  believing  that  their  number  was  sufficient  to  entitle 
them  to  a  commissioned  officer,  to  which  some  in  the  squad 
aspired.  A  meeting  was  called  at  Scales  Mound  to  consider 
the  proposition.  Learning  of  the  contemplated  meeting, 
Joseph  P.  Black  attended,  and  proposed  that  the  three  squads 
mentioned  should  come  together,  the  largest  detachment  to 
have  the  Captaincy,  the  next  largest  the  First  Lieutenancy, 
and  the  smaller  one  the  Second  Lieutenancy, — the  Company, 
as  a  whole,  to  elect  its  non-commissioned  officers.  This  propo- 
sition was  agreed  to,  and  the  squads  from  Scales  Mound, 
Apple  River  and  Warren  came  together  at  Apple  River  on 
Monday,  August  12,  1862,  for  the  purpose  of  organizing. 

It  was  a  tine  gathering  of  stalwart  young  men,  who  came 
together  for  the  first  time  on  that  bright  harvest  day.  In  age 
they  ranged  from  eighteen  to  thirty-five,  although  a  very  few 
were  younger  or  older  than  the  figures  mentioned.  Thirty- 
seven  were  married  men.  In  intelligence  they  compared 
favorably  with  any  Company  that  ever  left  Jo  Daviess  County. 
In  courage  and  soldierly  conduct  they  subsequently  proved 
themselves  the  peers  of  their  comrades. 

In  pursuance  of  the  plan  heretofore  alluded  to,  the  Apple 
River  men  chose  Joseph  P.  Black  for  Captain,  the  Scales 
Mound  squad  designated  William  F.  Taylor  for  First  Lieu- 
tenant, and  the  Warren  men  agreed  upon  Halsey  H.  Richard~ 
son  as  Second  Lieutenant.  It  is  probable  that  Mr.  Corey 
would  have  been  chosen  First  Lieutenant  had  he  not  virtually 


776  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

withdrawn  from  the  Company  before  the  election.  The  selec- 
tions named  above  were  promptly  ratified  by  the  Company. 

The  election  of  non-commissioned  officers  was  attended 
with  considerable  excitement  and  a  spirited  rivalry,  which  was 
mainty  good-natured.  The  result  was  as  follows :  First 
Sergeant,  William  Stevenson  ;  Sergeants  William  T.  Adams, 
Sidney  B.  Funk,  William  H.  Bobbins  and  Jasper  N.  Lindsay  ; 
Corporals  William  McDonald,  Daniel  W.  Dimmick,  Thomas 
H.  Maynard,  William  F.  Bostwick,  William  Hill,  Edgar  War- 
ner, Richard  Garrett  and  James  S.  Lewis. 

The  Company  established  its  headquarters  in  an  old  ware- 
house near  the  railroad  depot,  in  the  village  of  Apple  River. 
Most  of  the  men  went  home  at.night,  or  visited  friends  in  the 
vicinity,  reporting  daily  at  headquarters.  During  their  stay 
in  the  village  the  good  ladies  gave  the  soldiers  a  grand  picnic 
dinner,  and  presented  them  with  an  elegant  flag.  The  pre- 
sentation address  was  made  on  behalf  of  the  fair  donors  by 
one  of  their  own  number,  whose  name,  unfortunately,  cannot 
be  recalled.  The  response  was  by  Captain  Black. 

Wednesday,  September  3.  1862,  the  good-byes  were  said, 
and  the  Company  boarded  the  train  for  Rockford,  where  it 
was  assigned  to  quarters  in  Camp  Fuller.  On  the  fourth  it 
was  formally  mustered  in,  and  next  day  took  its  place  in  the 
line,  as  a  part  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  REGIMENT  ILLINOIS  VOL- 
UNTEER INFANTRY.  In  the  drawing  for  position  it  became 
•Company  E,  and  was  assigned  as  the  seventh  Company  from 
ithe  right,  occupying  the  left  centre  of  the  battalion. 

At  Camp  Champion  the  Company,  through  Captain  Black, 
presented  Colonel  Champion  with  an  elegant  sword  and  belt, 
nearly  every  man  contributing  to  the  fund  for  its  purchase. 
A  fine  watch  was  also  presented  to  Lieutenant  Taylor  by  the 
members  of  the  Company. 

While  at  Harrodsburg,  Ky.,  Captain  Black  was  assigned 
to  duty  as  Provost  Marshal,  and  when  the  main  body  of  the 
Regiment  marched  to  Danville,  Company  E,  together  with 
•Company  A,  remained  to  guard  the  prisoners  and  protect  the 
hospitals  in  the  village,  being  comfortably  quartered  in  bar- 
racks. ^Christmas  Day  the  loyal  ladies  gave  the  men  an  ele- 


SKETCH  OF  COMPANY  E.  777 

gant  Christmas  dinner.  The  next  day  the  two  Companies 
rejoined  the  Regiment  at  Danville. 

The  next  detached  service  required  was  at  Moccasin  Point, 
where  Company  E  was  detailed  to  dig  rifle  pits  and  construct 
bomb-proofs  for  the  artillery  then  using  Lookout  Mountain 
.as  a  target.  This  labor  occupied  nearly  three  weeks,  and 
was  very  severe  on  the  men,  the  work  being  fatiguing  and 
•continuous,  one-half  working  all  the  time,  night  and  day,  on 
meager  rations  and  under  an  annoying  fire  from  the  batteries 
across  the  river. 

Two  days  following  the  capture  of  Lookout  Mountain 
Company  E  was  again  detached,  and  sent  quite  a  distance 
-along  the  mountain,  taking  charge  of  some  deserted  camps, 
with  a  large  amount  of  camp  and  garrison  equipage.  The 
men  were  required  to  invoice  and  pack  up  all  of  the  tents, 
blankets  and  stores,  preparatory  to  turning  them  over  to  the 
military  authorities, 

As  the  statute  of  limitations  has  now  run  it  may  be  as  well 
to  state,  in  the  interest  of  a  truthful  history,  that  the  men 
appropriated  some  entirely  new  Enfield  muskets  that  were 
:still  in  the  original  packages,  replacing  them  with  their  own 
guns,  which  had  become  worn  with  service.  Blankets,  socks 
and  shirts  were  abundant  in  the  Company  that  winter,  and  it 
was  noticeable  that  they  were  a  little  "off  color,"  leading  to 
the  belief  that  some  of  the  Confederate  goods  had  been 
Appropriated  by  them  before  the  invoice  was  completed.  The 
service  lasted  but  a  few  days,  when  the  Company  joined  the 
Regiment  and  marched  to  Nickajack. 

Company  E  had  comparatively  few  changes  in  commis- 
sioned officers.  Captain  Black  resigned  April  26, 1863,  where- 
upon First  Lieutenant  Taylor  was  promoted  to  Captain,  Sec- 
ond Lieutenant  Richardson,  to  First  Lieutenant,  and  First  Ser- 
geant Funk,  to  Second  Lieutenant.  In  February,  1864,  Lieu- 
tenant Funk  resigned,  because  of  disability  resulting  from 
wounds,  but  the  Company  being  below  the  minimum  number 
the  vacancy  was  not  filled  until  June  8,  1865,  when  First 
Sergeant  Todd  was  commissioned  as  Second  Lieutenant.  But 
if  the  changes  among  commissioned  officers  were  few  it  was 


778  HISTORY  OF  THE  96xH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

not  go  with  the  non-commissioned  officers,  for  at  one  time  or 
another  twenty-eight  men  wore  chevrons. 

The  casualties  in  the  Company  were  exceptionally  numer- 
ous. At  Chickamauga  the  fatalities  exceeded  those  of  any 
other  Company  in  the  Regiment,  no  less  than  twelve  men 
being  killed  or  mortally  wounded.  Of  these,  Corporals  Cash- 
man  and  Warner,  and  Privates  Elderkin,  Edge,  Thomas, 
Tinkler  and  Harrington  were  killed  outright.  Robert  C.  Alli- 
son, who  was  wounded  in  the  preliminary  skirmish  of  Friday 
died  three  weeks  later.  Blackstone,  Martin,  Mack  and 
O'Leary,  who  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  and  were 
paroled  ten  days  later,  were  all  so  badly  wounded  as  to  cause 
their  deaths  within  a  short  time.  No  less  than  nineteen  were 
wounded  more  or  less  severely,  as  follows  : 

Captain  W.  F.  Taylor,  Lieutenant  H.  H.  Richardson, 
Lieutenant  S.  B.  Funk,  Sergeant  W.  H.  Robbins,  Sergeant 
R.  J.  Cooper,  Corporal  Wm.  F.  DeGraff,  Corporal  Win.  Hill, 
John  H.  Pooley,  William  Faith,  Solomon  Bixby,  John  A. 
Bush,  Wm.  H.  Burb'ridge,  Wm.  Buckley,  James  Cole,  Geo. 
W.  Dimmick,  Charles  F.  Hayth,  Andrew  King,  Thomas 
Scott  and  George  Teal.  For  a  partial  description  of  the 
wounds  received  by  these  men  reference  is  made  to  the  per- 
sonal sketches  which  follow.  Beside  the  four  men  mentioned 
above  as  mortally  wounded,  who  fell  into  the  enemy's  hands 
four  others  became  prisoners  during  the  engagement.  Of 
these  Sergeant 'Robbins  and  John  A.  Bush  were  soon  paroled, 
Geo.  W.  Dimmick  died  in  prison,  and  Charles  F.  Hayth  died 
shortly  after  his  release,  at  the  close  of  the  war.  No  less 
than  eighteen  men  who  went  into  that  bloody  battle  never 
again  marched  with  the  Regiment.  The  casualties  of  the  bat- 
tle were  thirty-one. 

At  Lookout  Mountain  Sergeant  Cooper,  Corporal  Junken 
and  Wm.  E.  Sprague  were  wounded. 

At  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  May  9,  1864,  Sergeant  William  F. 
DeGraif  was  mortally  wounded,  Wm.  B.  Scace  was  perma- 
nently disabled,  and  Sergeant  Bennett,  Corporal  Fleming, 
Geo.  W.  Jennings,  George  Teal,  J.  B.  Going  and  Solomon 
Bixby  were  more  or  less  severely  wounded,  the  Company 


SKETCH  OF  COMPANY  E. 

thus  sustaining  almost  one-fourth  of  the  casualties  of  the 
Regiment  in  that  engagement.  In  the  engagements  about 
Dallas  William  Faith  was  wounded.  At  Kenesaw  Mountain 
Corporal  James  Junken  and  Frank  Redfern  were  mortally 
wounded,  and  Corporal  John  H.  Pooley,  Orlando  Phippin 
and  William  G.  Oberliu  were  wounded.  In  one  of  the 
engagements  near  Atlanta  Sergeant  Cooper  was  wounded. 
William  W.  Jellison  and  Wallace  W.  Montgomery  were  cap- 
tured August  2,  1864,  neither  of  them  ever  returning  to  the 
Company,  although  they  both  escaped,  or  were  paroled,  near 
the  close  of  the  war. 

At  Lovejoy's  Station  Corporal  Fleming  was  wounded  in. 
the  shoulder.  Subsequently  there  were  no  casualties  in  action 
in  the  Company,  although  it  bore  its  full  part  in  each  cam- 
paign and  battle. 

During  the  term  of  service  of  the  Company  one  man  died 
in  prison,  one  was  accidentally  fatally  injured,  twelve  died  in 
various  hospitals,  from  disease,  and  fifteen  were  killed  in 
action  or  died  from  wounds,  making  a  total  loss  by  death  of 
twenty-nine,  out  of  a  total  membership  of  one  hundred  and 
five. 

Eleven  men  were  discharged  for  disability,  resulting  from 
disease,  and  five  because  of  wounds.  Six  men  were  trans- 
ferred to  the  Veteran  Reserve  Corps, — three  because  of 
wounds  and  three  because  of  disability  resulting  from  other 
causes.  Two  were  transferred  to  the  1st  U.  S.  V.  V.  Engi- 
neers. Two  received  commissions  in  other  commands.  One 
was  transferred  to  the  non-commissioned  staff.  At  the  muster 
out  of  the  Company  three  of  the  recruits  whose  terms  of  ser- 
vice did  not  expire  until  a  date  later  than  October  1,  1865, 
were  transferred  to  Company  E,  21st  Illinois  Regiment. 

No  less  than  forty-four  men  were  struck  by  bullets  in  action,, 
and  several  of  these  more  than  once.  Nine  members  of  the 
Company  are  known  to  have  died  since  the  war,  and  it  is  not 
improbable  that  some  of  those  whose  present  whereabout* 
have  not  been  ascertained  are  not  living.  One  man  deserted 
and  one  was  dishonorably  discharged. 

At  the   discharge  of  the  Company  in  Chicago  thirty-six 


"780  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

members  were   present,   and   three   others  were   discharged 
-about  simultaneously  from  hospitals  or  parole  camps. 

Of  Company  E  it  may  be  fairly  said  that  it  performed  its 
full  measure  of  duty,  bore  its  full  share  of  hardship,  and  suf- 
fered its  full  proportion  of  loss.  The  reputation  of  the  Regi- 
ment never  suffered  because  of  its  conduct,  but  on  the  con- 
trary the  record  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  may  fairly  be  claimed 
to  have  been  made  brighter  because  of  its  harmonious  action 
in  the  camp  and  on  the  campaign,  its  steady,  soldierly  bearing 
in  battle,  and  its  prompt  and  intelligent  response  to  every  call 
for  duty.  The  following  is 

THE  COMPANY  ROSTER. 

Captain  Joseph  P.  Black. — Age  31 ;  born  in  Logan  County,  111.;  grain 
buyer  and  implement  dealer  ;  enlisted  from  Apple  River  ;  elected  Captain 
-at  the  organization  of  the  Company  ;  resigned  at  Franklin,  Tenn.,  April 
26,  1863.  Is  a  traveling  salesman  for  the  Hapgood  Plow  Co.,  and  resides 
at  Alton,  111. 

Captain  William  F.  Taylor. — Age  28  ;  born  in  Massachusetts  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Apple  River;  elected  First  Lieutenant  at  the  organization 
of  the  Company,  and  promoted  to  Captain  April  26,  1863.  Was  in  com- 
mand of  the  Company  at  Chickamauga,  and  was  wounded  by  a  bullet 
which  passed  through  his  right  ear  ;  was  not  disabled  but  continued  with 
the  command,  and  was  conspicuous  for  his  bravery.  At  the  battle  of 
Lookout  Mountain  he  was  the  only  Captain  with  the  Regiment.  At 
Nickajack,  while  a  prisoner  was  being  disarmed,  he  was  wounded  by  the 
discharge  of  a  revolver,  a  bullet  passing  through  one  leg  and  lodging  in 
the  other  in  such  a  position  that  it  could  not  be  removed.  This  dis- 
abled him  for  field  service,  and  after  a  partial  recovery  he  was  assigned 
to  duty  as  a  Military  Conductor,  running  between  Chattanooga  and  Knox- 
ville,  for  a  time,  and  also  between  Chattanooga  and  Atlanta.  Returned 
to  the  Regiment  just  prior  to  its  muster  out.  After  his  return  home  he 
again  engaged  in  farming  ;  was  Assistant  U.  S.  Internal  Revenue  Asses- 
sor for  a  time,  and  for  eleven  years  past  has  been  an  Assistant  Grain  In- 
spector in  Chicago.  Residence,  497  West  Lake  Street. 

Captain  Richard  Garrett. — Age  25 ;  born  in  England  ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Apple  River ;  appointed  Corporal  at  the  organization  of  the 
Company,  and  subsequently  promoted  to  First  Sergeant ;  participated  in 
the  battle  of  Chickamauga  ;  discharged  Dec.  1,  1863,  for  promotion  as 
; Second  Lieutenant  in  the  14th  U.  S.  C.  T. ;  subsequently  promoted  to 
Captain.  Was  last  heard  from  at  Oakland,  Cal. 

First  Lieutenant  Halsey  H.  Richardson. — Age  34  ;  born  in  Thomaston, 
Me.;  painter;  enlisted  from  Warren;  elected  Second  Lieutenant  at  the 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  E.  781 

organization  of  the  Company ;  promoted  to  First  Lieutenant  April  26, 
1863  ;  was  almost  constantly  with  the  Regiment,  and  commanded  the 
Company  in  several  engagements ;  was  wounded  in  the  hip  at  Chicka- 
mauga,  but  not  long  disabled  ;  was  especially  commended  for  bravery  in 
the  report  of  the  regimental  commander  at  the  close  of  the  Atlanta  cam- 
paign ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment ;  returned  to  Maine  shortly  after  the  war. 
and  died  at  Lewiston,  Me.,  Oct.  25,  1879.  His  wife,  sons  and  daughters 
have  all  died  within  a  few  years.  He  followed  painting  for  a  time,  and 
was  two  years  City  Marshal  of  Lewiston,  Me.;  afterward  followed  farm- 
ing until  his  death. 

First  Lieutenant  Lovett  S.  Rivenburg. — Age  24 ;  born  in  Albany 
County,  N.  Y. ;  teacher ;  enlisted  from  Apple  River ;  was  discharged 
March  13,  1864,  for  promotion  as  Second  Lieutenant  16th  U.  S.  C.  T. ; 
subsequently  promoted  to  First  Lieutenant,  and  was  for  some  months 
Provost  Marshal  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn.  Resides  at  Middleburgh,  N.  Y., 
and  is  a  merchant  and  paper  manufacturer. 

Second  Lieutenant  Sidney  B.  Funk. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Monticello, 
Wis. ;  farmer;  enlisted  from  Apple  River;  appointed  Sergeant  at  the 
organization  of  the  Company  ;  promoted  to  First  Sergeant  in  April,  1863, 
and  to  Second  Lieutenant  the  same  month  ;  at  Chickamauga  he  was  so 
severely  wounded  that  it  was  thought  he  could  not  survive  ;  the  missile 
struck  his  face,  passing  through  and  fracturing  his  jaw  and  lodging  in  his 
shoulder,  where  it  could  not  be  removed  ;  he  partially  recovered,  and 
was  at  home  some  weeks,  subsequently  returning  to  hospital  at  Nashville, 
where  he  resigned  Feb.  20,  1864.  He  died  at  Hampton,  Iowa,  on  his 
thirty-eighth  birthday,  while  on  a  business  trip  for  the  Hapgood  Plow 
Co.,  of  Alton,  111.,  of  which  he  was  a  member. 

Second  Lieutenant  Edward  P.  Todd. — Age  25  ;  born  in  Chautauqua 
County,  N.  Y.;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Apple  River  ;  promoted  to  Sergeant 
April  6,  1863  ;  to  First  Sergeant  April  20, 1864,  and  commissioned  Second 
Lieutenant  June  8,  1865  ;  was  in  nearly  all  of  the  engagements  of  the 
command,  but  escaped  wounds  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  a  farmer  and 
stock  raiser  at  Cherry  Vale,  Kan. 

First  Sergeant  William  Stevenson. — Age  28  ;  American  ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Monticello,  Wis.;  discharged  from  hospital  at  Evansville, 
Ind.,  April  27,  1863.  Died  at  Apple  River,  111.,  March  26,  1866. 

Sergeant  'William  T.  Adams. — Age  24  ;  born  in  Wood  County,  Ohio  ; 
farmer;  enlisted  from  Apple  River  ;  appointed  Sergeant  at  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  Company  ;  discharged  at  Brentwood,  Tenn.,  March  31,  1863. 
Is  farming  at  Chapin,  Franklin  County,  Iowa. 

Sergeant  William  H.  Robbins. — Age  22  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Apple  River,  111.;  appointed  Sergeant  at  the  organization 
of  the  Company  ;  was  twice  wounded  at  Chickamauga,  a  piece  of  shell 
injuring  his  left  leg  and  a  bullet  passing  through  his  left  arm  and  lung  r 
was  left  on  the  field  and  became  a  prisoner,  being  paroled  eleven  days 


782  HISTORY  or  THE  96'rn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

later  ;  was  never  again  able  for  field  service,  and  was  discharged  at  Chi- 
cago Jan.  6,  1865.     Is  in  poor  health  and  resides  at  Scales  Mound,  111. 

Sergeant  Jasper  N.  Lindsay. — Age  24  ;  born  in  Scales  Mound,  111. ; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Scales  Mound  ;  appointed  Sergeant  at  the  organi- 
zation of  the  Company  ;  was  detailed  in  Pioneer  Corps  April  6,  1863,  and 
transferred  to  1st  U.  S.  V.  V.  Engineer  Regiment  July  18,  1864,  serving 
until  the  close  of  the  war  ;  contracted  a  disease  of  the  spleen  in  the  ser- 
vice, which  has  given  him  much  trouble  since.  Is  a  farmer  and  mail  car- 
rier at  Semiahmoo,  Whatcom  County,  Washington  Territory. 

Sergeant  Daniel  W.  Dimmick. — Age  22  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County, 
111.;  farmer;  enlisted  from  Apple  River ;  appointed  Corporal  at  the 
erg  mization  of  the  Company,  and  subsequently  promoted  to  Sergeant ; 
was  in  all  the  engagements  of  the  Atlanta  campaign  and  at  Franklin  and 
Nashville  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  a  farmer  and  stock  dealer,  and  re- 
sides at  Monticello,  Wis. ;  P.  O.  address,  Apple  River,  111. 

Sergeant  James  S.  Lewis. — Age  29 ;  born  in  Canada  ;  farmer  and 
teacher  ;  enlisted  from  Apple  River  ;  appointed  Corporal  at  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  Company,  and  promoted  to  Sergeant  April  6,  1863 ;  was  in 
hospital  for  some  months,  and  transferred  to  the  Veteran  Reserve  Corps 
April  23,  1864  ;  finally  discharged  from  service  May  29,  1865.  Is  farming 
at  Rush,  Jo  Daviess  County,  111. 

Sergeant  Royal  J.  Cooper. — Age  23  ;  born  in  Pottsdam,  N.  Y. ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Apple  River ;  promoted  to  Corporal  in  November,  1862  ;  to 
Sergeant  in  April,  1863,  and  to  Hospital  Steward  Nov.  1,  1864 ;  was 
severely  wounded  in  the  left  foot  at  Chickamauga,  and  had  both  haver- 
sack and  canteen  shot  off  ;  was  slightly  wounded  in  the  left  hip  at  Look- 
out Mountain,  and  seriously  wounded  in  the  left  shoulder  at  Atlanta  Aug. 
19,  1864 ;  the  last  wound  unfitted  him  for  field  service,  and  led  to  his  pro- 
motion as  Hospital  Steward  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  engaged  in  busi 
ness  as  a  painter  and  decorator  at  Nora,  Jo  Daviess  County,  111. 

Sergeant  William  F.  DeGraff. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Apple  River,  111. ; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Apple  River  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  and  served  as 
one  of  the  Color  Guard  at  Chickamauga,  where  he  was  severely  wounded 
in  the  thigh,  being  disabled  four  months  ;  returning  he  was  promoted  to 
Sergeant ;  at  the  battle  of  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  May  9,  1864,  was  mortally 
wounded,  being  shot  in  the  breast,  and  dying  at  Chattanooga  May  16, 
1864. 

Sergeant  Calvin  Frisby.— Age  23  ;  American  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  at 
Apple  River ;  promoted  to  Corporal  in  April,  1863,  and  to  Sergeant  in 
1864  ;  w;is  almost  constantly  with  the  command,  but  escaped  wounds  ; 
m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  employed  with  a  plow  manufactory  at  Dixon, 
111. 

Sergeant  George  C.  Bennett.^- Age  31  ;  born  in  Kanawha,  West  Vir- 
ginia ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Apple  River ;  promoted  to  Corporal  and 
Sergeant;  was  wounded  at  R6cfky  Face  Ridge,  and  at  Resaca  had  his 


ROSTEK  OF  COMPANY  E.    ••  783 

canteen  and  haversack  shot  off  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.     Is  an  iron  worker 
at  Portsmouth,  Ohio. 

Sergeant  Peter  F.  Fleming.— Age  19  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  came  to  Syra- 
cuse, N.  Y.,  with  his  parents  when  eighteen  months  old,  and  to  Jo 
Daviess  County  in  1854  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Scales  Mound  ;  promoted 
to  Corporal  Jan.  1,  1864,  and  to  Sergeant  March  1,  1865  ;  was  never  absent 
from  the  command,  and  participated  in  all  of  its  engagements  ;  had  a 
bullet  through  his  pants  leg  at  Chickamauga,  one  through  his  coat  at 
Rocky  Face  Ridge,  slightly  wounding  his  side  ;  had  his  gun  stock  shat- 
tered in  front  of  Atlanta,  and  was  wounded  in  the  left  shoulder  at  Love- 
joy's  Station,  Sept.  4,  1664  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment ;  was  for  two  and  one- 
half  years  Captain  of  Company  H,  3d  Regiment  I.  N.  G.,  at  Lena,  111.; 
for  eight  years  has  been  a  day  guard  in  the  State  Treasurer's  Office  at 
Springfield,  111. 

Corporal  William  A.  McDonald. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Apple  River,  111. ; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Apple  River  ;  appointed  Corporal  at  the  organiz'a- 
tion  of  the  Company  ;  discharged  for  disability  April  14,  1863.  Is  farm- 
ing at  Jefferson,  Green  County,  Iowa. 

Corporal  Thomas  H.  Maynard. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Apple  River,  111.; 
clerk  ;  enlisted  from  Apple  River  ;  appointed  Corporal  at  the  organization 
of  the  Company  ;  was  detailed  as  Orderly  at  Brigade  Headquarters  for  a 
time,  and  subsequently  employed  in  the  Medical  Purveyor's  office  at 
Nashville,  serving  there  until  the  close  of  the  wars  discharged  at  Nash- 
ville, Tenn.,  May  15,  1865.  Is  a  traveling  salesman  for  Doggett,  Bassett  & 
Hills,  Chicago,  and  resides  at  Apple  River,  111. 

Corporal  William  F.  Bostwick. — Age  18 ;  American  ;  clerk  ;  enlisted 
from  Apple  River ;  appointed  Corporal  at  the  organization  of  the  Com- 
pany ;  was  with  the  command  most  of  the  time,  but  escaped  wounds  ;  m. 
o.  with  Regiment. 

Corporal  William  Hill. — Age  43  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  carpenter  ;  en- 
listed from  Apple  River  ;  appointed  Corporal  at  the  organization  of  the 
Company  ;  received  a  gun-shot  wound  in  the  left  knee  at  Chickamauga, 
and  was  on  crutches  for  a  year  or  more  ;  was  discharged  from  hospital  in 
Chicago  Aug.  25,  1864.  Is  working  at  his  trade  in  Apple  River,  111. 

Corporal  Edgar  Warner.— Age  23 ;  born  in  Apple  River,  111. ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Apple  River  ;  appointed  Corporal  at  the  organization  of  the 
Company  ;  was  killed  at  Chickamauga  Sept.  20,  1863. 

Corporal  Absolam  Power. — Age  29  ;  born  in  Bath  County,  Ky.  ; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Apple  River ;  was  promoted  to  Corporal  and 
served  with  the  Color  Guard  for  a  time  ;  had  an  ankle  badly  sprained  on 
the  Duck  River  march,  and  was  sent  to  hospital ;  discharged  at  Louis- 
ville, Ky.,  Oct.  26,  1863.  Is  a  lead  miner  at  Apple  River,  111. 

Corporal  Henry  Cashman. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Apple  River;  promoted  to  Corporal;  was  killed  at -Chickamauga 
Sept.  20,  1863. 


R, 


784  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

Corporal  James  Junken. — Age  22  ;  American  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Apple  River  ;  promoted  to  Corporal ;  was  slightly  wounded  at  Lookout 
Mountain  ;  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  June  22,  1864,  he  was  shot  through  the 
neck,  dying  from  the  effects  of  the  wound  in  the  field  hospital  next  day. 

Corporal  John  H.  Pooley. — Age  19 ;  born  in  England  ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Apple  River  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  in  1863  ;  at  Chickamauga 
was  shot  through  the  right  thigh  and  disabled  for  three  months  ;  at  Kene- 
saw Mountain,  June  20,  1864,  he  was  shot  through  the  left  thigh,  and  had 
a  narrow  escape  from  death,  owing  to  gangrene  ;  his  disability  proved 
permanent,  and  he  was  transferred  to  the  V.  R.  C.;  was  finally  discharged 
at  Mound  City,  111.,  June  16,  1865.  Is  now  a  photographer  at  Galena,  111. 

Corporal  John  Grabham. — Age  22  ;  born  in  England  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Apple  River  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  Jan.  1,  1864 ;  at  Peach  Tree 
Creek  had  bullets  through  his  cap  box,  canteen  and  coat ;  was  in  every 
engagement,  but  escaped  wounds  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  farming  at 
Twin  Falls,  Kansas. 

Corporal  Lloyd  Wardell. — Age  31  ;  American  ;  miner ;  enlisted  from 
Apple  River ;  promoted  to  Corporal  in  1864 ;  was  in  all  of  the  engage- 
ments, and  at  Chickamauga  had  two  bullets  through  his  hat ;  m.  o.  with 
Regiment.  Is  farming  at  Hanover,  Jo  Daviess  County.  111. 

Corporal  William  Faith. — Age  32  ;  born  in  Vermilion  County,  111. ; 
miner  ;  enlisted  from  Apple  River ;  promoted  to  Corporal  in  January, 
1865  ;  was  always  with  the  command  ;  had  a  scalp  wound  at  Chicka- 
mauga, and  several  bullet  holes  in  his  clothing  ;  was  slightly  wounded  in 
the  hand  and  on  the  neck  near  Burnt  Hickory  or  Dallas  ;  m.  o.  with 
Regiment.  Resides  at  Excelsior,  Wis. 

Corporal  John  D.  Glidden. — Age  22  ;  American ;  carpenter  ;  enlisted 
from  Scales  Mound  ;  promoted  to  Corporal ;  was  present  for  duty  almost 
constantly  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  working  at  his  trade  in  Cedar 
Rapids.  Iowa. 

Corporal  Newton  Power. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Apple  River,  111. ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Apple  River  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  in  January,  1865  ;  wa& 
in  many  engagements,  and  once  had  a  bullet  through  his  haversack,  but 
escaped  wounds.  Resides  at  Apple  River,  111. 

Robert  C.  Allison. — Age  23  ;  American  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Apple 
River  ;  was  wounded  through  the  limb  on  the  evening  of  September  18, 
1863,  at  Chickamauga,  and  died  in  hospital  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Oct.  12, 
1863  ;  his  body  was  taken  home  for  interment. 

Solomon  Bixby. — Age  27  ;  American  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from  Apple 
River  ;  was  wounded  in  the  arm  at  Chickamauga  and  in  the  left  hand  at 
Rocky  Face  Ridge,  the  last  injury  disabling  him  for  a  long  time  ;  m.  o. 
with  Regiment.  Resides  at  Mineral  Point,  Wis. 

John  A.  Bush. — Age  28  ;  born  in  St.  Louis,  Mo. ;  farmer ;  enlisted 
from  Apple  River ;  was  twice  wounded  at  Chickamauga,  one  ball  frac- 


COMPANY  E. 


Capt.  RICHARD  GARRET?. 
JAMES  COLE. 
WM.  E.  SpRAiiVE. 


Lieut.  L.  S.  RivENBOisn. 

Lieut.  H.  H.  KICIIAUD^ON 

Serg't  P.  FLEMING. 


Corp'l  JOHN  H.  POOLEY 
Serg't  D  W.  DIMMICK. 
Corp'l  JOHN  (JRABIIAM. 


- 


ROSTEK  OF  COMPANY  E.  785 

turing  his  left  leg  and  the  other  passing  through  his  left  side  ;  he  fell 
into  the  enemy's  hands,  and  was  a  prisoner  ten  days  ;  was  seriously  dis- 
abled, and  did  not  rejoin  the  Regiment  until  the  spring  of  1865  ;  m.  o. 
with  Regiment.  Is  a  mason  and  plasterer,  and  resides  at  Apple  River, 
111. 

William  H.  Burbridge.  —  Age  41  ;  born  in  Bath  County,  Ky.  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Rush  ;  had  two  buck  shot  in  his  right  leg  at  Chickamauga, 
and  had  the  breech  of  his  gun  shot  away  ;  was  transferred  to  V.  R.  C. 
April  30,  1864,  and  was  discharged  at  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  July  7,  1865.  Is 
farming  at  Warren,  Jo  Daviess  County,  111. 

Stephen  F.  Blackstone.  —  Age  21;  American;  farmer;  enlisted  from 

Apple  River  ;  kilUttfat  Chickamauga  Sept.  20,  1863. 
-- 


William  Buckley.  —  Age  20  ;  born  in  England  ;  miner  ;  enlisted  from 
Apple  River  ;  slight  wound  in  face  at  Chickamauga  ;  not  otherwise 
wounded,  although  participating  in  all  of  the  engagements  of  the  com- 
mand ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  farming  at  Highmore,  Hyde  County, 
Dakota. 

Samuel  Barber.  —  Age  22  ;  born  in  Grant  County,  Wis.  ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Scales  Mound,  as  Wagoner,  and  served  in  that  capacity  to  the 
close  of  the  war  ;  m.  o,  with  Regiment.i  Is  farming  at  Steele  City,  Neb. 

Elijah  Coverly.  —  £f!g-1&  ;.  bo^h  &  yijjgiaia^  farmer  and  miner;  en- 
listed from  Apple  River  ;  was  in  numerous  engagements,  and  once  had  a 
bullet  through  his  hat,  but  escaped  wounds  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Died 
at  Apple  River  Nov.  23,  1884. 

James  Coverly.  —  Age  15  ;  born  in  Apple  River  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Warren  Jan.  14,  1864;  was  a  son  of  Elijah  Coverly  ;  at  m.  o.  of 
Regiment  was  transferred  to  Company  E,  21st  Illinois,  and  finally  i  cached 
home  in  January,  1866.  Is  farming  at  Mount  Tabor,  Oregon. 

James  Cole.  —  Age  38  ;  born  in  Chautauqua  County,  Pa.  ;  carriage 
maker  ;  enlisted  at  Apple  River,  but  was  credited  to  Erie  County,  Pa.  ; 
was  slightly  wounded  in  side  and  severely  wounded  through  the  left  arm 
at  Chickamauga,  being  permanently  disabled  ;  was  transferred  to  V.  R. 
C.  April  28,  1864,  and  discharged  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  at  the  close  of  the 
war.  Is  farming  at  East  Springfield,  Erie  County,  Pa. 

James  M.  Cole.  —  Age  38  ;  American  ;  carpenter  ;  enlisted  from  Apple 
River  as  Musician,  and  served  with  the  Regimental  Band  ;  discharged  for 
disability  May  22,  1863.  Address  unknown. 

Albert  Denure.  —  Age  19;  born  in  St.  Lawrence  County,  N.  Y.  ; 
farmer;  enlisted  from  Warren  ;  had  the  measles  at  Danville,  Ky.,  and, 
although  not  fully  recovered,  made  the  trip  to  Nashville  with  the  Regi- 
ment'; the  exposure  caused  a  relapse,  and  he  died  in  hospital  at  Nash- 
ville, Tenn.,  April  28,  1863. 
50 


786  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

George  W.  Dimmick. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Apple  River  ;  at  Chickamauga  was  wounded  under 
the  left  eye,  the  bullet  passing  out  under  the  left  ear ;  it  is  understood 
that  he  was  also  wounded  in  the  body  ;  he  was  supposed  to  be  killed  and 
so  reported,  but  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  and  was  taken  to  Rich- 
mond ;  he  lost  the  sight  of  the  injured  eye,  and  became  nearly  blind  ; 
had  small  pox  during  his  imprisonment ;  he  was  at  Richmond,  Danville, 
Andersonville  and  Florence  ;  always  cheerful  and  ready  to  do  anything 
in  his  power  for  his  companions.  He  died  at  Wilmington,  North  Caro- 
lina, about  at  the  time  of  his  release  from  prison. 

Thomas  Davy. — Age  44 ;  born  in  England  ;  blacksmith  ;  enlisted 
from  Scales  Mound,  but  is  credited  to  Chicago ;  date  of  muster,  Oct. 
21,  1864  ;  did  not  join  the  Regiment  for  some  months,  being  employed  in 
the  hospitals  ;  had  previously  served  five  months  in  the  142d  Illinois  ;  m. 
o.  with  Regiment.  Is  in  poor  health,  and  resides  at  Lena,  Stephenson 
County,  111. 

Alfred  Elderkin. — Age  19  ;  American  ;  farmer  ;  residence,  Monticello, 
Wis. ;  enlisted  from  Apple  River  ;  was  killed  at  Chickamauga  Sept.  20, 
1863. 

Sherod  B.  Eaton. — Age  20  ;  American  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Apple 
River ;  discharged  for  disability  May  5,  1863.  Resides  at  Duncombe, 
Iowa. 

William  Edge. — Age  19  ;  American  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Scales 
Mound  ;  killed  at  Chickamauga  Sept.  20,  1863. 

Benjamin  F.  Easton.— Age  25  ;  born  in  Burlington,  Iowa  ;  harness 
maker  ;  enlisted  from  Warren  ;  transferred  to  V.  R.  C.  April  30,  1864,  and 
was  finally  discharged  at  Nashville  June  30, 1865.  Is  farming  at  Warren, 
Jo  Daviess  County,  111. 

Samuel  Fenn. — Age  24 ;  born  in  England  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Apple  River.  Died  at  Stevenson,  Ala.,  Oct.  10,  1863. 

Joseph  E.  Fletcher. — Age  18  ;  American  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Apple 
River.  Died  in  hospital  at  Danville,  Ky.,  Feb.  17,  1863. 

Joshua  B.  Going. — Age  34 ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer ;  enlisted 
from  Scales  Mound  ;  wounded  in  left  foot  at  Rocky  Face  Ridge  May  9, 
1864,  causing  the  loss  of  a  toe  ;  had  several  bullets  through  his  clothing ; 
his  wound  disabled  him  for  field  service,  and  he  was  transferred  to  the 
V.  R.  C.  April  10,  1865  ;  discharged  at  Quincy,  111.,  July  15,  1865.  Re- 
sides at  Gilford,  Tuscola  County,  Mich. 

Simon  Griburg  (Kreitsburg). — Age  26  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Scales  Mound  ;  was  always  with  the  Regiment,  but  escaped 
wounds  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  farming  at  Schappsville,  111. 

James  Gunn. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111. ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed at  Apple  River.  Died  at  Danville,  Ky.,  Feb.  21,  1863. 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  E.  787 

Richard  Harrison. — Age  28  ;  horn  in  England  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Scales  Mound  ;  served  as  Brigade  Butcher  and  in  the  Q.  M.  department 
most  of  the  time  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Address  unknown. 

Daniel  Herrington.— Age  28  ;  American  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Scales 
Mound  ;  killed  at  Chickarnauga,  Sept.  20,  1863. 

John  Harding. — Age  20  ;  American  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from  Apple 
River.  Died  at  Evansville,  Ind.,  Dec.  24,  1863. 

William  Hubbard. — Age  20  ;  American  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Apple 
River.  Died  at  Harrodsburg,  Ky.,  Jan.  25, 1863. 

Charles  F.  Hayth  (carried  on  the  rolls  as  Heath). — Age  17  ;  born  in 
Shullsburg,  Wis. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Apple  River  ;  was  wounded  in 
the  ankle  at  Chickamauga ;  remaining  near  the  battle-field  to  care  for 
some  wounded  comrades  he  fell  into  the  enemy's  hands;  was  at  Rich- 
mond, Andersonville  and  other  prisons,  being  released  near  the  close  of 
the  war;  discharged  May  21,  1865.  Died  at  Shullsburg,  Wis.;  Oct.  18, 
1865. 

William  W.  Jellison. — Age  28 ;  born  in  Pennsylvania  ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Apple  River ;  while  loading  his  musket  at  Chickamauga  a 
bullet  struck  his  ramrod  and  carried  it  out  of  his  hand  ;  at  Rocky  Face 
Ridge  or  Resaca  a  bullet  grazed  his  temple,  knocking  him  down,  but 
causing  no  permanent  injury  ;  while  outside  the  lines  after  forage,  near 
Atlanta,  Ga.,  Aug.  2,  1864,  he  was  captured  by  the  enemy  ;  was  at  Ander- 
sonville and  Florence,  and  finally  released  near  Wilmington,  N.  C.,  as 
narrated  in  Chapter  XXXIII.  Resides  at  Dorrance,  Russell  County, 
Kansas. 

Marcus  Jellison. — Age  26  ;  American  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Apple 
River  ;  was  a  brother  of  William  W.  Jellison  ;  was  with  the  command 
most  of  the  time  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Resides  at  Wilson,  Kansas. 

George  W.  Jennings. — Age  28  ;  American  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  at  Nora  ; 
was  in  numerous  engagements,  and  was  slightly  wounded  in  the  wrist  at 
Rocky  Face  Ridge  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  It  is  reported  that  he  died  in 
Nebraska  a  few  years  since. 

Andrew  King. — Age  35  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  laborer ;  enlisted  from 
Apple  River  ;  was  severely  wounded  in  the  left  hand  at  Chickamauga, 
causing  a  permanent  disability  ;  was  also  struck  on  the  side  by  a  bullet ; 
m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Resides  at  Apple  River,  111. 

Thomas  Keyes. — Age  33  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Apple  River.  Died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  from  erysipelas,  March  5,  1863. 

Roderick  Kellogg. — Age  44 ;  American  ;  musician ;  enlisted  from 
Warren  as  musician,  serving  with  the  Regimental  Band  while  with  the 
command  ;  was  discharged  for  disability  Jan.  15,  1863,  and  is  understood 
to  have  died  at  the  Soldier's  Home  in  Dayton,  Ohio,  some  years  since. 


788          HISTOKT  OF  THE  96iH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

James  Lewis. — Age  26  ;  born  in  England  ;  wagon  maker ;  enlisted 
from  Warren,  Jo  Daviess  County,  111. ;  served  with  the  Band  a  part  of 
the  time  ;  discharged  for  disability  March  31,  1863.  Address  unknown. 

David  H.  Lamberton. — Age  27  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Warren  ;  was  in  several  engagements  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Re- 
sides at  Freeport,  111. 

Thomas  Martin. — Age  27  ;  American  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from  Galena  ; 
was  terribly  wounded  at  Chickamauga,  being  hit  by  no  less  than  twelve 
missiles  of  various  sizes,  one  of  the  wounds  being  from  a  cannister  shot, 
which  buried  itself  in  his  eye  ;  he  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  and 
was  a  prisoner  ten  days  ;  after  being  paroled  he  was  in  Chattanooga  for 
a  time  ;  the  missile  mentioned  was  removed,  and  he  was  thought  to  be 
recovering  nicely,  and  was  sent  to  Nashville  ;  on  the  trip  an  artery  was 
opened  in  the  wound,  causing  a  hemorrhage,  which  so  weakened  him  as  to 
result  in  his  death  Dec.  19,  1863. 

Herrick  Millett. — Age  27  ;  American ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from  Monti- 
cello,  Wis. ;  was  in  several  engagements,  but  served  much  of  the  time  as 
a  teamster ;  while  the  Regiment  was  in  Chicago  awaiting  final  payment 
he  left  Camp  Do\iglas  to  go  to  the  lake  shore  for  the  purpose  of  fishing, 
and  in  crossing  the  railroad  track  was  struck  by  a  passing  train,  and  so 
badly  injured  as  to  cause  his  death  within  two  or  three  days. 

Henry  Mack. — Age  28  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Apple 
River ;  was  mortally  wounded  at  Chickamauga,  being  shot  through  the 
thigh  ;  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  and  was  a  prisoner  ten  days  ; 
being  paroled  he  was  taken  to  hospital  in  Chattanooga,  where  he  died 
Oct.  12,  1863. 

William  Matthews. — Age  37  ;  American  ;  miner  ;  enlisted  from  Apple 
River  ;  died  in  field  hospital  at  Chattanooga  from  heart  disease,  Oct.  14, 
1863. 

Wallace  Montgomery. — Age  33  ;  American  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Scales  Mound ;  was  captured  near  Atlanta,  Ga.,  Aug.  2,  1864,  and  was  a 
prisoner  until  near  the  close  of  the  war.  Was  killed  by  lightning  at  Lake 
City,  Minn.,  Aug.  15,  1883. 

Thomas  J.  Moore. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Shullsburg,  Wis. ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Scales  Mound  ;  had  a  bullet  through  cap  box  at  Kenesaw 
Mountain,  and  was  once  nearly  covered  by  the  dirt  ploughed  up  by  a 
cannon  ball ;  was  in  most  of  the  engagements  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment. 
Is  mining  at  Scales  Mound,  111. 

Frederick  Mueller. — Age  35  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  lead  smelter  ;  en- 
listed from  Galena  Oct.  8,  1864,  joining  the  Regiment  in  time  to  partici" 
pate  in  the  battle  of  Nashville  ;  at  m.  o.  of  Regiment  was  transferred  to 
Company  E,  21st  Illinois,  and  was  finally  discharged  Oct.  10,  1865,  at 
Victoria,  Texas.  Is  a  lead  smelter  at  Galena,  111. 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  E.  789 

Isaac  P.  Noggle. — Age  32 ;  American  ;  undertaker ;  enlisted  from 
Apple  River  ;  detailed  with  Pioneer  Corps  in  April,  1863,  and  transferred 
to  1st  U.  S.  V.  V.  Engineer  Regiment  July  34,  1864,  serving  with  that 
command  until  the  close  of  the  war.  Resides  at  Bristow,  Iowa. 

Dennis  O'Leary. — Age  22  ;  American  ;  miner ;  enlisted  from  Scales 
Mound ;  at  Chickamauga  was  wounded  in  the  right  hip,  and  fell  into  the 
hands  of  the  enemy ;  being  paroled  ten  days  later  he  was  taken  to  the 
field  hospital  near  Chattanooga,  where  he  died  from  his  injuries  Oct.  26, 
1863. 

William  G.  Oberlin. — Age  25  ;  born  in  Pennsylvania ;  farmer ;  en- 
listed from  Apple  River  ;  was  almost  constantly  with  the  command,  and 
participated  in  nearly  every  engagement  ;  at  Kenesaw  Mountain  was 
slightly  wounded,  a  bullet  cutting  his  face  ;  also  had  his  gun  struck  with 
a  bullet ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  farming  at  Arcola,  Douglas  County, 
111. 

Hiram  N.  Perry. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Quincy,  111. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Warren  ;  was  badly  used  up  by  the  Duck  River  campaign,  in  March, 

1863,  and  compelled  to  leave  the  command  ;  was  discharged  for  disability 
from  hospital  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  July  6,  1863.    Has  held  various  town- 
ship offices,  and  is  a  prominent  citizen  and  prosperous  farmer  at  Wiota, 
La  Fayette  County,  Wis. 

Frank  Pool. — Age  18  ;  American  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from  Scales 
Mound ;  died  from  pneumonia  at  Harrodsburg,  Ky.,  Nov.  30,  1862,  being 
the  first  death  in  the  Company ;  was  a  brother  of  Lieutenant  Robert 
Pool,  of  Company  A. 

Orlando  Phippin. — Age  20  ;  American  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Apple 
River ;  was  wounded  in  the  head  at  Kenesaw  Mountain  June  22,  1864, 
and  disabled  for  several  weeks  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  understood  to 
be  in  California. 

Duane  Patch. — Age  38  ;  American  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Apple 
River  ;  discharged  March  8,  1863.  Address  unknown. 

Richard J.  Poston.— Age  26;  American;  clergyman  and  teacher;  en- 
listed from  Scales  Mound  ;  was  detailed  with  the  18th  Ohio  Battery  for 
several  months,  and  was  also  engaged  in  recruiting  for  a  colored  regi- 
ment ;  returning,  was  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Resides  at  Springfield,  Ohio, 
and  is  a  minister  of  the  gospel. 

Francis  Redfern. — Age  18  ;  bern  in  Hancock,  Ohio  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Apple  River  Jan.  11,  1864,  joining  the  Regiment  before  the  opening 
of  the  Atlanta  campaign  ;  was  wounded  at  Kenesaw  Mountain  June  23, 

1864,  and  died  next  day  in  the  field  hospital. 

James  Shay.— Age  38  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  wagon  maker  ;  enlisted  from 
Apple  River  ;  deserted  at  Cannelton,  Ind.,  Feb.  3,  1863. 


790  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

Brainard  E.  Strong. — Age  28 ;  American  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Apple  River  ;  died  at  Harrodsburg,  Ky.,  Jan.  10,  1863. 

John  Sage. — Age  22  ;  American  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Apple  River  ; 
died  in  hospital  at  Nashville  March  20,  1863. 

William  E.  Sprague.— Age  18  ;  born  in  Chautauqua  County,  N.  Y.  ; 
farmer ;  enlisted  from  Apple  River  ;  was  slightly  wounded  in  the  knee 
at  Lookout  Mountain  ;  was  absent  from  the  command  but  one  month, 
and  participated  in  nearly  every  engagement ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is 
a  hardware  and  implement  dealer  at  Stewartsville,  DeKalb  County,  Mo. 

William  B.  Scace.— Age  18  ;  born  in  Albany,  N.  Y.;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Monticello,  Wis. ;  was  wounded  in  arm  at  Rocky  Face  Ridge  May 
9,  1864 ;  the  disability  was  such  as  to  cause  his  discharge  at  Chicago 
March  8,  1865  ;  was  a  farmer  in  Franklin  County..  la.,  from  1869  to  1880, 
when  he  removed  to  Chicago,  where  he  is  engaged  in  furnishing  building 
material  to  contractors,  employing  a  number  of  men  and  teams.  Resi- 
dence, 397  West  Lake  Street. 

John  W.  Smith. — Age  18  ;  American  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from  Scales 
Mound  ;  was  Company  Cook  most  of  the  time,  but  took  part  in  numerous 
engagements,  and  was  generally  with  the  conimand ;  m.  o.  with  Regi- 
ment. Resides  near  Scales  Mound,  Jo  Daviess  County,  111. 

James  A.  Smith. — Age  18  ;  American  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Scales 
Mound  Oct.  29,  1863  ;  was  credited  to  Dixon  ;  was  in  all  of  the  engage- 
ments following  Lookout  Mountain  ;  at  m.  o.  of  Regiment  was  trans- 
ferred to  Company  E,  21st  Illinois,  and  was  finally  discharged  at  Camp 
Butler  Jan.  18,  1866.  Is  farming  at  Clay  Center,  Kansas. 

Thomas  Scott. — Age  18  ;  born  at  New  Diggings,  Wis. ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Scales  Mound  ;  at  Chickamauga  was  wounded  on  the  knee  by 
a  piece  of  shell,  but  did  not  leave  the  command  ;  was  absent  from  the 
Regiment  but  three  weeks,  on  detached  service,  and  took  part  in  all  of  its 
engagements  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  railroading,  and  resides  at  Scales 
Mound,  111. 

Terhan  Shaffer. — Age  24  ;  American  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from  Apple 
River ;  died  in  hospital  at  Harrodsburg,  Ky.,  Dec.  29,  1862. 

James  B.  Stevenson.— Age  19  ;  American  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Apple  River  ;  was  in  nearly  every  engagement,  and  was  m.  o.  with  Regi- 
ment. Resides  at  Garrison,  Kansas. 

James  A.  Thomas. — Age  20  ;  American  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Scales 
Mound ;  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  was  shot  through  the  thigh,  the 
bones  being  shattered  and  an  artery  severed,  causing  almost  instant 
death. 

Edward  Trusty. — Age  29  ;  American  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from  Scales 
Mound ;  deserted  from  hospital  at  Chicago,  111.,  Jan.  22,  1864 ;  surren- 
dered himself  to  Captain  Adams,  Provost  Marshal  of  the  Third  District 


.ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  E.  791 

of  Iowa,  April  19,  1865,  under  the  President's  proclamation,  and  was  dis- 
honorably discharged  the  service  with  loss  of  pay  and  allowances.  Re- 
sides at  Chickasaw,  Iowa. 

George  Teal. — Age  18  ;  American ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Apple 
River  ;  was  wounded  in  the  arm  at  Chickamauga,  and  in  the  right  leg  at 
Rocky  Face  Ridge  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Resides  at  Lamoni,  Iowa. 

Harry  Tummond. — Age  18  ;  born  in  England  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Scales  Mound  ;  was  Clerk  at  Brigade  and  Division  Headquarters  during 
most  of  his  time  of  service ;  discharged  for  disability  July  12,  1863.  Is 
teaming  at  Kirksville,  Mo. 

Joseph  Tinkler. — Age  25  ;  born  in  England  ;  mason  ;  enlisted  from 
Scales  Mound  ;  was  killed  at  Chickamauga  Sept.  20,  1863. 

John  Williams. — Age  24  ;  American  ;  mechanic  ;  enlisted  from  Apple 
River  ;  was  on  detached  service  about  the  hospitals  during  most  of  his 
term  of  service  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Lives  somewhere  in  Michigan. 

Jabez  White. — Age  43  ;  born  in  Bloomfield,  N.  J. ;  farmer;  enlisted 
from  Apple  River  ;  was  sick  in  hospital  much  of  the  time,  and  was  dis- 
charged from  hospital  at  Quincy,  111.,  Nov.  24, 1864,  and  died  at  his  home 
in  Rush,  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.,  five  days  later. 

James  Wollam. — Age  24;  born  in  Columbia  County,  Ohio;  farmer; 
enlisted  from  Apple  River ;  was  constantly  with  the  command,  but 
escaped  wounds  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Died  in  1875  at  Wilson,  Kansas. 


792  HISTORY  OF  THE  96rrn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  1. 


CHAPTER   XLVI. 


COMPANY     F. 

Rapid  Recruiting — Where  the  Men  were  from — Their  Age  and  Nationality 
— Officers  Chosen — Captain  Green  aspires  to  the  Colonelcy — Mustered 
In — The  First  Man  Killed — Battle  Losses — Two  Men  Die  in  Prison- 
Ten  Deaths  in  Hospital — Forty-five  Recruits  reach  the  Company — 
Changes  among  the  Officers — Company  Statistics — The  Roster. 

THE  manner  in  which  Company  F  was  recruited  was  not 
unlike  that  by  which  many  other  organizations  were  brought 
into  the  service  in  the  summer  of  1862.  The  nucleus  for  the 
Company  seems  to  have  been  the  overflow  from  Company  I, 
although  Thomas  A.  Green,  Charles  E.  Rowan  and  others  had 
begun  recruiting  before  the  latter  Company  was  fully  organ- 
ized. Almost  without  exception  the  enlistments  for  the  origi- 
nal Company  date  from  August  11  to  August  15.  A  portion 
of  those  of  the  latter  date  were  probably  recruited  a  little 
later  in  the  month,  but,  by  agreement  of  the  recruiting  officers, 
placed  at  that  date. 

Thirteen  townships  or  neighborhoods  in  Jo  Daviess  County 
were  represented  on  the  rolls.  Galena  furnished  the  larger 
number,  having  thirty-one  ;  Hanover  had  twenty,  Guilford 
eight,  Council  Hill  and  Vinegar  Hill  seven  each,  Guilford 
and  Mill  Creek  six  each,  Pleasant  Valley  five,  Elizabeth  and 
Irish  Hollow  three  each,  and  other  neighborhoods  one  or  two 
each  ;  three  were  from  Carroll  County,  and  four  from  across 
the  state  line  of  Wisconsin. 

The  records  show  that  of  the  original  Company  thirty-two 
were  married  and  sixty- seven  were  single  ;  forty-seven  were 
born  in  the  United  States,  seventeen  in  Germany,  thirteen  in 
England,  twelve  in  Ireland,  four  in  Canada,  two  in  Scotland, 
two  in  Switzerland  and  one  in  Wales.  The  average  age  was 
twenty-six  years. 

The  Company  was  organized  at  Galena,  about  the  middle 
of  August,  by  the  election  of  Thomas  A.  Green  as  Captain, 


SKETCH  OF  COMPANY  F.  793 

diaries  E.  Rowan  as  First  Lieutenant,  and  Nelson  R.  Simms 
as  Second  Lieutenant, — the  latter  a  soldier  in  the  Mexican 
war.  Going  into  camp  at  Galena,  members  of  the  Company 
made  an  earnest  effort  to  secure  the  election  of  their  Captain 
as  Colonel  of  the  Regiment,  but  without  avail.  They  were 
at  Camp  Washburn  until  September  4,  when  they  went  to 
Rockford  and  became  a  part  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH.  Drawing 
the  letter  "  F  "  the  Company  was  assigned  to  the  second  place 
from  the  right  of  the  line.  From  that  time  its  history  runs 
parallel  with  that  of  the  Regiment,  as  it  was  seldom  detached 
except  for  a  day  at  a  time  on  picket  duty.  It  bore  its  full  part 
in  each  campaign  and  battle,  losing  more  than  an  average  in 
killed  and  mortally  wounded.  The  first  man  killed  was 
James  M.  Scott,  who  was  shot  on  the  picket  line  in  front  of 
Franklin,  on  the  night  of  April  14,  1863.  At  Chickamauga 
Captain  Rowan,  while  serving  on  the  staff  of  the  Brigade 
commander,  was  captured  by  the  enemy,  being  a  prisoner  for 
several  months.  Lieutenant  Simms,  who  was  in  command  of 
the  Company,  was  mortally  wounded.  Corporal  John  R. 
Oatey,  Hiram  L.  Bostwick,  James  Fimley,  and  Walton  Reed 
were  killed,  and  Corporal  Augustus  Armbruster  and  Frederick 
W.  Miller  were  mortally  wounded,  the  fatalities  thus  number- 
ing seven  in  this  one  engagement.  Bennett  Holtkamp  was 
captured,  and  subsequently  died  in  prison.  Color  Corporal 
John  A.  Robison  lost  an  arm,  and  Joseph  Gammon  and 
Edward  Wearne  were  so  severely  wounded  as  to  be  disabled 
for  further  field  service.  Besides  the  eleven  mentioned,  none 
of  whom  ever  again  marched  with  the  command,  William 
Calvert  was  wounded  in  the  leg,  Hugh  Williams  in  the  hand, 
Patrick  Conway  in  the  hip,  John  Hocking  in  the  thigh,  being 
a  prisoner  ten  days  ;  James  Brown  in  the  body,  Thomas 
Graham  in  the  face,  Joseph  Gammon  in  the  face,  and  John 
Roddin  in  the  hip  ;  others  received  minor  wounds  that  did 
not  take  them  from  the  command. 

At  Lookout  Mountain  William  S.  Nash  was  severely 
wounded  in  the  chin  and  shoulder,  being  disabled  three 
months.  At  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  May  9,  1864,  the  Company 
occupied  an  especially  exposed  position  in  the  gap,  and  sus- 


794  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

tained  about  one-third  the  entire  loss  of  the  Regiment.  Ser- 
geant Fowler  was  mortally  wounded.  Corporal  Kneebone  was 
shot  in  the  body,  Corporal  Trevarthan  in  the  hip,  Joseph 
Shannon  in  the  hand,  Erhard  Dittmar  in  the  side,  Andrew 
Hindman  in  the  leg,  John  Miller  in  the  breast,  James  Stewart 
in  the  right  hand,  John  Stahl  in  the  shoulder  and  head,  and 
Anton  Schap  in  the  right  leg. 

At  Resaca,  May  14,  1864,  Richard  Spencer  was  severely 
wounded,  being  shot  through  the  body  and  falling  into  the 
hands  of  the  enemy,  being  a  prisoner  but  two  days,  how- 
ever. Corporal  Thomas  Trevarthan  and  Hugh  Williams  were 
slightly  wounded,  and  First  Sergeant  Joseph  B.  Leekley  was 
captured,  dying  at  Andersonville  after  long  months  of  suffer- 
ing. On  the  second  day  at  Resaca  Andrew  Hindman  was 
severely  wounded  in  the  shoulder.  At  Dallas,  a  fortnight 
later,  Sergeant*  Franklin  Pierce  was  wounded  in  the  shoulder. 
In  the  engagements  about  Kenesaw  Mountain  William  R. 
Buchanan  was  mortally  wounded,  dying  within  a  few  hours, 
and  Edward  Hancock  was  wounded  in  the  ankle.  Both  of 
the  Company  Musicians  sustained  injuries,  Quincy  Robinson 
having  a  slight  bullet  wound,  and  John  Golden  having  an 
arm  fractured  by  falling  with  a  box  of  ammunition  which  he 
was  carrying  to  the  line. 

At  Peach  Tree  Creek,  July  20,  1864,  Thomas  Kimmins 
was  wounded.  At  Lovejoy's  Station  William  Calvert  and 
Andrew  W.  Jelly  were  mortally  wounded,  and  John  Lister 
lost  a  finger.  At  Nashville  Francis  S.  Bailey  and  Sergeant 
Michael  Sullivan  were  mortally  wounded.  The  former  had 
been  with  the  Company  but  a  few  days. 

Ten  of  the  original  Company  and  one  recruit  died  from 
disease.  William  Yan  Alstine  died  March  12,  1863  ;  Daniel 
Goble  died*Feb.  9,  1863  ;  W.  I.  Edgerton,  March  13,  1S63  ; 
William  Sturges,  March  18,  1863  ;  Corporal  Chauncey  Wake- 
field,  March  23,  1863  ;  Corporal  Henry  Trefz,  March  31,  1863  ; 
William  Trudgian,  Sept.  14,  1863  ;  Jacob  Elberth,  Sept.  25, 
1863;  George  Sidner,  Nov.  12,  1863;  James  Telford,  Nov. 
6,  1.864,  and  Carl  Wertenburch,  March  10,  1865. 

In  the  autumn  of  1864  forty  recruits  joined  the  Company, 


SKETCH  OF  COMPANY  F.  795 

a  few  arriving  in  time  to  take  part  in  the  retreat  from  Pulaski 
and  the  battle  of  Franklin,  and  nearly  all  in  time  to  bear  their 
part  in  the  battle  of  Nashville  and  the  subsequent  campaigns. 
Still  later  five  others  joined  the  command.  Of  the  entire 
number  twenty-seven  were  from  Galena,  eight  from  Guilford, 
three  from  Hanover,  two  from  Elizabeth  and  one  each  from 
Thompson,  JRice,  Dubuque,  Victory  and  Chicago.  Of  these 
recruits  Francis  S.  Bailey  was  mortally  wounded  at  the  battle 
of  Nashville,  Carl  Wertenburch  died  at  Huntsville,  Ala.,  and 
a  few  were  discharged  for  disability.  Nearly  all  were  trans- 
ferred to  Company  H  of  the  21st  Illinois  when  the  NINETY- 
SIXTH  was  mustered  out,  and  went  to  Texas,  where  James 
Diehl  was  taken  sick  and  died.  So  far  as  the  records  show 
all  of  the  others  survived,  and  were  honorably  discharged. 

After  the  resignation  of  Captain  Green  in  November,  1862, 
Lieutenant  Rowan  was  promoted  to  the  vacancy,  holding  that 
rank  until  the  close  of  the  war,  and  being  the  second  in  rank 
of  the  Captains  when  mustered  out.  He  was  brevetted  Major 
for  gallant  services.  Second  Lieutenant  Simms  was  promoted 
to  First  Lieutenant,  Sergeant  Dawson  to  Second  and  then  to 
First  Lieutenant,  and  Corporal  Pierce,  through  the  various 
grades,  to  Second  Lieutenant. 

The  surviving  members  of  the  Company  feel  a  just  pride 
in  the  part  it  bore  during  its  three  years  of  service. 

THE  COMPANY  ROSTER. 

Captain  Thomas  A.  Green. — Age  80  ;  born  in  Pennsylvania ;  attor- 
ney-at-law ;  enlisted  from  Galena  ;  was  elected  Captain  at  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  Company,  and  was  a  prominent  candidate  for  Colonel  at  the 
organization  of  the  Regiment,  lacking  but  a  few  votes  of  a  majority  at 
the  election  ;  resigned  Nov.  24,  1863.  Is  practicing  law  at  Denver,  Col., 
and  has  extensive  mining  interests  in  that  vicinity. 

Captain  Charles  E.  Rowan. — Age  24 ;  born  in  Sommerville,  N.  J. ; 
merchant ;  enlisted  from  Galena  ;  elected  First  Lieutenant  at  the  organi- 
zation of  the  Company  ;  promoted  to  Captain  Nov.  24,  1862 ;  at  Chicka- 
mauga,  while  serving  on  the  staff  of  the  brigade  commander,  was  cap- 
tured by  the  enemy  ;  for  an  account  of  his  prison  experiences  reference 
is  made  to  Chapter  XXXII.  Returning  in  the  early  spring  of  1864,  he 
served  in  the  subsequent  campaigns  with  distinction,  and  at  times  was  in 
command  of  the  Regiment  ;  was  more  than  once  mentioned  for  conspi- 


796  HISTORY  OF  THE  96™  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

cuous  gallantry,  and  was  brevetted  Major  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.     Resi- 
dence unknown. 

First  Lieutenant  Nelson  R.  Simms. — Age  33  ;  born  in  Cincinnati, 
Ohio  ;  chairmaker ;  enlisted  from  Galena  ;  elected  Second  Lieutenant  at 
the  organization  of  the  Company ;  promoted  to  First  Lieutenant  Nov. 
24,  1862 ;  served  in  the  army  during  the  Mexican  war  ;  at  Chickamauga, 
Sept.  20,  1863,  was  shot  through  the  hip,  and  died  as  a  result  of  his  in- 
juries at  Nashville  Sept.  29,  1863. 

First  Lieutenant  William  Dawson. — Age  24  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess 
County,  111. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Hanover  ;  appointed  Second  Sergeant 
at  the  organization  of  the  Company  ;  promoted  to  Second  Lieutenant 
Nov.  24,  1862,  and  to  First  Lieutenant  Sept.  29,  1863  ;  had  previously 
served  thirteen  months  in  the  12th  Illinois  ;  was  one  of  six  brothers  in 
the  army,  whose  aggregate  service  was  nineteen  years  ;  served  with  dis- 
tinction and  was  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Died  at  Leadville,  Col.,  in  1885. 

Second  Lieutenant  Franklin  W.  Pierce. — Age  30  ;  born  in  Worcester, 
Mass. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Hanover  ;  appointed  Third  Corporal  at  the 
organization  of  the  Company ;  promoted  to  Sergeant,  then  to  First  Ser- 
geant, and,  Feb.  5,  1865,  to  Second  Lieutenant ;  was  wounded  in  the 
shoulder  at  Dallas,  or  New  Hope  Church  ;  was  almost  constantly  with 
the  command  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  farming  near  Elizabeth,  111. 

First  Sergeant  Joseph  B.  Leekley. — Age  26  ;  born  in  Dubuque,  Iowa  ; 
attorney  and  teacher;  enlisted  from  Council  Hill,  111.;  was  captured  at 
the  battle  of  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  14,  1864,  and  died  at  Andersonville,  Ga., 
Sept.  25,  1864  ;  at  the  clese  of  the  war  his  remains  were  disinterred  and 
removed  to  Council  Hill,  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.,  for  final  burial. 

First  Sergeant  Andrew  Campbell. — Age  22 ;  born  in  Galena,  111. ; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Irish  Hollow  ;  promoted  to  Corporal,  Sergeant  and 
First  Sergeant ;  served  in  many  engagements  but  escaped  wounds  ;  m.  o. 
with  Regiment.  Died  in  Jo  Daviess  County  a  few  years  since. 

Sergeant  Charles  G.  Luttman. — Age  24  ;  born  in  York,  Pa. ;  miller  ; 
enlisted  from  Galena  ;  was  appointed  Sergeant  at  the  organization  of  the 
Company  ;  had  previously  served  one  year  as  First  Sergeant  in  Company 
F,  12th  Illinois,  and  taken  part  in  the  battles  of  Belmont,  Fort  Donelson 
and  Shiloh  ;  was  on  detached  service  as  chief  clerk  of  a  court  martial  and 
as  commander  of  escort  at  Brigade  headquarters  much  of  the  time  ;  had 
a  bullet  through  his  coat  at  Chickamauga,  and  two  through  his  hat  at 
Lookout  Mountain  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment ;  was  so  unfortunate  as  to  lose 
his  right  arm  in  1877.  Resides  at  Neenah,  Wis. 

Sergeant  Hiram  L.  Bostwick. — Age  27 ;  born  in  Geauga,  Ohio  ;  en- 
listed from  Hanover ;  appointed  Sergeant  at  the  organization  of  the 
Company  ;  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  Sept.  20,  1863. 

Sergeant  Augustus  Wirth. — Age  38  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Galena  ;  appointed  Sergeant  at  the  organization  of  the  Com- 
pany ;  transferred  to  V.  R.  C.  Feb.  8,  1864. 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  F.  797 

Sergeant  John  C.  Lee. — Age  24  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111. ; 
carpenter  and  builder ;  enlisted  from  Elizabeth  ;  had  previously  served 
three  months  in  Company  F,  12th  Illinois  ;  appointed  First  Corporal  at 
the  organization  of  the  Company  ;  promoted  to  Sergeant  Nov.  24,  1862  -r 
detailed  in  Fourth  Battalion  Pioneer  Brigade  in  June,  1863,  and  trans- 
ferred to  1st  Regiment  U.  S.  V.  V.  Engineers  July  18,  1864,  serving  with 
that  command  to  the  close  of  the  war  ;  returning  to  Elizabeth  he  repre- 
sented the  Canton,  Ohio,  Wrought  Iron  Bridge  Company  for  many  years  ; 
he  was  active  in  politics,  being  for  several  terms  a  member  of  the  County 
Republican  Central  Committee,  and  an  acknowledged  leader  in  all  social 
and  business  matters  in  the  neighborhood  where  he  resided.  He  died  at 
Elizabeth,  111.,  April  22,  1886. 

Sergeant  Robert  A.  Fowler. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County, 
111. ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from  Hanover  ;  was  appointed  Corporal  at  the 
organization  of  the  Company ;  promoted  to  Sergeant ;  was  mortally 
wounded  at  Rocky  Face  Ridge  May  9,  1864,  and  died  at  Chattanooga  May 
11,  1864. 

Sergeant  Michael  Sullivan. — Age  19;  born  in  Canada ;  farmer ;  enlisted 
from  Galena  ;  promoted  to  Corporal,  and  was  with  the  Color  Guard  for  a 
time,  carrying  the  regimental  flag  for  some  weeks  after  Corporal  Swan- 
brough  was  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Lookout  Mountain  ;  was  subse- 
quently promoted  to  Sergeant,  and  returned  to  the  Company  ;  at  the  bat- 
tle of  Nashville,  Dec.  16,  1864,  was  wounded  in  the  hip  and  died  in  hos- 
pital at  Louisville,  Ky.,  Jan.  10,  1865. 

Sergeant  James  Stewart. — Age  38  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Hanover  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  in  August,  1864,  and  to  Sergeant  in 
February,  1865  ;  served  in  the  U.  S.  Navy  from  August,  1850,  to  Septern- 
tember,  1851  ;  was  wounded  in  the  right  hand  at  Rocky  Face  Ridge  May 
9,  1864,  and  had  a  bullet  through  the  cartridge  box  the  same  day  ;  m.  o. 
with  Regiment.  Is  farming  at  Freeman,  Hutchinson  County,  Dakota. 

Sergeant  Conrad  Winter. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Thompson  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  and  Sergeant ;  m.  o. 
with  Regiment.  Is  farming  at  Schappsville,  111. 

Sergeant  John  Kneebone. — Age  21  ;  born  in  England  ;  miner ;  en- 
listed from  Council  Hill ;  promoted  to  Corporal  and  Sergeant ;  was 
wounded  in  the  body  at  Rocky  Face  Ridge  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is 
reported  as  having  died  in  Montana  several  years  since. 

Sergeant  Louis  Romer. — Age  34;  born  in  Prussia;  mason;  enlisted 
from  Guilford  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  and  Sergeant ;  took  part  in  many 
engagements,  but  escaped  wounds  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Resides  At 
Schappsville,  111. 

Corporal  Henry  Trefz. — Age  36  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Galena  ;  appointed  Corporal  at  the  organization  of  the  Company  ; 
died  in  Nashville,  Tenn.,  March  31,  1863.  Is  buried  in  the  National 
Cemetery  at  Nashville,  Tenn. 


798  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

Corporal  John  McCarty. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Galena,  111. ;  blacksmith  ; 
enlisted  from  Galena  ;  appointed  Corporal  at  the  organization  of  the 
Company  ;  in.  o.  with  Regiment ;  was  accidentally  killed  at  Des  Moines, 
Iowa,  while  firing  an  artillery  salute  in  1868.  « 

Corporal  John  R.  Oatey. — Age  23  ;  born  in  England ;  farmer ;  en- 
listed from  Council  Hill ;  appointed  Corporal  at  the  organization  of  the 
Company  ;  was  killed  at  Chickamauga  Sept.  20,  1863. 

Corporal  Augustus  Armbruster. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  saddler  ; 
unlisted  from  Galena  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  ;  shot  through  the  shoulder 
and  mortally  wounded  at  Chickamauga  Sept.  20,  1863,  dying  Oct.  7,  1863. 
Is  buried  in  the  National  Cemetery  at  Chattanooga. 

Corporal  William  Irwin. — Age  47  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Galena ;  appointed  Corporal  at  the  organization  of  the  Company  ; 
had  a  bullet  through  the  sole  of  his  shoe  at  Pumpkin  Vine  Creek  ;  parti- 
cipated in  all  of  the  engagements  of  the  command,  but  was  never 
wounded  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  a  farmer  and  justice  of  the  peace  at 
West  Hill,  Platt  County,  Neb. 

Corporal  John  A.  Robison. — Age  25;  born  in  Carroll  County,  111.; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Carroll  County  ;  appointed  Corporal  at  the  organi- 
zation of  the  Company ;  at  Chickamauga  had  his  right  arm  shattered, 
rendering  amputation  necessary  ;  was  discharged  at  Chicago  March  16, 
1864.  Has  held  numerous  township  and  village  offices,  and  resides  at 
Savanna,  Carroll  County,  111. 

Corporal  Chauncey  Wakefield. — Age  38  ;  born  in  Ohio  ;  farmer ;  en- 
listed from  Galena  ;  promoted  to  Corporal ;  died  of  disease  at  Franklin, 
Tenn.,  March  25,  1863.  Is  buried  at  Stone's  River,  Tenn. 

Corporal  Simeon  Spencer. — Age  20  ;  born  in  England  ;  farmer ;  en- 
listed from  Council  Hill ;  promoted  to  Corporal  Dec.  1, 1864  ;  had  several 
bullets  through  his  clothing  and  equipments  while  trying  to  assist  his 
brother,  Richard  Spencer,  who  was  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Resaca  ;  was 
thrown  out  of  the  works  at  Pine  Mountain  and  rendered  temporarily  in- 
sensible by  the  explosion  of  a  shell  in  the  works,  his  cartridge  box  being 
torn  off  and  his  clothing  torn  by  fragments  of  the  missile  ;  m.  o.  with 
Regiment.  Is  farming  at  Council  Hill,  111. 

Corporal  Robert  Pimley. — Age  19  ;  born  in  England  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Pleasant  Valley ;  promoted  to  Corporal ;  participated  in  most  of 
the  engagements,  but  escaped  wounds  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment,  and  died  on 
his  farm  near  Elkader,  Iowa,  about  1882. 

Corporal  Philip  Fablinger. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Cumberland  County, 
Md.;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Hanover  ;  was  once  slightly  wounded  in  the 
leg  by  a  piece  of  shell,  had  a  bullet  through  his  cartridge  box  and  others 
through  his  clothing,  but  was  never  disabled,  although  in  nearly  every 
engagement ;  m.  o.  with  the  Regiment.  Is  farming  at  Bellevue,  Iowa. 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  F.  799 

Corporal  John  Rodden.— Age  20 ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111. ; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Irish  Hollow  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  in  January, 
1865 ;  participated  in  all  of  the  engagements  of  the  command  except 
Lookout  Mountain  ;  at  Chickamauga  was  slightly  wounded  in  the  hip, 
but  not  disabled  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  farming  near  Galena,  111. 

Corporal  Andrew  Hindman. — Age  18;  born  in  Pittsburgh,  Pa.;  en- 
listed from  Sinsinawa  ;  promoted  to  Corporal ;  wounded  in  the  right  leg 
at  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  and  in  the  shoulder  at  Resaca,  May  15,  1864  ;  m.  o. 
with  Regiment.  Is  reported  to  have  died  since  the  war. 

Corporal  Anton  Schap. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  blacksmith  ;  en- 
listed from  Mill  Creek  ;  promoted  to  Corporal ;  was  wounded  in  the  right 
leg  at  Rocky  Face  Ridge  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Resides  in  Schappsville, 
111. 

Corporal  Thomas  Trevarthan. — Age  23  ;  born  in  England ;  miner  ; 
enlisted  from  Council  Hill ;  promoted  to  Corporal ;  never  missed  a  battle  ; 
had  a  bullet  through  his  cartridge  box  at  Chickamauga,  and  a  slight 
wound  in  the  hip  and  his  sleeve  cut  at  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  and  a  slight 
wound  in  the  face  at  Resaca  ;  was  never  in  hospital  ;  m.  o.  with  Regi- 
ment. Is  farming  at  Council  Hill,  111. 

Corporal  John  Stahl. — Age  21 ;  born  in  Germany  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Thompson  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  in  July,  1863  ;  was  wounded  in 
the  arm  and  head  at  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  and  in  the  shoulder  at  Kenesaw 
Mountain,  but  not  disabled  ;  was  absent  on  furlough  at  the  muster  out, 
but  joined  the  Regiment  in  Chicago.  Is  in  business  at  Apple  River,  111. 

Corporal  Thomas  Graham — Age  21  ;  born  in  England  ;  farmer ;  en- 
listed from  Vinegar  Hill ;  was  wounded  in  the  cheek  at  Chickamauga  ; 
promoted  to  Corporal ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  reported  to  have  died 
since  the  war. 

Corporal  Thomas  Shannon. — Age  44  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  stone  mason  ; 
enlisted  from  Galena  ;  was  a  ready  Irish  wit,  and  brave  soldier  ;  had  pre- 
viously served  in  the  Mexican  war  ;  promoted  to  Corporal ;  discharged 
for  disability  Jan.  9.  1865,  and  died  at  his  home  in  Jo  Daviess  County 
several  years  since. 

William  R.  Buchanan. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Ohio  ;  enlisted  from  Victory, 
Wis. ;  was  mortally  wounded  at  Kenesaw  Mountain  June  21,  1864,  dying 
the  same  day. 

Sampson  Bastian. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111. ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Guilford  ;  was  wounded  in  the  face  at  Chickamauga  ;  m.  o. 
with  Regiment.  Resides  near  Galena,  111. 

George  W.  Bailey. — Age  22  ;  born  in  Canada  ;  potter  ;  enlisted  from 
Galena  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  reported  to  be  living  near  Minneapolis, 
Minn. 

James  Brown.— Age  27  ;  born  in  Scotland  ;  miner  ;  enlisted  from 
•  Council  Hill ;  was  seriously  wounded  in  the  back  at  Chickamauga,  and 


800  HISTORY  OF  THE  96™  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

disabled  for  a  long  time  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.     Is  reported  to  have  died 
in  Colorado  about  1880. 

Thomas  Bonjour. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Switzerland  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Vinegar  Hill ;  was  detailed  in  the  9th  Ohio  Battery  Feb.  23,  1863, 
and  in  the  18th  Ohio  Battery  July  26,  1863,  serving  with  the  latter  about 
eight  months,  then  returning  to  the  Regiment ;  at  Chickamauga  had  a 
horse  killed  under  him  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  a  farmer  at  Apple 
River,  111.,  and  has  held  several  township  offices. 

Richard  Calvert. — Age  28  ;  born  in  Vermont ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Hanover  ;  transferred  to  the  V.  R.  C.  Jan.  16, 1865,  and  discharged  at  the 
close  of  the  war.  Resides  at  Hanover,  111. 

William  P.  Clark. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Utica,  N.  Y.;  lawyer;  enlisted 
from  Galena  ;  was  with  the  Regiment  but  a  few  weeks,  being  transferred  to 
the  3d  Missouri  Cavalry  Oct  7,  1862. 

Patrick  Conway. — Age  24  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Pleasant  Valley ;  was  captured  while  outside  the  lines  near  Franklin 
Tenn.,  March  8,  1863,  in  company  with  James  Pimley,  as  described  in 
Chapter  XXXII,  and  confined  in  Richmond,  Va.,  for  some  months,  return- 
ing to  the  command  in  time  to  participate  in  the  battle  of  Chickamauga, 
where  he  was  severely  wounded  in  the  hip  ;  recovering  he  again  came  to 
the  front,  participating  in  nearly  all  of  the  engagements  of  the  command, 
and  being  mustered  out  with  Regiment.  Is  farming  at  Westfield,  Iowa. 

John  Craig. — Age  25  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from  Hanover; 
was  with  the  command  almost  constantly  until  taken  sick  at  Gaylesville, 
Ala.,  in  October,  1864,  when,  after  a  prolonged  illness  at  Chattanooga,  he 
was  sent  to  Madison,  Ind.,  being  discharged  at  the  latter  place  May  26, 
1S65.  Resides  at  Hanover,  Jo  Daviess  County,  111. 

William^  Calvert.  —Age  29 ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Hanover  ;  was  severely  wounded  in  the  leg  at  Chickamauga  ;  recovering 
he  rejoined  the  Regiment,  and  at  the  battle  of  Lovejoy's  Station,  Ga., 
Sept.  2,  1864,  was  mortally  wounded,  dying  at  Jonesboro  two  days  later. 

Erhard  Dittmar. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Woodbine  ;  at  Missionary  Ridge,  the  day  following  Chickamauga,  he  was 
slightly  wounded  ;  at  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  Ga.,  May  9,  1864,  he  was  severely 
wounded  in  the  left  side,  being  disabled  two  months.  Returned  to  the 
command  and  participated  in  the  campaigns  and  battles  following,  and 
was  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  farming  near  Woodbine,  111. 

John  G.  Dittmar. — Age  20 ;  born  in  Germany  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Woodbine  ;  took  part  in  all  of  the  engagements  of  the  command,  but 
escaped  wounds  ;  was  discharged  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  June  8,  1865.  Is 
farming  at  Clay  Center,  Kansas. 

'W.  Irving  Edgerton. — Age  18;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111. ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Hanover.  Died  of  disease  March  13,  1863. 


COMPANY  C. 


WILLIAM  H.  SCOTT. 
Capt.  CHAS.  E.  ROWAN. 
Lieut.  N.  R.  SIMMS. 


Corp'l  JOHN  STAHL. 
WILLIAM  IBWIN. 
J.  Q,.  ROBINSON. 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  F.  801 

Jacob  Elberth. — Age  45 ;  born  in  Germany  ;  cook  ;  enlisted  from 
Galena.  Died  of  disease  Sept.  25,  1863. 

Frank  Garrow. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Pennsylvania ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Hanover  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  reported  to  have  died  since  the 
war,  but  no  data  is  received. 

John  Golden. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Hano- 
ver ;  served  with  Band  most  of  the  time  ;  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  June 
20,  1864,  he  was  sent  for  ammunition,  and  fell  while  crossing  a  stream  on 
a  log,  the  box  of  ammunition  striking  and  fracturing  his  arm,  disabling 
him  rive  months  ;  in.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  farming  at  Hanover,  111. 

Joseph  Gammon. — Age  44  ;  born  in  Ohio  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Irish 
Hollow  ;  was  wounded  in  the  cheek  and  leg  at  Chickamauga,  and  per- 
manently disabled  ;  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  June  14,  1864. 
Died  in  Missouri  about  1882. 

William  E.  Goodwin. — Age  44 ;  born  in  Illinois  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Guilford  ;  discharged  for  disability  Sept.  15,  1863.  Resides  at  Scales 
Mound,  111. 

Daniel  Goble. — Age  16  ;  born  in  Sparta,  N.  J. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Small  Pox  Died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Feb.  9,  1863. 

Seber  A.  Guild.— Age  22;  born  in  Oswego  County,  N.  Y. ;  farmer; 
enlisted  from  Pleasant  Valley  as. /W^gonej-.)  discharged  for  disability  Feb. 
15,  1863  ;  subsequently  enlistea' Peb.  'l'3,  -1885.  in  the  45th  Illinois  (reor- 
ganized) Infantry,  and  was  finally  discharged  at  Springfield,  111.,  in  Sep- 
tember, 1865.  Is  farming  at  Yankee  Hollow,  111. 

Jacob  Harwick. — Age  38;  born  in  Sparta,  Tenn.;  farmer;  enlisted 
from  Small  Pox.  Died  July  26,  1863  ;  is  buried  in  National  Cemetery  at 
Nashville,  Tenn. 

Jacob  Hallaner. — Age  32  ;  born  in  Switzerland  ;  miner  ;  enlisted  from 
Elizabeth  ;  m.  o,  with  Regiment.  Resides  at  Hannibal,  Mo. 

John  Hocking. — Age  22 ;  born  in  England  ;  miner ;  enlisted  from 
Vinegar  Hill ;  at  Chickamauga  was  badly  wounded  in  the  hip,  and  fell 
into  the  hands  of  the  enemy  ;  was  a  prisoner  nearly  two  weeks,  and 
when  paroled  and  taken  to  Chattanooga  maggots  were  crawling  in  his 
wound  ;  was  in  hospital  at  Murfreesboro  two  months,  and  at  home  three 
months ;  was  declared  exchanged  in  May,  1863,  and  assigned  to  duty  in 
Block  House  No.  8 ;  during  a  five  months'  stay  at  this  point  he  was  in 
one  engagement ;  returned  to  the  Regiment  and  was  present  at  its  final 
muster  out.  Resides  at  Scales  Mound,  111. 

Hendrick  Holtkamp.— Age  43  ;  born  in  Prussia  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Galena  ;  discharged  for  disability  June  12,  1863.  Died  at  Galena 
since  the  war. 

Bennett  Holtkamp. — Age  18;  born  in  Prussia;  farmer;  enlisted  from 
Galena;  was  captured  at  Chickamauga,  Ga.,  Sept.  20,  1863,  and  died  at 

51 


802  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

Andersonville  Sept.  13,  1864  ;  was  a  son  of   Hendrick  Holtkamp.      Is 
buried  in  the  National  Cemetery  at  Andersonville,  Ga. 

William  Handley. — Age  44 ;  born  in  Butler  County,  Ohio  ;  farmer ; 
enlisted  from  Hanover  ;  discharged  for  disibility  at  Nashville,  Tenn., 
June  20,  1863.  Is  farming  at  Oak  Hill,  Clay  County,  Kansas. 

Edward  Hancock. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Scales  Mound,  111.;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Thompson  ;  had  a  finger  hit  and  side  of  face  grazed  at  Look- 
out Mountain,  and  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  while  on  duty  as  a  stretcher 
bearer,  received  a  wound  in  the  ankle,  which  disabled  him  five  weeks  ; 
served  as  teamster  the  first  year,  and  as  a  stretcherman,  except  while  dis- 
abled by  wound,  from  April,  1864,  until  the  close  of  service  ;  m.  o.  with 
Regiment.  Is  a  large  farmer  and  stock  raiser  at  Big  Foot  Prairie,  Mc- 
Henry  County,  111. 

William  A.  Hamilton. — Age  24  ;  American  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
East  Fork  ;  m.  o,  with  Regiment.  Died  at  his  home  in  Jo  Daviess  County 
several  years  since  ;  was  a  brother  of  H.  H.  Hamilton,  of  Company  K. 

Charles  N.  Hammond. — Age  27  ;  born  in  Bath,  Ohio  ;  farmer ;  en- 
listed from  Hanover  ;  detailed  with  Pioneer  Battalion  April  7,  1863,  and 
was  transferred  to  1st  U.  S.  V.  V.  Engineers  July  25,  1864,  serving  with 
that  command  until  the  close  of  the  war ;  has  since  been  supervisor  of 
his  township.  Is  farming  at  Hanover,  111. 

George  Jeffers. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Hanover.  111. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Hanover ;  was  a  son  of  Quartermaster  Jeffers  ;  promoted  to  Quarter- 
master Sergeant  Sept.  26,  1864  ;  returned  to  Company  rolls  and  detailed 
in  the  Q.  M.  Department  in  Chattanooga,  serving  with  his  father  ;  m 
o.  with  Regiment.  Is  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Hanover,  111.;  was 
postmaster  at  Hanover  ten  years. 

Andrew  W.  Jelly. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Guilford,  111. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Guilford  ;  was  mortally  wounded  at  Lovejoy's  Station,  Ga,,  Sept. 
2,  1864,  and  died  at  Chattanooga  eight  days  later.  Is  buried  in  the 
National  Cemetery  at  Chattanooga. 

Gottlieb  Kramer. — Age  27  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  laborer  ;  enlisted  from 
Galena  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment. 

Edward  Kearnaghan. — Age  38  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  blacksmith  ;  enlisted 
from  Hanover  ;  served  as  blacksmith  at  headquarters  much  of  the  time  ; 
m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Resides  at  Hanover,  111. 

Thomas  Kimmins. — Age  29  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Hanover;  was  wounded  at  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Ga.,  July  20,  1864;  m.  o. 
with  Regiment.  Died  at  his  home  in  Jo  Daviess  County  about  1883. 

John  Lister. — Age  25  ;  born  in  England  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Savanna  ;  had  a  finger  shot  off  at  Lovejoy's  Station  ;  m.  o.  with  Regi- 
ment. Resides  at  Lemars,  Plymouth  County,  Iowa. 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  F.  803 

Thomas  H.  Lawrence. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111. ; 
hotel  keeper ;  enlisted  from  Galena ;  discharged  for  disability  Jan.  25, 
1863.  Resides  at  Pliny,  Saline  County,  Neb. 

Edward  Mahood. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Ireland ;  blacksmith  ;  enlisted 
from  Hanover  ;  participated  with  the  Regiment  in  most  of  its  engage 
ments  ;  was  detailed  as  a  blacksmith  at  Corps  and  Division  Headquarters 
for  a  time  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  farming  at  Pawnee  City,  Neb. 

Frederick  W.  Miller. — Age  26  ;  born  in  Prussia  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Savanna;  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Dec.  2,  1863,  from  wounds  re- 
ceived at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga.  Is  buried  in  the  National  Cemetery 
at  Nashville,  Tenn. 

Rigdon  Metcalf. — Age  26  ;  born  in  East  Galena,  111. ;  miner  ;  enlisted 
from  Galena ;  was  rarely  if  ever  absent  from  the  command,  but  was 
taken  sick  before  his  discharge  and  died  from  chronic  diarrhoea  at  Galena 
July  1,  1865. 

B.  F.  Munson. — Age  43;  born  in  Delaware,  Ohio;  farmer;  enlisted 
from  Hanover ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Reported  to  reside  near  Wells, 
Nebraska. 

John  Miller. — Age  30  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  enlisted  from  Galena  ;  was 
wounded  in  the  breast  at  Resaca  ;  m.  o.  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  June  9,  1865. 

William  S.  Nash. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Oswego  County,  N.  Y. ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Pleasant  Valley  ;  was  wounded  in  chin  and  left  shoulder  at 
Lookout  Mountain,  and  absent  three  months  ;  disabled  by  sunstroke  for 
four  weeks  in  the  summer  of  1864  ;  not  absent  except  when  disabled,  as 
stated  above  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  an  insurance  and  collection  agent 
and  auctioneer  at  Plum  River,  111. 

Joseph  Perkins. — Age  22;  born  in  England;  miner;  enlisted  from 
Vinegar  Hill  ;  detailed  in  Pioneer  Battalion  April  7,  1863,  and  transferred 
to  1st  U.  S.  V.  V.  Engineers  July  25,  1864,  serving  with  that  command 
until  the  close  of  the  war. 

James  Pimley. — Age  23  ;  born  in  England  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Pleasant  Valley  ;  was  captured  at  Franklin,  Tenn.,  March  8,  1863,  and  a 
prisoner  for  several  months,— most  of  the  time  at  Richmond,  Va.  ;  was 
exchanged  and  returned  to  the  Regiment  in  September,  1863,  and  was 
killed  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga. 

George  Pulham. — Age  25  ;  born  in  Canada ;  sailor ;  enlisted  from 
Victory,  Wis. ;  was  in  all  of  the  engagements  of  the  command  until  April, 
1864 ;  was  then  absent  in  hospital,  because  of  scurvy,  until  flnally  dis- 
charged at  Springfield,  111.,  June  29,  1865.  Is  a  grain  buyer  at  Wykoff, 
Minn. 

Walton  Reed. — Age  21  ;  born  in  England  ;  miner  ;  enlisted  from 
Vinegar  Hill ;  killed  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga. 


804:  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  B.EGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

Joseph  Rogers. — Age  27  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Hanover;  was  captured  by  Gen.  Pegrain's  forces  at  Danville,  Ky.,  in 
March,  1863,  but  soon  escaped  ;  discharged  for  disability  at  Columbus, 
Ohio,  April  24,  1863.  Is  farming  near  Galena,  111. 

John  Quincy  Robinson. — Age  15;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.; 
school  boy  ;  enlisted  from  Elizabeth  ;  served  as  drummer  with  the  Regi- 
mental Band ;  although  a  mere  lad,  and  of  slight  build,  he  shared  in 
almost  every  march  and  campaign  ;  was  slightly  wounded  at  Kenesaw 
Mountain  while  carrying  water  to  the  men  in  the  works  ;  m.  o.  with  Regi- 
ment. Is  now  a  merchant  at  Elizabeth,  111. 

William  Sturges. — Age  44;  born  in  Liverpool,  N.  Y, ;  enlisted  from 
Council  Hill.  Died  March  18,  1863  ;  is  buried  in  Cave  Hill  Cemetery, 
Louisville,  Ky. 

Joseph  Shannon. — Age  25  ;  born  in  Holmes,  Ohio  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Pleasant  Valley  ;  was  wounded  in  the  hand  at  Rocky  Face  Ridge 
May  9,  1864,  and  so  disabled  as  to  cause  his  transfer  to  the  Veteran  Reserve 
Corps,  where  he  served  until  near  the  close  of  the  war ;  was  6  feet  7| 
inches  in  height,  and  undoubtedly  one  of  the  tallest  men  in  the  service. 
He  died  from  consumption  some  years  since. 

William  Sidner. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Pike  County,  Mo.;  farmer  and 
miner;  enlisted  from  Vinegar  Hill  ;  was  injured  by  a  runaway  team  at 
Danville,  Ky.,  and  discharged  because  of  hernia  Sept.  18,  1863  Is 
Assistant  Marshal  at  Omaha,  Neb. 

Richard  Spencer. — Age  20  ;  born  in  England  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Galena  ;  was  detailed  with  the  5th  Indiana  Battery  from  December,  1863, 
until  April,  1864  ;  was  in  all  of  the  engagements  in  which  the  Regiment 
participated  until  shot  through  the  body  at  Resaca  May  14,  1864  ;  when 
wounded  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  and  was  a  prisoner  two  days, 
being  recaptured  May  16  ;  was  in  various  hospitals,  and  was  finally  dis- 
charged at  Camp  Douglas,  Chicago,  March  19,  1865.  Is  now  farming  at 
Pliny,  Saline  County,  Kansas. 

John  Sincock. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Galena,  111, ;  lead  smelter ;  enlisted 
from  Galei\a  ;  had  a  bullet  through  his  hat  at  Lookout  Mountain  ;  was. 
almost  constantly  with  the  command,  but  escaped  wounds  ;  m.  o.  with 
Regiment.  Is  farming  at  Galena,  111. 

James  M.  Scott. — Age  18;  born  in  St.  Clair  County,  111;  cook;  en- 
listed from  Galena  ;  was  shot  and  instantly  killed  on  the  picket  line  at 
Franklin,  Tenn  ,  April  Hi,  1863.  Is  buried  in  the  National  Cemetery  at 
Stone's  River,  Tenn. 

Gottlieb  Stadel. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Mill  Creek  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  farming  at  Schappsville,  111. 

Warren  A.  Scott.— Age  22  ;  born  in  Iowa  ;  boatman  ;  enlisted  from 
Galena  ;  was  absent  without  leave  from  Feb.  9,  1863,  to  April  4,  1863,  but 
returned  voluntarily  ;  being  required  to  make  good  his  time  he  was  trans- 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  F.  S05 

ferred  to  the  21st  Illinois  at  m.  o.  of  Regiment,  and  served  with  that  com- 
mand until  Oct.  11,  1865.  Resides  at  75  Helltnan  Street,  Los  Angeles, 
California. 

George  Sidner. — Age  18 ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111. ;  miner  ;  was 
accidentally  wounded  in  the  left  hand  and  died,  probably  as  a  result  of 
the  wound,  at  Jeffersonville,  Ind.,  Nov.  12,  1863. 

William  Trudgian. — Age  20  ;  born  in  England  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
•Guilford  ;  died  at  Tullahoma,  Tenn.,  Sept.  14, 1863.  Is  buried  in  National 
Cemetery  at  Stone's  River,  Tenn. 

James  Telford. — Age  27  ;  born  in  Scotland  ;  laborer ;  enlisted  from 
•Galena  ;  died  at  the  Government  Insane  Asylum,  Washington,  D.  C., 
Nov.  6,  1864. 

William  Van  Alstine. — Age  43  ;  born  in  Oswego,  N.  Y. ;  farmer;  en- 
listed from  Council  Hill ;  discharged  for  disability  at  Danville,  Ky.,  Feb. 
38,  1863,  but  was  too  ill  to  return  home,  and  died  March  12,  1863.  Is 
buried  in  the  "  Soldiers'  Lot"  in  the  Danville  City  Cemetery. 

Franz  H.  Warus. — Age  39  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  farrier  ;  enlisted  from 
Galena  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment. 

Hugh  Williams. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Wales  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Woodbine  ;  was  wounded  at  Chickamauga  in  the  hand  ;  also  in  the  left 
hand  at  the  battle  of  Resaca ;  was  in  hospital  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  when 
the  Regiment  was  mustered  out ;  discharged  soon  afterward.  Resides  at 
Milo,  Warren  County,  Iowa. 

Edward  Wearne. — Age  21  ;  born  in  England  ;  miner  ;  enlisted  from 
Hazel  Green,  Wis. ;  was  with  the  Regiment  in  all  its  campaigns  and 
marches  up  to  Chickamauga  ;  he  had  a  shot  through  his  hat  on  Friday, 
and  on  Saturday  he  was  shot  through  the  right  thigh  ;  after  some  months 
in  hospital  and  on  furlough  he  was  transferred  to  the  17th  Regiment 
Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  stationed  at  Inuianapolis,  Ind.,  where  he  was  m. 
o.  July  30,  1865.  Is  farming  at  Wessington,  Beadle  County,  Dakota. 

Andrew  White. — Age  43 ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Galena;  discharged  for  disability  April  11,  1863.  Was  killed  in  Galena 
in  1864. 

William  Wright.- — Age  25  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  Countjr,  111.;  miner; 
enlisted  from  Galena  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Resides  at  Galena,  111. 

RECRUITS  TO  COMPANY  F. 

William  Allendorf. — Age  22  ;  born  in  Baltimore.  Md.;  miner  ;  enlisted 
from  Galena  Oct.  7,  1864,  joining  the  Regiment  at  Franklin  ;  transferred 
to  21st  Illinois  ;  was  discharged  because  of  sickness  at  New  Orleans,  La., 
Oct.  6,  1865.  Is  mining  at  Galena,  111. 

Francis  S.  Bailey. — Age  42  ;  born  in  England  ;  potter  ;  enlisted  from 
Galena  Oct.  8,  1864,  joining  the  Regiment  just  before  the  battle  of  Nash- 


806  HISTORY  OF  THE  96rTH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

ville,  where  he  was  mortally  wounded,  dying  Dec.  17,  1864.     Is  buried  in 
the  National  Cemetery  at  Nashville,  Tenn. 

Henry  Buckner  (Birknell). — Age  37  ;  born  in  Germany ;  miner  ;  en- 
listed from  Galena  Oct.  8,  1864  ;  m.  o.  at  Nashville  June  1,  1865.  Resides 
at  Galena,  111. 

Edward  Brown. — Age  35  ;  born  in  Wurtemburg,  Germany  ;  teamster  ; 
enlisted  from  Galena  Oct.  8,  1864  ;  was  at  Nashville  and  in  campaign  fol- 
lowing ;  transferred  to  Company  H,  21st  Illinois  at  m.  o.  of  Regiment  ; 
finally  m.  o.  at  Victoria,  Texas,  Oct  10,  1865.  Is  teaming  at  Galena,  111. 

Thomas  Bastian. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111. ;  miner  ; 
enlisted  from  Guilford  April  13.  1865  ;  at  m.  o.  of  Regiment  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  21st  Illinois  ;  m.  o.  at  San  Antonio,  Texas,  Dec.  16,  1865.  Is 
reported  to  have  been  killed  by  a  boiler  explosion  in  Colorado  in  1884. 

Frederick  Berkmeyer. — Age  41  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  machinist  ;  en- 
listed from  Galena  Oct.  8,  1864  ;  discharged  at  Springfield,  111.,  Sept.  8, 
1865.  Died  in  Galena,  111.,  July  20,  1882. 

William  Barr. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Washington  County,  111. ;  laborer  ; 
enlisted  from  Hanover  Oct.  11,  1864 ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9, 
1865  ;  m.  6.  at  Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  11,  1865.  Is  farming  at  Liberty,  Gage 
County;  Nebraska. 

Henry  Bahr. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Lancaster,  Pa. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Thompson  Oct.  10,  1864 ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o. 
at  Victoria,  Texas,  Nov.  1,  1865. 

Robert  Dawson. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County.  111.;  farmer; 
enlisted  from  Elizabeth  Sept.  26,  1864,  joining  Regiment  at  Chattanooga 
and  participating  in  the  battles  of  Franklin  and  Nashville  ;  m.  o.  with 
Regiment  ;  was  a  brother  of  Lieutenant  Dawsou.  Is  a  real  estate  and 
loan  agent  at  Fairfield,  Nebraska. 

James  Diehl. — Age  39  ;  born  in  Pennsylvania  ;  miner;  enlisted  from 
Galena  Oct.  8,  1864  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865,  and  died  in 
Texas  Sept.  2,  1865.  Is  buried  in  the  National  Cemetery  at  Galveston. 
Texas. 

Christian  Deerstein. — Age  34  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  farmer ;  enlisted 
from  Guilford  Oct.  8,  1864  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m. 
o.  at  Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  11,  1865.  Resides  at  Galena,  111. 

George  Evans.— Age  19  ;  born  in  England  ;  laborer  ;  enlisted  from 
Galena  Oct.  7,  1864;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865;  m.  o.  at 
Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  11,  1865.  Resides  at  Monticello,  Iowa. 

Louis  Eckhardt. — Age  34  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  laborer  ;  enlisted  from 
Galena  Oct.  8,  1864  :  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at 
Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  11,  1865.  Died  at  Burlington,  Iowa,  in  1885. 


ROSTKR  OF  COMPANY  F. 

John  Fritz. — Age  41  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  cabinet  maker  ;  enlisted  from 
Galena  Oct.  8,  1864;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1665  ;  m.  o.  ;it 
Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  11,  18)5.  Resides  at  Galena.  III. 

Louis  Fablinger. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Maryland  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Hanover  Feb.  23,  1865;  had  previously  served  with  140th  Illinois  nearly 
six  months  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at  San  Antonio, 
Texas,  Dec.  16,  1862.  Is  a  tinsmith  and  hardware  merchant  at  Hanover, 
111. 

Nicholas  Fablinger. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Maryland  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Hanover  Feb  23,  1865  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  ;  m.  o.  at  San. 
Antonio,  Texas,  Dec  16,  1865.  Resides  at  Bellevue,  Iowa. 

Christopher  Grotjohn. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  teamster  ;  enlisted 
from  Galena  Oct.  10,  1864;  at  Nashville  had  his  clothes  torn  by  a  shell 
and  his  musket  struck  by  a  bullet ;  discharged  at  Nashville  May  25,. 
1865.  Is  railroading  and  resides  at  Moberly,  Mo. 

Valentine  Gruber. — Age  50  ;  born  in  Bavaria  ;  laborer  ;  enlisted  from; 
Galena  Oct.  8,  1864  ;  was  in  the  engagement  at  Nashville  ;  transferred  to- 
21st  Illinois  June  9,  1864 ;  m.  o.  at  Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  11,  1865.  Resides 
at  Galena,  111. 

William  E.  Gordon. — Age  28;  born  in  Lincoln,  Mo.;  farmer;  en- 
listed from  Guilford  Oct.  8,  1864  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  and  dis- 
charged Aug.  11,  1865,  at  Springfield.  111. 

Godfrey  Hoffman. — Age  3  > ;  born  in  Germany  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Guilford  Oct.  10,  1864  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at 
Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  11,  1865.  Resides  at  Galena,  111. 

Edward  Hagus  — Age  18  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  clerk  ;  enlisted  from 
Galena  Oct.  8,  1864  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  promoted 
to  Corporal  ;  m.  o.  at  Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  11,  1865.  Resides  at  Denver,, 
Col. 

Andrew  Haverstreet. — Age  35  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  carpenter  ;  enlisted 
from  Galena  Oct.  10, 1864  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9, 1865  ;  m.  o. 
at  Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  11,  1865.  Resides  at  Galena,  111. 

William  J.  Irwin. — Age  18  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Elizabeth  Oct.  11,  1864  ;  was  in  the  battle  of  Nashville  ;  transferred 
to  21st  Illinois  June  9.  1865  ;  m.  o.  at  Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  11,  18G5  ;  was 
a  son  of  William  Irwin,  of  the  same  Company.  Is  postm  ister  at  West 
Hill,  Nebraska. 

Solomon  Kilmer. — Age  36  ;  born  in  Bradford,  Pa.;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Guilford  Oct  8.  1864  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o. 
at  Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  11,  1865. 

Philip  Kostenbader. — Age  36;  born  in  Germany  ;  railroad  employe  ; 
enlisted  from  Galena  Oct.  8,  1864;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9, 


808  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'rn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  1. 

1865  ;  m.  o.  at  Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  11,  1865.     Is  a  freight  handler  in  Illi- 
nois Central  Depot  at  Galena,  111 

William  Lee. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.;  miner  ;  en- 
listed from  Galena  Oct.  7,  1864  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ; 
m.  o.  at  Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  11,  1865.  Resides  at  McGregor,  Iowa. 

Charles  Lankan. — Age  42  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  miner  ;  enlisted  from 
Galena  Oct.  8,  1864  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at 
Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  11,  1865. 

Louis  Pharo. — Age  25  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Galena  Oct.  10,  1864  ;  had  previously  served  three  years  in  the  15th  Illi- 
nois ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at  Victoria,  Texas, 
Oct.  11,  1865.  Resides  at  Allison,  Iowa. 

George  C.  Ronheild. — Age  80  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  laborer  ;  enlisted 
from  Galena,  Oct.  10,  1864  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m. 
o.  at  Victorja,  Texas,  Oct.  11,  1865.  Resides  at  Cedar  Falls,  Iowa. 

John  Spoor. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Illinois  ;  mason  ;  enlisted  from  Galena 
Oct.  12,  1864  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at  Victoria, 
Texas,  Oct.  11,  1865. 

William  H.  Scott. — Age  16  ;  born  in  Galena,  111.;  clerk  ;  enlisted  from 
Galena  Oct.  9,  1864  ;  was  in  battle  of  Nashville  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illi- 
nois June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at  Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  11,  1865.  Is  an  engineer 
at  Eureka,  Nevada. 

George  W.  Scott. — Age  40  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  butcher  ;  enlisted 
from  Chicago  Feb.  23,  1865  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m. 
o.  at  San  Antonio,  Texas,  Dec.  16,  1865.  Resides  at  Chicago,  111. 

William  Stidworthy. — Age  33;  born  in  England;  farmer;  enlisted 
from  Guilford  Oct.  10,  1864  ;  was  in  the  battle  of  Nashville  ;  transferred 
to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at  Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  11,  1865.  .Is  a 
hardware  merchant  at  1003  Fourth  Street,  Sioux  City,  Iowa. 

Charles  Sager. — Age  35  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  mason  ;  enlisted  from 
Galena  Oct.  10,  1864  ;  was  at  Nashville  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June 
9,  1865 ;  promoted  to  Corporal  ;  m.  o.  at  Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  11,  1865. 
Is  a  mason,  and  resides  at  Galena,  111. 

Valentine  Smith. — Age  26  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  barber;  enlisted  from 
Galena  Oct.  10,  1864  ;  was  in  battle  of  Nashville  ;  transferred  to  21st 
Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  promoted  to  Sergeant ;  m.  o.  at  Victoria,  Texas, 
Oct.  11,  1865.  Is  farming  at  Galena,  111. 

Samuel  C.  Sanderson. — Age  22  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111. ; 
farmer;  enlisted  from  Rice  Oct.  It,  1864;  was  at  Franklin  and  Nash- 
ville ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at  Victoria,  Texas, 
Oct.  10,  1865.  Is  mining  at  Bellevue,  Iowa. 

John  Schroeder.— Age  41 ;  born  in  Germany  ;  laborer ;  enlisted  from 
Galena  Oct.  10,  1864,  joining  the  command  in  January,  1865  ;  transferred 


ROSTER  or  COMPANY  F.  809 

to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at  Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  11,  1865.     Re- 
sides at  East  Dubuque,  111. 

John  Trevarthan. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111  ;  farmer ; 
enlisted  from  Guilford  Oct.  9,  1865  ;  bad  his  knee  dislocated  while  load- 
ing timber  at  Huntsville  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865 ;  m.  o. 
at  Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  11,  1865.  Resides  at  Whitten,  Hardin  County, 
Iowa. 

Frank  Tohler. — Age  32  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  laborer ;  enlisted  from 
Galena  Oct.  7,  1864  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at 
Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  11,  1865. 

Martin  Tresider. — Age  19  ;  born  in  England  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Guilford  April  18,  1865  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at 
San  Antonio,  Texas,  Dec.  16,  1865.  Resides  at  Ridgeway,  Wis. 

Sebastian  Weber, — Age  25  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  miner  ;  enlisted  from 
Galena  Oct.  12,  1864 ;  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Nashville  and  the  cam- 
paign following ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at  Vic- 
toria, Texas,  Oct.  11,  1865.  Is  mining  at  Galena,  111. 

William  Williams. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111. ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Woodbine  Oct.  11,  1864  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9, 
1865  ;  m.  o.  in  October,  1865.  Is  farming  at  Syracuse,  Otoe  County,  Neb. 

Burnhardt  Werich. — Age  26  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  miner  ;  enlisted  from 
Galena  Oct.  10,  1864  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at 
Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  11,  1865. 

George  H.  White. — Age  17  :  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.;  miner; 
enlisted  from  Galena  Oct.  8,  1864 ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9, 
1865  ;  m.  o.  at  Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  11,  1865. 

Carl  Wurtenburch. — Age  40 ;  born  in  Germany  ;  miner  ;  enlisted  from 
Dubuque,  Iowa,  Oct.  8,  1864.  Died  at  Huntsville,  Ala.,  March  10,  1865. 


810  HlSTUliY  OF  THE  9GTH  .REGIMENT,    Il.L.    V.    I. 


CHAPTER    XLVII. 


COMPANY     G. 

BY   CAPT.    B.    G.    BLOWNEY. 

Two  Companies  where  One  was  Expected — The  Election  of  Officers — 
Sworn  into  the  Service — "  Bully  for  the  Boy  with  the  Glass  Eye  " — 
In  Tents  at  Rockford — Appointment  of  N  on-Commissioned  Officers — 
The  Captain  is  Made  Lieutenant  Colonel — An  Outsider  Chosen  to 
Fill  the  Vacancy — Sword  Presentations — A  Case  of  Assault  and 
Battery — Thanksgiving  Dinner  at  Harrodsburg — Subsequent  Changes 
among  the  Officers — The  Company's  Long  Casualty  List — Seven 
Times  "VTounded — Facts  and  Figures — Answers  to  the  Roll  Call. 

AMONG  those  most  active  in  recruiting  in  Lake  County 
under  the  July,  1862,  call  of  President  Lincoln,  was  Isaac 
L.  Clarke,  Esq.,  of  Waukegan.  Associated  with  him  were 
Dr.  Saulsbury,  of  Hainesville,  B.  G.  Blowney,  of  Waukegan, 
and  several  others.  The  first  recruits  were  enrolled  about 
July  24.  The  second  call  for  300,000,  coming  early  in 
August,  so  stimulated  enlistments,  that  by  the  close  of  the 
first  week  of  that  month  it  was  evident  that  the  Company 
would  be  more  than  filled,  and  that  some  of  the  men  would 
have  to  be  rejected  or  go  into  other  organizations.  At  this 
juncture  the  question  was  raised  whether  still  another 
Company  might  not  be  filled. 

Saturday,  August  9,  the  men  from  the  western  part  of  the 
County  determined  to  organize  a  Company  by  themselves, 
and  met  at  Hainesville  for  this  purpose.  Mr.  Clarke  was 
consulted  in  this  movement  by  a  few  of  the  men  and  en- 
couraged them  to  go  ahead,  only  saying  that  he  would  find 
a  full  Company  when  he  was  ready  to  organize. 

Monday,  August  11,  pursuant  to  a  notice  published  in  a 
local  paper,  the  men  whose  names  were  entered  upon  a 
muster  roll  held  by  Mr.  Clarke  and  his  associates  in  the 
eastern  part  of  the  County,  gathered  at  Dickinson's  hall,  in 
the  City  of  Waukegan,  for  the  purpose  of  electing  officers 


SKETCH  OF  COMPANY  G.  811 

and  formally  organizing  the  Company.  Notwithstanding  the 
fact  that  a  full  Company  had  been  organized  on  Saturday, 
there  were  more  than  ninety  present  prepared  to  be  sworn  in, 
and  this  number  was  increased  within  the  week,  so  that  there 
was  finally  quite  an  overflow  into  the  fourth  Company  of  the 
County.  When  the  rolls  were  revised  and  completed,  it  was 
found  that  there  were  twenty-one  who  had  enlisted  from 
Waukegan,  including  Captain  Isaac  L.  Clarke,  afterwards 
Lieutenant  Colonel ;  seventeen  were  from  the  town  of  Vernon, 
afterward  increased  to  nineteen  by  the  addition  of  two 
recruits  at  Cleveland,  Tenn.,  in  April,  1864  ;  sixteen  from  the 
town  of  Warren,  fifteen  from  the  town  of  Liberty  ville  ;  five 
from  the  town  of  Benton  ;  four  from  the  town  of  Fremont, 
afterward  increased  to  five,  by  the  addition  of  one  recruit  at 
Cleveland,  Tenn.,  in  April,  1864  ;  four  each  from  the  towns 
of  Newport  and  Shields  ;  three  from  the  town  of  Ela  ;  two 
from  the  town  of  Goodale  (now  Grant),  and  one  each  from 
the  towns  of  Antioch  and  Avon  ;  twelve  out  of  the  fifteen 
townships  in  the  County  being  represented  ;  and  these, 
together  with  the  two  who  subsequently  joined  the  Company 
at  Kockford,  Ills.,  made  the  total  number  of  those  who  served 
with  the  Company,  first  and  last,  ninety-eight  men. 

The  election  of  officers  was  quite  an  Interesting  event. 
Isaac  L.  Clarke  was  chosen  for  Captain  by  acclamation  and 
without  dissent.  After  considerable  balloting  David  James, 
of  the  township  of  Warren,  was  chosen  First  Lieutenant,  and 
Benjamin  G.  Blowney  of  Waukegan  was  chosen  Second 
Lieutenant.  The  election  over,  the  meeting  adjourned,  and 
the  men  were  allowed  to  return  to  their  homes,  with  the 
understanding  that  they  should  respond  at  any  time  when 
they  were  called  upon,  and  be  ready  to  go  into  camp  at 
Waukegan  or  any  other  point  to  be  designated.  A  few 
remained  in  Waukegan  from  that  time  forward,  but  a 
great  majority  went  about  their  usual  employment,  continuing 
at  work  until  near  the  close  of  the  month. 

August  25  a  United  States  Army  officer  was  in  town,  and 
the  Company  was  formally  sworn  into  the  service.  About  Sep- 
tember 1  the  Company  was  again  called  together  and  remained 


812  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'rn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

quartered  at  the  hotels,  most  of  them  being  at  the  Waukegan 
House  and  City  Hotel,  until  their  departure  for  cam]).  On 
one  occasion  all  the  men  of  the  Company  were  called  in 
line  at  the  court-house  square,  and  examined  by  Surgeons 
appointed  for  the  purpose,  each  one  being  required  to  show 
his  hands  to  make  sure  that  no  lingers  were  off,  open  his 
mouth  to  show  that  his  teeth  were  in  condition  to  bite  off 
cartridges,  and  answer  questions  as  to  whether  he  was  troubled 
with  any  disease,  or  suffering  from  any  accident  which  would 
incapacitate  him  for  military  service.  On  this  occasion  one 
circumstance  occurred  that  was  somewhat  amusing.  Among 
those  who  had  enlisted  was  John  A.  Corbin,  of  the  town- 
ship of  Yernon,  who  by  some  misfortune  had  lost  his  right 
eye,  but  was  wearing  a  bran  new  artificial  one.  that  was  an 
excellent  imitation  of  the  missing  optic.  The  Surgeon 
looked  Corbin  over  as  closely  as  the  rest,  asked  him  some 
questions  as  to  his  health,  but  made  no  inquiry  as  to  his  eye- 
sight, and  did  not  detect  the  fact  that  he  had  but  one  eye. 
Several  members  of  the  Company  were  aware  of  Corbin' s 
misfortune,  and  were  watching  with  considerable  interest  the 
somewhat  rigid  inspection  by  the  medical  men.  They  kept 
their  own  counsel,  however,  until  all  had  been  accepted  and 
formally  sworn  in,  when  some  one  called  out,  as  the  Surgeons 
inarched  away  well  satisfied  with  their  work,  "•  Bully  for  the 
boy  with  the  glass  eye."  This  expression  afterward  became 
quite  a  by-word  with  the  Regiment,  and  with  the  army  for 
that  matter,  and  the  writer  is  of  the  opinion  that  the  phrase 
may  have  originated  with  this  very  incident.  "The  boy 
with  the  glass  eye,"  was  a  gallant  soldier,  and  though  obliged 
to  shoot  left  handed,  participated  in  nearly  every  engagement 
of  the  Regiment,  and  was  once  severely  wounded. 

On  the  5th  of  September  this  Company,  with  the  other  Com- 
panies from  Lake  County,  went  to  Rockford,  111.,  where  they 
became  Company  G  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  ILLINOIS.  Just  before 
leaving  each  man  was  presented  with  a  house-wife,  or  needle- 
book,  by  the  ladies  of  Waukegan  and  vicinity. 

It  had  been  expected  that  the  Company  would  be  permitted 
to  elect  its  own  non-commissioned  officers,  but  the  com- 


SKETCH  OF  COMPANY  G.  813 

missioned  officers  determined  to  appoint  them,  which  was 
accordingly  done.  The  original  list  was  as  follows  : 

First  Sergeant,  Hiram  W.  Farns worth  ;  Sergeants,  James 
O.  Havens,  Thomas  L.  James,  Amos  Greenleaf  and  Benjamin 
F.  Shepard  ;  Corporals,  Aaron  Scott,  Charles  J.  Miller, 
Walter  Drew,  James  Hickcox,  Henry  Gleason,  James  Free- 
man, Judson  A.  Mason  and  John  W.  Swanbrough. 

This  list  was  well  distributed  through  the  County  and 
gave  thorough  satisfaction.  Arrived  at  Camp  Fuller,  the 
Company  was  assigned  to  barracks  on  a  low  part  of  the 
ground,  and  where  the  water  had  accumulated,  owing  to  the 
heavy  rains,  so  that  it  was  impossible  to  reach  them  without 
wading.  The  commissioned  officers  immediately  reported  the 
fact  to  head-quarters,  and  a  few  Sibley  tents  were  procured, 
but  this  Company  was  the  only  one  of  the  forty  Companies  in 
camp  at  that  time,  who  were  quartered  in  tents.  These  were 
occupied  for  several  days  and  until  the  ground  had  been 
drained  off  and  the  barracks  were  dried  out. 

In  the  evening,  after  the  arrival  in  camp,  the  officers  met 
to  ratify  the  list  of  Field  Officers,  which  had  been  previously 
agreed  upon,  and  Captain  Isaac  L.Clarke  became  the  Lieutenant 
Colonel  of  the  Regiment.  This  made  a  vacancy  which  it  was 
determined  to  till  by  election.  It  happened  that  James  H. 
Clark,  of  Chicago,  who  had  accompanied  them  to  camp,  had 
been  in  service  for  a  time  with  the  14th  Iowa,  and  was 
familiar  with  Company  drill.  He  had  a  few  acquaintances  in 
the  command,  and  being  invited  to  take  charge  of  the 
Company  on  drill,  so  pleased  the  men,  owing  to  familiarity 
with  the  duties  of  an  officer,  as  to  win  their  approbation. 
Being  very  pleasant  and  genial,  and  as  there  chanced  to  be 
no  person  in  the  Company  who  was  at  all  familiar  with  military 
duties,  some  one  conceived  the  idea  of  electing  him  to  fill  the 
vacancy.  He  encouraged  the  plan,  and  when  the  election 
came,  was  chosen  Captain.  He  was  a  good  drill  officer,  and 
did  much  to  put  the  Company  in  condition  for  efficient  service, 
but  did  not  long  remain  witli  the  command,  resigning 
December  30,  1862. 


814  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'fH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

There  appeared  in  the  Itockford  Register  of  September  2  T, 
1862,  the  following  article  : 

ANOTHER  SWORD  PRESENTATION. 

The  pleasant  ceremony  of  sword  presentations  to  officers  continue 
to  be  frequent  at  camp  Fuller  ;  such  a  presentation  was  made  the  other 
day  to  Lieutenant  B.  G.  Blowney,  of  Co.  G,  NINETY-SIXTH  Regiment, 
forwarded  by  some  of  his  friends  from  Waukegan,  and  presented  by 
George  Kirk,  Esq.,  a  prominent  citizen  of  that  place.  We  understand 
Lieutenant  B.  is  a  very  worthy  officer.  The  following  letter  was  handed 
him  with  the  sword,  to  which  he  made  the  accompanying  reply  : 

LIEUTENANT  BLOWNEY  :  WAUKEGAN,  Sept.  8,  1862. 

Please  accept  this  instrument  of  war,  to  fight  the  enemies  of  our 
country,  and  may  it  never — God  willing — be  sheathed  until  the  enemy  is 
subdued  and  the  Union  remains  inseparable,  and  our  country  becomes,  in 
truth  as  well  as  in  name,  'The  land  of  the  free  and  the  home  of  the 
brave.'  Yours  truly, 

GEO.  KIRK,  S.  M.  DOWST, 

W.  H.  ELLIS,          Jos.  MALLON, 
D.  BREWSTER. 
REPLY. 

I  accept  this  sword,  hoping  to  wield  it  with  justice  to  my  country 
and  honor  to  myself.  We  have  our  mission  as  a  nation,  not  for  a  day, 
but  for  all  time,  to  vindicate  the  honor,  the  power  and  the  good  name  of 
the  Republic  ;  to  show  not  only  how  a  good  government  can  be  formed, 
but  how  it  can  be  maintained.  We  have  all  the  elements  of  true  great- 
ness, of  glorious  success,  of  national  power.  We  have  hitherto  scarcely 
lifted  an  avenging  sword,  but  it  is  now,  at  least,  uplifted  in  the  most 
sacred  cause  for  which  battle  was  ever  waged,  and  when  it  falls  who 
shall  describe  its  effect  !  The  cry  to  arms  is  resounding  throughout  the 
land  ;  in  response  to  that  call,  and  for  the  honor  of  my  country's  flag,  I 
forsake  the  endearments  of  home,  the  embrace  of  loved  ones,  and  the 
associations  of  the  most  pleasant  nature,  to  go  forth  as  a  soldier  of  my 
country,  to  risk  my  life  on  the  battle  field,  and  share  the  exposure  and 
hardships  of  camp  life.  If  I  fall  in  defense  of  that  flag,  or  if  wounded 
by  my  countrj7's  foe,  I  shall  have  the  consciousness  of  having  done  my 
duty,  which  will  ease  the  pain  of  dying,  or  sooth  and  comfort  me  during 
the  hours  of  suffering. 

There  were  other  sword  presentations  to  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Clarke  and  Captain  James,  but  no  record  of  them  has 
been  found. 

There  also  appeared  in  the  Rockford  Register  of  October 
4,  1862,  the  following  : 

Company  G,  NINETY-SIXTH  Regiment,  made  a  very  handsome  testi- 
monial of  an  elegant  photograph  book  to  H.  W.  Taylor,  Esq  ,  for  volun- 


SKETCH  OF  COMPANY  G.  815 

tary  professional  services  in  conducting  a  suit  brought  by  a  soldier  (James 
Hickcox)  of  that  Company,  against  a  citizen  for  assault  and  battery. 
The  latter  was  fined  ten  dollars  and  costs.  The  assault  was  made  while 
the  soldier  was  on  patrol  duty,  in  search  of  stragglers  from  camp. 

Thanksgiving  day,  November  27,  1862,  found  the  Regiment 
stationed  at  Harrodsbnrg,  Ky. ;  Lieutenant  Colonel  Clarke 
purchased  eight  turkeys,  hired  a  woman  in  the  country  to 
stuff  and  bake  them,  and  gave  the  boys  of  Company  G 
a  dinner,  with  plenty  of  baker's  bread,  butter  procured  of  the 
Sutler  at  thirty  cents  a  pound,  and  milk  to  season  the  coffee 
with.  The  repast  was  enjoyed  right  royally.  Dinner  over, 
Captain  James  H.  Clark  passed  around  a  box  of  cigars,  and 
the  day,  in  general,  was  one  of  thanksgiving,  at  least,  to  the 
inner  man  of  Company  G. 

After  the  resignation  of  Captain  James  H.  Clark,  First 
Lieutenant  David  James  became  Captain,  and  Second 
Lieutenant  B.  G.  Blowney  became  First  Lieutenant.  It  was 
determined  to  hold  an  election  for  Second  Lieutenant.  The 
principal  rivals  were  First  Sergeant  Farnsworth,  and  Second 
Sergeant  Havens.  Some  bad  feeling  was  engendered  during 
the  contest,  and  although  Sergeant  Havens  received  a 
majority  of  the  votes,  the  Colonel  and  some  of  Sergeant 
Farnsworth's  friends  communicated  with  Governor  Yates, 
and  recommended  that  the  commission  be  given  to  the  next 
in  rank,  so  that  while  Sergeant  Havens  had  been  elected,  and 
had  acted  in  the  capacity  of  Second  Lieutenant  for  several 
days,  yet  the  commission  was  finally  given  to  Sergeant  Farns- 
worth. The  matter  was  not  settled  until  about  February  1, 
1863.  In  May  1863,  Lieutenant  Farnsworth  resigned,  and 
Sergeant  Havens  became  Second  Lieutenant. 

The  next  vacancy  among  the  commissioned  officers  was 
occasioned  by  the  death  of  Captain  David  James,  from 
wounds  received  at  the  battle  of  Kenesaw  Mountain.  First 
Lieutenant  Benjamin  G.  Blowney  was  then  promoted  to 
Captain,  and  Second  Lieutenant  James  O.  Havens  was 
commissioned  First  Lieutenant.  In  June,  1865,  First 
Sergeant  John  W.  Swanbrough  was  commissioned  as  second 
Lieutenant. 


8i6  HISTOKY  OF  THE  96frH  KEGiMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

At  the  final  muster  in  at  Rockford,  a  few  men  were 
rejected,  and  the  Company,  as  finally  organized,  numbered 
ninety-five  men  including  Captain, — afterward  Lieutenant 
Colonel — Clarke.  It  subsequently  received  three  recruits. 
These  were  Albert  A.  Burge,  William  A.  Noble,  and  Albert  C. 
Smith,  all  of  whom  enlisted  in  February,  1864,  and  joined  the 
command  at  Cleveland,  Tenn.,  the  following  April  ;  making  a 
total  enrollment  of  those  who  served  with  the  Company  of 
ninety-eight  men. 

The  Company  sustained  fifty-nine  casualties  in  all;  twenty- 
two  at  Chickamauga,  Ga.  ;  four  at  Lookout  Mountain, 
Tenn.  ;  two  on  the  Dalton,  Ga.,  reconnoisance  ;  two  at 
Rock*y  Face  Ridge,  Ga.  ;  seven  at  Resaca,  Ga.  ;  three  at 
Dallas,  Ga.  ;  one  on  the  skirmish  line,  Jurte  16,  1864  ;  ten  at 
Kenesaw  Mountain,  Ga.  ;  five  at  Altanta,  Ga.  ;  one  at 
Lovejoy  Station,  Ga.  ;  one  at  Ack worth,  Ga. ;  and  one  at 
Nashville,  Tenn.,  as  follows  : 

At  Chickamauga,  September  20,  1863,  William  H. 
Whaples  was  killed  outright.  There  was  always  a  little 
uncertainty  as  to  the  fate  of  William  H.  Wheeler.  He  was 
seen  to  fall,  but  in  the  intense  excitement  of  the  moment  no 
one  learned  exactly  the  nature  of  his  wound.  The  lines  being 
borne  backward  he  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  Rumor 
had  it  that  he  was  afterward  paroled  and  taken  to  Chattanooga, 
where  he  died.  Thomas  Davis  was  badly  wounded  through 
the  leg,  and  fell  into  the  enemy's  hands.  Later  he  was 
paroled  and  returned  to  Chattanooga,  where  he  died  October 
25,  1863.  Corporal  Daniel  Benson  was  severely  wounded  in 
the  hips,  and  also  fell  into  the  enemy's  hands,  as  did  Joseph 
Darby,  whose  left  arm  was  badly  shattered.  Both  were 
paroled  and  sent  to  Chattanooga  about  October  1.  Lieutenant 
B.  G.  Blowney  was  wounded  by  a  bullet  which  cut  across  his 
forehead,  but  did  not  leave  the  field.  First  Sergeant  Aaron 
Scott  was  severely  wounded  in  the  forefinger  of  the  left  hand. 
Sergeant  B.  F.  Shepard  was  severely  wounded  in 'the  left  leg, 
and  disabled  for  eight  months.  Sergeant  Amos  Greenleaf 
was  slightly  wounded'  in  the  arm.  Corporal  Walter  Drew 
was  badly  bruised  in  the  side  by  a  bullet,  but  did  not  leave 


COMPANY  C. 


MYRON  J.  BROWN. 
GEORGE  PALMKK. 


Serg't  WALTER  DREW.  JAMES  O'HERRIN 

Capt.  BENJAMIN  G.  BLOWNKY.      Principal  Musician  CHAS.  O.  Biun.  KO»I 
Q.  M.  Serg't  BENJAMIN  F.  SHEPARD. 


SKETCH  OF  COMPANY  G.  817 

the  command.  Corporal  James  Hickcox  was  severely  wounded 
in  the  side  and  leg  and  unfitted  for  further  field  service  ;  he 
still  suffers  from  the  wound.  Corporal  Henry  H.  Gage  was 
struck  by  a  bullet,  which  cut  across  the  fingers  of  his  right 
hand,  but  did  not  leave  the  command.  Lewis  Miller  had  a 
severe  fiesh  wound  in  the  hip  which  disabled. him  for  a  few 
weeks.  D.  H.  Gail  had  a  bad  wound  through  the  calf  of  the 
leg,  and  was  unfitted  for  field  service.  George  Butler  had 
his  left  foot  badly  crippled,  and  never  rejoined  the  command. 
He  is  still  quite  lame  as  a  result  of  the  wound.  John  A. 
Corbin  had  a  severe  flesh  wound  in  the  right  hip  or  thigh,  but 
rejoined  the  .Regiment  in  a  few  months.  William  Joyce  was 
wounded  in  the  foot,  but  did  not  leave  the  command.  John 
Ladd  was  slightly  wounded  in  left  thigh,  but  did  not  leave 
the  command  except  for  one  night.  George  M.  Farnsworth 
was  struck  on  the  hand  by  a  piece  of  shell.  Perrin  P.  Cole 
was  slightly  wounded  in  the  leg  by  a  grape  shot,  or  fragment 
of  shell.  Myron  Jrf.Bto.wn  w.as  hit  in  the  groin  by  a  cannister 
shot,  but  did  not  leave  the  coiiinjan.d^  Joseph  Palmer  was 
struck  on  the  breast  by  the  limb  of  a  tree  and  badly  bruised, 
being  unconscious  for  a  time,  but  did  not  leave  the  command. 

At  Lookout  Mountain,  November  24,  1803,  Corporal  John 
W.  Swanbrough,  who  was  acting  Color  Sergeant,  was 
wounded  in  the  left  foot,  John  King  in  the  forehead,  William 
Joyce  in  the  head,  and  Joseph  K.  Clark  in  the  head.  None 
of  these  wounds  proved  so  serious  as  to  permanently  disable 
the  men  injured. 

On  the  Dalton  reconnoisance,  February  25,  1864,  Lieutenant 
Havens  received  a  severe  wound  through  the  left  shoulder, 
and  Josiah  Moulton,  Jr.,  was  struck  in  the  face  by  a  bullet, 
which  passed  through  both  cheeks,  and  knocked  out  one  or 
more  teeth. 

At  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  May  9,  1864,  Sergeant  Charles  J. 
Miller  was  wounded  in  the  right  shoulder,  by  a  buck-shot  or 
squirrel  rifle-ball,  but  did  not  leave  the  command.  He  still 
carries  the  ball  in  his  body.  William  Joyce  was  again 
wounded  in  the  face. 

At    Resaca,    May    14,    1864,    Edward    Darby,    1st,    was 


318  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'm  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

probably  killed  outright,  his  body  falling  into  the  hands  of 
the  enemy.  Lewis  Miller  was  shot  through  the  right  leg,  and 
fell  into  the  enemy's  hands,  the  limb  being  so  badly  shattered 
as  to  require  amputation,  which  was  performed  by  Rebel 
Surgeons.  Two  days  later  he  was  recaptured,  and  taken  to 
a  hospital  at  Resaca,  where  he  died  May  27.  Carlos  C. 
Towner  was  slightly  wounded  in  the  head,  and  Samuel  F. 
Vose  had  his  right  shoulder  dislocated  ;  Myron  J  Brown  and 
Corporal  Deloss  Rose  were  captured,  the  latter  dying  while  a 
prisoner  of  war.  At  the  same  battle,  May  15,  1864,  Nahum 
Lamb  was  severely  wounded  in  the  right  hand,  losing  the 
middle  finger,  and  being  disabled  for  further  service. 

At  Dallas,  May  31,  1864,  First  Sergeant  Aaron  Scott,  and 
Corporal  Henry  H.  Gage,  were  each  wounded  in  the  face,  but 
neither  of  them  left  the  command.  William  A.  Noble  was 
mortally  wounded,  dying  July  21.  On  the  skirmish  line, 
June  16,  1864,  George  N.  Phillips  was  wounded  in  the  left 
arm. 

At  Kenesaw  Mountain,  June  19,  1864,  Reuben  Smith  was 
mortally  wounded,  being  shot  through  the  left  shoulder,  and 
dying  July  13.  At  the  same  place,  June  20,  1864,  Dennis 
Shupe  was  killed  ;  Captain  David  James  was  mortally 
wounded,  being  shot  through  the  left  shoulder,  and  dying  in 
hospital  at  Chattanooga,  just  a  month  later  ;  Corporal  Walter 
Drew  was  so  severely  wounded  as  to  require  amputation  of 
the  left  arm  at  the  socket  joint  ;  Christopher  Boettcher  was 
mortally  wounded,  ^having  seven  bullet  holes  through  his 
bod}7,  and  died  three  days  afterward.  James  L.  Knox  was 
mortally  wounded,  being  shot  in  the  left  arm  and  side,  and 
died  in  hospital  at  Dalton,  Ga.,  June  29.  Christian  Knopf 
was  severely  wounded  in  the  left  foot.  Samuel  F.  Vose  was 
hit  by  a  spent  ball  and  also  ruptured,  which  disabled  him  for 
further  service.  On  the  same  line,  June  22,  1S64,  William 
Joyce  was  again  wounded  in  the  head,  and  June  23,  1864, 
James  Donahue,  then  Chief  of  Orderlies  at  Brigade  head- 
quarters, was  severely  wounded  in  the  right  leg.  At  Peach 
Tree  Creek,  Ga.,  July  20,  1864,  William  H.  Flagler  was 
slightly  wounded  in  the  leg  ;  At  Altanta,  August  2,  1864, 


SKETCH  OF  COMPANY  G.  819 

First  Sergeant  Aaron  Scott  was  killed,  and  August  15,  1864, 
Corporal  Peter  Mowers  was  wounded  in  the  left  hand. 
August  19,  1864,  Corporal  Edward  Malone  was  wounded  in 
the  left  leg,  and  William  Joyce  was  severely  wounded  in  the 
arm  and  thigh. 

At  Lovejoy's  Station,  Albert  A.  Burge  stepped  both  feet 
into  a  bed  of  hot  ashes,  burning  them  so  badly  as  to  disable 
Mm  for  nearly  a  month. 

At  Ackworth,  Corporal  Jared  O.  Blodgett  was  taken 
prisoner,  October  5,  1864,  while  on  a  furlough  to  see  a 
brother  in  the  15th  Illinois. 

At  Nashville,  December  16,  1864,  First  Sergeant  John 
W.  Swanbrough,  while  in  command  of  the  Company,  was 
severely  wounded  in  the  left  hand. 

At  the  battle  of  Nashville,  Captain  Blowney  being  sick, 
First  Sergeant  John  W.  Swanbrough  had  command  of  the 
•Company,  and  gallantly  led  it  until  severely  wounded  in  the 
left  hand,  when  Sergeant  Charles  J.  Miller,  being  next  in 
rank,  bravely  commanded  through  the  last  charge,  at  the 
capturing  of  the  battery,  and  remained  in  command  until  the 
«lose  of  that  compaign. 

To  William  Joyce  belongs  the  honor  of  having  been 
"wounded  the  most  frequently  of  any  man  in  the  Regiment,  he 
having  been  hit  no  less  than  seven  times,  and  five  times 
sufficiently  to  be  reported  in  the  list  of  casualties. 

Forty-four  members  of  the  Company,  exclusive  of  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Clarke,  were  killed  or  wounded  ;  twelve  of  whom 
died  of  their  wounds,  viz.  :  William  H.  Whaples,  William  H. 
Wheeler,  Thomas  Davis,  Edward  Darby,  1st;  Lewis  Miller, 
William  A.  Noble,  Dennis  Shape,  Christopher  Boettcher, 
James  L.  Knox,  Reuben  Smith,  Captain  David  James,  and 
First  Sergeant  Aaron  Scott. 

In  addition  to  the  killed  and  wounded,  fourteen  different 
members  of  the  Company  had  bullet  holes  through  their 
clothing  or  equipments. 

During  its  term  of  service  Company  G  lost  nine  men  by 
death  from  disease.  They  were  :  Henry  W.  Ostrander,  who 
died  at  his  home  October  13,  1862  ;  Leroy  Demmon,  and 


820  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

Freeman  James,  who  died  the  same  day,  January  18,  1863y 
at  Danville,  Ky. ;  Asel  Hawkins,  who  died  at  Danville,  Ky., 
February  18,  1863  ;  John  Vaughn,  who  died  at  Estill  Springs, 
Tenn.,  August  22,  1863  ;  John  Baker,  who  also  died  at 
Estill  Springs,  September  6,  1863  ;  John  G.  Thrasher,  who. 
died  at  Shellmound,  Tenn.,  December  11,  1863  ;  Thomas 
Kinreid,  who  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  June  27,  1864,  and 
Corporal  Deloss  Rose,  who  died  January  28,  1865,  while  a 
prisoner  of  war  at  Florence,  S.  C.  Nine  of  the  Company  were 
prisoners  at  different  times.  They  were  :  Thomas  Davis  and 
William  H.  Wheeler,  who  were  wounded  at  Chickamauga, 
and  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy  ;  were  afterward  paroled, 
and  died  soon  after  coming  into  our  lines  at  Chattanooga  ; 
Daniel  Benson  and  Joseph  Darby,  wounded  at  Chickamauga, 
also  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy  ;  in  a  few  days  they 
were  paroled,  and  came  into  our  lines  at  Chattanooga  ;  Lewis 
Miller,  who  was  wounded  at  Resaca,  fell  into  the  enemy's 
hands  ;  he  was  recaptured  two  days  afterward,  and  taken  to  a 
hospital  at  Resaca,  where  he  died  some  two  weeks  later. 
Corporal  Deloss  Rose  and  Myron  J.  Brown,  were  also 
captured  at  Resaca,  and  were  in  Andersonville  and  other 
prisons  ;  Rose  is  supposed  to  have  died  while  in  prison 
at  Florence,  S.  C.,  while  Brown  made  his  escape  near 
Wilmington,  N.  C.  Corporal  Jared  O.  Blodgett  was  captured 
October  5,  1864,  at  Ackworth,  Ga.,  while  on  furlough  to  visit 
a  brother  in  the  15th  Illinois  ;  was  in  Andersonville  and  other 
prisons,  until  April  28,  1865,  when  he  came  into  the  Union 
lines  at  Jacksonville,  Florida.  Edwin  Drury  was  in  the  hands 
of  the  enemy  the  night  of  October  13,  1864,  when  a  portion 
of  General  Hood's  army  was  in  possession  of  Dalton,  Ga.,  at 
which  place  he  was  then  acting  as  Hospital  Steward.  He  was 
unmolested,  not  even  being  required  to  give  parole.  Seven 
of  the  Company,  including  Lieutenant  Colonel  Clarke,  were 
commissioned  officers  ;  and  twenty,  including  Hiram  W. 
Farnsworth,  James  O.  Havens  and  John  W.  Swanbrough, 
afterward  commissioned,  were  non-commissioned  officers. 
At  the  close  of  the  war  Captain  Benjamin  G.  Blowney  was 
brevetted  Major  for  meritorious  conduct. 


SKETCH  OF  COMPANY  G.  ,821 

At  the  final  muster  out  of  the  Regiment  there  were  only 
forty-six  members  of  the  Company  present ;  twelve  had  been 
killed  or  died  of  wounds,  nine  had  died  from  sickness, 
fourteen  had  been  discharged  for  disability,  four  because  of 
wounds,  and  ten  because  of  sickness  or  inability  for  service  ; 
ten  were  absent  from  the  Company  at  the  time  of  final  muster 
out,  on  detail  service  and  otherwise,  and  were  mustered  out 
at  other  times  and  places  ;  two  recruits  were  transferred  to 
the  21st  Illinois;  two  had  resigned,  and  two,  sad  to  relate, 
had  deserted.  Thirty-three  of  the  Company  had  been  detailed 
at  different  times  for  duty  in  and  out  of  the  Regiment,  but 
the  most  of  them  had  returned,  and  were  present  at  the  final 
muster  out. 

Sergeant  Benjamin  F.  Shepard  was  promoted  to  the  non- 
commissioned staff  as  Quartermaster  Sergeant,  and  Charles 
O.  Biddlecom  was  promoted  to  Principal  Musician.  Of  those 
who  were  discharged  for  disability,  three  subsequently  enlisted 
in  other  commands.  They  were  :  Edward  Darby,  2d  ; 
George  Palmer  and  Walter  E.  Drury. 

Isbon  S.  Gleason  and  Levi  Shupe  were  detailed  in  the 
Pioneer  Corps,  and  subsequently  transferred  to  the  1st 
Regiment  of  U.  S.  Engineers,  where  they  served  until  the 
close  of  the  war,  and  where  Gleason  was  promoted  to 
Corporal,  and  afterward  to  Sergeant.  James  Freeman  was 
transferred  to  the  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  but  subsequently 
returned  to  the  Company.  Joseph  Darby  was  also  transferred 
to  the  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  where  he  served  until  the  close 
of  the  war  ;  Albert  A.  Burge  and  Albert  C.  Smith,  being 
recruits,  were  transferred,  at  the  muster  out  of  the  Regiment, 
to  Company  G  of  the  21st  Illinois,  General  U.S.  Grant's  old 
Regiment  ;  John  Harrington,  who  was  detailed  in  the  9th 
Ohio  Battery  for  a  time,  was  subsequently  assigned  to  duty  in 
the  18th  Ohio  Battery,  where  he  served  in  the  battles  of 
Chickamauga  and  Lookout  Mountain.  He  afterward  returned 
to  the  Company,  and  just  before  the  last  line  of  works  was 
taken  at  the  battle  of  Nashville,  he  was  detailed  as  stretcher 
bearer,  where  he  served  until  the  close  of  the  war. 

The  average  age  at  enlistment  of  the   ninety-seven  who 


822  HISTORY  OF  THE  96™  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

served  with  the  Company,  was  twenty  five  years  and  six 
months  ;  the  eldest  being  Freeman  James,  who  was  sixty-four, 
and  the  youngest  being  James  Donahue,  who  was  fourteen. 
Of  these  ninety-seven  men,  forty  were  born  in  New  York, 
fifteen  in  Illinois,  seven  in  England,  six  in  Wales,  five 
in  Vermont,  four  in  Massachusetts,  three  in  Ireland,  two  each 
in  Connecticut,  Michigan,  Ohio,  Pennsylvania,  Wisconsin, 
Canada,  and  Germany  ;  and  one  each  in  Prussia,  France,  and 
the  Isle  of  Man.  Of  the  sixty-five  members  now  living, 
(April,  1887),  who  served  with  the  Company,  thirty  five 
reside  in  Illinois  ;  six  in  Iowa  ;  five  in  Nebraska ;  four 
in  Wisconsin  ;  three  in  Indiana  ;  two  each  in  Ohio,  Minnesota, 
Kansas  and  California  ;  and  one  each  in  Michigan,  Colorado, 
Missouri  and  Arkansas. 

Seventy-one  of  the  Company  were  farmers  at  enlistment, 
while  the  other  twenty-six  followed  some  sixteen  different 
branches  of  industry.  Of  the  sixty-three  members  living 
who  were  honorably  discharged  from  service,  twenty-four 
only  are  farmers  ;  the  other  thirty-nine  busy  themselves 
at  about  thirty-nine  different  kinds  of  employment.  At  this 
writing  eleven  of  the  Company  have  died  since  they  were 
discharged  or  mustered  out  of  the  service.  They  are  :  Loyal 
Cadwell,  Sergeant  Thomas  L.  James,  Joseph  I.  Joslyn, 
Henry  P.  Ostrander,  Lieutenant  Hiram  W.  Farnsworthr 
Henry  Nantz,  John  A.  Corbin,  William  Joyce,  Albert  C. 
Smith,  Sergeant  Edward  Malone,  and  James  Freeman.  By 
the  suffrage  of  their  fellow  citizens  since  returning  home, 
fifteen  have  been  honored  with  positions  of  public  trust. 

The  Company  had  a  James  Freeman,  who  joined  it  from 
Lake  County,  and  was  appointed  Sixth  Corporal  at  the 
organization  of  the  Company  ;  he  has  died  since  the  war.  It 
also  had  a  Freeman  James,  who  joined  it  at  Rockfordr 
Illinois  ;  he  was  a  musician,  and  served  as  instructor  and 
leader  of  the  Regimental  band.  The  latter  died  during  his 
term  of  service. 

The  Company  bore  well  its  part,  and  did  its  full  share  in 
making  the  history  of  the  Regiment  one  of  which  its  members- 
may  be  proud. 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  G.  823 

For  data  and  more  minute  details,  relative  to  events  and 
statistics  given  in  these  preliminary  remarks,  reference  is- 
made  to  the  personal  sketches.  The  following  is 

THE  COMPANY  ROSTER.* 

Captain  Isaac  L.  Clarke.— Age  38 ;  born  in  Vermont  ;  attorney-at- 
law  ;  elected  Captain  at  the  organization  of  the  Company  ;  promoted  to 
Lieutenant  Colonel  at  the  organization  of  the  Regiment.  (See  Roster  of 
Field  and  Staff.) 

Captain  James  H.  Clark. — Age  25;boin  in  Lake  County,  111.;  just 
out  of  the  14th  Iowa  Infantry  ;  was  assisting  at  Rockford  in  drilling  this 
and  other  Companies,  and  upon  the  promotion  of  Captain  Isaac  L.  Clarke 
to  be  Lieutenant  Colonel,  was  elected  Captain  ;  resigned  Dec.  30,  1862. 
Is  a  fruit  farmer  at  El  Monte,  Los  Angeles  County,  California. 

Captain  David  James. — Age  23  ;  born  in  South  Wales  ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  the  township  of  Warren  ;  was  elected  First  Lieutenant  at 
the  organization  of  the  Company  ;  promoted  to  Captain  Dec.  30,  1862  ;  at 
the  battle  of  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Ga.,  June  20,  1864,  he  was  mortally 
wounded,  a  bullet  passing  through  his  left  shoulder,  shattering  the  bone  ; 
he  died  from  the  effect  of  this  wound  in  hospital  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,. 
July  20,  1864  ;  his  body  was  taken  home  for  burial.  A  kind  and  efficient 
officer,  and  brave  as  he  was  kind,  his  death  was  deeply  lamented  by  every 
one  with  whom  he  had  been  associated  ;  was  a  brother  of  Sergeant 
Thomas  L.  James,  and  first  cousin  of  Isaac  L.  James,  of  tbe  same  Com- 
pany. 

Captain  Benjamin  G.  Blowney. — Age  28  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  came  to 
the  United  States  when  15  years  of  age,  living  in  Chicago  until  1855, 
when  he  removed  to  Waukcgan  ;  was  in  harness  and  saddlery  business  ; 
enlisted  from  Waukegan  ;  at  organization  of  the  Company  was  elected 
Second  Lieutenant ;  promoted  to  First  Lieutenant  Dec.  30,  1862,  and  to 
Captain  July  20,  1864  ;  at  Chickamauga,  Ga.,  while  in  command  of  the 
Company,  was  struck  on  the  head  by  a  bullet,  the  wound  bleeding  pro- 
fusely, but  he  did  not  leave  the  Regiment ;  participated  in  every  skirmish 
and  battle  in  which  his  command  was  engaged,  except  at  Nashville, 
Tenn.,  at  which  time  he  was  sick;  m.  o.  with  Regiment  ;  was  brevetted 
Major  for  meritorious  conduct.  Is  engaged  in  the  harness  and  saddlery- 
business  at  Waukegan,  111. 

First  Lieutenant  James  O.  Havens. — Age  33  ;  born  in  Westpovt,  N. 
Y. ;  merchant;  enlisted  from  Waukegan  ;  appointed  Second  Sergeant  at 
organization  of  the  Company  ;  promoted  to  First  Sergeant ;  then  to- 
Second  Lieutenant  May  19,  1863,  and  to  First  Lieutenant  Aug.  9,  1864 ; 
received  gun-shot  wound  through  left  shoulder  at  Buzzard  Roost,  Ga., 

*The  names  of  William  F.Carroll,  Elmer  W.  Dinsenborry  and  Patrick  H.  McVey 
were  on  the  rolls  of  the  Adjutant  General  by  error,  never  having  enlisted  in  Company  G. 


824  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'm  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

Feb.  27,  1864  ;  was  acting  Adjutant  of  the  Regiment  for  quite  a  period  ; 
and,  after  receiving  his  wound,  being  unfitted  for  field  service,  was 
detailed  on  a  court  martial  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  for  some  months  :  m.  o. 
with  Regiment.  Has  been  Mayor  of  Glidden,  Iowa  ;  is  engaged  in  fruit 
culture  and  farming  at  Glidden,  Carroll  County,  Iowa. 

Second  Lieutenant  Hiram  W.  Farnsworth. — Age  36;  born  in  Gow- 
anda,  N.  Y. ;  broommaker  ;  enlisted  from  Waukegan  ;  appointed  First 
Sergeant  at  organization  of  the  Company  ;  promoted  to  Second  Lieuten- 
ant Dec.  80,  1862  ;  was  unfitted  for  duty  by  illness,  and  resigned  May  19, 

1863.  Died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  where  he  had  been  in  business  for  seve- 
ral years,  June  20,  1874  ;  was  a  brother  of  George  M.  Farnsworth,  of  the 
same  Company. 

Second  Lieutenant  John  W.  Swanbrough. — Age  18  ;  born  in  New 
YorK  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from  the  town  of  Benton  ;  appointed  eighth 
Corporal  at  organization  of  the  Company  ;  promoted  to  Sergeant  June  21, 

1864,  and  to  First  Sergeant  Aug.  3,  1864  ;  commissioned  Second  Lieuten- 
ant June  8,  1865  ;  at  the  organization  of  the  Regiment  was  detailed  as 
Color  Guard,  and  in  a  few  months  was  appointed  to  cany  the  State  Flag  ; 
at  Chickamauga,  Ga.,  the  spear  was  shot  from  the  flag  staff,  and  the  staff 
itself  splintered,  and  nearly  severed  just  above  his  hands  ;  wrenching  off 
the  broken  handle,  he  still  bore  the  blue  colors  aloft  ;  a  few  moments 
later,  Color  Sergeant  Bruner  was  severely  wounded,  and  he  then  seized 
the  National  flag,  and,  throwing  the  blue  flag  across  his  arms,  carried 
both  until  the  close  of  the  desperate  fight,  and  always  at  the  front  ;  once 
he  was  struck  down  by  a  fallen  limb,  and  was  unconscious  for  a  moment ; 
regaining  consciousness  he  found  himself  confronting  the  Rebel  advance, 
then  distant  but  a  few  feet,  but  ran  backward  w,th  ihe  flags  to  where  the 
command  was  re-forming,    miraculously  escaping  wounds  ;  the  colors 
were  riddled  with  bullets,  and  his  clothing  was  cut  in  one  or  more  places  ; 
at  the  battle  of  Lookout  Mountain,  Tenn.,  while  carrying  the  colors,  he 
was  quite  severely  wounded  in  the  left  foot  ;  subsequently  returned  to 
the  Regiment,  and  carried  the  colors  through  all  of  the  engagements  of 
the  Atlanta  campaign,  until  his  promotion  to  First  Sergeant,  Aug.  3, 
1864;  at  the  battle  of  Nashville,  Tenn.,  while  in  command  of  the  Com- 
pany, he  was  severely  wounded  in  the  left  hand,  his  thumb  being  split 
and  stiffened,  so  that  it  is  still  partially  disabled ;  participated  in  every 
engagement,  and  Was'more  than  once  especially  commended  for  gallantry; 
m.  o.  with  Regiment.     Has  creditably  filled  the  office  of  sheriff  of  Lake 
County,  111.,  for  ten  years  ;  is  a  breeder  and  trainer  of  trotting  and  car- 
riage horses  at  Waukegan,  111. 

First  Sergeant  Aaron  Scott. — Age  27  ;  born  in  Massachusetts  ;  had 
been  a  teacher,  but  at  the  time  of  his  enlistment  was  in  charge  of  the 
Agricultural  Department  of  the  Reform  School  at  Chicago,  III.;  enlisted 
from  Waukegan  ;  appointed  First  Corporal  at  organization  of  the  Com- 
pany ;  promoted  to  Sergeant  Dec.  30,  1862,  and  to  First  Sergeant  May  19, 
1863;  at  Chickamauga,  Ga.,  was  severely  wounded  in  the  forefinger  of 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  G.  825 

the  left  band  while  capping  his  gun,  the  ball,  at  the  same  time,  shattering 
his  musket ;  he  was  not  long  absent  from  the  command  ;  at  the  battle  of 
Dallas,  Ga.,  May  31,  1864,  was  wounded  in  the  face,  but  did  not  leave  the 
Regiment :  on  the  line  confronting  Atlanta,  Ga.,  Aug.  2,  1864,  and  while 
lying  on  a  bunk  slightly  elevated  from  the  ground,  just  in  rear  of  the 
breastworks,  engaged  m  reading  his  Bible,  he  was  struck  in  the  left  side 
by  a  bullet,  which  entered  his  bod}',  causing  death  in  a  few  moments ; 
after  he  was  shot  he  said  lo  those  of  his  comrades  who  had  gathered 
around  him,  "  Boys,  I  wanted  to  go  through  with  you,  but  I  have  staid 
with  you  as  long  as  I  can."  When  asked  by  Surgeon  Evans  if  he  would 
not  like  a  little  whisky,  as  it  might  revive  him,  he  said,  "No  !  give  me 
some  water."  Beloved  by  all,  a  gallant  soldier,  and  a  man  of  fine  intel- 
lect and  high  Christian  character,  his  death,  occurring  in  so  peculiar  a 
.manner,  created  a  profound  sensation.  His  grave  is  No.  6,590  in  the 
National  Cemetery  at  Marietta,  Ga. 

Sergeant  Charles  J.  Miller.  —Age  25  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Waukegan  ;  appointed  Second  Corporal  at  the  organization 
of  the  Company  ;  promoted  to  Sergeant  June  15,  1863  ;  at  the  battle  of 
Rocky  Face  Ridge,  Ga.,  May  9,  1864,  was  wounded  in  the  right  shoulder 
by  a  buckshot  or  squirrel  rifle  ball ;  the  next  morning  the  Surgeon  probed 
the  wound  to  the  depth  of  four  inches,  but  could  not  find  the  ball,  and 
told  him  he  would  have  to  carry  it  as  long  as  he  lived  ;  he  remained 
with  the  Regiment,  but  could  not  wear  his  accoutrements  for  some  days  ; 
he  was  never  absent  from  the  Regiment,  and  participated  in  all  of  its  en- 
gagements ;  was  in  command  of  the  Company  when  the  battery  was  cap- 
tured, in  the  final  charge  at  the  battle  of  Nashville,  Tenn.,  and  during 
the  campaign  following  that  engagement ;  in.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is 
farming  near  Waukegan,  111. 

Sergeant  Thomas  L.  James. — Age  30  ;  born  in  South  Wales  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  the  town  of  Warren  ;  appointed  Third  Sergeant  at  the 
organization  of  the  Company  ;  was  detailed  as  Sergeant  of  the  Regi- 
mental Pioneers,  and  served  in  that  capacity  much  of  the  time  ;  was  a 
brother  of  Captain  David  James,  and  first  cousin  of  Isaac  L.  James,  of 
the  same  Company  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Died  at  Lake  Forest,  111., 
Aug.  30,  1872. 

Sergeant  Amos  Greenleaf. — Age  25 ;  born  in  Michigan  ;  shoemaker  : 
enlisted  from  Waukegan  ;  appointed  Fourth  Sergeant  at  the  organization 
of  the  Company  ;  was  slightly  wounded  in  the  arm  at  Chickamauga,  Ga. ; 
was  in  Ambulance  Corps,  and  in  the  Quartermaster's  Department,  much 
of  the  time  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of 
agricultural  implements  at  Tiffin,  Ohio. 

Sergeant  Benjamin  F.  Shepard. — Age  30;  born  in  Massachusetts; 
farmer ;  enlisted  from  Warren  township  ;  appointed  Fifth  Sergeant  at 
organization  of  the  Company ;  at  Chickamauga,  Ga.,  was  severely 
wounded  in  left  leg,  and  disabled  for  several  months,  but  rejoined  the 
Regiment,  and  was  promoted  June  21,  1864,  to  Quartermaster  Sergeant, 


826  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'rn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

serving  in  that  capacity  to  the  close  of  the  war;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.     Is 
farming  in  Warren  ;  address,  Gurnee,  Lake  County,  111. 

Sergeant  Walter  Drew. — Age  31  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  teacher  ,  en- 
listed from  Libertyville  ;  appointed  Third  Corporal  at  the  organization 
of  the  Company  ;  promoted  to  Sergeant  Aug.  3,  1864  ;  at  Chic  sarnauga, 
Ga.,  was  struck  in  the  side  by  a  bullet,  which  felled  him,  and  it  was 
thought  for  the  moment  that  he  was  fatally  wounded  ;  it  proved  to  have 
been  a  spent  ball,  however,  and  the  injury,  though  painful,  did  not  prove 
serious,  and  in  a  few  moments  he  was  again  at  his  post  in  the  ranks,  re- 
maining until  the  close  of  the  battle;  participated  in  all  subsequent  en- 
gagements until  the  battle  of  Ker.esaw  Mountain,  Ga.,  June  20,  1864, 
when  his  left  arm  was  shattered  by  a  bullet,  necessitating  amputation  at 
the  shoulder,  and  causing  his  discharge  from  hospital  at  Chicago,  III., 
Oct.  87,  1864.  Subsequently  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  ;  resides  at 
San  Bernardino,  California. 

Sergeant  Edward  Malone. — Age  34  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  butcher ;  en- 
listed from  Waukegau  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  Jan.  16,  1863.  as  a  recog- 
nition of  his  efficiency  as  a  soldier,  in  apprehending  and  arresting  two 
men  who  had  attempted  to  desert  from  a  Battery  attached  to  the  Brigade  ; 
promoted  to  Serareant  Dec.  1,  1864  ;  at  Atlanta,  Ga.,  Aug.  19,  1864,  was 
severely  wounded  in  left  leg,  but  rejoined  the  Regiment  at  Franklin, 
Tenn.,  Nov.  30,  1864;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Was  conspicuous  for  his 
courage,  and  a  great  favorite  both  during  his  service  and  after  his  return 
home  ;  died  in  Waukegan,  111.,  from  heart  disease,  July  17,  1883.  He 
was  the  wit  and  humorist  of  the  Company,  always  ready  with  some  origr 
nal  and  side  splitting  remark  to  liven  up  the  drooping  spirits  of  the  men, 
on  "many  a  weary  march  and  tented  field";  he  was  a  good  soldier, 
always  ready  for  duty,  twice  promoted  for  gallant  conduct,  and  after  his 
return  home,  living  the  life  of  an  honorable,  worthy  citizen  ;  he  died  as 
he  had  lived,  honored  by  all  his  comrades. 

Corporal  James  Hickcox. — Age  24;  born  in  Utica,  N.  Y. ;  cabinet- 
maker ;  enlisted  from  Waukegan  ;  appointed  Fourth  Corporal  at  the 
organization  of  the  Company  ;  at  Chickamagua,  Ga  ,  was  twice  severely 
wounded,  once  by  a  shell  in  the  right  leg,  and  once  by  a  ball  in  the  right 
side,  the  wounds  disabling  him  for  future  field  service  ;  his  recovery  was 
largely  due  to  the  untiring  efforts  of  the  Sisters  of  Charity  in  the  hospi- 
tal at  Nashville,  Tenn.;  rejoined  the  command  March  27,  1864,  and,  at 
his  own  request,  was  reduced  to  the  ranks  Sept.  14, 1864,  to  enable  him  to 
accept  of  a  detail  in  the  Ambulance  Corps,  where  he  served  to  the  close 
of  the  war ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  in  the  cabinet  business,  with  resi- 
dence at  corner  of  Emerson  and  Fifth  Avenues  North,  Minneapolis, 
Minn. 

Corporal  Henry  Gleason. — Age  24;  born  in  Owego,  N.  Y. ;  farmer; 
enlisted  from  Libertyville  ;  was  appointed  Fifth  Corporal  at  the  organi- 
zation of  the  Company  ;  is  a  brother  of  Isbon  S.  Gleason,  of  same  Com- 
pany ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  station  agent  at  Winona  Junction,. 
Minn. ;  address,  Box  779.  La  Crosse,  Wit-. 


KOSTER  OF  COMPANY  G.  827 

Corporal  James  Freeman. — Age  34  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Waukegan  ;  appointed  Sixth  Corporal  at  the  organization  of 
the  Company  ;  subsequently  reduced  to  the  ranks  at  his  own  request,  to 
enable  him  to  accept  a  detail  as  Orderly  at  Regimental  Headquarters  ; 
transferred  to  the  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  but  was  returned  to  the  com- 
mand, and  was  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  He  died  at  Diamond  Lake,  Lake 
County,  111.,  July  19,  1886. 

Corporal  Judson  A.  Mason. — Age  27  ;  born  in  Chicago,  111. ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Vernon  ;  appointed  Seventh  Corporal  at  the  organization  of 
the  Company  ;  participated  in  all  of  the  engagements  of  the  Atlanta 
campaign,  and  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  had  a  bullet  through  his  blouse  ;  at  Atlanta, 
Ga.,  Sept,  19,  1864,  was  detailed  in  the  Brigade  Commissary  Department, 
and  had  charge  of  the  cattle  guards  until  the  close  of  the  war;  m.  o. 
with  Regiment.  .  Has  held  numerous  town  offices,  and  was  County  Treas- 
urer of  Lake  County  from  1877  to  1832  ;  is  farming;  address,  Half  Day, 
Lake  County,  111. 

Corporal  Henry  H.  Gage. — Age  20;  born  in  Chicago,  111.;  farmer; 
enlisted  from  Avon  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  Nov.  24,  186'« ;  at  Chicka- 
mauga,  Ga.,  was  wounded  across  the  fingers  of  the  right  hand,  but  re- 
mained with  the  command  until  the  close  of  the  engagement ;  at  Dallas, 
Ga.,  May  31,  1864,  was  slightly  wounded  in  head,  but  did  not  leave  Com- 
pany ;  participated  in  every  march,  skirmish  and  battle  in  which  the 
Regiment  was  engaged,  until  the  close  of  the  Atlanta  campaign,  and  was 
always  conspicuous  for  his  bravery  ;  Sept.  17,  1864,  after  the  capture  of 
Atlanta,  Ga.,  was  detailed  as  clerk  at  headquarters  of  the  Fourth  Army 
Corps,  and,  three  months  later,  was  promoted  to  chief  clerk,  serving  in 
that  capacity  until  the  close  of  the  war  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  living 
at  No.  2313  Michigan  Avenue,  Chicago,  111.,  and  is  engaged  in  the  real 
estate  business. 

Corporal  Deloss  Rose. — Age  24;  born  in  Florence,  N.  Y.;  farmer; 
enlisted  from  Vernon  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  June  15,  1863  ;  at  the  battle 
of  Resaca,  Ga  ,  May  14,  1864,  was  captured  by  the  Rebels  in  their  despe- 
rate charge  upon  the  Union  left,  and  taken  to  Andersonville  prison  ;  he 
was  afterward  transferred  to  the  Florence.  South  Carolina,  prison,  where 
Albert  Barney,  of  Company  D,  same  Regiment,  reports  having  seen  him, 
much  discouraged,  and  in  a  very  weak  and  debilitated  condition,  late  in 
the  fall  of  1864,  only  a  few  days  before  Barney  was  exchanged  as  a  pris- 
oner of  war.  He  died  Jan.  28,  1865,  of  chronic  diarrhoea,  as  appears 
from  the  prison  records,  presumably  at  Florence,  S.  C. ;  his  body  now  lies 
buried,  No.  2712,  in  the  National  Cemetery  at  Salisbury,  N.  C.,  as  reported 
by  the  War  Department  at  Washington,  D.  C.  By  his  death  the  Com- 
pany lost  one  of  its  most  genial,  whole-souled,  companionable  members. 

Corporal  Peter  Mowers. — Age  19  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Vernon;  promoted  to  Corporal  June  21,  1864;  at  Chicka- 
mauga,  Ga.,  had  his  cap-box  badly  shot  to  pieces  ;  was  wounded  in  the 
left  hand  on  the  skirmish  ine  before  Atlanta.  Ga.,  Aug.  15,  1884;  while 


828  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  1. 

at  Huntsville,  Ala.,  was  on  detail  as  safe-guard  at  the  residence  of  Wil- 
liam Rountree ;  was  conspicuous  for  his  personal  bravery  in  many  en- 
gagements ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Has  been  a  mail  contractor,  and  is 
mail  carrier,  with  address  at  Half  Day,  Lake  County,  111. 

Corporal  Jared  O.  Blodgett. — Age  23  ;  born  in  Madison  County,  N.  Y. ; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  the  township  of  Warren ;  promoted  to  Corporal 
Sept.  20,  1864  ;  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Ga.,  had  a  bullet  through  his  pants, 
just  above  and  in  front  of  the  ankle,  but  escaped  wounds  ;  at  Ackworth, 
Ga.,  Oct.  5,  1864,  while  on  a  brief  furlough  to  enable  him  to  visit  a  brother 
in  the  15th  Illinois,  he  was,  captured,  and  remained  a  prisoner  of  war  in 
Andersonville  and  other  prisons  until  April  28,  1865,  coming  into  the 
Union  lines  at  Jacksonville,  Fla. ;  never  absent  from  Regiment  but  four 
weeks  during  the  first  two  years  of  his  service  ;  discharged  at  Chicago, 
111.,*  July  5,  1865.  Is  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising  at  Duncan, 
Platte  County,  Neb. 

Corporal  Carlos  C.  Towner. — Age  22;  born  in  Rutland  County,  Vt. ; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Fremont ;  promoted  to  Corporal  Oct.  31,  1864  ;  had 
three  bullets  through  coat  at  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  Ga. :  lost  hat  and  lock 
of  hair  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  where  the  enemy  got  so  close  to  some  of  the  Com- 
pany on  the  skirmish  line  as  to  order  their  surrender  ;  he.  threw  down  his 
gun  for  that  purpose,  but  changed  his  mind  and  ran,  succeeding  in  mak- 
ing his  escape  ;  had  bullet  through  coat  at  the  battle  of  Nashville,  Tenn.; 
was  absent  four  weeks  in  hospital,  thus  escaping  the  battle  of  Chicka- 
tnauga,  Ga. ;  with  that  exception  he  was  with  the  Company  in  every  en- 
gagement in  which  it  took  part ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Resides  in  Osage, 
Mitchell  County,  Io\va.  where  he  is  proprietor  of  the  West-End  Hotel, 
and  has  been  City  Marshal  for  four  yea:s. 

Corporal  Daniel  Benson. — Age  22  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  ihe  township  of  W.irren  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  Nov.  30, 
1864;  at  Chickamauga,  Ga.,  was  severely  wounded  in  the  hips,  and  left 
on  the  field,  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy  ;  remained  a  prisoner  for 
nine  days,  and  was  then  paroled  and  sent  within  the  Union  lines  at  Chat- 
tanooga, Tenn.;  his  injuries  proved  very  serious,  and  it  was  several 
months  before  he  was  a  le  to  rejoin  the  command  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment. 
Is  farming  at  Scotia,  Greeley  County,  Neb. 

John  Baker. — Age  26  ;  born  in  Salem,  N.  Y. ;  farmer;  enlisted  from 
Ela ;  died  from  disease  at  Estill  Springs.  Tenn.,  Sept.  •'>,  1863 ;  his  grave 
is  No.  3,847,  in  the  National  Cemetery  of  Stone's  River,  Tenn. 

John  K.  Beck.— Age  21  ;  born  in  Lake  County,  111.;  broom  and  brush 
maker;  enlisted  from  Waukegan  ;  was  detailed  with  the  Ambulance 
Corps  May  8,  1864,  serving  with  that  organization  until  Ihe  close  of  the 
war;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  a  teacher  at  Richmond,  Ind. 

Charles  O.  Biddlecom. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Deerfield,  N.  Y. ;  farmer  ; 
•enlisted  from  Newport ;  served  with  the  Regimental  Band,  and  was  pro- 
moted to  Principal  Musician  Feb.  6,  1865  ;  was  seldom  absent  from  the 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  G.  8*29 

command,  and  served  with  the  Ambulance  Corps  in  nearly  every  engage- 
ment in  which  the  Regiment  participated  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Has 
since  held  several  township  offices  ;  is  farming  in  the  town  of  Newport  ; 
address,  Wadsworth,  Lake  County,  111. 

John  Blackler. — Age  26  ;  born  in  England  ;  butcher ;  enlisted  frora 
Libertyville  ;  participated  in  several  engagements,  including  Chicka- 
mauga,  Ga.,  and  Lookout  Mountain,  Tenn.,  but  was  subsequently  detailed 
in  Subsistence  Department,  as  brigade  butcher ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment. 
Is  a  brother  of  Thomas  Blackler,  of  same  Company  :  resides  at  Highland 
Park,  Lake  County,  111. 

Thomas  Blackler. — Age  22  ;  born  in  England  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Fremont ;  was  taken  sick  early  during  his  term  of  service,  and  was  dis- 
charged, for  disability,  from  hospital  at  Danville,  Ky.,  Jan.  24,  1863;  his 
ailment  has  followed  him  through  the  years,  and  still  gives  him  trouble  ; 
Is  a  brother  of  John  Blackler,  of  same  Company.  Resides  at  South 
Evanston,  111.,  being  engaged  in  the  market  business. 

Christopher  Boettcher. — A^e  20  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  enlisted  from 
the  town  of  Goodale  (now  Grant) ;  was  on  detail  in  a  Battery  for  some 
time,  returning  April  19,  18G4  ;  at  the  battle  of  Keuesaw  Mountain, 
Ga.,  June  20,  1864,  was  mortally  v.ounded,  having  seven  bullet  holes 
through  him,  and  died  in  the  field  hospital  June  23,  1864.* 

*  In  volume  23,  at  page  60,  of  the  "  Roll  of  Honor,"  published  at  the  Government 
Piinting  Office,  Washington,  D.  C.,  1869,  containing  the  "Names  of  Soldiers  who  died  in 
defense  of  the  American  Union,  interred  in  the  National  Cemeteries,  etc.,"  is  found 
under  the  heading,  "  Marietta  and  Atlanta  National  Cemetery,"  among  comrades 
credited  to  the  State  of  Indiana,  the  following  :  "No.  1,853;  name,  Christopher  Bodtcber: 
rank,  private  ;  regiment,  3th  battery  ;  date  of  death,  June  20, 1864  ;  sec.  A.  No.  of  grave, 
1,031,  original  place  of  interment,  near  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Ga."  There  is  a  (*)  affixed 
to  this  entry,  referring  to  a  memoranda,  which  reads,  •'  Many  names  accredited  to  a  State 
are  not  to  be  found  upon  the  rolls  of  the  organizations  to  which  they  purport  to  belong. 
Such,  in  all  cases,  are  designated  by  a  star  (*),  and  must  be  left  for  future  research." 

The  Superintendent  of  said  cemelery  writes,  under  date  of  January  18,  1887,  in 
answer  to  a  letter  of  inquiry  with  reference  to  said  Boettcher,  that  the  record,  as  it 
"  appears  in  volume  23,  page  60,  R.  H.,  is  an  error  ;  it  should  read,  John  Betscher,  private 
1st  Ind.  Battery,  killed  June  20, 1864,  near  Kenesaw  Mt.,  Ga. ;  interred  in  Sec.  A,  Grave  No. 
1,031.  This  is  the  record  in  this  office,  and  is  the  name  which  appears  on  the  headstone 
at  the  grave."  This  change  to  John  Betscher  is,  no  doubt,  an  error.  The  query  is,  how 
came  the  name  of  Christopher  Bodtcher  in  said  Roll  of  Honor  ?  It  must  have  been 
found  at  the  head  of  the  grave  of  some  soldier  when  they  were  disinterring  and  removing 
their  bodies  to  the  said  National  Cemetery.  On  the  original  morning  reports  of  Company 
G,  still  preserved,  and  now  in  possession  of  the  writer,  underdate  of  April  19,  1861,  just 
two  months  prior  to  the  battle  of  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Ga.,  appear  these  words,  "Chris- 
topher Boettcher  returned  to  Company  from  Battery."  He  was  so  severely  wounded  that 
he  probably  never  spoke  a  rational  word  after  being  shot ;  he  died  among  nurses  and 
attendants  who  were  strangers  to  him,  and  was  buried  by  them.  Letters^r  memoranda 
were,  no  doubt,  found  in  his  pockets,  which  seemed  to  locate  him  definitely  as  connected 
with  the  5th  Indiana  Battery,  and,  from  the  information  which  said  letters  or  memoranda 
contained,  they  must  have  marked  the  grave  where  his  remains  were  deposited,  and 
where  the  squad  w'uo  disinterred  and  removed  them  to  said  cemetery,  found  the  infor- 
mation that  caused  such  entry  to  be  made  as  is  found  in  the  "Roll  of  Honor"  above 
gtated. 


830  HISTORY  OF  THE  96rm  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

Myron  J.  Brown. — Age  19;  born  in  Fort  Ann,  N.  Y. ;  farmer;  en- 
listed from  Newport;  at  Chickamauga,  Ga.,  was  hit  in  groin,  directly  in 
front  of  the  hip  joint,  by  a  canister  shot,  during  the  first  charge  of  the 
Regiment ;  turning  half  way  around,  he  dropped  on  one  knee,  and  thought 
the  shot  had  passed  through  his  hip  ;  recovering  from  the  shock,  he  dis- 
covered that  his  pocket  book  and  comb,  which  were  badly  damaged,  had 
saved  him,  and  resumed  firing  at  the  enemy  ;  at  the  battle  of  llesaca,  Ga., 
May  14,  1864,  was  captured  at  the  time  the  enemy  turned  the  left,  and 
remained  a  prisoner  of  war  nine  months,  being  confined  at  Andersonville, 
Ga.,  and  at  Sibley,  N.  C  ;  he  escaped  near  Wilmington,  N.  C.,  was  sent 
to  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  and  finally  discharged  at  Springfield,  111.,  June  24, 1865, 
reaching  Chicago  in  time  to  return  to  Waukegan  with  the  Lake  County 
boys  ;  his  health  was  seriously  impaired  by  his  prison  experiences.  Has 
held  several  positions  of  public  trust  in  Illinois  and  Nebraska,  and  is  a 
•farmer  and  stock  raiser  at  Osceola,  Polk  County,  Neb. 

Albert  A.  Burge. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Waukegan,  111. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Vernon  Feb.  8, 1864,  joining  the  command  at  Cleveland,  Tent;.,  April 
D,  18(54,  and  participating  in  most  of  the  engagements  that  followed ;  at 
Lovejoy  Station,  Ga.,  he  accidentally  stepped  both  feet  into  a  bed  of  hot 
ashes,  or  a  smouldering  fire,  burning  them  so  badly  as  to  disable  him 
nearly  a  month ;  at  m.  o.  of  Regiment  was  transferred  to  Company  G, 
•21st  Illinois,  and  finally  mustered  out  Dec.  16,  1865,  and  discharged  at 
Camp  Butler,  Springfield,  111.,  Jan.  25,  1866.  Is  farming  at  Augusta, 
Butler  County,  Kansas. 

George  Butler. — Age  22  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Benton  ;  at  Chickamauga,  Ga.,  was  severely  wounded  in  the  left  foot, 
being  disabled  for  field  duty,  and  was  discharged  from  hospital  at  Chi- 
cago, 111.,  Oct.  5,  1864.  Is  a  carpenter  at  Waukegan,  111.,  and  quite  lame 
from  the  effect  of  his  wound. 

Loyal  Cadwell. — Age  .54  ;  born  in  Vermont ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Libertyville  ;  after  a  few  weeks  his  health  completely  failed,  and  he  was 
discharged  for  disability  at  Lexington,  Ky.,  Dec.  23,  1862  ;  he  returned 
home  and  died  at  Libertyville,  111.,  May  4,  1864. 

Joseph  K.  Clark. — Age  38  ;  born  in  Cortland  County,  N.  Y.;  brick- 
maker  ;  enlisted  from  Shields  ;  was  detailed  in  wagon  train  at  Newport, 
Ky.,  remaining  one  year  ;  at  Lookout  Mountain,  Tenn.,  was  slightly 
wounded  in  the  face  by  a  buck  shot  or  pistol  bullet ;  at  commencement 
of  Atlanta  campaign,  May  2,  1864,  was  detailed  as  stretcher  bearer,  and 
was  with  the  command  until  the  close  of  the  war ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment. 
Was  Supervisor  for  six  years  in  Livingston  County,  111. ;  is  a  farmer  at 
Sedgwick,  Harvey  County,  Kansas. 

Perrin  P.  Cole. — Age  26 ;  born  in  Erie  County,  Pa.;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Vernon  ;  at  Chickamauga,  Ga.,  was  slightly  wounded  in  leg  by  a 
grape  shot  or  fragment  of  shell,  and  had  his  tin  cup  shot  through  ;  at 
Resaca,  Ga.,  when  on  the  skirmish  line,  he  failed  to  hear  the  order  to 


HOSTER  OF  COMPANY  G.  831 

retreat,  remaining  between  the  lines  until  face  to  face  with  the  enemy, 
and  then  making  his  way  back,  under  a  murderous  fire  from  both  direc- 
tions ;  was  in  every  engagement  until  Kingston,  Ga.,  was  passed,  when, 
worn  out  by  the  hard  service,  he  was  sent  to  hospital,  but  rejoined  the 
Regiment  in  time  to  take  part  in  the  battle  of  Nashville,  Tenn. ;  m.  o. 
'with  Regiment.  Resides  in  Floyd  County,  Iowa,  where  he  has  an  elegant 
farm  of  145  acres,  finely  stocked ;  has  been  Town  Clerk  and  Assessor 
almost  continuously,  and  is  Secretary  of  the  Floyd  County  Mutual  In- 
surance Company  ;  address,  Charles  City,  Iowa. 

Jeremiah  Conklin. — Age  27  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer ;  enlisted 
from  Fremont ;  discharged  for  disability  at  Brentwood,  Tenn.,  April  2, 

1863.  Is  farming  at  Pierport,  Manistee  County,  Mich. 

John  A.  Corbin. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Vernon,  Lake  County,  111. ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Vernon  ;  he  had  lost  his  right  eye  in  boyhood,  and  wore  a 
glass  one  ;  made  an  excellent  soldier,  always  shooting  left  handed  ;  at 
Chickamauga,  Ga.,  was  severely  wounded  in  the  right  thigh,  but  rejoined 
the  command  in  time  to  participate  in  all  of  the  engagements  except 
Lookout  Mountain,  Tenn.;  while  at  Huntsville,  Ala.,  was  on  detail,  as 
:safe  guard,  at  the  residence  of  William  Rountree  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment. 
Was  accidentally  drowned  by  the  capsizing  of  a  ferry  boat  at  Elgin.  111., 
April  28,  1881. 

Edward  Darby,  ist. — Age  25  ;  born  in  Tioga  County,  N.  Y. ;  car- 
penter;  enlisted  from  Vernon  ;  at  the  battle  of  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  14, 

1864,  when   the  enemy  broke  back   the    Union    left,    he  was   on    the 
skirmish  line,  and  was  undoubtedly  shot  and  killed,  as  he  was  never 
afterward  s.een  by  any  of  the  Regiment,  although  a  few  others  were  cap- 
tured on  that  line.     His  friends  long  believed  him  alive,  and  hoped  for 
his  return,  but  in  vain  ;  was  a  brother  of  Henry  and  a  cousin  of  Joseph 
and  Edward,  2d,  of  same  Company. 

Edward  Darby,  zd. — Age  17  ;  born  in  Tioga  County,  N.  Y. ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Vernon  ;  discharged  for  disability  at  Danville,  Ky.,  March 
22,  1863  ;  he  subsequently  re-enlisted  in  Company  E,  of  the  17th  Illinois 
Cavalry,  at  St.  Charles,  Kane  County,  111.,  Feb.  20,  1864,  and  was  finally 
mustered  out  at  Fort  Leavenworth,  Kansas,  Nov.  23,  1865  ;  is  a  brother 
of  Joseph,  and  cousin  of  Edward,  1st,  and  Henry,  of  same  Company.  Is 
residing,  in  poor  health,  at  Beloit,  Wis. 

Henry  Darby. — Age  23;  born  in  Tioga  County,  N.  Y. ;  farmer;  en- 
listed from  Vernon  ;  was  seriously  ill  in  the  early  part  of  his  term  of  ser- 
vice, and  was  discharged  for  disability  at  Lexington,  Ky.,  Jan.  18,  1863  ; 
was  a  brother  of  Edward,  1st,  and  cousin  of  Joseph  and  Edward,  2d,  of 
same  Company.  Is  residing,  in  poor  health,  at  Libertyville,  Lake 
County,  111. 

Joseph  Darby. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Tioga  County,  N.  Y. ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Vernon  ;  at  Chickamauga,  Ga.,  was  severely  wounded  m  the 
left  arm,  the  bone  being  shattered  above  the  elbow  ;  he  fell  into  the  ene- 


832  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

iny's  hands,  and  was  a  prisoner  for  ten  days,  when  he  was  paroled  and1 
sent  withiu  the  Union  lines  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn.;  by  careful  treatment 
the  arm  was  saved,  although  greatly  shortened  ;  was  transferred  to  the 
Veteran  Reserve  Corps  Oct.  7,  1864,  serving  there  until  the  close  of  the 
war;  is  a  brother  of  Edward,  2d,  and  cousin  of  Edward,  1st,  and  Henry, 
of  same  Companjr.  Is  a  farmer,  and  resides  at  Diamond  Lake,  Lake 
County,  111. 

Thomas  Davis. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Wales  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Fremont ;  at  Chickamauga,  Ga.,  was  severely  wounded,  being  shot 
through  the  leg,  and  so  disabled  that  he  could  not  leave  the  field  ;  was  in 
the  enemy's  hands  for  nine  days,  and  then  paroled  and  sent  within  the 
Union  lines  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  where  he  died  from  his  wounds  Oct. 
25,  1863.  His  body  was  taken  home  for  burial. 

"Leroy  Demmon.—  Age  23  ;  born  in  May  field,  Ohio  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
frpm  the  township  of  Warren  ;  was  sick  with  typhoid  fever  at  Camp  Ful- 
ler, but  got  belter  ;  ambitious  to  be  with  his  comrades,  he  rejoined  the 
command  before  fully  recovered  ;  shortly  afterward  the  Regiment  made 
the  Lebanon  march,  and  he  accompanied  it ;  the  expedition  was  a  severe 
one,  even  for  those  who  were  well,  but  particularly  so  for  those  who  were 
not  strong.  Returning  to  Danville  he  was  taken  to  hospital,  where  he 
died,  Jan.  18,  1863  ;  his  body  was  sent  home  for  burial. 

James  Donahue. — Age  14  ;  born  in  New  York  City  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Vernon  ;  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Ga.,  June  23,  1864,  was  wounded 
in  right  leg,  under  the  knee,  while  serving  as  Chief  of  Orderlies  at  Bri- 
gade Headquarters,  to  which  position  he  was  detailed  Feb.  21,  1864  ;  was 
compelled  to  use  crutches  for  ten  months,  and  was  in  a  critical  condition 
because  of  gangrene,  for  a  time  ;  still  suffers  to  some  extent  from  the 
wound  ;  m.  o.  trom  hospital  at  Mound  City,  111.,  in  July,  1865.  Is  a 
clerk  in  the  Chicago  Postoffice  ;  resides  at  308  Noith  Franklin  Street, 
Chicago,  111. 

Edwin  Drury. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Lake  County,  111.;  farmer;  enlisted 
from  the  township  of  Warren  ;  he  was  taken  sick  at  Estiil  Springs, 
Tenn.,  was  in  hospital  at  Tullahoma  and  Nashville,  Tenn.,  returning  to 
the  Regiment  at  Nickajack  Cove,  Ga. ;  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  a  buck  shot  or 
squirrel  rifle  ball  passed  through  the  rubber  blanket  attached  to  his  knap- 
sack ;  at  Dallas,  Ga.,  he  was  again  taken  sick,  and  was  in  Division  Hospi- 
tal at  Ackworth,  Ga.,  and  Convalescent  Camp  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn.; 
he  volunteered  to  assist  in  guarding  a  drove  of  cattle  to  the  front,  but, 
being  unable  to  stand  the  fatigue,  was  left  at  Dalton,  Ga.;  while  in  hospi- 
tal there  he  was  acting  Hospital  Steward  for  some  months,  and  rejoined 
the  Regiment  at  Huutsville,  Ala.;  while  at  Dalton,  Ga.,  the  Rebel  General 
Wheeler,  with  his  cavalry,  attacked  the  place  in  force,  and  he  was  hit  on 
the  left  arm  by  a  piece  of  brick  which  a  shell  from  the  enemy's  guns  had 
dislodged  from  a  brick  house  which  stood  inside  the  fort  that  the  small 
garrison  were  defending,  and  where  those  in  hospital,  who  were  able,  had 
gone  for  protection  ;  he  was  in  the  Rebel  lines,  virtually  prisoner  of  war, 


COMPANY  C. 


JOHN  BLACKLEB. 
THOMAS  B.  POCKLINGTON . 


iUOGS. 

Serg't  CHARLES  J.  MII.LEK. 
GEORGE  LKHMANN. 


THOMAS  BLACKLEB. 
JOHN  LADD. 


lilt 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  G. 

the  night  of  Oct.  13,  1864,  when  a  portion  of  Gen.  Hood's  forces  were  in 
possession  of  Dalton,  Ga.  ;  a  number  of  Rebels,  wounded  during  Wheel- 
er's attack,  were  in  his  charge,  with  amputated  limbs,  unable  to  be  moved  ; 
they  having  been  well  treated,  and  giving  favorable  report  to  the  Rebel 
officers,  no  doubt  accounts  for  the  reason  he  or  his  assistants  were  not 
paroled  or  taken  to  Rebel  prisons  ;  while  with  the  Regiment  he  was  in 
every  engagement  in  which  it  took  part  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Since 
the  war  he  has  been  in  the  City  Collector  and  other  offices  in  Chicago, 
111.,  and  for  a  number  of  years  was  Chief  Deputy  County  Clerk  of  Cook 
County,  111.;  is  a  second  cousin  of  Walter  E.  Drury,  of  same  Company  : 
he  is  associated  with  his  brother,  Horace  G.  Drury,  in  the  tax  abstract 
and  real  estate  business  at  Chicago,  111.,  with  residence  at  Wilmette,  Cook 
County,  111.,  where  he  has  been  Village  Trustee  two  terms. 

Walter  E.  Drury.—  Age  19  ;  born  in  Erie  County,  Pa  ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  the  township  of  Warren  ;  discharged  for  disability  from 
hospital  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  May  21,  1863  ;  subsequently  re-enlisted  in 
Company  E,  9th  Illinois  Cavalry,  serving  from  Feb.  7,  1865,  to  Oct.  81, 
1865.  Has  been  County  Superintendent  of  Schools  of  Burt  County,  JNeb.; 
is  a  second  cousin  of  Edwin  Drury,  of  same  Company  ;  is  a  lawyer  and 
banker  at  Fender,  Dakota  County,  Neb. 

Thomas  W.  Dwyer.  —  Age  27  ;  born  in  Schoharie  County,  N.  Y.  ; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Shields  ;  was  detailed  in  the  Ordnance  Train,  and 
at  Chickamauga,  Ga.,  drove  a  team  loaded  with  ammunition  upon  the 


field,  under  a  heavy  artill^y^aH^  >mvske-t#y  fire  ;-  **  Lookout  Mountain, 
Tenn.,  he  participated  with  the  Regiment,  "and  aTSo  in  some  subsequent 
engagements,  but  was  on  detached  service  a  considerable  part  of  the 
time  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  a  farmer  in  the  township  of  Shields  ; 
address,  Waukegan,  Lake  County,  111. 

George  M.  Farnsworth.  —  Age  26  ;  born  in  St.  Charles,  Kane  County, 
111.;  farmer;  enlisted  from  Waukegan;  at  Chickamauga,  Ga.,  had  his 
canteen  strap  shot  off,  and  a  bullet  through  his  pants  leg  ;  a  fragment  of 
shell  also  lodged  in  his  finger,  and  is  still  carried  by  him  ;  was  a  brother 
of  Lieutenant  Hiram  W.  Farnsworth,  of  same  Company  ;  m.  o.  with 
Regiment.  Has  been  an  alderman  in  Chicago,  111.,  and  is  a  contractor 
and  builder,  with  residence  at  371  Claremont  Avenue,  Chicago,  111. 

William  H.  Flagler.  —  Age  25  ;  born  in  Washington  County,  N.  Y.  ; 
farmer;  enlisted  from  Libertyville  ;  at  Resaca,  Ga.,  when  the  left  was 
driven  back,  a  bullet  struck  his  knapsack,  going  entirely  through  his 
blanket  and  the  contents  of  the  knapsack,  knocking  him  down,  but  not 
seriously  injuring  him  ;  at  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Ga.,  July  20,  1864,  a  bullet 
struck  his  canteen,  and  inflicted  a  slight  wound  in  his  leg  ;  m.  o.  with 
Regiment.  Is  farming  near  Libertyville,  Lake  Co.,  111. 

George  H.  Foote.  —  Age  21  ;  born  in  Canton,  Conn.  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Vernon  ;  at  Chickamauga,  Ga.,  his  coat  was  twice  pierced  with  bul- 
lets, and  his  haversack  strap  was  severed  ;  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Ga., 
53 


834  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

his  gun  stock  was  shivered  in  his  hands  by  a  bullet,  but  he  escaped 
wounds  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Has  been  Town  Collector  for  two  years, 
and  is  a  farmer  in  the  township  of  Vernou  ;  address,  Half  Day,  Lake 
County,  111. 

Daniel  H.  Gail. — Age  22  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Newport ;  at  Chickamauga,  Ga.,  was  badly  wounded  through  the  calf  of 
the  leg,  and  so  seriously  disabled  as  to  unfit  him  for  active  field  duty  ; 
was  on  detached  service  several  months  ;  in.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  en- 
gaged in  the  manufacture  of  spring  beds  ;  address,  46  Champlain  Street, 
Cleveland,  Ohio. 

Isbon  S.  Gleason. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Owego,  N.  Y. ;  carpenter  and 
joiner;  enlisted  from  Liberty ville  ;  was  detailed  in  Pioneer  Corps  at 
Brentwood,  Tenn.,  April  7,  1863,  and  transferred  to  the  1st  U.  S.  Veteran 
Engineer  Regiment  Aug.  25,  1864,  serving  with  that  command  until  the 
close  of  the  war,  and  being  promoted  to  Corporal  Sept.  1,  1864,  and  to 
Sergeant  Dec.  25,  1864.  Is  a  contractor  and  builder  at  Libertyville,  Lake 
County,  111.,  of  which  village  he  has  been  a  Trustee  for  four  years. 

John  Harrington.—  Age  20 ;  born  in  County  Kerry,  Ireland  ;  farmer ; 
enlisted  from  Libertyville  ;  was  detailed  in  the  9th  Ohio  Battery,  and  from 
there  was  assigned  to  the  18th  Ohio  Battery,  for  a  time,  and  participated 
with  them  in  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  Ga.,  and  the  engagements  about 
Chattanooga,  Tenn.;  rejoined  the  command  March  3,  1864  ;  was  detailed 
as  stretcher  bearer  just  before  the  last  line  of  works  was  taken  at  Nash- 
ville, Tenn.,  and  served  as  such  until  the  close  of  the  war  ;  m.  o.  with 
Regiment.  His  address  is  Geneva,  Adams  County,  Ind. 

Asel  Hawkins. — Age  24  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Vernon  ;  died  at  Danville,  Ky.,  Feb.  18,  1863  ;  his  grave  is  No.  170  in  the 
Cemetery  at  Danville,  Ky. 

Samuel  M.  Hutchinson. — Age  20;  born  in  Steuben  County,  N.  Y. ; 
farmer;  enlisted  from  Benton  ;  had  a  bullet  through  his  hat  while  on 
picket  duty  at  Moccasin  Point,  opposite  Lookout  Mountain,  Tenn. ;  was 
sent  back  to  hospital  from  Blue  Springs,  Tenn.,  May  3,  1864,  and  was 
mustered  out  at  Jeffersonville,  Ind.,  June  12,  1865.  Is  a  manufacturer 
and  dealer  in  lumber  at  Hutchinson,  Marathon  County,  Wis. 

Freeman  James. — Age  64  ;  born  April  11,  1798,  in  "Wellington,  Tolland 
County,  Conn.;  was  a  drummer  boy  tor  one  year  in  the  war  of  1812,  sta- 
tioned at  New  London,  Conn.,  under  Captain  Chauncey  Ives  ;  enlisted 
from  Rockford,  111.,  Oct.  1,  1862  ;  served  as  instructor  and  leader  of  the 
Regimental  Band ;  taken  sick  at  Danville,  Ky. ;  his  advanced  age  ren- 
dered his  recovery  seemingly  impossible,  and  he  died  Jan.  18,  1863 ;  his 
grave  is  number  200  in  the  Cemetery  at  Danville,  Ky. ;  he  was  an  uncle 
of  George  James,  of  same  Company. 

George  James. — Age  40  ;  born  in  Hadley,  Mass. ;  painter ;  enlisted 
from  Waukegan  ;  served  with  the  Regimental  Band,  and  was  its  leader  a 
part  of  the  time  ;  being  a  tine  singer  he  organized  a  glee  club,  and  kept 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  G.  835 

it  up  during  a  considerable  part  of  the  service  ;  was  a  well  known 
character  in  the  command,  and  was  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  After  his  re- 
turn he  battled  with  the  waves  of  adversity  in  Chicago  for  many  years, 
but  finally,  his  health  giving  way,  he  drifted  into  camp  at  Milwaukee, 
Wis.,  and,  in  1886,  had  headquarters  there  at  the  Soldiers'  Home.  In 
May,  1887,  he  was  admitted  to  the  Soldiers'  Home  at  Quincy,  111.  He 
was  a  nephew  of  Freeman  James,  of  same  Company. 

Isaac  L.  James. — Age  36 ;  born  in  South  Wales  ;  farmer ;  enlisted 
from  the  township  of  Warren  ;  participated  in  several  engagements,  but 
escaped  wounds  ;  was  detailed  as  Provost  Guard  at  Brigade  Headquar- 
ters, Huntsville,  Ala.,  Feb.  22,  1865,  but  returned  to  the  Company  and 
was  m.  o.  with  Regiment ;  he  was  first  cousin  and  adopted  brother  of 
Captain  David  James  and  Sergeant  Thomas  L.  James,  of  same  Company. 
Is  living,  in  poor  health,  at  Waukegan,  111. 

Thomas  James. — Age  30  ;  born  in  South  Wales  :  farmer ;  enlisted 
from  the  township  of  Warren  ;  deserted  Feb.  1,  1863,  at  Louisville,  Ky. ; 
was  no  relative  of  any  other  James  in  the  Company. 

Joseph  I.  Joslyn. — Age  45  ;  born  in  Oneida  County,  N.  Y. ;  farmer  : 
enlisted  from  Benton  :  was  ill  for  some  months,  and  finally  discharged  at 
Convalescent  Camp,  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Aug.  13,  1883  ;  he  died  at  Nugent, 
Linn  County,  Iowa,  Nov.  20,  1872,  of  heart  disease. 

William  Joyce.— Age  19;  born  in  New  York;  sailor;  enlisted  from 
Waukegan  ;  was  probably  the  most  frequently  wounded  man  in  the  Regi- 
ment ;  at  Chickamauga,  Ga.,  he  was  struck  by  a  bullet  in  the  foot,  and, 
without  leaving  the  line,  sat  down,  and  taking  off  his  shoe,  examined  the 
wound  ;  finding  it  not  serious,  he  again  put  on  the  shoe,  resumed  his 
place  in  the  line,  and  fought  on  until  night ;  at  Lookout  Mountain,  Tenn., 
he  was  slightly  wounded  in  the  head  ;  at  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  Ga.,  he  was 
wounded  in  the  face  ;  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Ga.,  he  was  again  wounded 
in  the  head  ;  and  at  Atlanta,  Ga.,  he  was  severely  wounded  in  the  arm 
and  thigh  ;  he  is  said  to  have  been  wounded  twice  beside,  but  not  reported 
in  the  list  of  casualties  ;  the  date  and  place  of  his  final  muster  out  are 
not  known  ;  he  is  supposed  to  have  died  from  consumption  at  Atchison, 
Kansas,  in  1882. 

William  T.  Kimber. — Age  23  ;  born  in  Milwaukee,  Wis.;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  the  town  of  Warren  ;  deserted  Feb.  1,  1863,  at  Louisville,  Ky. ; 
he  afterward  enlisted  Aug.  24,  1864,  under  his  mother's  maiden  name,  as 
a  recruit  for  one  year,  at  Tecumseh,  Mich. ;  he  was  assigned  to  Company 
F,  26th  Regiment  of  Michigan  Infantry,  then  and  all  the  time  during  his 
service  in  that  Regiment,  on  detached  duty,  guarding  the  Government 
Bakery  at  Alexandria,  Va. ;  he  was  honorably  discharged  from  such  ser- 
vice, because  of  close  of  war,  June  4,  1865.  Is  farming  in  Missouri. 

John  King. — Age  30 ;  born  at  Three  Rivers,  St.  Joseph  County,  Mich. ; 
clerk  and  salesman  ;  enlisted  from  Waukegan  ;  was  on  detached  service, 
more  or  less,  serving  as  wagon  master  for  a  time,  and  also  as  a  clerk  at 


836  HISTORY  OF  THE  96rm  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

headquarters,  but  participated  with  the  Regiment  in  numerous  campaigns 
and  battles,  and  at  Lookout  Mountain,  Nov.  24,  1863,  was  wounded  in 
the  forehead,  the  bullet  striking  so  as  to  cause  the  blood  to  flow  quite 
profusely,  but  not  seriously  disabling  him  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  in 
the  Land  Office  of  the  C.  &  N.  W.  Railway  at  Chicago  ;  residence,  Wau- 
kegan,  111. 

Thomas  Kinreid. — Age  43  ;  born  in  Isle  of  Man  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Goodale  (now  Grant) ;  died  from  disease  in  hospital  at  Nashville^ 
Tenn.,  June  27,  1864  ;  his  grave  is  No.  10,032,  in  the  National  Cemetery  at 
Nashville,  Tenn. 

Christian  Knopf. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Vernon  ;  at  the  battle  of  Resaca,  Ga.,  a  bullet  passed  through  his 
canteen  and  cut  the  strap  of  his  haversack  ;  at  the  battle  of  Ke.nesaw 
Mountain,  Ga.,  June  20,  1864,  he  was  badly  wounded  in  the  left  foot,  and 
so  seriously  disabled  as  to  unfit  him  for  duty,  and  he  was  discharged  at 
Mound,  City,  111.,  Oct.  27,  1864 ;  was  disabled  for  fully  a  year,  and  has 
never  wholly  recovered  ;  is  an  uncle  of  Peter  Knopf,  of  same  Company. 
Is  fanning  at  Long  Grove,  Lake  County,  fll. 

Peter  Knopf. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Chicago,  111. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Vernon  ;  at  Lookout  Mountain,  Tenn.,  he  had  a  bullet  through  his  pants 
over  the  right  ankle  ;  was  in  every  engagement  and  skirmish  that  the 
Regiment  was  ever  in,  but  escaped  wounds ;  is  a  nephew  of  Christian 
Knopf,  of  same  Company  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  His  occupation  is  that 
of  salesman  ;  address,  Hyde  Park,  Cook  County,  111. 

James  L.  Knox. — Age  21 ;  born  in  Lake  County,  111. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Newport ;  was  mortally  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Kenesaw  Mountain, 
Ga.,  June  20,  1864,  and  died  in  hospital  at  Dalton,  Ga.,  June  29,  1864 ; 
his  grave  is  No.  9,911  in  the  National  Cemetery  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn. 

John  Ladd. — Age  27  ;  born  in  Lincolnshire,  England ;  farmer ;  en- 
listed from  Libertyville  ;  at  Chickamauga,  Ga.,  was  slightly  wounded  in 
left  thigh  on  Sunday  evening  ;  went  back  to  Rossville  that  night,  but 
never  was  in  hospital  or  off  duty  on  account  of  it ;  was  never  absent  from 
the  Regiment  except  on  two  weeks  furlough  from  Shell  Mound,  Tenn.: 
was  in  every  engagement  the  command  was  ever  in ;  m.  o.  with  Regi- 
ment. Is  a  carpenter,  unable  to  do  much  work,  in  consequence  of  poor 
health,  and  resides  at  1922  Chester  Street,  Little  Rock,  Ark. 

Nahum  Lamb. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Lake  County,  111. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  the  township  of  Warren  ;  at  the  battle  of  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  15, 1864, 
was  severely  wounded  in  the  right  hand,  losing  the  middle  finger,  and 
disabling  him  from  duty  ;  was  discharged,  because  of  this  wound,  from 
hospital  at  Chicago,  111.,  Oct.  28,  1864.  Is  a  farmer  in  the  township  of 
Warren  ;  address,  Gurnee,  Lake  Ceunty,  111. 

George  Lehmann. — Age  26  :  born  in  Alsace,  France  ;  baker ;  enlisted 
from  Ela ;  was  seldom  absent  from  the  command,  and  participated 
in  nearly  every  engagement,  but  escaped  wounds  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment. 
Is  proprietor  of  a  barber  shop  at  2515  Cottage  Grove  Avenue,  Chicago,  111. 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  G.  837 

James  H.  Madden. — Age  24  ;  born  in  Illinois  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Liberty ville  ;  was  acting  Hospital  Steward,  in  hospital  No.  11,  at  Nash- 
ville, Tenn.,  for  a  year  and  a  half  before  his  final  muster  out,  on  detail  by 
Gen.  Sherman  ;  was  discharged  from  hospital  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  because 
of  close  of  the  war,  May  26,  1865.  Is  a  stock  grower  at  Pueblo,  Col. 

Lewis  Miller. — Age  17 ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
the  township  of  Warren  ;  at  Chickamauga,  Ga.,  was  severely  wounded 
through  the  hip,  but  rejoined  the  command  in  a  few  weeks  ;  at  the  battle 
of  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  14,  1864,  his  right  leg  was  shattered  by  a  bullet,  and 
when  the  left  of  the  army  was  temporarily  driven  back  he  fell  into  the 
enemy's  hands  ;  the  Rebel  Surgeons  amputated  his  limb  at  the  thigh  bone, 
and  cared  for  him  as  best  they  could  until  May  16,  when,  the  Union 
army  advancing,  he,  with  Sergeant  Smith,  of  Company  I,  and  Richard 
Spencer,  of  Company  F,  was  left  at  a  house  that  had  been  used  as  a  tem- 
porary hospital ;  they  were  recovered  by  the  advance  and  taken  in  an 
ambulance  to  a  hospital  in  the  village  of  Resaca,  Ga. ;  he  seemed  to  be 
doing  well  for  a  few  days,  but  the  shock  to  his  system  proved  too  severe, 
and  he  died,  as  the  result  of  the  wound,  May  27,  1864  ;  was  a  brother  of 
Reuben  Miller,  of  the  same  Company ;  his  grave  is  No.  9,946  in  the 
National  Cemetery  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn. 

Reuben  Miller. — Age  18  :  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
the  township  of  Warren ;  participated  in  the  battles  of  Chickamauga, 
Ga.,  and  Lookout  Mountain,  Tenn.,  but  escaped  wounds  ;  April  27,  1864, 
was  detailed  as  a  guard  with  the  Division  Ordnance  Train,  serving  in  that 
capacity  until  the  close  of  the  war  ;  was  a  brother  of  Lewis  Miller,  of  the 
same  Company ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  Superintendent  of  the  large 
stock  and  dairy  farm  of  Hon.  H.  W.  Blodgett  at  Lake  Bluff,  Lake  County, 
111. 

Josiah  Moulton,  Jr. — Age  17  ;  born  in  Floyd,  Oneida  County,  N.  Y. ; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Benton  ;  at  the  engagement  near  Dal  ton,  Ga.,  Feb. 
25,  1864,  was  quite  seriously  wounded  in  the  face,  but  partially  recovered 
in  a  few  weeks  ;  being  unable  to  perform  active  field  duty  was  detailed  as 
an  Orderly  at  Gen.  Rosseau's  Headquarters,  then  at  Nashville,  Tenn., 
where  he  served  until  near  the  close  of  the  war ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment. 
Is  in  a  broker's  office  at  Indianapolis,  Ind. ;  resides  30  Virginia  Avenue. 

Henry  Nantz. — Age  42 ;  born  in  Germany  ;  tailor ;  enlisted  from 
Waukegan ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Died  in  Chicago,  111.,  of  heart  dis- 
ease, July  22,  1881. 

William  A.  Noble. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Lake  County,  111. ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Fremont  Feb.  8,  1864,  and  joined  the  command  at  Cleveland, 
Tenn.,  April  4,  1864  ;  participated  in  all  of  the  earlier  engagements  of  the 
Atlanta  campaign ;  at  Dallas,  Ga.,  May  31,  1864,  he  was  mortally 
wounded,  being  struck  in  the  face,  just  below  the  right  eye,  with  a  bullet, 
and  dying  from  the  effects  of  the  wound,  in  hospital  at  Nashville,  Tenn., 
July  21,  1864  ;  his  grave  is  No.  9,912,  in  the  National  Cemetery  at  Nash- 
ville, Tenn. 


838  HISTORY  OF  THE  96rra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

James  O'Herrin. — Age  18 ;  born  in  Troy,  N.  Y. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Libertyville  ;  a  bullet  passed  through  his  hat  while  on  skirmish  line 
at  Moccasin  Point,  Tenn.,  and  one  through  his  belt  on  skirmish  line  at 
Cassville,  Ga. ;  was  with  the  Regiment  in  every  engagement  ;  was  never 
sick  or  off  duty  during  his  term  of  service  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is 
engineer  on  a  steam  excavator  for  Chicago  &  Northwestern  Railway 
Co.,  with  residence  at  215  W.  King  Street,  Winona,  Minn  ;  P.  O.  box  323. 

Henry  P.  Ostrander. — Age  57  ;  born  in  Lanesborough,  Mass.;  farmer; 
enlisted  from  Shields  ;  served  as  wagon  master  for  a  time  ;  was  discharged 
for  disability  at  Shell  Mound,  Tenn.,  Jan.  1,  1864 ;  was  father  of  Henry 
W.  Ostrander,  of  same  Company.  Died  at  Topeka,  Kansas,  March  30, 
1874. 

Henry  W.  Ostrander — Age  19  ;  born  in  Kenosha,  Wis.;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Shields ;  was  taken  sick  at  Rockford,  111.,  shortly  after  the 
muster  in  of  the  Regiment,  and  was  permitted  to  go  home,  where  he  died 
from  typhoid  fever  Oct.  13,  1862 — the  first  death  to  occur  in  the  Regiment ; 
he  was  a  son  of  Henry  P.  Ostrander,  of  same  Company. 

George  Palmer. — Age  24  ;  born  in  England  ;  carpenter  ;  enlisted  from 
Waukegan  ;  was  seriously  ill  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  and  discharged  for  dis- 
ability, from  hospital,  March  18, 1863  ;  re-enlisted  in  the  navy  in  1864,  and 
was  seriously  injured  in  a  railroad  collision  at  Cairo,  111.,  while  en  route 
to  his  command,  receiving  injuries  from  which  he  still  suffers;  is  a 
brother  of  Joseph  Palmer,  of  same  Company.  Is  a  carpenter  and  builder 
at  Hainesville,  Lake  County,  HI. 

Joseph  Palmer. — Age  25  ;  born  in  England  ;  cabinet  maker  ;  enlisted 
from  Waukegan ;  participated  in  the  battles  of  Chickamauga,  Ga.,  and 
Lookout  Mountain,  Tenn.,  and  the  engagements  about  Buzzard  Roost 
Gap,  Ga.,  doing  his  full  duty,  and  was  then  detailed  in  the  Commissary 
Department,  where  he  served  until  the  close  of  the  war  ;  at  Chickamauga, 
Ga.,  he  was  struck  by  the  limb  of  a  tree,  and  badly  bruised  on  the  breast; 
being  unconscious  for  a  time,  but,  recovering,  again  took  his  place  in  the 
ranks  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment  ;  is  a  brother  of  George  Palmer,  of  same 
Company.  Is  foreman  in  a  large  sash,  door  and  blind  manufactory  at 
Waukegan,  111. 

George  N.  Phillips. — Age  25  ;  born  in  Vermont  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Waukegan  ;  while  on  skirmish  line  June  16,  1864,  was  hit  with  a 
piece  of  shell  on  the  left  side,  which  tore  through  his  coat  and  vest,  and, 
glancing  on  his  left  arm,  numbed  it,  so  that  he  was  obliged  to  carry  it 
in  a  sling  for  a  few  days  ;  did  not  leave  the  Company  ;  he  was  detailed  at 
the  Division  Quartermaster's  Department  Sept.  10,  1864,  where  he  re- 
mained to  the  end  of  the  service  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  farming  at 
Chester,  Thayer  County,  Neb. 

Thomas  B.  Pocklington. — Age  20  ;  born  in  England  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Libertyville  ;  participated  in  several  engagements  ;  went  to  General 
Field  Hospital  Aug.  25,  1864,  at  Atlanta,  Ga.,  where  he  remained  until 


HOSTEK  OF  COMPANY  G.  839 

the  close  of  the  war ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.     Is  a  builder,  and  resides,  in 
poor  health,  at  South  Evanston,  Cook  County,  Ill.% 

Nathaniel  Sherman. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Lake  County,  111.;  clerk  ;  en- 
listed from  Waukegan  ;  being  a  ready  penman  he  was  detailed  in  various 
clerical  capacities,  most  of  the  time  at  the  headquarters  of  the  Division, 
but  always  in  the  field  ;  at  the  final  muster  out,  when  all  were  anxious  to 
go  home,  he  volunteered  to  make  out  the  final  papers  of  the  Regiment, 
and  labored  so  constantly  and  rapidly  as  to  greatly  facilitate  matters  and 
expedite  the  final  discharge  of  the  command  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Has 
been  engaged  in  insurance  and  collection,  and  a  justice  of  the  peace  at 
Waukegan,  111.,  but  remeved  to  Los  Angeles,  Cal.,  in  March,  1887. 

Dennis  Shupe. — Age  20 ;  born  in  Canada  ;  farmer  ;•  enlisted  from 
Libertyville  ;  at  the  battle  of  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Ga.,  June  20,  1864,  he 
was  killed  in  the  attempt  to  retake  the  breastworks  from  which  the  35th 
Indiana  had  been  driven  ;  was  a  brother  of  Levi  Shupe,  of  same  Com- 
pany ;  his  grave  is  No.  6,904  in  the  National  Cemetery  at  Marietta,  Ga. 

Levi  Shupe. — Age  24  ;  born  in  Canada  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Liberty- 
ville ;  detailed  in  Pioneer  Corps  at  Brentwood,  Tenn.,  April  7,  1863  ; 
transferred  to  1st  Regiment  U.  S.  Veteran  Engineers  Aug.  25,  1864.  serv- 
ing with  that  command  until  the  close  of  the  war  ;  was  a  brother  of 
Dennis  Shupe,  of  same  Company  ;  m.  o.  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  June  30, 
1865.  Is  teaming  at  Dysart,  Tama  County,  Iowa. 

Albert  C.  Smith.— Age  18;  born  in  Pittsford,  Rutland  County,  Vt.; 
farmer ;  enlisted  from  Vernon  Feb.  2,  1864,  joining  the  command  at 
Cleveland,  Tenn.,  April  4,  1864  ;  participated  in  most  of  the  subsequent 
engagements  ;  at  m.  o.  of  Regiment  was  transferred  to  Company  G,  21st 
Illinois,  and  finally  mustered  out  Dec.  16,  1865.  Was  accidentally  killed 
while  in  railroad  employ  as  night  yard  master  at  San  Francisco,  Cal.,  in 
1883. 

Reuben  Smith. — Age  18;  born  in  Steuben  County,  N.  Y. ;  farmer; 
enlisted  from  the  township  of  Warren  ;  atKeuesaw  Mountain,  Ga.,  on  the 
eve  of  June  19, 1864,  he  was  mortally  wounded,  being  shot  through  the  left 
shoulder  ;  he  died  from  the  effect  of  this  wound  July  13,  1864  ;  his  grave  is 
No.  13,762  in  the  National  Cemetery  at  Nashville,  Tenn. 

John  Squier. — Age  28  ;  born  in  Vermont  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Vernon  ;  served  as  teamster  the  most  of  the  time  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment. 
Is  farming  at  Orchard,  Mitchell  County,  Iowa. 

John  G.  Thrasher. — Age  18 ;  born  in  Taberg,  Oneida  County,  N.  Y  ; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Vernon  ;  died  from  disease  at  Shell  Mound,  Tenn., 
Dec.  11,  1863.  Captain  James  wrote  to  his  father:  "Your  son  was  a 
noble  soldier  and  a  very  amiable  young  man,  possessing  many  good  quali- 
ties ;  he  was  beloved  by  all  who  knew  him.  The  country  has  lost  a  good 
soldier,  and  his  parents  a  devoted  son  ;  he  has  died  a  martyr  to  his  coun- 
try, and  yielded  his  life  a  willing  sacrifice."  His  grave  is  No.  9,b60  in  the 
National  Cemetery  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn. 


840  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'fH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

John  Triggs. — Age  23;  born  in  Devonshire,  England;  farmer;  en- 
listed from  Liberty ville  ;  participated  in  the  battles  of  Chickarnauga,  Ga. ; 
Lookout  Mountain,  Tenn.,  and  Nashville,  Tenn.,  but  escaped  wounds  ; 
m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  proprietor  of  an  oyster  and  fish  depot  at  102 
W.  Adams  Street,  Chicago,  111. 

John  Vaughn. — Age  25  ;  born  in  Wales ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Libertyville  ;  died  from  disease  at  Estill  Springs,  Tenn.,  Aug.  22,  1863  ; 
his  grave  is  No.  5,283  in  the  National  Cemetery  of  Stone's  River,  Tenn. 

Samuel  F.  Vose. — Age  22 ;  born  in  Lake  County,  111. ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  the  township 'of  Warren;  at  Estill  Springs,  Tenn.,  he  was 
detailed  at  the  Brigade  Quartermaster's  Department,  where  he  remained 
until  after  the.  battle  of  Chickamauga,  Ga. ;  when  he  rejoined  the  Com- 
patoy  ;  his  right  shoulder  was  dislocated  at  the  battle  of  Resaca,  Ga., 
May  14,  1864  ;  was  absent  from  the  Regiment  one  week  and  off  duty  four 
weeks  in  consequence  ;  at  Little  Kenesaw,  Ga.,  June  19,  1864,  he  came 
near  being  captured  at  the  same  time  that  William  H.  Ehlers,  of  Com- 
pany C,  same  Regiment,  was  ;  they  had  mistaken  the  enemy  for  friends  ; 
on  the  same  line,  June  20,  1864,  he  was  hit  by  a  spent  ball,  felled  to  the 
ground  and  ruptured,  but  remained  with  the  Regiment  until  it  reached 
the  Chattahoochee  River,  when  he  was  sent  to  the  General  Field  Hospi- 
tal, where  he  remained  until  the  close  of  the  war  ;  was  mustered  out  at 
Chicago,  111.,  in  July,  1865.  Was  supervisor  one  term  at  Francesville, 
Ind. ;  is  a  breeder  and  trainer  of  trotting  and  carriage  horses  at  Liberty- 
ville. Lake  County,  111. 

Christian  Wendling. — Age  18 ;  born  in  Prussia  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Vernon  ;  was  seldom  absent  from  the  command ;  at  Rocky  Face  Ridge, 
GH.,  a  bullet  passed  through  his  hat,  and  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Ga.,  a 
bullet  passed  so  close  to  him  as  to  cut  a  hole  in  the  stocking  of  his  right 
foot,  but  without  injuring  him  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  working  as  a 
carpenter,  and  resides  at  Wheeling,  Cook  County,  111. 

William  H.  Whaples. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Ohio  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Antioch  ;  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  Ga.,  Sept.  20,  1863  ; 
that  part  of  the  battle  ground  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  and  he 
was  buried  by  them  in  an  unknown  grave. 

William  H.  Wheeler.— Age  18  ;  born  in  Warren,  Herkimer  County, 
N.  Y.;  farmer;  enlisted  from  Ela  ;  was  badly  wounded  at  the  battle  of 
Chickamauga,  Ga.,  Sept.  20,  1863;  Corporal  Daniel  Benson,  who  was 
wounded  at  the  same  time,  says,  under  date  of  Oct.  9,  1886,  "After  the 
battle,  Sunday,  Sept.  20,  I  was  helped  back  to  a  log  house  after  dark  ;  on 
the  next  Sunday,  the  27th,  the  Rebels  came  with  wagons,  and  carried  us 
all,  about  twenty  in  number,  over  on  to  the  La  Fayette  Road,  where  I 
found  William  H.  Wheeler,  Thomas  Davis  and  Joseph  Darby  ;  on  Tues- 
day, Sept.  29,  an  ambulance  train  came  from  the  Union  lines  to  take  us 
away  ;  Thomas  Davis  and  myself  got  into  one  of  the  first  ones,  without 
assistance,  as  we  could  walk  a  little.  William  H.  Wheeler  was  lying  on 


ROSTEK  OF  COMPANY  G.  841 

the  ground,  near  where  Davis  and  I  lay  ;  his  right  thigh  was  broken  close 
to  the  body,  and  I  was  sure,  at  the  time,  that  he  could  not  live  but  a  few 
days  ;  the  train  was  not  large  enough  to  take  us  all,  and  whether  Wheeler 
was  taken  that  day,  or  the  next,  or  died  out  there,  I  cannot  say."  The 
minor  that  he  was  paroled  and  taken  to  Chattanooga,  Tenn  ,  where  he 
died,  is  no  doubt  correct,  as  we  find,  in  Vol.  XI,  page  47  of  the  "Roll  of 
Honor,"  that  "  the  original  place  of  interment  of  James  Wheeler,  of 
Company  G,  96th  Illinois,  who  died  Oct.  5,  1863,  was  in  section  C,  grave 
No.  114,  Chattanooga."  As  there  was  no  other  Wheeler  in  Company  G 
this  must  be  intended  for  William  H.  The  WTar  Department  at  Wash- 
ington, D.  C.,  under  date  of  Sept.  29,  1886,  report  said  James  Wheeler's 
grave  as  number  1,148,  in  the  National  Cemetery  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn. 

Josiah  H.  Wright. — Age  25 ;  born  in  Oswego  County,  N.  Y. ;  ma- 
chinist ;  enlisted  from  Waukegan  ;  discharged  for  disability  March  18, 
1863.  Is  a  machinist  and  scale  repairer  at  Des  Moines,  Iowa  ;  residence, 
121  Third  Street. 


842  HISTOKY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  1. 


CHAPTER    XLVIII. 


COMPANY     H. 
BY   JOSEPH  L.    PIERCE. 

Eastern  Jo  Daviess  County's  Response — Ninety-One  Men  in  Six  Days — 
Voting  for  Officers  —  Parting  with  Friends  -Rockford  Rations  — 
Trading  Men  with  the  92d — A  Sword  for  the  Captain — First  Blood 
'  for  Company  H — The  Chickamauga  Record — A  Remnant  Escape  and 
are  Captured— Thirty-Two  Never  Again  in  Ranks — The  Atlanta 
Campaign — Losses  Along  the  Line — Nashville — Recruits  Arrive — A 
Former  Lieutenant  Returns  as  a  Private — Reinforcing  Russellville — 
A  Worthy  Tribute— Some  Company  Statistics. 

COMPANY  H,  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  Regiment  Illinois  Vol- 
unteers, was  raised  in  the  eastern  part  of  Jo  Daviess  County,  the 
rendezvous  being  at  Warren,  111.  The  Company  was  recruited 
by  the  combined  efforts  of  Alexander  Burnett,  Samuel  Hi 
Bayne,  Joseph  L.  Pierce,  and  others  ;  in  fact,  each  man,  as  soon 
as  enrolled,  became  a  recruiting  officer.  It  is  due  to  the  patriot- 
ism of  the  men  to  say  that  they  required  but  little  persuading, 
in  proof  of  which  the  records  show  that  nearly  the  entire  Com- 
pany (ninety-one  men)  was  enrolled  in  six  days, — between  the 
ninth  and  fifteenth  of  August,  1862.  I  must  not  forget  to 
give  due  credit  to  Judge  Marvin,  now  residing  at  Freeport, 
111.,  who  rendered  valuable  assistance,  by  delivering  patriotic 
speeches  at  several  points  in  the  county.  The  Company  was 
composed  of  some  of  the  very  best  material  of  the  country,— 
young  men  just  entering  upon  the  active  duties  of  life,  with 
bright  anticipations  of  a  happy  and  prosperous  future  ;  middle- 
aged  men,  in  the  very  prime  of  life,  with  an  established  busi- 
ness that  must  either  be  abandoned  or  left  to  the  care  of  their 
wives  and  children.  It  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  these 
were  not  the  men  who  had  volunteered  at  the  first  call,  confi- 
dent of  a  speedy  and  a  bloodless  victory.  On  the  contrary, 
they  were  men  who  had  watched  the  conflict  with  anxious 
hearts,  and  would  have  much  preferred  to  have  been  allowed 


SKETCH  OF  COMPANY  H.  843 

to  remain  at  home  and  follow  their  peaceful  pursuits.  It  was 
in  the  very  darkest  days  of  the  struggle,  when  the  weak- 
kneed  ones  were  crying,  u  Peace  at  any  price,"  that  these  men 
offered  their  services, — their  lives,  if  need  be, — to  the  Govern- 
ment, for  the  preservation  of  the  Union. 

At  the  organization  of  the  Company,  Alexander  Burnett 
was  chosen  Captain  by  a  unanimous  vote.  A  ballot  for  First 
and  Second  Lieutenants  resulted  in  the  election  of  Samuel  H. 
Bayne  for  First  Lieutenant,  and  Reuben  L.  Root  for  Second 
Lieutenant. 

At  an  election  held  at  Galena,  Apple  River,  and  Warren 
by  the  six  companies  from  Jo  Daviess  County  for  the  choice 
of  a  commander  for  the  Regiment,  the  men  of  Company  H 
cast  their  ballots  for  the  lamented  Thomas  E.  Champion,  at 
that  time  Captain-elect  of  Company  K,  a  choice  of  which  they 
ever  after  had  reason  to  be  proud.  It  is  the  intention  to  give 
in  the  following  pages  as  complete  a  history  of  the  military 
service  of  every  man  connected  with  the  Company  as  space 
will  permit.  It  is  with  a  feeling  of  pride  that  I  present  the 
record  of  such  battle-scarred  veterans  as  our  gallant  color- 
bearer,  Sergeant  M.  M.  Bruner,  J.  A.  Francisco,  H.  S.  Van 
Dervort,  Henry  F.  Hastings,  and  others. 

After  the  organization  of  the  Company,  many  of  the  men 
returned  to  their  homes  for  a  few  days  to  arrange  their  affairs, 
and  in  order  to  spend  as  much  of  their  time  as  possible  with 
the  loved  ones  at  home  before  their  final  departure  for  the 
field  of  strife,  realizing  as  they  had  never  before  the  uncer- 
tainty of  life.  The  last  days  of  August  the  Company,  together 
with  Company  K,  went  into  camp  in  the  fair-grounds  at  War- 
ren. Here,  for  the  first  time,  the  men  took  their  rations 
soldier-fashion,  i.  <?.,  on  tin  plates,  or  a  piece  of  bread  in  one 
hand  and  a  tin  cup  of  coffee  in  the  other.  This  was,  of 
course,  a  novelty,  and  considered  no  hardship.  As  many  of 
the  citizens  and  relatives  of  the  men  were  at  all  times  present 
during  the  days  spent  in  the  fair-grounds,  the  time  was  passed 
pleasantly,  and  partook  more  of  the  appearance  of  a  holiday 
than  of  preparations  for  the  fratricidal  conflict  in  which  they 
were  about  to  engage. 


•84:4:  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'rn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

The  afternoon  of  September  3  a  guard  was  detailed,  and  a 
•camp  guard  was  placed  around  inside  the  inclosure,  and  none 
were  allowed  to  pass  or  repass  unless  they  had  written  per- 
mission from  their  Company  commander.  This  being  the 
first  restraint  that  had  been  put  upon  their  freedom,  the  men 
began  to  realize  that  they  were  indeed  soldiers.  The  next 
morning  the  men  were  early  astir  ;  breakfasts  were  eaten,  and 
•everything  put  in  readiness  for  the  trip  to  Rockford.  Between 
eight  and  nine  o'clock  the  men  were  called  into  line,  and  with 
a  beautiful  flag, — a  present  from  the  patriotic  ladies  of  War- 
ren,— at  the  head  of  the  Company,  marched  to  the  depot  to 
await  the  arrival  of  the  train  bearing  the  other  Jo  Daviess 
County  companies,  and  which  was  to  convey  them  to  Rock- 
ford.  There  occurred  the  leave-taking  between  mothers  and 
sons,  wives  and  husbands,  sisters  and  brothers.  How  thank- 
ful we  should  be  to  an  allwise  Providence  who  in  mercy  veiled 
the  future  from  the  eyes  of  those  dear  ones,  and  left  them 
with  the  hope  that  when  the  cruel  war  was  over  they  would  be 
again  united, — a  hope  in  so  many  cases  never  to  be  fulfilled. 
But  the  train  is  at  hand.  "All  aboard"  is  the  word.  The 
last  silent  pressure  of  the  hand  is  given,  with  the  averted 
head  to  hide  the  unwelcome  tear,  and  we  are  off.  Arrived  at 
Rockford  at  2  P.M.,  we  are  marched  to  Camp  Fuller,  where 
we  are  formed  in  line  and  sworn  into  the  service  by  Lieut. 
Tibbatts,  of  the  Regular  Army.  We  were  then  marched  to 
and  took  possession  of  our  quarters  in  the  barracks.  Before 
breaking  ranks  the  list  of  non-commissioned  officers,  which 
had  been  under  careful  consideration  from  the  time  of  the 
organization,  was  read,  as  follows  :  First  Sergeant,  Joseph  L. 
Pierce ;  Sergeants,  George  F.  Barnes,  Charles  H.  Yates, 
Alvin  J.  Francisco,  Marvin  F.  Carpenter.  Corporals,  Mar- 
eellus  J.  Penwell,  Michael  Hileman,  Chester  J.  Rees,  Mathias 
M.  Bruner,  Hezekiah  S.  Van  Dervort,  Horace  Gray,  John  A. 
Boothby,  and  Spencer  W.  Brown.  The  selections  gave  very 
general  satisfaction,  and  the  men  good-naturedly  dispersed  to 
take  possession  of  their  quarters  and  select  their  bunk-mates. 
The  next  day,  September  5,  1862,  the  Company  was  called 
into  line,  and,  with  the  five  other  companies  from  Jo  Daviess 


SKETCH*  OF  COMPANY  H. 

County,  inarched  to  the  parade  ground  to  welcome  the  four 
companies  from  Lake  County,  with  whom  they  were  formally 
organized  as  a  Regiment.  The  announcement  that  the  Com- 
pany had  drawn  the  letter  "  H,"  and  was  to  be  the  left  center 
company,  was  made  the  next  morning  at  roll-call.  Captain 
Burnett  made  the  announcement,  and  informed  the  men 
that,  as  one  of  the  centre  companies,  it  would  be  necessary 
that  the  Company  should  be  promptly  on  the  line  whenever 
the  Regiment  formed,  a  fact  which  the  men  easily  understood 
and  never  forgot.  Although  Company  C  is  by  courtesy  called 
the  color  company,  Company  H  is,  in  point  of  fact,  none 
the  less  so,  and  the  men  of  Company  H  considered  them- 
selves equally  responsible  for  those  colors. 

September  4,  1862,  Niles  Carver,  from  Nora,  a  musi- 
cian of  some  note,  having  enlisted  as  a  musician  in  Com- 
pany H,  and  having  two  sons,  both  drummers,  in  the  92d 
Illinois,  it  was  proposed  to  exchange  two  of  our  men  who 
would  consent  to  the  exchange  for  the  two  Carver  boys.  The 
plan  was  successful,  and  the  exchange  was  made.  The  Carver 
boys  were  both  excellent  musicians,  and  were  considered 
quite  an  acquisition  by  the  Regiment. 

It  is  not  our  purpose  to  claim  for  the  Company  superiority 
over  any  other  company,  nor  will  we  yield  that  point  to  any  ; 
but  we  do  point  with  pride  to  its  record,  not  only  as  a  com- 
pany, but  to  the  record  of  that  splendid  organization  of  which 
it  was  an  integral  part, — the  NINETY-SIXTH  REGIMENT  OF  ILLI- 
NOIS VOLUNTEER  INFANTRY. 

A  very  pleasant  incident  of  our  stay  at  Rockford  took 
place  a  few  days  after  our  arrival.  The  men  of  the  Company 
quietly  made  up  a  purse  and  purchased  a  fine  sword  for  Cap- 
tain Burnett,  which  was  presented  without  ostentation.  The 
Captain  thanked  the  men  in  a  few  well-chosen  words,  which 
the  boys  knew  came  from  the  heart,  and  served  to  cement  a 
friendship  which  was  broken  only  by  death. 

Company  H  claims  the  first  blood  shed  in  the  Regiment, 
which  was  a  few  days  after  our  arrival,  at  Rockford.  The 
Quartermaster  had  drawn  an  outfit  of  uniforms,  blankets,  etc., 
for  the  Regiment.  They  were  piled  on  some  boxes  near 


846  HISTORY  or  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

headquarters  and  a  guard  placed  over  them.  The  guard  hap- 
pened to  be  a  member  of  Company  H,  and  one  that  knew  his 
duty,  and  would  discharge  that  duty  with  fidelity.  Another 
soldier,  also  a  member  of  the  Company  (a  worthless,  dishon- 
est fellow,  who  afterward  deserted),  was  hanging  around, 
handling  the  goods,  etc.  The  guard  drove  him  away  a  num- 
ber of  times,  and  warned  him  that  if  he  did  not  keep  away  he 
would  get  hurt.  To  this  warning  he  paid  no  attention,  and 
again  handled  the  supplies,  when  the  guard  quietly  inserted 
the  point  of  his  bayonet  under  the  left  nipple  ;  it  struck  a  rib 
apd  came  out  under  the  arm.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  add 
that  the  man  left  the  supplies  alone  after  that.  The  writer 
was  soon  on  the  ground,  and  upon  inquiry  was  satisfied  that 
the  guard  had  only  done  his  duty,  and  with  a  few  words  of 
commendation  the  matter  was  dismissed,  and  no  action  taken 
upon  it. 

From  Camp  Champion,  near  Newport,  Ky.,  Company  H, 
with  four  other  companies,  was  sent  forward,  under  com- 
mand of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Isaac  L.  Clarke,  to  Lexington, 
Ky.,  where  they  were  joined  a  few  days  after  by  the  other  five 
companies,  under  Colonel  Champion.  Here  many  of  the 
men  were  taken  sick,  and  the  first  death  in  the  Company,— 
that  of  George  Bryan, — took  place  November  13,  1862. 

Company  H  was  present  with  and  participated  in  all  the 
movements  of  the  Regiment  up  to  and  including  the  battle  of 
Chickamauga,  September  20,  1863,  in  this  engagement  suffer- 
ing terribly.  It  went  into  action  Sunday  afternoon  with 
thirty -one  men,  under  Captain  Joseph  L.  Pierce,  First  Lieu- 
tenant George  F.  Barnes,  and  Second  Lieutenant  Charles  H. 
Yates. 

Of  the  thirty -four  who  went  into"  this  action,  twenty-seven 
were  killed  or  more  or  less  severely  wounded.  Of  the  others, 
hardly  a  man  escaped  without  one  or  more  bullets  through 
his  clothing  or  equipments.  Every  man  who  went  into 
that  first  terrific  charge  displayed  the  coolness  and  courage  of 
a  veteran.  Not  a  man  flinched  ;  not  a  man  left  the  line, 
unless  severely  wounded,  until  ordered  to  do  so.  Many  of 
the  men,  though  wounded,  continued  to  fight  on.  One  man, 


SKETCH  OF  COMPANY  H.  847 

in  his  eagerness,  shot  away  his  rammer,  and  reported  the  fact 
to  his  Captain.  There  being  plenty  of  extra  guns  at  hand,  he 
was  soon  supplied  with  another,  and  went  to  work  in  earnest. 
After  the  entire  right  wing  had  fallen  back,  including  the 
colors,  Company  H  held  tenaciously  to  its  line  and  continued 
the  fight.  The  writer  saw  Colonel  Champion  approaching 
from  the  right,  and  determined  to  await  orders.  Colonel 
Champion  came  up  and  gave  the  order,  "Captain  Pierce, 
draw  off  your  men  !  "  "All  right,"  was  the  reply.  He  then 
turned  to  his  men  and  gave  the  order  to  retire.  Then,  for 
the  first  time,  the  men  turned  and  fell  back  in  good  order, 
Colonel  Champion  and  the  writer  stepping  in  in  the  rear  of 
the  line. 

The  casualties  in  this  engagement  may  be  stated  as  fol- 
lows :  Corporal  Ward  L.  Morton,  acting  as  one  of  the  Color 
Guard,  was  instantly  killed  ;  Albert  Farley  was  struck  in  the 
forehead  and  instantly  killed  ;  Corporal  Henry  Simons  was 
shot  through  the  body,  dying  almost  immediately  ;  First 
Lieutenant  George  F.  Barnes  was  shot  through  the  lungs,  and 
died  in  Chattanooga  October  3  ;  James  J.  Curry  was  mortally 
wounded,  and  died  in  hospital  at  Chattanooga  October  1  ;  Cor- 
poral Thomas  Morris  was  mortally  wounded,  and  died  at 
Chattanooga  October  13 ;  Thomas  K.  Johnson  was  mortally 
wounded,  and  died  at  Chattanooga  November  10.  The  three 
last  were  left  upon  the  field  and  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
enemy,  but  were  paroled  a  few  days  later  and  brought  within 
our  lines.  Of  those  wounded,  Captain  J.  L.  Pierce  was  hit  in 
right  arm  and  right  side.  First  Sergeant  John  A.  Francisco 
was  struck  in  the  left  leg  below  the  knee,  another  ball  striking 
him  in  the  side,  and  before  the  close  of  the  fight  was  hit  the 
third  time,  the  last  ball  passing  through  the  right  ankle,  injur- 
ing the  bone  to  such  an  extent  that  he  was  never  again 
able  for  duty.  Sergeant  M.  Hileman  received  several  shots 
through  clothing,  one  striking  him  on  the  head  and  knocking 
him  down.  M.  M.  Brunei-,  Color  Sergeant,  was  severely 
wounded  in  the  right  arm  and  breast,  so  that  he  was  never 
again  able  for  duty.  Sergeant  H.  S.  Van  Dervort  was  shot 
in  the  leg,  the  ball  lodging  between  the  bones,  and  still 


84:8  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  1. 

remaining  there.  Sergeant  Charles  P.  Howard  received  a 
ball  in  the  right  forearm,  crushing  both  bones ;  Corporal 
Charles  L.  Mettz  was  wounded  in  the  hand  ;  Corporal  H.  F. 
Hastings  in  the  arm  ;  Richard  Cullen  received  a  slight  wound 
in  the  side  ;  Edward  McGinnis  was  wounded  in  the  wrist ; 
James  Rees  severely  in  the  arm  ;  Patrick  Farrell,  1st,  in  the 
leg  ;  Patrick  Farrell,  2d,  in  the  arm  ;  Samuel  Wilcox,  in  right 
arm  ;  H.  W.  Nelson,  in  the  shoulder  ;  George  W.  Andrews, 
in  the  foot ;  John  H.  Foster,  in  the  face ;  Norman  P.  Ward 
was  severely  wounded  in  the  thigh  and  left  upon  the  field  ; 
fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  and  was  allowed  by  them  to 
lie  upon  the  ground  for  ten  days  without  shelter ;  James 
McCafferty  was  wounded  in  the  neck  ;  Henson  Moore  was 
slightly  wounded  in  the  arm  ;  Charles  D.  Bunce  was  captured. 
As  before  stated,  there  were  thirty-one  enlisted  men  and  three 
officers  engaged  in  this  action.  Of  these,  three  were  killed 
outright;  four  were  mortally  wounded,  and  died  in  a  few 
days  ;  ten  were  severely  wounded,  ten  slightly  wounded,  and 
one  captured. 

It  is  estimated  that  at  Chickamauga  Rosecrans  had  55,000 
men  on  the  field.  Of  these,  1,687  were  killed  and  9,394 
wounded  ;  that  is,  one  man  in  every  thirty-two  killed,  and 
one  man  in  every  six  was  hit.  It  will  be  seen  that  the  casual- 
ties in  Company  H  were  largely  in  excess  of  the  general 
average ;  for  instance,  of  those  killed  or  mortally  wounded 
there  was  one  out  of  every  five  ;  of  those  severely  wounded, 
there  were  ten,  making,  with  the  seven  killed,  just  one-half 
the  men  under  fire.  There  were  besides  these,  ten  slightly 
wounded,  or  three  out  of  every  four  were  hit.  Comment 
upon  these  figures  is  needless.  The  Company  were  evidently 
in  the  line  of  duty,  and  that  they  performed  that  duty  in  an 
efficient  manner  will  not  be  doubted  after  reading  the  fol- 
lowing extract  from  a  story  related  by  Gen.  Longstreet, 
while  on  a  visit  to  the  field  of  Chickamauga  some  years 
after  the  war.  He  said  to  a  friend  who  was  riding  over  the 
field  with  him  :  "  Do  you  see  that  large  stump  yonder  ?  Right 
here,  Gen.  H.,  who  commanded  one  of  my  best  brigades,  and 
who  had  been  a  judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  this  his  native 


H.  S    VAN  DERVOKT, 
Serg't  Company  H. 


ALEX.  BURNETT, 
Capt.  Company  H 


<;KO.  F.  BAKNKS, 
Lieut.  Company  II. 


MYBON  B.  CHAMPION, 
Corp'l  Company  K. 


FBANK  CARVER, 
Principal  Musician. 


SKETCH  OF  COMPANY  H.  849 

state,  and  was  withal  a  splendid  officer,  came  riding  up 
to  me  and  reported  that  his  brigade  had  been  annihilated  ;  all 
cut  to  pieces  ;  he  had  met  some  new  troops  belonging  to  Gen. 
Steedman's  command.  When  he  went  into  action  with  his 
brigade  he  was  superbly  mounted,  and  had  on  a  new  plug 
hat ;  he  came  back  mounted  on  an  old  artillery  horse,  his  own 
having  been  shot  under  him  ;  he  was  bareheaded,  and  covered 
with  dirt  and  dust." 

Monday,  September  21,  some  of  those  who  had  been 
slightly  wounded  on  Sunday  reported  for  duty.  Some  who 
had  been  on  guard  and  a  few  who  had  been  detailed  for  other 
duty  returned,  making  in  all  twenty-three  men  present.  One 
of  these,  C.  W.  Graham,  was  wounded  on  Monday,  the  21st, 
while  the  command  was  getting  into  position  on  Mission 
Ridge.  Monday  night,  twenty  men,  under  the  command  of 
Lieutenant  Charles  H.  Yates,  were  placed  on  picket,  and 
were  all  captured  but  one, — James  Forsythe, — who  was  killed. 
Charles  D.  Bunce  had  been  captured  during  the  fight  Sunday 
afternoon.  Those  captured  were :  Lieutenant  Charles  H. 
Yates,  Sergeant  MichaeJ  Efileman,  Corporals  John  A.  Boothby, 
Patrick  Flannery,  and  Alphonzo  Marshall ;  Privates  George 
W.  Andrews,  Richard  Cullen,  Daniel  M.  Doud,  John  H. 
Foster,  Peter  Hawks,  William  Ingersoll,  Andrew  Johnson, 
John  Kerby,  Nathaniel  Me  Wain,  George  H.  Stanchfield, 
James  M.  Sallee,  Adam  Yroman,  Edwin  Vandyke,  John  V. 
Wilkerson,  and  Alberto  Wheelock.  Of  these,  Boothby,  Flan- 
nery, Marshall,  Andrews,  Ingersoll,  Kerby,  Stanchfield,  Vro- 
man  and  Wheelock  died  in  Southern  prisons,  and  one,  Edwin 
Vandyke,  has  died  since  he  came  home. 

The  loss  to  the  Company  in  the  two  days  may  be  briefly 
stated  as  follows : 

Number  killed  or  mortally  wounded 8 

Number  so  severely  wounded  as  never  to  be  able  to  rejoin  the  Com- 
pany    8 

Number  taken  prisoners 21 

Total  loss 37 

Number  of  those  taken  prisoners  who  died  in  Southern  prisons 9 

Number  of  prisoners  who  never  rejoined  the  Company 7 

Total 16 

54 


850  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

The  remaining  five  rejoined  the  Company  late  in  the  spring  of 
1865,  before  the  final  muster-out. 

On  the  morning  of  September  23,  1863,  at  roll-call,  Cor- 
poral Hastings  and  one  other  man  answered  to  the  call. 
Corporal  Hastings  had  been  slightly  wounded  on  Sunday,  and 
had  been  excused  from  picket  on  Monday  night ;  and  R.  B. 
Chown  had  been  detailed  for  other  service,  and  so  escaped 
capture. 

During  the  winter  of  1863  and  1864  the  Company  was 
very  small.  Some  of  the  sick  and  wounded  returned  from 
hospital ;  some  who  were  on  detached  service  were  recalled. 
One  recruit — James  M.  Curtiss — joined  the  Company  in  April, 
1864,  so  that  by  the  time  the  Atlanta  campaign  began  the 
Company  numbered  somewhere  from  fourteen  to  seventeen 
men.  February  25,  1864,  during  a  sharp  skirmish  with  the 
enemy  before  Dalton,  Henson  Moore  was  wounded  in  the 
hand.  At  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  Ga.,  May  9,  1864,  First  Ser- 
geant Chester  J.  Rees  was  severely  wounded  in  the  right 
arm ;  Wallace  Andrews  was  also  wounded  in  the  arm,  and 
Oscar  Robbins  was  slightly  wounded  in  the  breast.  At  Ken- 
esaw  Mountain,  June  20,  1864,  M.  J.  Penwell  was  wounded 
in  the  left  hand.  June  23,  1864,  Robert  Burbridge  was  killed 
on  the  skirmish  line.  At  Peach  Tree  Creek,  July  20,  1864, 
Corporal  Peter  Davison  was  severely  wounded  in  the  right 
wrist.  At  the  battle  of  Nashville,  December  16,  1864,  Ser- 
geant H.  S.  Yandervort  was  again  wounded,  a  ball  which 
had  passed  through  the  head  of  Corporal  Hamilton,  of  the 
Color-Guard,  striking  him  in  the  left  shoulder,  and  passing 
downward  and  across  the  back  and  lodging  under  the  right 
shoulder  blade,  from  which  position  it  was  extracted  in  Sep- 
tember, 1865,  with  a  portion  of  Hamilton's  skull  bone  still 
adhering  to  it. 

In  October,  1864,  six  recruits  enlisted  in  the  Company, 
five  of  whom, — John  O.  Jacobs,  L.  B.  Sandford,  James  West- 
wick,  George  Farr,  and  Nathaniel  Jones,  were  from  Galena, 
and  one, — R.  L.  Root, — was  from  Warren,  111.  They  joined 
the  Company  at  Nashville  the  fore  part  of  December,  just 
prior  to  the  battle  of  the  15th  and  16th.  In  February,  1865, 


SKETCH  OF  COMPANY  H.  851 

two  more  recruits, — Barton  C.  Mettz  and  Nicholas  Thorn, — 
were  added  to  the  Company,  and  joined  us  at  Huntsville, 
Ala.  In  April,  1865,  seven  more  recruits  were  added  to  the 
rolls,  and  joined  the  Company  near  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  as  fol- 
lows :  Wesley  Grice,  Thomas  Grice,  Charles  Tucker,  Homer 
Bonham,  Philo  D.  Potter,  Millard  M.  Newman,  and  John 
Powell,  the  last  a  veteran  who  had  served  in  the  three-months 
service,  and  again  in  Company  B,  45th  Illinois,  before  enlist- 
ing in  the  NINETY-SIXTH.  All  were  afterward  transferred  to 
the  21st  Illinois. 

April  16th,  the  day  after  the  death  of  Abraham  Lincoln, 
the  Regiment  being  then  in  East  Tennessee,  near  the  line  of 
North  Carolina,  Capt.  Sizemore,  a  vindictive  East  Tennessee 
partisan  and  scout,  came  and  reported  that  the  bushwhackers 
had  determined  to  attack  the  stockade  at  Russell  ville,  thirteen 
miles  in  rear,  and  held  by  a  few  men  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH, 
under  Lieutenant  Dawson,  of  Company  F.  Company  H  was 
detached  from  the  Regiment  and  ordered  to  return  to  Russell- 
ville  and  reinforce  the  party  in  the  stockade.  Striking  tents 
immediately,  they  left  camp  at  sundown,  and,  in  company 
with  Capt.  Sizemore  and  four  or  five  of  his  men,  made  a 
lively  night  inarch  of  thirteen  miles  to  Russellville.  The 
bushwhackers  did  not  attack,  a  conclusion  which  was  entirely 
satisfactory  to  the  reinforcing  party.  Not  so  with  Capt.  Size- 
more,  however  ;  he  *'jtist  wanted  a  chance  at  them."  We 
were  joined  a  few  days  later  by  the  Regiment.  Our  stay  here 
was  a  very  pleasant  part  of  our  service.  The  citizens  were 
mostly  loyal,  and  made  it  as  pleasant  for  us  as  they  could. 
After  our  departure  from  Russellville  for  Nashville  the  history 
of  the  Company  is  that  of  the  Regiment,  and  will  be  left  for 
the  Regimental  historian. 

An  analysis  of  the  roster  shows  that  there  were  on  the 
rolls  of  the  Company,  from  first  to  last,  one  hundred  and  nine 
men.  Of  these,  ten  were  killed  in  the  service,  nine  died  in 
southern  prisons,  twenty-two  died  of  disease  during  or  since 
the  war,  fourteen  are  missing,  leaving  forty-three  known  to  be 
living.  Of  those  living,  twenty-six  are  known  to  be  drawing 
pensions ;  seven  others  are  known  to  have  just  claims,  and  it 


852  HISTORY  or  THE  96'rn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  1. 

is  but  fair  to  suppose  that  the  health  of  the  others  has  been 
more  or  less  broken. 

In  conclusion,  let  me  say  that,  for  genuine  loyalty,  cour- 
age, and  devotion  to  duty,  Company  II  was  the  peer  of  any 
organization  in  the  service.  And  I  take  this  opportunity  of 
expressing  my  grateful  thanks  to  the  men  for  their  uniform 
kindness  to  me,  and  for  the  cheerful  and  faithful  performance 
of  every  duty  under  many  trying  circumstances.  I  will  add 
that,  while  I  feel  that  my  heart  is  big  enough  to  take  in  the 
whole  NINETY-SIXTH,  there  will  always  be  a  warm  corner 
reserved  for  the  "  Boys  of  Company  H." 

THE  COMPANY  ROSTER. 

Captain  Alexander  Burnett. — Age  52  ;  born  in  Franklin  County,  N.  Y.  -r 
farmer ;  enlisted  from  Warren ;  was  elected  Captain  at  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  Company  ;  had  previously  been  an  officer  in  the  Ohio  Militia  ; 
was  in  command  of  the  Company  until  about  the  middle  of  March,  1863. 
On  the  march  to  Duck  River  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy  March  9,  1863,  was 
exposed,  without  shelter,  to  a  cold  rain,  nearly  the  whole  of  the  night, 
contracting  a  severe  cold,  which  resulted  in  bronchitis  and  loss  of  voice. 
He  resigned  May  27,  1863  ;  never  fully  recovered  his  health,  but  died  of 
consumption  at  Warren,  111.,  March  2,  1885. 

Captain  Joseph  L.  Pierce. — Age  31  ;  born  in  Massilon,  Ohio  ;  drug- 
gist ;  enlisted  from  Warren  ;  appointed  First  Sergeant  upon  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  Company.  Had  previously  been  a  member  of  an  independent 
company ;  was  a  brother  of  Surgeon  B.  G.  Pierce  ;  their  father  was  a 
soldier  of  the  war  of  1812  ;  and  an  older  brother  fell  in  the  early  strug- 
gles of  the  "Lone  Star  State."  At  the  request  of  Surgeon  Charles 
Martin,  Dec.  25,  1862,  he  was  detailed  as  Acting  Hospital  Steward,  and 
discharged  the  duties  of  that  position  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  the 
Surgeon,  and,  as  he  believes,  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  sick  ;  promoted  to 
Second  Lieutenant  Feb.  6,  1863  ;  detailed  March  5,  1863,  as  Assistant 
Surgeon  ;  served  as  Assistant  Surgeon  until  about  April  15,  1863 ;  pro- 
moted to  First  Lieutenant  April  28,  1863  ;  promoted  to  Captain  May  27, 
1863.  At  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  he  was  wounded  in  the  right  arm 
and  in  the  right  side,  both  slight  wounds,  and  not  disabling  him  from 
duty.  In  the  winter  of  1864  he  contracted  bronchitis  and  deafness,  and 
is  now  nearly  totally  deaf.  He  was  constantly  with  the  Regiment, 
excepting  during  the  month  of  November,  1864,  at  which  time  he  was  at 
home  ;  rejoined  the  Regiment  at  Nashville,  on  the  2d  of  December,  1864, 
and  participated  in  the  battle  of  Nashville,  Dec.  15  and  16,  1864  ;  m.  o. 
with  Regiment  in  June,  1865.  At  the  present  time  is  meeting  with  a  fair 
measure  of  success  as  a  farmer  and  stock  raiser  at  Mount  Vernon,  Dane 
County,  Wis. 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  H.  853 

First  Lieutenant  Samuel  H.  Bayne. — Age  26  ;  born  in  Philadelphia  ; 
•clerk  ;  enlisted  from  Warren  ;  was  elected  First  Lieutenant  at  the  organi- 
sation of  the  Company.  He  was  an  excellent  officer,  and  an  especial 
favorite  with  the  men.  He  was  taken  ill  at  Danville,  Ky.,  of  typhoid 
fever,  in  January,  1863;  partially  recovering  he  rejoined  the  Company  at 
Franklin,  Tenn.,  in  April,  1863  ;  continued  ill  health  compelled  him  to 
resign,  and  his  resignation  was  accepted  April  28, 1863.  Is  a  merchant  at 
Salein,  Neb. 

First  Lieutenant  George  F.  Barnes. — Age  33  ;  born  in  Munson,  Ohio  ; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Nora  ;  appointed  Second  Sergeant  at  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  Company  ;  promoted  to  Second  Lieutenant  April  28,  1S63,  and 
to  First  Lieutenant  May  27,  1863.  He  was  mortally  wounded  at  Chicka- 
mauga  Sept.  20,  1863,  and  died  at  Chattanooga  Oct.  3,  1863  ;  his  remains 
were  taken  home  for  interment.  He  was  a  good  man  and  a  brave  officer. 

First  Lieutenant  George  Ferguson. — Age  43  ;  born  in  Glasgow,  Scot- 
land, June  12,  1819.  In  early  life  worked  as  a  block  printer  ;  emigrated 
to  Waukegan,  111.,  in  1845,  where  he  has  since  resided ;  merchant ;  en- 
listed in  Company  D.;  appointed  Sergeant  at  the  organization  of  the 
Company.  By  strict  attention  to  duty  he  early  attracted  the  attention  of 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Isaac  Lu  Clarke,  and  was  by  him  appointed  Hospital 
Steward  in  April,  1863 ;  he  was  a  faithful  and  painstaking  Steward. 
While  on  duty  at  the  Fieid  Hospital  he  attracted  the  attention  of  Gen. 
Stanley,  and  received  the  personal  thanks  and  commendation  of  the 
General  for  his  painstaking  efforts  for  the  comfort  of  the  sick  and 
wounded.  In  the  spring  of  1864  he  was  commissioned  as  First  Lieutenant 
and  Quartermaster  of  the  Regiment,  but  was  not  mustered  as  such,  that 
position  having  been  filled  by  a  detail  from  Company  I.  In  the  fall  of 
1864,  was  mustered  as  First  Lieutenant  of  Company  H,  in  obedience  to 
a  special  order  of  Gen.  Geo.  H.  Thomas,  said  order  being  issued  at  the 
request  of  Gen.  Stanley.  Was  in  command  of  Company  H  from  Oct.  20, 
1864,  to  Dec.  2,  1864;  m.  o.  with  the  Company  in  June,  1865,  and  now 
resides  in  Waukegan,  111. 

First  Lieutenant  Charles  H.  Yates. — Age  29  ;  born  in  Rochester,  N. 
T. ;  harness  maker  ;  enlisted  from  Nora  ;  had  previously  served  six  months 
in  the  15th  Illinois  ;  appointed  Third  Sergeant  at  the  organization  of  the 
Company  ;  promoted  to  First  Sergeant  April  4, 1863  ;  promoted  to  Second 
Lieutenant  May  27,  1863  ;  was  commissioned  as  First  Lieutenant  Oct.  3, 
1863,  but,  being  a  prisoner  of  war  at  the  time,  was  not  mustered.  He 
was  present  with  the  Company  up  to  and  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga, 
where  he  bore  himself  bravely.  Was  a  prisoner  of  war  from  Sept.  22, 
1863,  until  some  time  in  the  winter  of  1865,  when,  after  one  or  two  un- 
successful attempts  to  regain  his  liberty,  by  means  of  a  plan  devised  by 
Lieut.  A.  T.  Barnes,  of  tlie  15th  Illinois,  he  escaped  and  made  his  way  to 
the  Union  lines.  Rejoined  the  Company  in  the  spring  of  1865,  and  was 
m.  o.  with  Regiment  in  June,  1865.  Present  address  unknown. 


854  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

Second  Lieutenant  Reuben  L.  Root. — Age  26  ;  born  in  Andover,  Ohio; 
mechanic  ;  enlisted  from  Warren  ;  was  elected  Second  Lieutenant  at  the 
organization  of  the  Company.  He  was  taken  sick  at  Danville,  Ky.,  and 
resigned  Feb.  6,  1863  ;  returned  to  Warren.  Recovering  his  health,  he 
again  enlisted  as  a  private  in  the  same  Company  Oct.  11,  1864,  joining 
the  Company  at  Nashville  in  Dec.  1864  ;  was  engaged  with  the  Company 
at  the  battle  of  Nashville,  Dec.  15  and  16,  where  he  received  two  slight 
wounds,  one  ball  striking  the  left  shin  and  one  grazing  the  back  of  his 
head.  Promoted  to  Corporal  in  June,  1865.  Transferred  to  Company  E, 
21st  Illinois,  June  9,  1865  ;  served  with  that  organization  until  Oct.  12, 
1865.  Mustered  out  at  Springfield,  111.  Is  engaged  in  mining  near  Denver, 
Col.,  and  is  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  ;  present  P.  O.  address,  Denver,  Col. 

First  Sergeant  John  A.  Francisco. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Jackson,  Mich- 
igan ;  had  learned  the  mason's  trade,  but  at  time  of  enlistment  was 
studying  law  with  Colonel  Champion ;  enlisted  from  Warren ;  was 
appointed  Fourth  Sergeant  at  the  organization  of  the  Company  ;  detailed 
with  Pioneer  Corps,  in  April,  1863  ;  but  returned  to  the  Company  in  three 
months,  and  was  promoted  to  First  Sergeant.  At  Chickamauga  was 
wounded  three  times,  one  bullet  striking  his  leg  below  the  knee,  bruising 
it  so  that  afterward  the  flesh  sloughed  off ;  he  fell  to  the  ground,  but 
immediately  got  up,  when  he  was  hit  a  second  time,  the  ball,  although 
not  penetrating  the  flesh,  passing  through  his  canteen  and  striking  his 
waist  belt  with  such  force  as  to  fracture  a  rib,  and  knock  him  down.  He 
still  remained  with  the  Company,  and  before  the  close  of  the  fight,  was 
again  struck,  and  knocked  down,  the  bullet  passing  through  his  right 
ankle,  injuring  the  bone,  and  so  disabling  him  as  to  cause  his  discharge 
from  the  Marine  Hospital,  at  Chicago,  July  23,  1864.  Is  a  Police  Magis- 
trate, and  insurance  and  collection  agent,  at  Warren,  111. 

First  Sergeant  Chester  J.  Rees.— Age  23 ;  born  in  Lewis  County, 
New  York  ;  teacher  ;  enlisted  from  Rush  ;  was  appointed  Third  Corporal 
at  the  organization  of  the  Company  ;  promoted  to  Sergeant,  and  then  to 
First  Sergeant.  Was  wounded  in  the  right  arm,  at  Rocky  Face  Ridge, 
May  9,  1864 ;  m.  o.  with  the  Regiment  June  10,  1865 ;  since  the  war  has 
spent  several  years  on  the  Pacific  Slope  ;  was  for  a  time  engaged  in 
merchandising,  but  is  now  a  prosperous  farmer  at  Burlington  Junc- 
tion, Mo. 

Sergeant  Michael  Hileman. — Age  42  ;  born  in  Pennsylvania  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Rush  ;  was  appointed  Second  Corporal  at  the  organization 
of  the  Company  ;  promoted  to  Sergeant,  April  4,  1863.  At  the  battle  of 
Chickamauga,  he  received  six  balls  in  his  clothing  and  equipments,  one 
passing  through  his  hat,  grazing  his  head,  and  knocking  him  down  ; 
none  of  them  were  severe  enough  to  disable  him  from  duty.  He  was, 
with  others  of  the  Company,  taken  prisoner  Sept.  22,  1863,  while  on  guard 
on  Mission  Ridge.  He  was  confined  in  the  Royster  House  at  Richmond, 
until  Dec.  13,  1863  ;  at  Danville,  Va.,  until  April  20,  1864  ;  in  Andersonville, 
from  April  until  Sept.  21,  1864  ;  at  Charleston,  S.  C.,  until  Nov.  30,  1864 ; 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  H.  855 

removed  to  Florence,  8.  C.,  and  paroled  in  Dec.  1864 ;  afterward  ex- 
changed, and  rejoined  the  Company  in  April,  1865.  For  a  more  extended 
account  of  his  prison  experience  see  Chapter  XXXII ;  m.  o.  with  the  Regi- 
ment. Is  a  prosperous  farmer  and  town  officer  at  Eldorado,  Buffalo 
County,  Dak. 

Sergeant  Marvin  F.  Carpenter. — Age  40  ;  born  in  Washington  County, 
New  York ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from  Rush ;  appointed  Fifth  Sergeant  at 
the  organization  of  the  Company ;  was  taken  sick  at  Danville,  Ky.,  and 
discharged  for  disability  April  27,  1863.  Is  a  well  to  do  farmer,  near 
Nora,  111. 

Sergeant  Mathias  M.  Bruner.— Age  34  ;  born  in  Philadelphia  ;  black- 
smith ;  enlisted  from  Millville  ;  appointed  Fourth  Corporal  at  the  organ- 
ization of  the  Company.  By  his  soldierly  qualities  and  prompt  discharge 
of  all  duties,  he  attracted  the  attention  of  the  Commanding  Officer,  was 
promoted  to  Sergeant,  and  assigned  to  duty  as  Color  Sergeant ;  a  position 
which  he  filled  with  honor,  and  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  the  Com- 
manding Officer,  until  he  was  stricken  down  at  Chickamauga,  Sept.  20, 
1863 ;  a  bullet  having  shattered  his  right  arm,  and  entered  his  breast. 
He  was  a  splendid  specimen  of  the  soldier,  being  six  feet  one  and  one 
half  inches  high,  well  proportioned,  without  any  surplus  flesh  and  brave 
as  the  bravest.  He  never  entirely  recovered  from  his  wounds,  but  was 
discharged  for  wounds  from  hospital  Jan.  22,  1864.  Resides  at  Apple 
River,  111. 

Sergeant  H.  S.  Van  Dervort. — Age  28 ;  born  in  Pennsylvania  ; 
farmer ;  enlisted  from  Gratiot ;  was  appointed  Corporal  at  the  organi- 
zation of  the  Company  ;  promoted  to  Sergeant.  At  Chickamauga,  Sept. 
20,  1863,  was  shot  in  the  right  leg,  below  the  knee,  the  bullet  lodging 
between  the  bones,  so  that  it  could  not  be  removed,  and  he  still  carries 
it ;  rejoined  the  Company  in  May,  1864,  and  participated  in  all  the  battles 
and  skirmishes  of  the  Atlanta  Campaign.  At  the  battle  of  Nashville, 
Dec.  16,  1864,  he  was  wounded  in  a  singular  manner  ;  a  bullet  which  had 
passed  through  the  head  of  Corporal  Hamilton,  of  Company  C,  one 
of  the  Color  Guard,  striking  him  in  the  left  shoulder,  passing  along  his  back 
just  outside  the  spine,  and  lodging  under  his  right  shoulder  blade,  from 
which  position  it  was  extracted  eight  months  afterward,  and  two  months 
after  his  return  home,  a  fragment  of  Hamilton's  skull  bone  still  adhering 
to  it.  Early  in  the  spring  of  1865  he  returned  to  the  Company,  and  was 
m.  o.  with  the  Regiment.  Since  his  discharge  from  the  service  he  has 
been  one  of  the  most  active  business  men  of  Warren,  111. 

Sergeant  Charles  P.  Howard. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County, 
111.  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from  Warren  ;  promoted  to  Corporal,  and  then  to 
Sergeant.  At  Chickamauga  was  severely  wounded  in  the  arm.  Was  for 
some  time  employed  in  the  Quarter  Master's  department  ;  returned  to  the 
Company  in  the  spring  of  1865,  and  was  m.  o  with  the  Regiment  Is  a 
resident  of  Longmont,  Boulder  County,  Col.,  and  in  prosperous  cir- 
cumstances. 


856  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

Sergeant  Henry  F.  Hastings.— Age  20;  born  in  Lafayette,  Wis  ; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Morseville  ;  promoted  to  Corporal,  and  then  to 
Sergeant ;  was  slightly  wounded  at  Chickamauga,  Sept.  20,  1863.  After 
the  battle  at  Franklin,  Tenu.,  Nov.  80,  1864,  he  was  detailed  as  Sergeant 
of  the  picket  guard,  and  with  the  guard  was  the  last  to  cross  the  bridge 
before  it  was  fired,  and  became  a  part  of  the  rear  guard  to  Nashville  that 
night.  Was  never  absent  from  the  Regiment  from  the  time  it  left 
Rockford  until  m.  o.  in  June,  1865.  Is  a  merchant  at  Perry,  Iowa. 

Corporal  Marcellus  J.  Penwell. — Age  26  ;  born  in  Fayette  County, 
Indiana ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from  Plum  River ;  appointed  First  Corporal 
at  the  organization  of  the  Company.  At  Danville,  Ky.,  while  in  charge 
of  a  detail  to  cut  and  haul  wood,  in  assisting  to  load  some  heavy  sticks, 
his  foot  slipped,  straining  him  in  the  groin,  resulting  in  a  serious  rupture, 
from  which  he  never  recovered.  At  Kenesaw  Mountain,  June  20.  1864. 
was  wounded  in  the  left  hand.  During  the  fall  and  winter  of  1864  and 
1865,  was  on  duty  as  cattle  guard  at  Division  Headquarters.  M.  O.  with 
the  Regiment.  Crossed  the  plains  in  1866,  narrowly  escaping  death  at 
the  hands  of  the  Indians.  Died  at  Webster  City,  Iowa,  Dec.  17,  1871,  of 
strangulated  hernia.  Is  buried  at  Shullsburg,  Wis. 

Corporal  Horace  Gray. — Age  29  ;  born  in  Geauga  County,  Ohio  ; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Ward's  Grove  ;  appointed  Sixth  Corporal  at  the 
organization  of  the  Company  ;  was  taken  sick  soon  after  the  Regiment 
entered  Kentucky  ;  never  recovered  his  health  ;  was  discharged  April  1, 
1863,  for  disability,  and  died  a  few  days  after  reaching  home. 

Corporal  John  A.  Boothby. — Age  18 ;  born  in  Ashtabula  County, 
Ohio  ;  painter  ;  enlisted  from  Warren  ;  apppointed  Seventh  Corporal  at 
the  organization  of  the  Company  ;  taken  prisoner  on  Mission  Ridge 
Sept.  22,  1863,  and  died  in  prison  at  Danville,  Va.,  Dec.  25,  1863,  from 
the  effects  of  cold  and  exposure,  as  is  asserted  by  his  comrades.  Is  buried 
in  the  National  Cemetery  at  Danville,  Va. 

Corporal  Spencer  W.  Brown. — Age  32  ;  born  in  Otsego  County,  N.  Y. ; 
farmer ;  enlisted  from  Wayne,  Wis. ;  appointed  Eighth  Corporal  at 
the  organization  of  the  Company.  While  in  camp  at  Danville,  Ky.,  he 
was  accidentally  wounded  in  the  knee  joint  by  a  sharp  pointed  pocket 
knife  in  the  hands  of  a  comrade,  resulting  in  his  having  epileptic  fits,  and 
causing  his  discharge  from  the  hospital,  for  disability,  Feb.  9,  1863  ;  has 
never  recovered  his  health.  Is  living  in  Iowa  City,  Iowa. 

Corporal  Ward  L.  Morton. — Age  35 ;  born  in  Freeman,  Franklin 
County,  Me. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Warren  ;  promoted  to  Corporal.  He 
was  instantly  killed  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  Sept.  20,  1863,  while 
acting  as  Color  Guard. 

Corporal  Patrick  Flannery. — Age  24  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Warren  ;  promoted  to  Corporal.  He  was  captured,  with 
others  of  the  Company,  on  Mission  Ridge,  Sept.  22,  1863,  and  died  in 
prison  at  Richmond,  Va.,  Dec  8,  1863  ;  is  buried  in  the  National  Ceme- 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  H.  857 

tery  at  Richmond.  He  was  a  model  soldier,  and  one  of  the  neatest  and 
most  painstaking  men  in  the  Regiment,  his  clothing,  arms  and  equip- 
ments being  always  in  order. 

Corporal  Alphonzo  Marshall. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Washington  County, 
Vt. ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from  Nora  ;  promoted  to  Corporal.  He  was  cap- 
tured on  Mission  Ridge,  with  the  Company,  Sept.  22,  1863.  Died  in 
Audersonville  Prison  in  May,  1864,  from  the  effects  of  "  Man's  inhumanity 
to  man"  ;  is  buried  in  the  National  Cemetery  at  Andersonville,  Ga. 

Corporal  Henry  Simons.— Age  18;  born  in  Green  County,  Wis. ; 
farmer ;  enlisted  from  Gratiot ;  promoted  to  Corporal.  At  the  battle  of 
Chickamauga,  Sept.  20, 1863,  he  was  shot  through  the  body  and  left  upon 
the  field,  dying  almost  immediately.  Always  cheerful,  ready  and  prompt 
to  discharge  every  duty,  he  was  an  excellent  soldier. 

Corporal  Thomas  Morris. — Age  22  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer ;  enlisted 
from  Gratiot ;  promoted  to  Corporal.  He  was  mortally  wounded  at  the 
battle  of  Chickamauga  Sept.  20,  1863,  and  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
enemy,  but  was  paroled  a  few  days  later  and  brought  within  our  lines. 
Died  in  hospital  at  Chattanooga  Oct.  13,  1863. 

Corporal  Charles  L.  Mettz. — Age  22;  born  in  Calhoun  County.  111.; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Warren.  During  the  march  from  Danville,  Ky., 
to  Lebanon  and  return,  was  injured  in  the  right  leg  and  foot,  resulting  in 
varicose  veins,  from  which  he  has  never  recovered  ;  remained  with  the 
Company,  and  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  was  wounded  in  the  left 
hand,  disabling  three  fingers  ;  was  promoted  to  Corporal  Jan.  31,  1864, 
for  meritorious  conduct  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  ;  m.  o.  with  Regi- 
ment. Was  a  member  of  the  Nebraska  Legislature  from  1872  to  1874. 
Present  occupation,  dry-goods  merchant,  at  Falls  City,  Richardson 
County,  Neb. 

Corporal  Abner  C.  Bryan. — Age  23  ;  born  in  Geauga  County,  Ohio  ; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Ward's  Grove  ;  promoted  to  Corporal ;  was  with 
the  Company  most  of  the  time,  but  escaped  wounds  ;  suffered  a  disloca- 
tion of  the  shoulder  in  a  friendly  scuffle  with  a  comrade,  which  has  always 
given  him  more  or  less  trouble  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Resides  at  Geneva, 
Iowa. 

Corporal  Peter  Davison. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Norway  ;  blacksmith  ;  en- 
listed from  Warren  ;  was  with  the  Company  until  July  24,  1863,  when  he 
was  detailed  as  blacksmith  at  Brigade  Headquarters  ;  after  the  battle  of 
Chickamauga  the  Company  was  so  reduced  that  all  the  men  on  detail 
were  recalled,  and  he  returned  Nov.  13,  1863,  and  remained  until  February, 
1864,  when  he  was  detailed  to  the  Pioneer  Corps  ;  returned  to  the  Com- 
pany in  April,  1864.  At  Peach  Tree  Creek,  July  20,  1864,  was  severely 
wounded  in  the  right  wrist,  and  was  sent  to  Joe  Holt  Hospital,  Jefferson- 
ville,  Ind. :  the  wound  healed  slowly,  and  he  was  discharged  from  the 
hospital  May  30,  1865,  by  reason  of  the  close  of  the  war.  After  his  return 
he,  with  his  brother,  established  blacksmith  and  wagon  shops  at  Wiota, 


858  HISTOKY  or  THE  96xH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

Wis.,  and  built  up  quite  a  business.     In  1881  he  went  to  Elkhart,  Ind., 
where  he  is  now  running  a  blacksmith  and  machine  shop. 

Corporal  Andrew  Johnson. — Age  28;  born  in  Norway;  farmer;  en- 
listed from  Gratiot ;  was  with  the  Regiment  in  all  of  its  movements  until 
after  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  where  "Johnny  put  a  bullet  through 
my  hat."  Was  captured  on  Mission  Ridge  Sept.  22,  1863;  confined  in 
Richmond,  Va.,  until  Dec.  13,  1863  ;  in  Danville,  Va.,  until  April  12, 1864, 
and  in  Andersonville  until  Sept.  21,  1864 ;  was  then  taken  to  Charleston 
and  Florence.  S.  C.,  and  finally  exchanged  at  Savannah,  Ga.,  Dec.  9, 1864 ; 
returned  to  command  in  the  spring  of  1865,  and  was  promoted  to  Cor- 
poral ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  a  farmer  at  Browntown,  Green  County, 
Wis. 

Corporal  Patrick  Farrell. — Age  24  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Warren ;  was  wounded  in  the  arm  at  Chickamauga,  but  soon  re- 
turned to  the  command  and  served  to  the  close  of  the  war  ;  promoted  to 
Corporal ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  understood  to  be  in  Texas. 

Musician  Niles  Carver. — Age  24 ;  born  in  Kenebec  County,  Me. ; 
hotelkeeper ;  enlisted  from  Nora  ;  appointed  Principal  Musician  at  the 
organization  of  the  Regiment ;  served  as  such  until  Jan.  20,  1864,  when 
he  was  discharged.  Is  farming  at  Blanchard,  Page  County,  Iowa. 

Musician  Eugene  Carver. — Age  12  ;  born  in  Milo,  Me. ;  son  of  Niles 
Carver  ;  enlisted  in  the  92d  Illinois,  but  was,  with  his  brother  Frank,  trans- 
ferred to  Company  II,  in  exchange  for  two  men  of  Company  H — Thos. 
H.  Bartlett  and  Robert  Heywood — who  were  transferred  to  the  92d 
Illinois.  He  was  for  a  time  the  "Drummer  Boy"  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH, 
and  a  good  one.  At  Nashville,  Tenn.,  was  taken  sick  and  sent  to  hos- 
pital, and  discharged  March  7,  1863 ;  after  his  discharge  he  returned  to 
the  Company,  and  would  have  re-enlisted,  but  he  was  so  young  that  the 
writer  objected,  but  kept  him  in  his  employ  until  late  in  the  summer  of 
1863.  After  he  came  home  he  had  the  misfortune  to  lose  a  leg  by  the 
cars.  Is  Deputy  County  Clerk  in  Santa  Rosa,  Cal. 

Musician  Franklin  Carver. — Age  17  ;  born  in  Milo,  Me. ;  he,  with  his 
brother  Eugene,  enlisted  in  Company  G,  92d  Illinois,  but  their  father 
having  enlisted  in  Company  H,  an  exchange  of  men  was  arranged,  and 
they  were  transferred  to  Company  H,  NINETY-SIXTH  Illinois,  in  return 
for  Thos.  H.  Bartlett  and  Robert  Heywood,  who  were  transferred  to  the 
92d  Illinois.  May  23,  1863,  Frank  was  appointed  Principal  Musician,  and 
served  as  such  until  the  m.  o.  of  the  Regiment  at  Camp  Barker,  June  10, 
1865.  Is  farming  in  Nodaway  County,  Mo. ;  post  office  address,  Blan- 
chard, Page  County,  Iowa. 

Isaac  Addudle. — Age  19 ;  born  in  Ohio  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Plum 
River  ;  was  an  excellent  soldier  and  noted  for  his  high  moral  character. 
He  died  in  the  Regimental  Hospital  at  Estell  Springs,  Tenn.,  Aug.  31, 
1863,  and  was  buried  with  military  honors  His  father  came  after  his 
remains  and  removed  them  to  his  home  at  Plum  River,  111. 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  H.  859 

Wallace  Andrews. — Age  25  ;  born  in  Cleveland,  Ohio  :  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Nora.  At  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  May  9,  1864,  he  was  wounded 
in  the  right  arm  ;  m.  o.  with  the  Company,  June  10,  18H5,  and  died  a  few 
years  ago  in  Iowa. 

George  W.  Andrews. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Cleveland,  Ohio  ;  enlisted 
from  Nora  ;  farmer  ;  was  wounded  in  the  foot  early  in  the  first  charge  at 
Chickamauga,  but  remained  with  the  Company,  and  continued  to  fight 
until  the  close  of  the  battle  ;  reported  for  duty  the  next  day,  and  was 
captured  with  the  Company  Sept.  22,  1863  ;  was  a  prisoner  at  Richmond, 
Va.,  until  April,  1864,  when  he  was  taken  to  Andersonville,  where  he  died 
in  June  of  that  year. 

Frederick  Briggs. — Age  40  ;  born  in  Rutland,  Vt. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Pleasant  Valley.  Deserted  Sept.  9,  1863. 

Thos.  H.  Bartlett. — Age  30 ;  born  in  Sangamon  County,  Illinois  ;. 
miner ;  enlisted  from  Millville  ;  was  transferred  to  the  92d  Illinois  at 
Rockford,  111.  ;  served  with  that  organization  until  the  close  of  the  war ; 
resides  at  Apple  River,  111. 

Wm.  B.  Bryan. — Age  23 ;  born  in  Geauga  County,  Ohio  ;  farmer ; 
enlisted  from  Stockton  ;  at  Lookout  Mountain  a  ball  passed  through  his 
roll  of  blankets  and  cartridge  box  strap,  but  without  injury  to  him.  In  a 
skirmish  near  Dalton  in  Feb..  1864,  a  ball  passed  through  his  hat  without 
injuring  him  ;  served  until  the  close  of  the  war  ;  'm.  o.  with  the  Regiment. 
Resides  at  Geneva,  Franklin  County,  Iowa,  where  he  is  a  well  to  do 
farmer,  and  nicely  fixed,  but  unable  to  perform  any  manual  labor  by 
reason  of  disease  contracted  in  the  service. 

George  Bryan. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Geauga  County,  Ohio  ;  farmer ; 
enlisted  from  Ward's  Grove  ;  was  the  youngest  of  three  brothers,  all  be- 
longing to  the  same  Company  ;  was  taken  sick  at  Lexington,  Ky.,  and 
died  in  hospital  November  13,  1862 ;  is  buried  in  the  Lexington  City 
Cemetery. 

Robert  Burbridge. — Age  35  ;  born  in  Illinois  ;  enlisted  from  Millville  ; 
miner  ;  was  killed  on  the  skirmish  line  near  Kenesaw  Mountain,  June  23, 
1864  ;  is  buried  in  the  National  Cemetery  at  Marietta,  Ga. 

Charles  D.  Bunce. — Age  31  ;  born  in  Wayne  County,  N.  Y. ;  enlisted 
from  Ward's  Grove  ;  farmer  ;  captured  at  Chickamauga,  Sept.  20,  1863 ; 
remained  a  prisoner  until  Dec.  16,  1864,  when  he  was  exchanged  ;  rejoined 
the  Company  in  the  spring  of  1865,  and  was  m.  o.  with  the  Regiment 
June  10,  18'35.  Is  living  at  Ames,  Iowa. 

Handford  W.  Crissey.  -Age  39 ;  born  in  Broom  County,  Conn. ; 
farmer;  enlisted  from  Rush.  He  had  previously  been  a  soldier  in  the 
war  with  Mexico  ;  was  unwell  much  of  the  time  after  the  Regiment  left 
Rockford,  I  ut  remained  with  the  Company  until  May,  1863;  was  dis 
charged  for  disability,  June  8,  1863  ;  never  recovered  his  health,  but  died 
a  short  time  after  at  his  home  in  Rush,  Jo  Daviess  County,  111. 


$60  HISTORY  or  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

Erastus  A.  Charter.— Age  19  ;  born  in  Hartford,  Conn. ;  farmer  ; 
•enlisted  from  Gratiot  ;  served  for  a  time  as  Ambulance  driver,  and  was 
for  some  time  an  Orderly  for  Capt.  Starkweather,  of  the  Quarter  Master's 
Department ;  m.  o.  with  the  Regiment.  Lives  at  Warren,  111.,  near 
which  place  he  owns  a  farm  and  valuable  lead  mine. 

James  J.  Curry. — Age  23 ;  born  in  Lexington,  Ky.;  farmer;  enlisted 
from  Stockton  ;  had  previously  served  nine  months  in  Company  E,  15th 
Illinois  ;  was  mortally  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  Sept.  20, 
1863,  and  left  on  the  field  ;  about  ten  days  after  he  was  paroled  and 
brought  into  the  Union  lines,  and  died  in  hospital  at  Chattanooga,  Oct. 
1,  1863. 

Richard  B.  Chown. — Age  18 ;  born  in  Canada  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Stockton.  During  a  hurried  march  in  the-summer  of  1864,  was  prostrated 
with  sunstroke,  which  so  affected  his  eyes  that  he  is  nearly  blind  ;  served 
with  the  Company  in  all  its  marches  until  the  close  of  the  war  ;  m.  o. 
with  the  Regiment.  For  cheerfulness  and  good  humor,  under  all  cir- 
cumstances, commend  me  to  "Dick."  Resides  at  Lanark,  Carroll 
Oounty,  111. 

Lucius  C.  Crowell.— Age  37;  born  in  Angelica,  N.  Y. ;  farmer;  en- 
listed from  Nora  ;  was  a  man  of  high  moral  character  and  full  of  patriot- 
ism, but  unable  to  endure  the  fatigue  and  exposure  incident  to  a  soldier's 
life.  After  partially  recovering  from  two  or  three  attacks  of  disease,  he 
was  taken  ill  with  lung  fever,  and  died  at  Chattanooga,  Nov.  3, 1863. 

Richard  C.  Cullen. — Born  in  the  County  of  Wicklow,  Ireland,  Sept. 
28,  1848  ;  enlisted  from  Warren  Aug.  14.  1862,  being  at  that  time  less  than 
14  years  of  age,  although  he  looked  and  reported  as  18  years  of  age  ;  came 
to  this  country  with  his  father  in  1851  ;  his  father  dying  in  1856,  he  was 
left  an  orphan  at  eight  years  of  age,  his  mother  having  died  in  Ireland. 
Was  with  the  Company  in  all  its  marches  up  to  and  including  the  battle 
of  Chickamauga,  Sept.  20,  1863,  where  he  had  his  haversack  shot  away, 
•containing  his  rations  for  three  days,  which  he  had  drawn  that  morning  ; 
two  days  later  he  was  captured  with  his  Company,  and  taken  to  Rich- 
mond ;  confined  in  the  Pemberton  Prison  and  the  Royster  Prison ;  at 
the  latter  place  was  taken  with  the  small-pox  and  sent  to  hospital  near 
Richmond,  Dec.  13,  1863  ;  in  Feb.,  1864,  was  removed  to  Belle  Isle  ; 
paroled  March  22,  1865  ;  joined  the  Company  in  the  spring  of  1865  ;  m.  o. 
with  the  Company.  Has  been  Constable  for  eight  years.  Justice  of  the 
Peace  four  years  ;  Chairman  of  the  Town  Board  for  the  last  three  years  ; 
Chairman  of  the  County  Bridge  Committee  two  years  ;  was  School  Clerk 
and  Treasurer  for  a  number  of  years  ;  and  is  at  present  Adjutant  of 
Cullen  Post  No.  176,  G.  A.  R.  at  Gratiot,  Wis.  Is  a  prosperous  farmer 
and  influential  citizen.  Postoffice  address,  Warren,  111 

William  Conley. — Age  22  ;  born  in  Oneida  County,  N.  Y. ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Warren  ;  was  taken  ill  at  Lexington,  Ky.,  and  died  in 
hospital  at  Nashville,  April  22,  1863.  Is  buried  in  the  National  Cemetery 
at  Nashville. 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  H.  861 

Chas.  F.  Connery.— Age  21  ;  born  in  Wiota,  Wis. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted! 
from  Gratiot,  Wis. ;  was  accidentally  wounded  in  the  hand  at  Fort  Shaler, 
Kentucky  ;  served  during  the  summer  of  1863  with  the  18th  Ohio  Battery, 
until  after  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  when  he  was  sent  back  to  Nash- 
ville after  horses,  and  was  taken  with  the  small-pox  and  sent  to  hospital ; 
rejoined  the  Company  in  the  spring  of  1865  ;  m.  o.  with  the  Regiment. 
He  says  the  only  official  position  he  has  held  since  the  war  was  Post- 
master at  Durand,  111,  and  adds,  that  he  did  not  hold  that  long  after 
Cleveland  got  in  the  saddle.  Is  blacksmithing  at  Durand,  111. 

William  W.  Crocker. — Age  33  ;  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Warren  ;  sent  to  hospital  in  March,  1863  ;  and  transferred 
to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  Dec.  12,  1863.  Resides  at  Shenandoah,  Iowa. 

Oscar  W.  Dunton. — Age  31 ;  born  in  Franklin  County,  Vt. ;  enlisted 
from  Stockton  ;  farmer  ;  served  as  ambulance  driver  for  a  time,  but  his- 
health  failing,  he  was  discharged  for  disability,  Feb.  4,  1863.  Present 
address  unknown. 

Joseph  P.  Davis. — Age  19  ;  born  in  St.  Louis,  Mo. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted1 
from  Hanover  ;  died  in  hospital  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  March  18,  1863.  Is- 
buried  in  the  National  Cemetery  at  Nashville. 

Daniel  M.  Doud. — Age  37  ;  born  in  Burlington,  Vt. ;  mason  ;  enlisted 
from  Warren  ;  served  for  a  time  with  the  18th  Ohio  Battery  ;  returned  to 
the  Company  in  July,  1863,  and  remained  with  the  Company  until  after 
the  battle  of  Chickamauga  ;  was  captured  two  days  later,  with  others  of 
the  Company,  taken  to  Richmond  and  confined  in  the  Pemberton  Prison  ; 
taken  to  Belle  Isle,  thence  to  Danville,  Va. ;  thence  to  Andersonville  and 
Florence,  and  from  there  to  Charleston,  where  he  was  exchanged  in 
November,  1864;  m.  o.  at  Springfield,  111.,  May  27,  1865.  Resides  at 
Tecumseh,  Johnson  County,  Neb. 

Adam  Dittmar. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Pleasant  Valley  ;  was  taken  sick  late  in  the  summer  of  1863,  and  sent  to 
hospital ;  transferred  to  the  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  and  discharged  at 
the  close  of  the  war.  Is  on  the  Police  Force  in  Chicago,  and  resides  at 
No.  2409  Wentworth  Avenue. 

Thomas  J.  Edwards.— Age  24;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Warren  ;  taken  sick  in  the  summer  of  1863  ;  sent 
to  hospital  ;  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps.  Present  address  un- 
known. 

Albert  Farley. — Age  16 ;  born  in  Canada  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Nora  ;  was  never  absent  from  the  Company  for  a  day,  except  for  guard 
or  fatigue  duty ;  always  ready,  prompt  and  cheerful  up  to  the  very 
moment  of  his  death.  At  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  Sept.  20,  1863,  the 
writer  noticed  him  working  like  a  little  hero,  as  he  was,  and  stepped 
up  and  gave  him  a  kindly  word  of  encouragement,  to  which  he 
replied  pleasantly  and  cheerfully  ;  but  alas  !  the  next  moment  he  fell  at 
his  commander's  feet,  and  looked  up  in  his  face ;  I  shall  never  forget 


862  HISTORY  or  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

that  look  ;  a  bullet  had  struck  him  in  the  forehead,  and  his  spirit  had 
passed  over  to  the  other  shore. 

James  Forsythe. — Age  24 ;  born  in  Harding  County,  Ohio  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Millville  ;  was  with  the  Company  up  to  and  including  the 
battle  of  Chickamauga  ;  was  killed  on  Mission  Ridge  Sept.  22,  1863,  when 
the  other  men  of  the  Company  were  captured.  His  remains  are  interred 
in  the  National  Cemetery  at  Chattanooga. 

Patrick  Farrell,  ist. — Age  27  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Warren  ;  was  wounded  in  the  leg  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  Sept.  20, 
1863  ;  the  wound  soon  healed,  and  ho  returned  to  the  Company,  and  par- 
ticipated in  the  Atlanta  campaign  ;  m.  o.  with  the  Regiment.  Returned 
to  Warren,  and  engaged  in  farming  ;  when  last  heard  from  was  at  Gruudy 
Center,  Grundy  County,  Iowa. 

Alvin  B.  Foss. — Age  16  ;  born  in  Maine  ;  enlisted  from  Nora  ;  had 
previously  served  in  Company  B,  45th  Illinois,  from  Sept.  4,  1861,  until 
May  9,  1862.  In  August,  1864,  was  wounded  in  the  shoulder,  slightly  ;  he 
afterward  lost  his  voice,  and  could  only  speak  in  a  whisper  for  some 
months  after  his  discharge  ;  had  a  brother  who  was  a  member  of  Com- 
pany K,  and  his  father  was  a  member  of  another  regiment,  and  is  sup- 
posed to  be  the  oldest  Grand  Army  man  living.  The  father  and  two  sons 
reside  at  Randall,  Jewell  County,  Kansas. 

John  H.  Foster. — Age  18;  born  in  Albany,  N.  Y. ;  farmer;  enlisted 
from  Warren  ;  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  was  slightly  wounded  on  the 
right  cheek,  but  reported  for  duty  the  next  day,  and  was  captured,  with 
others,  Sept.  22,'  and  confined  in  Libby,  at  Andersonville,  Millen, 
Florence,  Savannah,  Ga,,  and  at  Wilmington,  N.  C. ;  m.  o.  at  Springfield, 
111.,  May  24,  1865.  Is  a  manufacturer  of  fertilizers  at  Marietta,  Ohio  ; 
office  at  No.  89  East  Front  Street,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

Francis  L.  Flanders. — Age  19  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer ;  enlisted 
from  Warren  ;  served  with  the  Company  until  September,  1868  ;  in  July, 
1863,  while  carrying  water  up  the  bank  of  the  stream  at  Wartrace,  slipped 
and  caused  a  rupture  in  the  groin  ;  sent  to  hospital  Sept.  6,  1863  ;  never 
rejoined  the  Company ;  m.  o.  June  8,  1865.  Studied  medicine  after  he 
came  home,  and  is  now  a  physician  at  601  East  Sixteenth  Street,  Kansas 
City,  Mo. 

Charles  W.  Graham. — Age  28  ;  born  in  Jefferson  County,  Mo. ; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Warren.  In  his  memoranda  for  personal  sketch, 
Mr.  Graham  says  :  "I  was  wounded  Sept.  21,  1863,  at  Chickamauga,  on 
the  skirmish  line  ;  a  ball  struck  my  gun  and  right  hand,  glanced  and 
tore  the  flesh  on  my  left  arm  ;  I  was  then  taken  prisoner,  but  eluded  the 
guard  and  came  down  Chickamauga  Creek  to  Chattanooga."  He  was  in 
hospital  at  Nashville  for  some  time  ;  never  rejoined  the  Company  ;  m.  o. 
at  Chicago  in  the  spring  of  1865.  Is  farming  near  Collins,  Wis. 

Edward  W.  Gates. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Aurora,  111. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Morseville  ;  served  with  the  Company  until  September,  1863,  when 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  H.  863 

he  was  sent  to  hospital ;  transferred  to  the  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  ;  m.  o. 
at  Milwaukee,  Wis.     Is  farming  at  Plum  River,  111. 

Robert  Hay  wood.— Age  37  ;  born  in  England  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Warren  ;  was  transferred  to  the  92d  Illinois  at  Rockford,  111.,  in  exchange 
for  one  of  the  Carver  boys.  His  service  with  that  organization  was  about 
six  months.  Present  address  unknown. 

Peter  Hawks. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Pennsylvania  ;  enlisted  from  Warren  ; 
farmer ;  was  accidentally  wounded  in  the  hand  at  Danville,  Ky. ;  was 
taken  prisoner  Sept.  22,  1863,  with  others ;  was  soon  exchanged,  and 
returned  to  the  Company  in  the  spring  of  1865  ;  was  transferred  to  the 
21st  Illinois,  June  9,  1865  ;  served  with  that  organization  until  Dec.  16, 
1865.  Resides  at  Chapin,  Iowa. 

William  Ingersoll. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Calhoun  County,  111.  ;  enlisted 
from  Warren  ;  farmer  ;  was  taken  prisoner  Sept.  22,  1863  ;  was  taken  to 
Richmond  about  the  1st  of  October,  1863  ;  removed  to  Danville,  Va.,  Dec. 
13,  1863.  It  is  reported  by  his  comrades  that  he  was  vaccinated  with 
impure  virus  and  died  from  the  effects  Jan.  17,  1864.  Is  buried  in  Na- 
tional Cemetery  at  Danville,  Va. 

Thomas  K.  Johnson. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Pennsylvania  ;  enlisted  from 
Warren  ;  harness  maker.  He  was  a  small  sized  man  but  every  inch  a 
soldier  ;  could  endure  more  fatigue  than  the  majority,  and  performed 
every  duty  cheerfully.  The  Regiment  never  went  into  camp  but 
"  Tommy  "  was  in  his  place  wijlh  as  heavy  a  knapsack  as  the  best  of  them. 
He  was  severely  wounded  at  Chickamauga,  Sept.  20,  and  left  upon  the 
field,  falling  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy  ;  was  paroled  a  few  days  later 
and  brought  inside  the  Union  lines.  It  was  hoped  for  a  time  that  he 
would  recover,  but  his  wound  took  an  unfavorable  turn,  and  he  died  at 
Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  Nov.  10,  1863  ;  is  buried  in  the  National  Cemetery 
at  Chattanooga. 

William  Klaproth. — Age  30  ;  born  in  Hanover,  Germany  ;  had  served 
in  the  Prussian  Army  ;  came  to  this  country  in  1856  ;  married  in  1860  ; 
enlisted  from  Wayne,  Wis. ;  farmer ;  was  taken  ill  with  some  obscure 
disease  of  the  stomach,  in  Sept.  1863,  and  sent  to  hospital  at  Nashville  ; 
transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  ;  m.  o.  at  New  Albany,  Ind.,  July 
8,  1865  ;  never  recovered  his  health,  but  died  of  cancer  of  the  stomach 
June  10,  1874. 

John  Kerby. — Age  17  ;  born  in  England  ;  enlisted  from  Gratiot ; 
farmer ;  was  almost  constantly  on  duty  with  the  Company,  until  after 
the  battle  of  Chickamauga  ;  was  engaged  in  that  battle  and  bore  his  part 
nobly  ;  was  taken  prisoner,  with  others  of  the  Company,  on  Mission 
Ridge,  Sept  22,  1863  ;  and  after  being  confined  in  several  prisons,  died  in 
Andersonville,  Aug.  14,  1864.  Is  buried  in  National  Cemetery  at  Ander- 
sonville,  Ga. 

Henson  Moore. — Age  29  ;  born  in  Virginia  ;  enlisted  from  Millville  ; 
farmer  ;  was  slightly  wounded  in  the  arm  at  Chickamauga,  and  again  in 


864  HISTORY  OF  THE  96rrn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

the  hand  in  a  skirmish  near  Dalton,  Feb.  25,  1864  ;  discharged  May  17, 
1865.     Resides  at  Waseca,  Minn. 

Nathaniel  McWain.  —  Age  28  ;  born  in  Pawlet,  Vt.  ;  enlisted  from 
Millville  ;  farmer  ;  served  with  the  Company  until  after  the  battle  of 
Chickamauga,  where  he  was  wounded  in  the  leg,  but  not  disabled,  and 
had  three  bullets  through  his  clothes  and  one  through  his  haversack  ; 
taken  prisoner  at  Mission  Eidge  Sept.  22,  1863  ;  remained  a  prisoner  until 
near  the  close  of  the  war,  when  he  was  exchanged  and  discharged,  after 
seventeen  months  at  Danville,  Andersonville,  Charleston  and  Florence 
prisons.  Has  held  several  township  offices  since  the  war,  and  is  farming 
at  Dorset,  Vt. 

Edward  McGinnis.  —  Age  18  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  enlisted  from  Warren  ; 
farmer  ;  was  severely  wounded  in  the  wrist  at  Chickamauga,  and  sent  to 
hospital  ;  afterward  transferred  to  the  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  ;  dis- 
charged from  hospital  May  6,  1865.  Residence,  Salem,  Neb. 

James  McCafferty.  —  Age  18  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  at 
Rockford,  111.,  Oct.  1,  1862,  from  Nora  ;  was  badly  wounded  at  Chicka- 
mauga, Sept.  20,  1863,  and  sent  to  hospital  ;  returned  to  the  Company  in 
the  spring  of  1864,  and  served  through  the  Atlanta  Campaign  ;  was  taken 
ill  and  sent  to  hospital  Dec.  7,  1864  ;  returned  to  Company  and  was  m.  o. 
June  10,  1865  ;  died  in  Nora  in  1881. 

Hiram  P.  Millett.  —  Age  23  ;  born  in  Wayne  County,  N.  Y.  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Plum  River  was  detailed  in  the  Pioneer  Corps  April  7, 
1863,  and  transferred  to  the  1st  U.  S.  V.  V.  Engineers  July  29,  1864,  where 
he  served  until  the  close  of  the  war  ;  m.  o.  at  Chattanooga  in  June,  1865. 
Resides  at  Plum  River,  111. 

Hiram  W.  Nelson.  —  Age  15  ;  born  in  Rock  County,  Wis.  ;  clerk  ;: 
enlisted  from  Plum  River  ;  at  Chickamauga  was  hit  four  times,  as 
follows  :  One  ball  lodged  in  haversack  ;  one  struck  waist-belt  buckle, 
breaking  it  in  two  pieces  ;  one  tore  heel  of  shoe  off,  and  one  broke  the 
bone  of  his  left  arm  ;  was  sent  to  hospital,  and  never  rejoined  the  Com- 
pany. In  the  spring  of  1865  served  as  Orderly  for  Gen.  Court  Martial 
at  Nashville,  of  which  Colonel  Champion  was  President  ;  was  discharged 
from  hospital  May  20,  1865.  Has  been  Street  Commissioner  of  Spring- 
field, Mo.;  City  Marshal  of  Marionville,  Mo.,  and  is  now  clerking  in 
Pierce  City,  Lawrence  County,  Mo. 

Ranslaer  Post.  —  Age  31  ;  born  in  Allegheny  County,  N.  Y.  ;  enlisted 
from  Millville  ;  discharged  for  disability  in  May,  1863,  and  died  soon 


Sherman  W.  Perham.—  Age  18  ;  born  in  Trumbull  County,  Ohio  ; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Wayne,  Wis.  ;  was  never  able  to  endure  the  hard- 
ships of  a  soldier's  life  ;  discharged  for  disability  March  7,  1863  ;  never 
recovered,  but  died  a  short  time  after  reaching  home. 


COMPANY  H. 


JAMES  M.  SALLEE. 
C'orp'l  ANDREW  JOHNSON. 


Serg't  II.  F.  HASTINGS. 

First  Lieut.  GEORGE  G.  FERGUSON. 

First  Serg't  CHESTER  J.  REES. 


NOH.MAN  P.  WARD. 
Corp'l  M.  J.  PENWELL. 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  H.  865 

Theophilus  Pettibone. — Age  36  ;  born  in  Hartford,  Conn. ;  carpenter  ; 
enlisted  from  Warren  ;  was  detailed  in  Pioneer  Corps,  April  7,  1863,  and 
was  transferred  to  1st  U.  8.  V.  V.  Engineers,  July  25,  1864,  where  he 
served  till  the  close  of  the  war.  Resides  at  Warren,  111. 

James  Rees.— Age  33  ;  born  in  Lewis  County,  N.  Y. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Rush.  At  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  Sept.  20,  1863,  he  received  a 
severe  wound  in  the  left  arm  near  the  elbow  ;  never  was  able  for  duty 
again,  and  was  discharged  from  hospital  at  Chicago,  June  25,  1864.  Is  a 
mail  agent,  and  resides  at  Glendale,  Lewis  County,  N.  Y. 

Ransom  Richards. — Age  29  ;  born  in  Allegheny  County,  N.  Y. ; 
farmer ;  enlisted  from  Warren  ;  never  could  adapt  his  digestive  organs 
to  army  rations  ;  was  discharged  for  disability  Sept.  19,  1863  ;  afterward 
enlisted  in  the  45th  Illinois,  and  died  at  New  Albany,  Ind.,  Feb.  24,  1865. 

Oscar  Robbins. — Age  20  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Gratiot,  Wis. ;  was  for  a  time  teamster  in  the  supply  train,  but  was  with 
the  Regiment  in  a  number  of  engagements  ;  at  Rocky  Face  Ridge  was 
struck  by  a  bullet  in  the  breast,  but  only  slightly  bruised  ;  m.  o.  with  the 
Regiment.  Is  farming  near  Warren,  111. 

John  Reardon. — Age  22  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  fanner  ;  enlisted  from  Gra- 
tiot,  Wis.  ;  deserted  from  the  steamer  at  Fort  Donalson,  Feb.  4,  1863, 
while  en  route  to  Nashville.  ...>v.  , 

f<j   »    •  -          * 

George  H.  Stanchfield. — Age  27  ;  born  in  Milo,  Me.  ;  mason  ;  enlisted 
from  Nora ;  was  an  excellent  soldier  ;  served  with  the  Company  up  to 
and  including  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  ;  was  captured  Sept.  22,  1863, 
with  others  of  the  Company,  and  died  in  Andersonville  Prison,  June  26, 
1864.  No.  of  grave,  2532. 

Finley  Smith. — Age  28  ;  born  in  Coshocton  County,  Ohio  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Stockton  ;  was  attacked  with  rheumatism  soon  after  enter- 
ing the  service.  It  being  evident  that  he  would  never  be  able  to  endure 
the  hardships  of  the  service,  he  was  discharged  for  disability,  July  30, 
1863.  Resides  at  Battle  Creek,  Iowa. 

James  M.  Sallee. — Age  18  ;  born  at  Benton,  Lafayette  County,  Wis., 
April  2,  1844,  and,  as  he  facetiously  puts  it,  "came  within  one  of  being 
born  an  April  fool ; "  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Rush ;  was  with  the  Company 
in  every  skirmish  and  battle  until  two  days  after  Chickamauga,  when  he 
was  taken  prisoner  with  others  of  the  Company  ;  was  confined  in  various 
Southern  prisons  for  a  period  of  seventeen  months  and  over  ;  exchanged 
March  4,  1865,  at  Wilmington,  N.  C.,  and  was  discharged  at  Chicago  in 
May  following  ;  is  Clerk  of  the  District  Court  at  Phillipsburg,  Phillips 
County,  Kan. 

Adam  Vroman. — Age  35  ;  born  in  Canada  West ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Rush  ;  was  taken  prisoner  Sept.  22, 1863  ;  and  died  in  Andersonville 
in  May,  1864. 
55 


866  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  KEGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

Edwin  Van  Dyke. — Age  31 ;  bora  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.  ;  miner  ; 
enlisted  from  Millville  ;  was  with  the  Company  most  of  the  time  up  to  the 
22d  of  Sept.,  1863.  when  he  was  captured,  with  others,  and  spent  a  year 
and  five  months  in  Southern  prisons  ;  was  present  at  the  battle  of  Chick  - 
mauga,  where  he  was  conspicuous  for  his  coolness  and  bravery  ;  never 
rejoined  the  Company  after  his  capture  ;  was  discharged  from  hospital 
at.  Springfield,  111.,  July  22,  1865  ;  never  recovered  from  the  effects  of  his 
prison  life,  and  died  at  Kansas  City,  Mo.,  Feb.  6,  1885. 

Joseph  T.  Vick. — Age  20 ;  born  in  England  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Rush.  Early  in  the  winter  of  1862  and  1863,  while  at  Lexington,  Ky., 
was  taken  ill  with  the  measles,  and  at  Danville,  Ky.,  was  afflicted  with 
partial  paralysis  of  one  arm  ;  and  discharged  for  disability,  Dec.  29,  1862  ; 
is.  engaged  in  farming  near  Warren,  111. 

John  V.  Wilkerson. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Scott  County,  Iowa  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Warren  ;  was  captured  while  on  duty,  with  others  of  the 
Company,  on  Mission  Ridge,  Sept.  22,  1863  ;  was  a  prisoner  in  the  hands 
Of  the  enemy  until  the  spring  of  1865  ;  never  returned  to  the  Company  ; 
was  m.  o.  at  Springfield,  June  24,  1865  ;  resides  at  Indian  Valley,  Idaho, 
where  he  is  a  successful  farmer  and  breeder  of  horses. 

Samuel  Wiicox. — Age  23  ;  born  in  Sangamon  County,  111.,  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Wayne,  Wis.  ;  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  was  wounded 
in  the  arm  ;  the  wound  soon  healed  and  he  returned  to  the  Company,  and 
served  through  the  Atlanta  campaign.  In  the  fall  of  1864,  was  f urloughed 
home  for  a  short  time  ;  on  his  return  in  the  winter  of  1865,  at  Huntsville, 
Ala.,  he  was  taken  with  the  small  pox,  and  sent  to  hospital ;  partially 
recovered,  but  had  a  relapse,  and  died  in  hospital  at  Huntsville,  January 
28,  1865. 

John  E.  Wilson. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Sciota  County,  Ohio  ;  farmer ; 
enlisted  from  Warren  ;  was  taken  ill  with  the  measles  at  Lexington,  Ky., 
in  November,  1862 ;  his  lungs  became  affected,  and  he  was  discharged 
from  hospital  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  April  30,  1863,  for  disability,  and  died 
at  his  home  in  June,  1863. 

Alberto  Wheelock. — Age  34  ;  born  in  Jefferson  County,  New  York  ; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Millville  ;  was  taken  prisoner  Sept.  22,  1863,  and 
died  in  Andersonville,  May  10,  1864  ;  is  buried  in  the  National  Cemetery 
at  Andersonville,  Ga. 

Norman  P.  Ward. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Pennsylvania  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Ward's  Grove  :  was  both  a  good'man  and  a  good  soldier.  At  the 
battle  of  Chickamauga,  Sept.  20,  1863,  he  was  severely  wounded  in  the 
right  thigh,  and  remained  a  prisoner  for  ten  days,  when  he  was  paroled  ; 
never  returned  to  the  Company  ;  was  discharged  from  hospital  at  Spring- 
field, 111.,  June  20,  1865 ;  lives  on  a  small  farm  near  La  Plata,  Macon 
County,  Mo. ;  and  has  poor  health. 

Solomon  H.  R.  Zuck. — Age  41  ;  born  in  Erie,  Penn.  ;  wagon  maker  ; 
enlisted  from  Millville  ;  was  transferred  to  the  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  in 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  H.  867 

•January,  1864  ;  finally  m.  o.  at  Ne,w  Albany,  Ind ,  in  June,  1865  ;  died  at 
Apple  River,  111.,  June  24.  1875. 

RECRUITS  TO  COMPANY  H.' 

Homer  Bonham. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Grant  County,  Wis. ;  farmer  ;  en- 
Qisted  from  Galena,  111.,  April  10,  1865  ;  was  transferred  to  Company  E., 
21st  Illinois,  June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at  San  Antonio,  Texas,  Dec.  16,  1865. 

James  M.  Curtis. — Age  18  ;  born  in  La  Grange  County,  Ind.;  farmer  ; 
•enlisted  from  Hanover,  111.,  March  22,  1864 ;  although  a  recruit,  he  fell 
nuturally  into  the  ways  of  the  old  veterans  ;  made  an  excellent  soldier  ; 
served  throughout  the  Atlanta  campaign,  and  on  every  march  and  battle 
until  June  9, 1865,  when  he  was  transferred  to  the  21st  Illinois  ;  served  with 
that  command  until  Dec.,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at  San  Antonio,  Texas  ;  returned 
lo  Indiana,  and  for  a  time  engaged  in  merchandizing.  In  the  fall  of  1871 
went  to  Wakeeney,  Kan.,  where  at  Christmas  he  was  married  to  a  very 
estimable  young  lady.  In  1874,  the  grasshoppers  having  destroyed  the 
crops,  he  went  with  his  team  to  Arkansas  to  work  until  time  to  put  in 
another  crop,  and  was  drowned  in  Horsehead  Creek,  Feb.  27,  1875  ;  it  is 
supposed  he  fell  in  while  having  a  fit  of  epilepsy,  to  which  he  was 
subject,  having  had  his  first  one  in  April,  1864,  soon  after  he  joined  the 
Company. 

George  C.  Farr. — Age  16  ;  born  in  England ;  carpenter  ;  enlisted  from 
Galena,  Oct.  8,  1864  ;  joined  the ,  Company  in  Dec.  1864,  and  served  with 
.-it  until  June  9th,  1865,  when  he  was  transferred  to  the  21st  Illinois  ;  m.  o. 
'Oct.  12,  1865,  at  Victoria,  Texas  ;  resides  at  Spencer,  Iowa. 

Wesley  Grice. — Age  42 ;  born  in  Pennsylvania  ;  cooper ;  enlisted  from 
Galena,  April  3,  1865  ;  joined  the  Company  near  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  in 
April,  1865  ;  was  transferred  to  the  21st  Illinois,  June  9,  1865  ;  served!  with 
•that  Regiment  until  Dec.  16,  1865,  when  he  was  m.  o.  at  San  Antonio, 
Texas  ;  is  farming  at  Ackley,  Iowa. 

Thomas  Grice. — Age  17 ;  born  in  Ashland,  Ohio  ;  cooper  ;  enlisted 
•from  Galena,  111.,  April  3,  1865  ;  joined  the  Company  near  Knoxville, 
Tenn.,  in  April,  1865 ;  was  transferred  to  the  21st  Illinois,  June  9,  1865  ; 
served  with  that  Regiment  until  Dec.  16,  1865 ;  m.  o.  at  San  Antonio, 
'Texas  ;  is  a  cooper  at  Wyandotte,  Kansas. 

Nathaniel  Jones. — Age  40  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  sawyer  ;  enlisted  from 
Galena,  Oct.  8,  1864  ;  was  transferred  to  the  21st  Illinois  Veterans  June  9, 
1865  ;  m.  o.  at  Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  12,  1865. 

John  O.  Jacobs.— Age  24 ;  born  in  Indiana  ;  enlisted  from  Galena, 
111.,  Oct.  7,  1864  ;  engineer ;  was  transferred  to  the  21st  Illinois,  June  9, 
1865 ;  served  with  that  command  until  Oct.  12,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at  Victoria, 
Texas,  and  is  reported  to  have  been  drowned  while  on  his  way  home. 

Barton  C.  Mettz.— Age  28  ;  born  in  Calhoun  County,  111.  ;  harness 
maker ;  enlisted  from  Whiteside  County,  111.,  Feb.  9,  1865  ;  joined  the 


868  HISTOKY  or  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

Company  in  the  spring  of  1865,  in  East  Tennessee ;  was  transferred  to- 
the  21st  Illinois,  June  9,  1865  ;  served  as  Division  harness  maker  most  of 
the  time  until  m.  o.  Dec.  16,  1865,  at  San  Antonio,  Texas ;  is  still  in  the- 
harness  business,  at  Salem,  Nebraska,  where  he  is  an  influential  citizen. 

Millard  M.  Newman. — Age  18  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Galena,  April  10,  1865  ;  was  transferred  to  Company  E,  21st  Illinois, 
June  9,  1865 ;  m.  o.  at  Springfield,  111.,  Aug.  14,  1865  ;  resides  at  Edge- 
wood,  Iowa. 

Philo  D.  Potter. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Oneida  County,  N.  Y.  ;  farmer  ;. 
enlisted  from  Galena,  April  10,  1865  ;  was  transferred  to  Company  E, 
21st  Illinois,  June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at  San  Antonio,  Texas,  Dec.  16,  1865. 

'  John  Powell. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Pennsylvania  ;  enlisted  from  Warren, 
April  4,  1865.  He  had  previously  enlisted  at  the  first  call  for  three 
months  men,  in  April,  1861  ;  and  in  August,  1861,  re-enlisted  in  Company 
"  B  "  45th  Illinois  ;  was  discharged  for  disability  Nov.  10,  1862  ;  recover- 
ing his  health  he  enlisted  in  Company  "H"  April  4,  1865;  was  trans- 
ferred to1  the  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865,  where  he  served  until  Dec.  16, 
1865  ;  m.  o.  at  San  Antonio,  Texas  ;  is  farming  near  Apple  River,  111. 

Reuben  L.  Root.— Age  28 ;  enlisted  from  Galena,  111.,  Oct.  11,  1864  -r 
promoted  to  Corporal  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois.  (See  sketch  of  Second 
'Lieutenant  R.  L.  Root,  this  Company.) 

Lucien  B.  Sanford. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Allegheny  County,  N.  Y.  -r 
farmer ;  enlisted  from  Forreston,  Oct.  8,  1864  ;  was  transferred  to  the 
21st  Illinois  Veterans  June  9,  1865 ;  promoted  to  Corporal  and  served 
with  that  command  until  Oct.  12,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at  Victoria,  Texas  ;  resides 
at  Fountain  City,  Wis. 

Charles  Tucker. — Age  28  ;  born  in  Monroe  County,  N.  Y.  ;  carpenter  ; 
enlisted  from  Courtland  April  4, 1865  ;  was  transferred  to  the  21st  Illinois, 
June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at  San  Antonio,  Texas,  Dec.  16,  1865. 

Nicholas  Thain. — Age  2b  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Derinda,  111.,  Feb.  8,  1865  ;  transferred  to  the  21st  Illinois  Veterans,  June 
9,  1865  ;  served  with  that  organization  until  Dec.  16,  1865,  when  he  was 
honorably  discharged  ;  resides  at  Derinda,  Jo  Daviess  County,  111. 

James  Westwick. — Age  20  ;  bern  in  England  ;  enlisted  from  Galena, 
Oct.  8,  1864 ;  mechanic  ;  joined  the  Company  in  Dec.  1864,  just  prior  to 
the  battle  of  Nashville  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  Veterans,  June  9, 1865  ; 
served  with  that  command  until  Oct.  16,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at  Victoria,  Texas. 
He  went  to  Texas  soon  after  the  war,  and  nothing  has  been  heard  of  him 
s/nce,  except  a  rumor  that  he  went  with  a  party  of  miners  to  Indian 
Territory,  and  that  they  were  all  killed  by  the  Indians. 


SKETCH  or  COMPANY  I.  869 


CHAPTER    XLIX. 


COMPANY     I. 

Ten  days'  Recruiting— A  Change  of  Plans — Full  to  Overflowing— Officers 
chosen — Elizabeth  Leads  the  Van — In  Camp  at  Galena— Non-Com- 
missioned Officers  appointed — Age  and  Nativity  of  the  Men — Their 
Occupations  —  The  Captain  made  Major — Rockford  Reached — At 
John's  Hill  Battery — Other  Detached  Service — Losses  in  Battle — 
The  Company  Recruited — Changes  and  Promotions — The  Number  at 
Muster  out — Record  of  the  Members. 

COMPANY  I  was  mainly  recruited  between  August  1  and 
August  10,  1862.  The  first  enlistment,  so  far  as  the  records 
ishow,  was  that  of  Jerome  B.  Hamilton,  a  school  teacher  in 
•Galena,  whose  name  was  placed  upon  the  muster  roll,  July 
23,  and  who  immediately  set  about  to  recruit  a  Company.  A 
few  days  later  John  Gerome,  of  the  Township  of  Rice,  ob- 
tained a  recruiting  commission  from  Governor  Yates,  and 
early  in  August  began  circulating  among  the  young  men  of 
bis  neighborhood.  The  purpose  of  these  men  was  to  secure 
a  Company,  if  possible,  for  what  afterward  became  the  74th 
Illinois,  and  thus  be  associated  with  Captain  Hicks'  Company, 
which  was  also  intended  for  that  command.  This  purpose 
was  changed  shortly  after  the  call  for  the  second  three  hun- 
dred thousand,  made  August  6,  when  it  was  found  that  several 
additional  Companies  were  likely  to  be  raised  in  Jo  Daviess 
County.  John  C.  Smith,  who  had  enlisted  with  Mr.  Hamil- 
ton, secured  a  recruiting  commission  about  this  time,  and 
having  an  extended  acquaintance  soon  enrolled  a  large  num- 
ber of  men.  John  Barker  and  John  C.  Lee,  both  of  Elizabeth, 
and  other  gentlemen  from  various  towns  in  western  Jo  Daviess 
bounty,  also  assisted  materially  in  the  work.  As  a  result,  the 
Oompany  was  soon  beyond  the  maximum  limit,  and  quite  a 
number,  with  John  C.  Lee  as  their  recognized  leader,  went 
into  what  became  Company  F. 


870  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

The  Company  was  organized  at  Galena,  Monday,  August 
11,  1862,  by  the  election  of  John  C.  Smith  as  Captain,  John- 
Barker  as  First  Lieutenant,  and  John  ~P.  Tarpley  as  Second 
Lieutenant.  There  was  no  contest  over  the  Captaincy,  but 
for  the  Lieutenancies  quite  a  spirited  rivalry  occurred.  The 
muster-in  was  by  Captain  George  S.  Pierce,  of  the  United 
States  Army. 

The  Company  went  into  camp  on  the  Fair  Ground  about 
the  middle  of  August,  but  was  not  kept  together  closely  until 
about  September  1,  the  men  being  allowed  time  to  close  up 
their  business  affairs  and  prepare  for  the  prolonged  absence 
from  home  that  must  follow  their  departure  for  the  seat  of 
of  war.  The  days  passed  pleasantly  at  Camp  Washburn,  as 
the  fair  ground  was  then  called,  every  day  bringing  many 
visitors.  Francis  P.  Quinn,  who  had  served  a  term  of  four 
years  in  the  First  IT.  S.  Dragoons,  was  the  principal  drill 
master,  but  others  soon  learned  the  rudiments  and  came  to- 
his  assistance. 

During  the  stay  at  this  camp  the  non-commissioned  officers" 
were  appointed,  as  follows  :  First  Sergeant,  John  M.  Wood- 
ruff; Sergeants,  Thomas  J.  Smith,  Whiting  C.  Woolsey, 
Francis  P.  Quinn,  and  Jerome  B.  Hamilton  ;  Corporals, 
George  Marshall,  John  Reynolds,  George  W.  Roberts,  John, 
Long,  Arthur  Spare,  William  B.  Goss,  Henry  Bonitell  and 
George  Dawson. 

Some  statistics  relating  to  the  Company  may  be  of  interest. 

Of  the  original  Company,  twenty -four  were  born  in  Jo- 
Daviess  County,  and  five  others  in  Illinois  ;  twelve  were  born 
in  Ireland,  ten  in  New  York,,  eight  in  England,  six  in  Penn- 
sylvania, five  in  Wales,  four  in  Germany,  three  in  Missouri,, 
two  each  in  Ohio,  Maryland,  Virginia,  Canada,  and  Scotland, 
and  one  each  in  Indiana,  Wisconsin,  New  Jersey,  Francer 
and  Australia. 

The  average  age  was  about  twenty-four  years  and  six 
months;  thirteen  were  eighteen  years  or  under,  ten  were 
nineteen,  eight  were  twenty,  seven  were  twenty-one,  five  were 
twenty-two,  eleven  were  twenty-three,  four  were  twenty-four, 
seven  were  twenty-five,  seven  were  twenty-six,  two  were 


SKETCH  OF  COMPANY  I.  871 

twenty-seven,  three  were  twenty-eight,  one  was  twenty-nine,, 
six  were  thirty,  and  twelve  ranged  from  thirty-one  to  forty- 
four  ;  fifty-three  of  the  number  were  farmers,  ten  were  miners, 
five  were  builders,  three  were  teachers,  and  the  others  repre- 
sented almost  every  calling  conceivable. 

The  township  of  Elizabeth  furnished  thirty-one  ;  Galena, 
twenty-four  ;  Derinda,  six  ;  Pleasant  Valley,  five  ;  Rice,  four  ; 
Council  Hill,  Woodbine,  Stockton,  Hanover,  Thompson,  and 
Berryman,  three  each  ;  Guilford,  two  ;  and  Rush,  Sand 
Prairie,  and  Smelzer's  Grove,  one  each.  Of  the  thirty-six 
recruits  who  joined  the  Company  during  1864-5,  nineteen  were 
from  Elizabeth,  four  each  from  Derinda,  Dunleith  and  Chi- 
cago, three  from  Galena,  and  two  from  Hanover.  More  than 
ope-half  of  these  were  farmers,  and  a  half  dozen  were  miners. 

In  the  contest  for  the  election  of  Field  Officers,  the  Com- 
pany had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  its  own  Captain  made  Major  ; 
whereupon  First  Lieutenant  John  Barker  was  made  Captain  ; 
Second  Lieutenant  John  P.  Tarpley  was  made  First  Lieutenant ; 
and  George  Moore  was  made  Second  Lieutenant ;.  all  three  of 
these  being  from  Elizabeth. 

The  Company  went  to  Rockford,  with  five  other  Compa- 
nies from  Jo  Daviess  County,  on  Thursday,  September  4,  and 
the  following  day  became  a  part  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  REGI- 
MENT, being  assigned  as  Company  I.  Its  experiences  at  Camp 
Fuller  were  not  unlike  those  of  the  other  Companies  of  the 
Regimept,  and  need  not  be  recited  in  detail.  Its  first  detached 
service  was  in  October,  1862,  when  it  was  assigned  to  duty  at 
John's  Hill  Battery,  near  Newport,  Kentucky,  doing  guard 
duty  by  itself  tor  about  a  fortnight,  without  incident  worthy 
of  especial  note.  November  20,  1862,  Company  I,  together 
with  Company  C,  was  again  detached  from  the  Regiment, 
and  sent  from  Harrodsburg  to  Danville,  Ky.,  and  assigned  to 
duty  in  the  village,  on  patrol  guard.  Ten  days  later  the  Regi- 
ment marched  to  Danville,  and  the  Company  went  into  camp 
with  the  Battalion. 

December  30,  1862,  this  Company,  together  with  Company 
B,  was  sent  from  Danville  to  Hickman  Bridge,  making  a 
rapid  march  in  a  severe  storm,  arid  'suffering  severely  from 


872  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  1. 

cold  and  exposure,  until  January  3,  1863,  when  it  returned  to 
Danville.  The  only  other  detached  service  that  is  recalled 
was  in  the  autumn  of  1863,  when  it  guarded  a  wagon  train 
from  Chattanooga  to  Bridgeport  and  return,  making  a  long, 
hard  march  over  mountainous  roads,  and  being  absent  a  little 
more  than  a  week. 

The  Company  bore  well  its  part  in  all  of  the  campaigns 
and  battles  of  the  command,  and  sustained  severe  losses. 
At  Chickamauga,  John  Adams,  Truman  F.  Bennett,  Henry 
Bonitell,  John  Bowman  and  Gains  W.  Young  were  killed,  or 
so  ^severely  wounded  as  to  live  but  a  few  hours.  George 
Evans,  John  Fablinger,  James  Hutchinson,  Francis  S.  Koontz, 
Daniel  Malone,  Frank  M.  Pogue,  Thomas  Reynolds,  August 
Steimlie,  Hugh  "Williams  and  Benjamin  B.  Wilson  were 
wounded.  While  on  Moccasin  Point,  a  few  days  later,  Ser- 
geant John  Reynolds  was  struck  by  a  spent  ball  and  quite 
severely  hurt. 

At  Lookout  Mountain,  Lieutenant  George  W.  Moore  was 
wounded  in  the  leg,  Harrison  Gage  in  the  arm,  and  Daniel 
Malone  in  the  leg. 

At  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  May  9,  1864,  George  Topping  was 
wounded  in  the  face,  his  jaw  being  fractured. 

At  Resaca,  May  14,  1864,  Thomas  J.  Smith  was  shot 
through  both  legs  and  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  He 
was  recaptured  two  days  later  and  taken  to  the  field  hospital, 
where  he  died  June  9. 

In  a  skirmish  near  Kingston,  May  19,  1864,  John  E.  Evans 
was  wounded  in  the  foot.  At  New  Hope  Church,  May  29, 
1864,  Edgar  C.  Langdon  was  wounded  in  the  hand.  In  the 
engagements  about  Kenesaw  Mountain  Sergeant  John  B. 
Reynolds  was  wounded  in  the  neck  and  shoulder,  Sergeant 
George  Dawson  in  the  head,  Corporal  Harrison  Gage  in  the 
back,  William  Bell  in  the  hand,  and  Peter  Damphouse  in  the 
arm. 

In  an  engagement  near  Atlanta,  August  19,  1864,  Corpo- 
ral Robert  D.  Tarpley  was  wounded  in  the  arm,  and  Corporal 
Charles  Shaw  in  the  side.  Hugh  Williams  was  captured  while 
out  with  some  foragers,  August  2,  1864,  and  taken  to  Ander- 


SKETCH  OF  COMPANY  I.  873 

sonville  and  Florence,  dying  at  the  latter  place  November  29, 
1864. 

At  Lovejoy's  Station,  September  2,  1864,  Patrick  Hewitt 
was  killed.  These  embrace  all  of  the  battle  casualties,  as  far 
as  they  have  been  gathered,  of  men  actually  with  the  Com- 
pany ;  but  First  Sergeant  Woodruff,  who  had  been  promoted 
to  First  Lieutenant  and  Adjutant  in  a  colored  Regiment,  was 
killed  at  the  battle  of  Nashville,  December  16,  1864  ;  Sergeant 
Francis  P.  Quinn,  Who  was  appointed  Sergeant -Major  at  the 
organization  of  the  Regiment,  but  who  was  always  looked 
upon  as  a  member  of  the  Company,  was  desperately  wounded 
at  Chickamauga,  and  for  a  few  days  a  prisoner  in  the  hands  of 
the  enemy  ;  he  subsequently  went  home  on  furlough  and  was 
accidentally  drowned  in  Chicago,  in  January,  1864. 

Ten  of  the  original  members  of  the  Company  died  from 
disease  during  their  term  of  service  ;  one  recruit  died  just 
after  being  transferred  to  the  21st  Illinois,  after  the  muster- 
out  of  the  Company,  and  one  while  en  route  to  the  command. 
One  man  deserted  in  1863,  and  one  recruit,  who  had  once 
deserted  and  been  apprehended,  attempting  to  desert  a  second 
time,  was  shot  and  killed  by  the  guard  while  on  his  way  to 
the  command. 

Following  Chickamauga,  Captain  Barker  resigned,  where- 
upon First  Lieutenant  Tarpley  was  made  Captain,  and  Second 
Lieutenant  Moore  was  promoted  to  First  Lieutenant.  The 
Company  being  below  the  minimum  number  no  Second  Lieu- 
tenant was  commissioned  at  that  time.  In  the  spring  of  1864, 
Lieutenant  Moore  was  assigned  to  duty  as  Regimental  Quar- 
ter-Master, and  First  Sergeant  Thomas  J.  Smith  was  commis- 
sioned First  Lieutenant,  his  papers  not  arriving,  however, 
until  after  his  death  from  wounds  received  at  Resaca.  First 
Sergeant  George  Marshall  was  promoted  to  First  Lieutenant 
to  date  June  9,  1864,  but  was  not  mustered  until  the  following 
December.  A  number  of  recruits  arriving  in  November  and 
December,  1864,  the  Company  was  again  above  the  minimum 
number,  and  First  Sergeant  John  Long  was  commissioned 
Second  Lieutenant. 

Twenty-six  different  men  were  non-commissioned  officers 


874:  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'rn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

in  the  Company.  Only  twelve  were  discharged  for  disability 
other  than  wounds,  and  but  two  were  transferred  to  the 
Veteran  Reserve  Corps — much  less  than  the  average  number. 

Twenty-four  of  the  recruits  were  transferred  to  Company 
I,  21st  Illinois,  June  9,  1865,  and  went  to  Texas  with  that 
command. 

Fifty  of  the  original  Company  were  present  at  the  final 
muster  out  .at  Nashville,  June  10,  1864,  and  nine  of  the 
recruits  whose  terms  of  service  were  soon  to  expire  were  per- 
mitted to  return  home  with  the  three  years'  veterans.  In  the 
individual  sketches  which  follow  it  is  attempted  to  give  a 
concise  statement  of  the  history  of  each  member  of  the 
Company. 

THE  COMPANY  ROSTER. 

Captain  John  C.  Smith. — Age30  ;  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  contractor 
and  builder  c  enlisted  from  Galena  ;  elected  Captain  at  the  organization 
of  the  Company  and  Major  at  the  organization  of  the  Regiment. — (See- 
Roster  of  Field  and  Staff.) 

Captain  John  Barker. — Age  27 ;  born  in  Canada  ;  bookkeeper  ;  en- 
listed from  Elizabeth  ;  elected  First  Lieutenant  at  the  organization  of  the 
Company,  and  Captain  upon  the  promotion  of  Captain  Smith  to  be 
Major  ;  resigned  Oct.  6,  1863  ;  address,  Scribner,  Nebraska. 

Captain  John  P.  Tarpley.— Age  30  ;  born  in  St.  Francis,  Mo. ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Elizabeth  ;  elected  Second  Lieutenant  at  the  organization 
of  the  Company,  and  First  Lieutenant  at  the  organization  of  the  Regi- 
ment ;  promoted  to  Captain  October  6,  1863  ;  participated  in  all  of  the 
engagements  of  the  command  except  Chickamauga,  and  won  the  respect 
of  all  for  courage  and  ability  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  proprietor  of  a 
hotel  in  Falls  City,  Nebraska. 

First  Lieutenant  George  W.  Moore. — Age  23  ;  born  in  Ireland;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Elizabeth  ;  elected  Second  Lieutenant  at  the  organization 
of  the  Regiment ;  promoted  to  First  Lieutenant  Oct.  6,  1863  ;  commanded 
the  Company  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  ;  at  Lookout  Mountain  com- 
manded Company  C,  and  was  severely  wounded  in  the  leg,  being  disabled 
for  several  weeks  ;  assigned  to  duty  as  Quarter-Master  of  the  Regiment 
Feb.  12,  1864,  serving  in  that  capacity  until  the  close  of  the  war ;  m.  o. 
with  Regiment.  Is  farming  at  Essex,  Iowa. 

First  Lieutenant  John  M.  Woodruff. — Age  26  ;  born  in  Worthington, 
Ohio  ;  was  Principal  of  one  of  the  public  schools  of  Galena  ;  appointed 
First  Sergeant  at  organization  of  the  Company  ;  participated  in  the  battle 
of.  Chickamauga  with  the  Regiment ;  discharged  Oct.  25,  1863,  for  pro- 
motion as  First  Lieutenant  in  a  colored  Regiment,  and  was  killed  while 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  I.  875 

acting  as  Adjutant,  in  an  assault  upon  Overton  Hill,  at  the  battle  of 
Nashville,  Tenn.,  Dec.  16,  1864. 

First  Lieutenant  Thomas  J.  Smith. — Age  36  ;  born  in  Pennsylvania  ; 
carpenter ;  enlisted  from  Galena ;  appointed  Second  Sergeant  at  the 
organization  of  the  Company  ;  promoted  to  First  Sergeant  Oct.  26,  1863  ; 
participated  in  all  of  the  engagements  of  the  Regiment  until  fatally 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  14,  1864  ;  his  wound,  which 
was  through  both  lower  limbs,  was  received  as  the  left  wing  of  the 
Union  army  was  driven  back,  and  he  was  left  in  the  enemy's  hands, 
remaining  a  prisoner  two  days  and  until  the  rebels  were  forced  to  leave 
the  field,  when  he  was  re-taken  and  conveyed  to  hospital  at  the  village  of 
Resaca,  where  he  died  June  9, 1864.  He  had  previously  been  recommended 
for  promotion  to  the  rank  of  First  Lieutenant,  and  his  commission  was 
issued  but  did  not  reach  the  Regiment  until  after  his  death  ;  was  a  brother 
of  Col,  J.  C.  Smith. , 

First  Lieutenant  George  Marshall. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Rock  Island, 
111.,  miner  ;  enlisted  from  Elizabeth  ;  appointed  First  Corporal  at  the 
organization  of  the  Company  ;  pr6moted  to  Sergeant  and  First  Sergeant, 
and  commissioned  First  Lieutenant  to  date  June  9,  1864,  but  not  mustered 
as  such  until  Dec  20,  1864 ;  was  wounded  in  the  hand  at  the  battle  of 
Chickamauga  ;  was  rarely  absent  from  the  command,  and  a  popular  arid 
efficient,  officer  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  engaged  in  the  hardware  busi- 
ness at  Storm  Lake,  Iowa. 

Second  Lieutenant  John  Long. — Age  24  ;  born  in  Castleton,  Ireland  ; 
harness  maker  ;  enlisted  from  Elizabeth  ;  appointed  Fourth  Corporal  at 
the  organization  of  the  Company  ;  promoted  to  Sergeant  and  First  Ser- 
geant, and  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant  March'  11, 1865  ;  participated 
in  nearly  every  engagement  of  the  command  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment  V 
died  at  Elizabeth,  111.,  Dec.  13,  1881. 

First  Sergeant  Arthur  Spare.— Age  20  ;  born  in  Galena,  111.  ;  farmer  \ 
enlisted  from  Galena";  appointed  Fifth  Corporal  at  the  organization  of 
the  Company  ;  promoted  to  Sergeant  and  First  Sergeant ;  participated  in 
all  of  the  engagements  of  the  Regiment  but  was  never  wounded,  although 
his  clothing  was  more  than  once  cut  by  bullets  ;  in.  o.  with  Regiment  ; 
is  farming  near  Manchester,  Iowa. 

Sergeant  Whiting  C.  Woolsey. — Age  28 ;  born  in  New  York  ;  plas- 
terer ;  enlisted  from  Galena  ;  appointed  Third  Sergeant  at  the  organization, 
of  the  Company  ;  discharged  for  disability  at  Danville,  Ky_,  March  7, 
1863.  Resides  in  Batavia,  N.  Y. 

Sergeant  Francis  P.  Quinn.— Age  28  ;  born  in  Waterford,  N.  Y.  ; 
saddler  ;  promoted  to  Sergeant-Major  (See  Roster  of  Non-Commissioned 
Staff). 

Sergeant  Jerome  B.  Hamilton.— Age  25  ;  born  in  Cataraugus  County, 
N.  Y.  ;  teacher  ;  enlisted  from  Galena  ;  appointed  Fifth  Sergeant  at  the 
organization  of  the  Company  ;  discharged  for  disability  at  Nashville, 
Tenn.,  May  26,  1863. 


876  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

Sergeant  John  Reynolds. — Age  23  ;  born  in  Bonmahon,  Ireland  ; 
wagon  maker;  enlisted  from  Elizabeth  ;  appointed  Second  Corporal  at  the 
organization  of  the  Company  ;  promoted  to  Sergeant  Feb.  10,  1863  ;  par- 
ticipated in  nearly  every  engagement  of  the  command  ;  at  Moccasin 
Point  was  knocked  down  by  a  bullet  which  struck  him  in  the  shoulder, 
but  was  not  seriously  injured  ;  and  in  one  of  the  battles  near  Kenesaw 
Mountain,  June  17,  1864,  was  wounded  in  the  neck  and  breast ;  although 
not  so  disabled  as  to  keep  him  long  from  the  command,  the  injury  proved 
serious  and  resulted  in  a  lung  disease  from  which  he  died  ;  m.  o.  with 
Regiment ;  died  at  Elizabeth,  111.,  March  22,  1885. 

Sergeant  George  Dawson. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.  ; 
farmer ;  enlisted  from  Elizabeth  ;  appointed  Eighth  Corporal  at  the 
•ouganization  of  the  Company  ;  promoted  to  Sergeant  in  May,  1864  ;  par- 
ticipated in  every  engagement  of  the  Regiment  up  to  and  including 
Kenesaw  Mountain,  and  was  also  at  Franklin  'and  Nashville  ;  was 
wounded  in  the  head  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  June  21,  1864,  and  disabled 
for  one  month  ;  never  absent  from  the  command  except  at  that  time  ; 
was  a  brother  of  Lieutenant  Dawson  of  Company  F  ;  m.  o.  with  Regi- 
ment. Resides  at  Hanover,  111. 

Sergeant  Moses  Furlong. — Age  23  ;  born  in  Jersey  City,  N.  J.  ;  tin- 
smith ;  enlisted  from  Galena  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  and  Sergeant ;  was 
seldom  absent  from  the  command  and  took  part  in  many  engagements, 
but  escaped  wounds  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment ;  resides  at  North  Auburn, 
Neb. 

Sergeant  John  C.  Darr. — Age  26  :  born  in  Pennsylvania  ;  carpenter  ; 
•enlisted  from  Pleasant  Valley  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  and  Sergeant ;  took 
part  in  many  engagements  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment ;  died  in  Kansas  about 

1882. 

Corporal  George  W.  Roberts. — Age  22  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County, 
111.  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from  Derinda ;  appointed  Third  Corporal  at  the 
organization  of  the  Comrjany  ;  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  April  26,  1863. 

Corporal  William  B.  Goss. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Carroll  County,  111., 
miner  ;  enlisted  from  Galena  ;  appointed  Sixth  Corporal  at  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  Company  ;  had  previously  been  in  the  service  for  eight  months 
with  the  45th  Illinois  ;  participated  in  nearly  all  of  the  engagements  of 
the  command,  but  escaped  wounds  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment  ;  subsequently 
enlisted  in  the  Regular  Army,  serving  until  disabled  by  the  fracture  of  a 
limb  ;  is  mining  near  Galena,  111. 

Corporal  Henry  Bonitell. — Age  25  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.  ; 
farmer ;  enlisted  from  Rush  ;  missing  at  battle  of  Chickamauga  and 
undoubtedly  killed. 

Corporal  Thomas  E.  Moore.— Age  25  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  teacher  ; 
•enlisted  from  Hanover  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  ;  participated  in  the  battles 
of  Chickamauga  and  Lookout  Mountain,  and  in  the  early  engagements 
of  the  Atlanta  campaign,  but  escaped  wounds ;  was  then  detailed  to 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  I.  877 

assist  his  brother,  who  was  Quarter -Master,  and  remained  in  that  service 
until  the  close  of  the  war  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  merchandizing  at 
Galena,  111. 

Corporal  George  Green. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Racine  County,  Wis.  ; 
wagon  maker ;  enlisted  from  Elizabeth ;  promoted  to  Corporal  ;  dis- 
charged for  disability  at  Nashville,  June  26, 1863  ;  subsequently  re-enlisted 
in  another  regiment  and  served  to  the  close  of  the  war  ;  is  farming  at 
Ash  Creek,  Minn. 

Corporal  Robert  D.  Tarpley.— Age  26  ;  born  in  St.  Francis,  Mo.  ; 
miner  ;  enlisted  from  Elizabeth  ;  promoted  to  Corporal ;  was  in  all  of 
the  engagements  until  severely  wounded  in  the  arm  near  Atlanta,  Aug. 
19,  1864  ;  partially  recovered  and  was  on  detached  duty  most  of  the  time 
until  the  close  of  the  war  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment ;  was  a  brother  of  Cap- 
tain Tarpley  ;  is  farming  at  Utica,  Mo. 

Corporal  William  C.  Travis. — Age  35  ;  born  in  Fulton,  N.  Y.  ;  civil 
engineer  ;  enlisted  from  Galena  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  ;  discharged  from 
hospital  at  Nashville  May  30,  1865  ;  continued  in  poor  health  and  died  in 
Galena  shortly  after  the  war. 

Corporal  Charles  Shaw. — Age  31  ;  born  in  England  ;  farmer;  enlisted 
from  Elizabeth  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  and  served  with  the  Color  Guard 
at  the  battle  of  Lookout  Mountain  and  much  of  the  time  following ; 
participated  in  nearly  every  engagement,  and  was  wounded  in  the  side 
near  Atlanta,  Ga.,  August  19,  1864  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment ;  is  farming  at 
Elizabeth.  111. 

Corporal  Harrison  Gage. — Age  35  ;  born  in  England  ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Stockton  ;  participated  in  nearly  every  engagement ;  was 
struck  in  the  arm  at  Lookout  Mountain,  and  again  wounded  at  Kenesaw 
Mountain,  June  19,  1864  ;  was  rarely  sick  during  his  entire  term  of  ser- 
vice, but  while  awaiting  pay  at  Chicago,  after  the  muster  out  of  the 
Regiment,  was  taken  ill,  and  died  at  Camp  Douglas,  in  the  latter  part  of 
June,  1865. 

Corporal  Alfred  B.  Foster.— Age  24  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.  ; 
farmer ;  enlisted  from  Thompson  ;  promoted  to  Corporal ;  was  almost 
constantly  with  command,  but  escaped  wounds  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment ; 
is  farming  at  Clay  Centre,  Kansas. 

Corporal  John  Hill. — Age  22  ;  born  in  England  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Elizabeth  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  ;  after  serving  almost  constantly 
with  the  Regiment,  and  participating  in  numerous  engagements,  was 
taken  ill  at  the  close  of  the  Atlanta  campaign,  and  died  at  Atlanta,  £Ja., 
September  23,  1864. 

Corporal  George  Topping. — Age  26  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Hanover  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  ;  at  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  Ga., 
was  struck  by  a  bullet  in  the  face,  his  jaw  being  fractured,  but  was  only 
absent  about  a  month  ;  still  carries  quite  a  scar  ;  participated  in  every 


878  HISTOKY  OF  THE  96xH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

engagement  except  those  occurring  during  that  brief  absence  ;   m.  o. 
with  Regiment ;  is  farming  near  Hanover,  111. 

Corporal  Francis  Koontz. — Age  23  ;  born  in  Strasbourg,  France  ; 
marble  cutter ;  enlisted  from  Galena  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  ;  was 
wounded  in  the  breast  at  Chickamauga,  but  not  long  disabled  ;  partici- 
pated in  nearly  every  engagement  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment ;  is  farming  at 
Roca,  Lancaster  County,  Neb. 

Corporal  Thomas  McDonough. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer ; 
enlisted  from  Galena  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  ;  participated  in  numerous 
•engagements,  but  escaped  wounds  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment  ;.js  at  Little 
Hockeys,  Chateau  County,  Montana. 

Corporal  Thomas  B.  Bray.— Age  27  ;  born  in  England  ;  tinner;  en- 
listed from  Elizabeth  ;  was  detailed  with  Pioneer  Corps,  April  7,  1863, 
and  transferred  to  Company  A,  1st  Regiment  U.  8.  V.  V.  Engineers,  July 
18,  1864,  and  appointed  First  Corporal  ;  served  with  that  command  until 
the  close  of  the  war;  m.  o.  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  June  26,  1865  ;  is  a 
-merchant  at  Elizabeth,  111. 

Christian  Abbey  (Obley). — Age  23;  born  in  Germany;  tailor ;  en- 
listed from  Berryman  ;  participated  in  several  engagements  ;  m.  o.  with 
Hegiment ;  is  farming  at  Loran,  Stephenson  County,  111. 

John  Adams. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  enlisted  from  Galena  ; 
desperately  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  and  left  upon  the 
field,  doubtless  dying  in  a  few  hours. 

William  P.  Beck. — Age  39  ;  born  in  Lewis  County,  N.  Y.  ;  tailor  ; 
enlisted  from  Galena  ;  discharged  for  disability,  September  20,  1863  ;  is 
farming  at  Parker,  Turner  County,  Dakota. 

William  Bell. — Age  18 ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.;  farmer; 
enlisted  from  Guilford  ;  was  in  nearly  every  engagement,  and  was 
wounded  in  left  hand  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  June  18,  1864  ;  m.  o.  with 
Hegiment  ;  is  teaming  at  Fulton,  111. 

John  Bennett. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Knox  County,  111.  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Elizabeth  ;  died  at  Hospital  No.  3,  Nashville,  Tenn.,  March  25, 
1863. 

Truman  F.  Bennett. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Allegheny  County,  N.  Y.  ; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Thompson;  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga, 
Sept.  20,  1863. 

William  H.  Bevard. — Age  28  ;  born  in  York  County,  Pa.  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Rice  ;  was  in  several  engagements  ;  died  in  hospital  at 
Nas&ville,  Tenn..  August  6,  1864. 

John  Bowman. — Age  40  ;  born  in  Scotland,  miner  ;  enlisted  from 
Elizabeth  ;  killed  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  Sept.  20,  1863. 

Almon  Brower.— Age  19  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111. ;  farmer  ; 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  I.  879 

enlisted  from  Stockton  ;  was  in  nearly  every  engagement  ;  m.  o.  with 
Regiment ;  is  farming  at  Pitcherville,  111. 

John  Byers. — Age  23 ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Hanover  ;  was  always  with  the  command  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment ;  resides 
at  Marysville,  California. 

Dennis  Crowley. — Age  23  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Pleasant  Valley  ;  was  in  many  engagements,  but  escaped  wounds  ;  was 
sick  in  hospital,  at  Quincy,  111.,  at  m.  o.  of  Regiment ;  is  farming  at 
Plum  River,  111. 

William  Conley. — Age  23;  born  in  Pike  County,  111.  ;  farmer;  en- 
listed from  Guilford  ;  discharged  for  disability  at  Danville,  Ky.,  Decem- 
ber 29,  1862  ;  is  farming  at  Guilford,  111. 

William  Daly. — Age  39  ;  born  in  Ireland ;  fanner  ;  enlisted  from 
Galena  ;  discharged  for  disability  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  May  18,  1883. 

Peter  Damphouse. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Germany;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Rice  ;  wounded  in  right  arm  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  June  21,  1864  ;  m.  o. 
with  Regiment ;  is  reported  to  reside  in  Colorado. 

Joseph  Dirnberger. — Age  35  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  shoemaker  ;  enlisted 
from  Galena  ;  deserted  February  9,  1863. 

James  Edwards. — Age  44 ;  born  in  Australia  ;  carpenter  ;  enlisted 
from  Galena  ;  discharged  at  Nickajack  Cove,  Ga.,  January  1,  1864  ;  died 
iu  Galena,  December  29,  1880. 

John  E.  Evans. — Age  24 ;  born  in  Wales  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Elizabeth  ;  wounded  in  the  foot  near  Kingston,  Georgia,  May  19,  1864 ; 
m.  o.  with  Regiment ;  entered  the  ministry  after  the  war,  and  is  pastor 
of  a  church,  and  also  postmaster,  at  Woodbine,  Wts>  Jt-ZZ.  c 

George  Evans. — Age  17  ;  born  in  North  Wales  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Galena  ;  participated  in  every  battle  and  skirmish  in  which  the  Regiment 
was  engaged,  and  at  Chickamauga  was  wounded  in  the  neck,  but  not 
disabled  ;  at  Kenesaw  Mountain  had  a  bullet  through  his  haversa«k  ;  was 
never  absent  from  the  Regiment  except  for  about  one  month  in  the 
spring  of  1865,  when  on  detached  service  at  Russellville,  Tennessee  ; 
m.  o.  with  Regiment ;  is  farming  at  Apple  River,  Illinois. 

John  Fablinger. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Maryland  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Sand  Prairie  ;  severely  wounded  in  the  shoulder  at  the  battle  of 
Chickamauga,  and  discharged  at  Jeffersonville,  Ind.,  May  25,  1865;  is 
farming  at  Hanover,  111. 

William  J.  Forbes. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.  ; 
farmer ;  enlisted  from  Pleasant  Valley  ;  was  f urloughed  from  hospital, 
and  died  at  his  home  in  Pleasant  Valley,  111.,  Nov.  29,  1863. 

John  Gerome. — Age  21  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Rice  ;  participated  in  numerous  battles,  but  escaped  wounds  ;  m.  o. 
with  Regiment  ;  died  in  Wisconsin  about  1884. 


880  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'rn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

Abram  Goddard. — Age  25  ;  born  in  Stukely,  Canada  ;  farmer ;  en 
listed  from  Stockton  ;  discharged  for  disability  from  hospital  at  Hunts- 
ville,  Ala.,  March  1,  1865 ;  resides  at  Otter  Creek,  Eau  Claire  County, 
Wis. 

Henry  Goodburn. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111. ;  teamster  ; 
enlisted  from  Council  Hill  j  was  with  the  Regiment  most  of  the  time, 
but  drove  team  for  a  few  months  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment ;  is  farming  at 
Marcus,  Iowa. 

Joseph  Gray.— Age  23  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.  ;  miner  ; 
enlisted  from  Rice  ;  participated  in  numerous  engagements,  but  escaped 
wounds  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment ;  is  a  baker  and  confectioner  at  Cedar 
Falls,  Iowa. 

'  Christopher  Harvey. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.  ; 
teamster  ;  enlisted  from  Council  Hill ;  was  sick  in  hospital  for  a  time, 
and  transferred  to  the  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  July  25,  1864,  serving  in 
that  organization  until  the  close  of  the  war  ;  resides  at  21  Meek  Street, 
Indianapolis,  Indiana. 

Louis  Heck. — Age  26  ;  born  in  Maryland  ;  painter :  enlisted  from 
Galena  ;  was  detailed  as  wagoner  much  of  the  time ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment ; 
died  in  Dubuque,  Iowa,  about  1870. 

Patrick  .Hewitt. — Age  24  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Pleasant  Valley  ;  was  a  brave  and  faithful  soldier,  and  was  killed  in  an 
assault  upon  the  enemy's  lines  at  Lovejoy's  Station,  Ga.,  Sept.  2,  1864. 

Thomas  Hobson. — Age  18  ;  born  in  England  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Council  Hill ;  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  September  12,  1863  ; 
is  farming  near  Sparta,  Wis. 

Thomas  Holland. — Age  22  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Elizabeth  ;  detailed  with  Pioneer  Corps  April  7,  1863  ;  and 
transferred  to  1st  U.  8.  V.  V.  Engineers,  July  25,  1864,  serving  with  that 
command  to  the  clos6  of  the  war ;  is  a  carpenter,  and  resides  at 
Savanna,  111. 

Owen  Hughes. — Age  26  ;  born  in  Wales  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Woodbine  ;  was  in  nearly  every  engagement,  but  escaped  wounds  ;  m.  o. 
with  Regiment  ;  is  farming  at  Woodbine,  111. 

Hugh  R.  Hughes. — Age  29  ;  born  in  Wales  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Woodbine  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment  ;  is  farming  at  Lemars,  Iowa. 

James  Hutchinson. — Age  30  ;  born  in  Scotland  ;  miner  ;  enlisted 
from  Elizabeth  ;  was  severely  wounded  in  the  side  at  Chickamauga,  his 
wound  disabling  him  for  many  months,  but  eventually  rejoined  the 
command  and  was  m.  o.  with  Regiment ;  is  on  a  ranch  at  Hotchkiss, 
Colorado. 

Freeman  Hopkins.— Age  38  ;  born  in  Warren  County,  N.Y.  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Berryman  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment  ;  resides  at  Loran, 
Stephenson  County,  111. 


COMPANY  I. 


Corp'l  THOS    E.  MOOBK. 
WILLIAM  M.  PEBRY. 
Serjr't  W.  C.  WOOI.SEY. 


Oapt.  J.  P.  TAKIM.KY. 
Lieut.  T.  .1.  SMITH. 


Serg't  Major  F.  P.  QUINN. 
Lieut.  GEORGE  MARSHALL. 
W.  W.  MCDONALD. 


ROSTEK  OF  COMPANY  I.  881 

Jasper  N.  Johnson. — Age  25  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111. ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Derinda  ;  was  with  the  command  most  of  the  time  ;  m.  o. 
with  Regiment  ;  resides  at  Hanover,  111. 

Humphrey  Leslie. — Age  22  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Elizabeth  ;  died  in  hospital,  Nashville,  Tenn.,  April  9,  1863. 

William  H.  Long. — Age  43  ;  born  in  Virginia ;  builder ;  enlisted 
from  Galena  ;  discharged  for  disability  at  Danville,  Ky.,  Nov.  23,  1863  ; 
died  in  Missouri  shortly  after  the  war. 

Daniel  Malone. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.  ;  miner ; 
enlisted  from  Elizabeth  ;  was  wounded  in  the  head  at  Chickamauga,  and 
in  the  leg  at  Lookout  Mountain,  but  not  long  disabled  ;  participated  in 
almost  every  engagement ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment  ;  is  mining  at  Eliza- 
beth, 111. 

William  McDonald. — Age  20;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.; 
miner  ;  enlisted  from  Elizabeth  ;  participated  with  the  Regiment  in  the 
battles  of  Chickamauga  and  Lookout  Mountain  ;  was  then  detailed  in 
the  Ambulance  Corps  and  did  excellent  service  throughout  the  Atlanta 
campaign,  and  at  Franklin  and  Nashville  in  assisting  to  carry  wounded 
men  from  the  numerous  battle  fields  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment  ;  has  been 
doing  a  general  merchandizing  business  at  Elizabeth,  111.,  where  he  was 
Postmaster  for  three  years  prior  to  1885 ;  was  elected  Sheriff  of  Jo 
Daviess  Count*  in  1886. 

James  McGregor. — Age  18;  born  in  Virginia;  farmer;  enlisted 
from  Woodbine  ;  was  in  nearly  every  engagement  of  the  command,  but 
escaped  wounds  ;  m.  oywitli  Regiment ;  was  killed  at  Plymouth,  Cali- 
fornia, Nov.  6.  1882,  by  the  explosion  of  a  boiler  at  the  Empire  Stamp 
Mill. 

Michael  Meres. — Age  44  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Derinda  ;  was  at  Chickamauga  and  Lookout  Mountain  ;  died  in  hospital 
at  Bridgeport,  Ala.,  February  14,  1864. 

Otho  Morris.— Age  20  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Elizabeth  ;  was  generally  with  the  command ;  m.  o.  with 
Regiment  ;  is  farming  at  Elizabeth,  111. 

Thomas  L.  McNeil. — Age  30  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  steamboat,  hand  ; 
enlisted  from  Berryman  ;  transferred  to  V.  R.  Corps  July  29,  1864  ;  lives 
near  Lincoln,  Nebraska. 

Charles  Newton. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Ohio  ;  teamster ;  enlisted  from 
Smeltger's  Grove,  Wis. ;  was  generally  with  the  command  ;  m.  o.  with 
Regiment.  Is  farming  at  Calliope,  Iowa. 

John  Noble. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Indiana  ;  miner  ;  enlisted  from  Eliza- 
beth ;  participated  in  several  engagements ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Re- 
sides at  Kirksville,  Mo. 

Oliver  H.  Perry. — Age  40  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  brick-mason  ;  enlisted 
from  Galena  ;  was  detailed  with  Ambulance  Corps,  and  drove  an  ambu- 
56 


882  HISTORY  OF  THE  96rm  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

lance  much  of  the  time  ;  was  in  hospital  for  a  time,  and  discharged  by 
reason  of  the  close  of  the  war  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  May  18,  1863  ;  died  at 
Carson,  Iowa,  March  21,  1882. 

William  M.  Perry. — Age  16 ;  born  at  Galena,  111. ;  school  boy  ;  enlisted 
from  Galena  ;  was  Fifer  with  Regimental  Band  much  of  the  time,  but 
served. as  an  Orderly  to  Gen.  Steedman  for  several  months,  and  in  that 
capacity  had  some  narrow  escapes  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  once 
riding  through  the  Rebel  lines,  and  at  other  times  passing  so  near  them 
as  to  be  a  special  target  ;  returned  to  the  Regiment  when  the  Reserve 
Corps  was  broken  up  ;  although  but  a  mere  lad,  he  passed  through  his 
term  of  service  without  serious  illness,  or  absence  from  the  command; 
in.  o.  with  Regiment.  Has  been  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  many  years, 
and  is  merchandizing  at  Elizabeth,  111. 

Charles  Parker. — Age  23  ;  born  in  Devonshire,  England  ;  blacksmith  ; 
enlisted  from  Derinda ;  was  in  nearly  every  engagement,  but  escaped 
wounds  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  blacksmithing  at  Green  Vale,  111. 

William  Perrin. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Warwickshire,  England  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Council  Hill ;  discharged  for  disability  at  Louisville,  Ky., 
Oct.  8,  1863.  Was  injured  in  a  mine  accident  at  Leadville,  Col.,  in  Ib79, 
causing  his  death,  at  Sheffield,  Iowa. 

Frank  M.  Pogue.— Age  20  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111  ;  potter  ; 
enlisted  from  Elizabeth  ;  was  so  severely  wounded  in  the  leg  at  Chicka- 
mauga as  to  cause  his  discharge, — from  hospital  at  Quincy,  111., — Aug.  7, 
1864.  Is  a  miner  at  Leadville,  Col. 

John  A.  Ransom. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Sangamon  County,  111.;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Elizabeth  ;  absent,  sick,  at  m.  o.  of  Regiment.  Is  farming 
at  Reels,  Iowa. 

Thomas  Reynolds. — Age  17  ;  born  in  Ireland ;  enlisted  as  Private, 
but  was  detailed  as  Drummer,  and  served  with  Regimental  Band  till  the 
close  of  the  war  ;  was  never  absent,  except  for  about  three  weeks  in  the 
spring  of  1863  ;  was  present  and  acted  with  the  Ambulance  Corps  in 
every  engagement  in  which  the  Regiment  participated  ;  at  Chickamauga 
a  bullet  struck  his  blanket,  which  he  carried  in  a  roll  upon  his  shoulder, 
and  penetrated  it,  knocking  him  down  and  bruising  his  shoulder,  but  not 
disabling  him  so  as  to  take  him  from  his  command  ;  was  a  brother  of 
Sergeant  Reynolds  and  Robert  Reynolds,  both  of  this  Company  ;  m.  o. 
with  Regiment.  Is  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Fiddick  &  Reynolds,  boot 
and  shoe  dealers,  Galena,  111. 

John  Schaible. — Age  25  ;  born  in  Pennsylvania  ;  farmer ;  enlisted 
from  Derinda  ;  discharged  for  disability  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  Feb.  9, 1863. 
Is  farming  at  Hanover,  111. 

August  Steimlie. — Age  20 ;  born  in  Baden,  Germany  ;  farmer ;  en- 
listed from  Galena  ;  was  seriously  wounded  in  the  shoulder  at  the  battle 
of  Chickamauga  ;  discharged  from  hospital  by  reason  of  the  close  of  the 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  I.  883 

war,  at  Nashville,  Term.,  May  17,  1865.     Died  at  Apple  River,  111.,  about 
1875. 

Joseph  Spittler. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111. ;  fanner  ; 
enlisted  from  Derinda  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  farming  near  Hanover, 
111. 

Aquilla  C.  Tarpley.— Age  21;  born  in  St.  Francis  County,  Mo.; 
farmer ;  enlisted  from  Elizabeth.  Died  from  small  pox  at  Bridgeport, 
Ala.,  in  February,  1864  ;  was  a  brother  of  Captain  Tarpley. 

Charles  R.  Tippett. — Age  30  ;  born  in  Cornwall,  England  ;  miner  ; 
enlisted  from  Council  Hill  ;  was  generally  with  the  command  ;  m.  o.  with 
Regiment.  Resides  at  White  Oak  Springs,  Wis. 

Samuel  White. — Age  22 ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Elizabeth ;  was  in  numerous  engagements,  but  escaped  wounds ;  m.  o. 
with  Regiment.  Is  farming  near  Elizabeth,  111. 

Robert  White. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Elizabeth  ;  was  almost  always  with  the  command  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment. 
Died  in  Memphis,  Tenn.,  in  1866  ;  was  a  brother  of  Samuel  White. 

Mathew  White. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Elizabeth  ;  was  generally  with  the  command  ;  m.  o.  with 
Regiment.  Is  clerking  in  a  store  at  Barronett,  Barron  County,  Wis. 

John  Williams.— Age  25  ;  born  in  Pennsylvania  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Pleasant  Valley.  Died  at  Danville,  Ky.,  Feb.  IS,  1863. 

Hugh  Williams. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Wales  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Thompson  ;  was  wounded  in  the  side  at  Chickamauga  ;  was  captured  by 
the  enemy  while  out  with  a  foraging  expedition  near  Atlanta,  Ga.,  Aug. 
2,  1864,  and  died  in  prison  at  Florence,  S.  C.,  Nov.  29,  1864 

Benjamin  B.  Wilson.— Age  23;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  I1J.; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Elizabeth  ;  was  severely  wounded  in  the  shoulder 
at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  but  returned  to  the  command  and  took 
part  in  most  of  the  engagements  following  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Re- 
sides near  Modesto,  Cal. 

Thomas  Wright.— Age  21  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  blacksmith  ;  enlisted 
from  Hanover ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Died  in  Nebraska  a  few  years 
since. 

David  Young. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Elizabeth  ;  took  part  in  nearly  every  engagement  ;  m.  o. 
with  Regiment. 

Gains  W.  Young. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.;  farmer  ; 
enlibted  from  Elizabeth  :  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  Sept. 
20,  1S63. 


884  HISTORY  OF  THE  96rrn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 


ROSTER  OF  RECRUITS. 

James  E.  Black. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.;  farmer  ~, 
enlisted  from  Chicago  Feb.  4,  1861,  and  joined  the  Regiment  in  time  to 
participate  in  all  of  the  engagements  of  the  Atlanta  campaign,  and  the 
battles  of  Franklin  and  Nashville  ;  transferred  to  Company  I,  21st  Illinois, 
June  9,  1865,  and  finally  m.  o.  at  San  Antonio,  Texas,  Dec.  16,  1865.  Is 
farming  at  Spring  Valley,  Turner  County,  Dakota. 

Thomas  Craig. — Age  20;  born  in  Marshall,  Clark  County,  111. ;  student ; 
enlisted  from  Elizabeth  Sept.  17,  1864,  joining  the  Regiment  at  Chatta- 
nooga in  October  ;  at  the  battle  of  Franklin  was  captured  by  the  enemy, 
while  on  the  skirmish  line,  and  was  a  prisoner  of  war  until  March  26, 
1865  ;  rejoined  the  command  in  East  Tennessee  in  April  ;  m.  o.  with 
Regiment ;  had  previously  served  three  years  in  Company  I,  19th  Illinois  ; 
was  once  a  prisoner  of  war  for  a  few  days  in  Tennessee,  but  escaped  ;  at 
Chickamauga  was  severely  wounded  in  the  hip,  and  a  prisoner  for  ten 
days  and  until  paroled.  Is  a  liveryman  at  Stockton,  Kansas. 

Joseph  Crummer. — Age  36  ;  born  in  Delaware  ;  merchant  ;  enlisted 
from  Elizabeth  Sept.  17,  1864,  joining  the  Regiment  at  Nashville  ;  dis- 
charged for  disability  at  Chicago  March  18,  1865.  Is  a  minister  in  the  M. 
E.  Church  at  Freeport,  111. 

Samuel  Carson. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Galena,  Oct.  3,  1864,  and  joined  the  command  in  time  to 
participate  in  the  battle  of  Nashville  ;  at  m.  o.  of  Regiment  was  trans- 
ferred to  Company  I,  21st  Illinois,  and  discharged  in  October,  1865.  Is 
farming  at  Alden,  Iowa. 

William  Calvert. — Age  38  ;  born  in  England  ;  carpenter  ;  enlisted 
from  Elizabeth,  Oct.  10,  1864;  transferred  to  the  21st  Illinois,  June  9, 
1865  ;  finally  m.  o.  at  Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  12, 1865.  Resides  at  Stockton, 
Rooks  County,  Kan. 

Andrew  Endress. — Age  22  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Elizabeth,  Sept.  23,  1864 ;  was  in  the  battles  of  Franklin  and  Nashville  ; 
m  o.  with  Regiment.  Died  in  Iowa,  in  January,  1881. 

James  Fielding. — Age  40 ;  born  in  England  ;  miner  ;  enlisted  from 
Elizabeth,  Oct.  10,  1864  ;  was  at  the  battle  of  Nashville  ;  transferred  to 
21st  Illinois,  June  9,  1865 ;  m.  o.  at  Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  12,  1865.  Is 
reported  to  have  been  killed  in  a  mine  explosion  in  Michigan,  about  1875. 

David  (or  Daniel)  B.  Irwin.— Age  23  ;  born  in  Illinois  ;  enlisted  from 
Chicago,  Feb.  4,  1864 ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois,  June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at 
San  Antonio,  Texas,  Dec.  16,  1865.  Is  reported  to  have  died  since  the 
war. 

William  T.  Irwin.— Age  20  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111. ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Elizabeth,  Feb.  28,  1865  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois,  June 
9,  1865  ;  discharged  from  hospital,  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  Aug.  5,  1865.  Re- 
port says  dead: 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  I.  885 

Henry  H.  Johnson. — Age  24  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess County,  111. ;  farmer  ; 
unlisted  from  Deriuda,  111.,  Feb.  8,  1865  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June 
S,  1865 ;  m.  o.  at  San  Antonio,  Texas,  Dec.  16.  1865. 

Josiah  H.  Jackson.— Age  23;  born  in  Fulton  County,  111.;  farmer; 
enlisted  from  Elizabeth  Oct.  10,  1864  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9, 
1865  ;  m.  o.  at  Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  12,  1865. 

Nathan  Johns. — Age  20 ;  born  in  Virginia  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Elizabeth  Sept.  17,  1864,  joining  the  command  at  Chattanooga  in  Octo- 
ber ;  participated  in  the  battles  of  Franklin  and  Nashville ;  m.  o.  with 
Regiment.  Is  farming  at  Elizabeth,  111. 

George  W.  King. — Age  24 ;  born  in  Kentucky  ;  engineer  ;  enlisted 
from  Dunleith  Sept.  17,  1864  ;  was  at  Franklin  and  Nashville  ;  m.  o.  with 
Regiment.  Report  says  has  died  since  the  war. 

Robert  Kilpatrick. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111. ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Hanover  Feb.  25,  1865  ;  transferred  to  the  21st  Illinois  June 
9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at  San  Antonio,  Texas,  Dec.  16, 1865.  Resides  at  Hanover, 
Illinois. 

Edwin  Lane. — Age  28  ;  born  in  Steuben  County,  N.  Y. ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Dunleith  Sept.  17,  1864  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment. 

Henry  Lowry. — Age  21  ;  born  in  England ;  miner ;  enlisted  from 
Elizabeth  Oct.  11,  1864  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at 
Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  12,  1865.  Went  to  Arizona,  and  is  reported  to  have 
died  in  the  far  West. 

Edgar  C.  Langdon. — Age  19;  born  in  Spencerton,  N.  Y.;  farmer; 
enlisted  from  Chicago  Feb.  4,  1864,  joining  the  Regiment  at  the  opening 
of  the  Atlanta  campaign  ;  was  severely  wounded  in  the  left  hand  at 
New  Hope  Church,  May  29,  1864,  and  disabled  ;  discharged  from  hospital 
May  3,  1865. 

George  F.  Miller. — Age  28;  born  in  New  York;  farmer;  enlisted 
from  Derinda  Oct.  11,  1864,  joining  the  Regiment  soon  afterward,  and 
taking  part  with  it  in  the  battle  of  Nashville;  at  m.  o.  of  Regiment  was 
transferred  to  Company  I,  2lst  Illinois,  and  sent  to  Texas,  where  he  had 
a  narrow  escape  from  death  from  the  bite  of  a  venomous  spider ;  dis- 
charged from  the  service  at  Springfield,  111.,  in  January,  1866.  Died  in 
Derinda,  111.,  in  1867. 

Robert  Moore. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Ireland ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Hanover  Feb.  23,  1865 ;  at  m.  o.  of  Regiment  was  transferred  to  Company 
I,  21st  Illinois,  and  was  finally  discharged  at  Springfield,  111.,  in  January, 
1866.  Is  farming  at  Savanna,  111. 

James  Miller. — Age  35;  born  in  Westmoreland,  Tenn.;  miner;  en- 
listed from  Elizabeth  Oct.  11,  1864  ;  was  at  Nashville  ;  transferred  to  the 
21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865;  m.  o.  at  Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  12,  i865.  Re- 
sides near  Storm  Lake,  Iowa. 


886  HISTORY  OF  THE  96rrn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

Charles  T.  Moore. — Age  31  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Elizabeth  Feb.  24,  1865,  joining  the  command  in  East  Tennessee  ;  at  m. 
o.  of  Regiment  was  transferred  to  Company  I,  21st  Illinois  ;  discharged 
at  Springfield,  111.,  Aug.  30,  1865.  Resides  at  Villisca,  Iowa. 

Josiah  Moore. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Elizabeth  Feb.  24,  1865  ;  was  taken  sick  while  on  the  way  to  the  Regi- 
ment, and  died  at  Springfield,  111.,  in  March,  1865  ;  was  a  brother  of  Lieu- 
tenant Moore.  Having  never  joined  the  command  his  name  is  carried 
with  the  "  unassigued  recruits." 

Thomas  P.  Nichols. — Age  18  ;  born  in  England  ;  laborer ;  enlisted 
from  Dunleith  Sept.  17,  1864  ;  was  at  Franklin  and  Nashville  ;  m.  o.  with 
Regiment. 

Abner  Overstreet. — Age  38  ;  born  in  Virginia  ;  miner ;  enlisted  from 
Elizabeth  Sept.  17,  1864,  joining  the  command  in  time  to  participate  in 
the  battles  of  Franklin  and  Nashville  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Died  at 
Elizabeth,  111.,  April  22,  1876. 

James  W.  Paul. — Age  25  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Elizabeth  Sept.  17,  1864  ;  was  at  Franklin  and  Nashville  ; 
m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Resides  at  Rockford,  111. 

Wilson  Pellett. — Age  38  ;  born  in  Chenango  County,  N.  Y. ;  physician  ; 
enlisted  from  Elizabeth  Sept.  17,  1864 ;  was  in  the  battles  of  Franklin 
and  ^Nashville  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Died  several  years  since  in 
Missouri. 

Moses  Rees. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111. ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Elizabeth  Oct.  11,  1864,  and  joined  the  Regiment  in  Decem- 
ber, just  in  time  to  participate  in  the  battle  of  Nashville  ;  at  m.  o.  of 
Regiment  was  transferred  to  Company  I,  21st  Illinois,  and  was  finally 
discharged  in  Texas  Oct.  10,  1865  ;  came  home  and  took  up  the  study  of 
law,  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  is  now  a  practicing  attorney  at  Galena, 
111. 

Robert  Reynolds. — Age  16  ;  bora  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.;  smelter  ; 
enlisted  from  Galena  Oct.  7,  1864  ;  was  at  Nashville  ;  transferred  to  21st 
Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at  Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  12,  1865. 

William  Skellie.— Age  19  ;  born  in  Hillsdale,  Mich. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Derinda  March  16,  1865  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ; 
absent  on  furlough  at  m.  o.  of  that  command.  Resides  near  Mount 
Carroll,  111. 

John  D.  Stone. — Age  20;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.;  farmer; 
enlisted  from  Elizabeth  Oct.  10,  1864 ;  was  at  Nashville  ;  transferred  to 
21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865 ;  m.  o.  at  Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  12,  18H5.  Re- 
sides near  Winfield,  Kansas. 

John  Scott. — Age  34  ;  born  in  England  ;  clerk  ;  enlisted  from  Galena 
Oct.  11,  1864  ;  died  in  hospital  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  in  June,  1865,  just 
after  being  transferred  to  the  21st  Illinois. 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  I.  887 

Edward  Williams. — Age  31  ;  born  in  Clay  County.  Ky. ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Derinda  Feb.  8,  1865  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9, 1865  ; 
m  o.  at  San  Antonio,  Texas,  Dec.  16,  1865. 

William  J.  Williams. — Age  21 ;  born  in  Hawkins  County,  Ky. ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Elizabeth  Oct.  10,  1864  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9, 
1865  ;  m.  o.  at  Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  12,  1865.  Resides  at  Reno,  Nevada. 

Robert  Wright.— Age  31  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Hanover  Feb.  23,  1865  ;  at  m.  o.  of  Regiment  was  transferred  to  Company 
I,  21st  Illinois,  and  sent  to  Texas  ;  was  finally  discharged  at  Springfield, 
111.,  in  January,  1866.  Is  farming  at  Derinda  Center,  111. 

William  F.  Wilson. — Age  32  ;  born  in  Guernsey  County,  Ohio  ; 
miner ;  enlisted  from  Elizabeth,  Oct.  10,  1864 ;  was  at  Nashville  and  in 
the  campaign  following  ;  transferred  to  the  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m. 
o.  at  Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  12,  1865.  One  reports  that  he  died  at  Silver 
City,  Montana,  a  few  years  since  ;  another  reports  him  a  resident  of 
California. 

Thomas  White. — Age  19;  born  in  Illinois  ;  farmer;  enlisted  from 
Chicago  Feb.  4,  1864,  but  resided  in  Elizabeth  ;  joined  the  command  in 
time  to  participate  in  the  battles  of  the  Atlanta  campaign,  and  Franklin 
and  Nashville  ;  at  m.  o.  of  Regiment  was  transferred  to  Company  I,  21st 
Illinois,  and  finally  discharged  at  Springfield,  111.,  in  January,  1866.  Died 
at  Hanover,  111.,  in  1871. 


888  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'm  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 


CHAPTER 


COMPANY  K. 
BY  HON.    GEORGE   W.   PEPOON. 

The  Tenth  Company — The  Eastern  Part  of  Jo  Daviess  County  Raises 
Two  Companies  —  Warren,  Rush  and  Nora  Fill  One  to  Over- 
flowing— Officers  Chosen — Warren  the  Headquarters — Flag  Presenta- 
'  tions— Sent  to  Rockford — The  Captain  Chosen  Colonel — A  Private 
Elected  Captain— "K"  is  the  Letter  Drawn — Occupying  Fort  Shaler 
— First  Experience  with  a  Rebel  Shell  —  Chickamauga  Losses  — 
Other  Casualties. 

THE  northeastern  part  of  Jo  Daviess  County  was  settled 
largely  by  emigrants  from  Ohio  and  New  York  whose  ances- 
tors came  from  New  England  or  the  Eastern  States.  These 
people  were  patriotic  and  brave,  and  many  of  them  gloried  in 
being  called  Abolitionists.  So  when  the  call  came  for  300,000 
more  in  the  summer  of  1862,  it  took  but  a  few  days  to  fill  a 
Company  to  overflowing,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  .three 
Companies  had  already  gone  from  our  midst,  viz.,  Company 
E,  loth  Illinois  ;  Company  B,  45th  Illinois  ;  and  Company 
G,  3d  Missouri  Cavalry. 

Thomas  E.  Champion,  a  lawyer  of  Warren,  and  G.  W. 
Pepoon  did  most  of  the  recruiting  at  Warren,  and  Edward  E. 
Townsend  at  Rush,  while  several  parties  did  good  work  at 
Nora.  When  the  Company  was  full  others  who  enlisted 
joined  Company  H.  By  common  consent  Thomas  E  Cham- 
pion was  elected  Captain  ;  E.  E.  Townsend,  of  Rush,  First 
Lieutenant ;  and  G.  W.  Pepoon,  of  Warren,  Second  Lieuten- 
ant, although  there  was  quite  a  contest  for  the  latter  place,  as 
Nora  claimed  the  Second  Lieutenancy  on  account  of  having 
given  a  good  many  men  to  the  Company.  The  farmer  boys 
remained  at  home  and  secured  the  harvest,  although  about 
the  middle  of  August  the  fair  grounds  at  Warren  were  occu- 
pied, the  men  sleeping  in  the  buildings,  the  food  being  sup- 
plied by  T.  D.  Rose,  a  local  merchant,  who  was  liberal  to  a 


SKETCH  OF  COMPANY  K.  880 

fault.  At  first  very  little  sleeping  was  indulged  in,  as  severity- 
five  or  a  hundred  men  could  not  make  up  their  minds  to  go 
•quietly  to  sleep  at  the  same  time.  However,  we  lived  through 
it,  and,  us  a  rule,  enjoyed  the  new  mode  of  life.  Company 
H  was  with  us  at  this  time.  A  little  foraging  was  done,  but 
the  citizens  did  not  seem  to  care  much  for  this  eccentricity. 
C.  N.  Elston,  who  had  previously  served  in  the  15th  Illinois, 
was  the  drill-master,  and  the  men  rapidly  became  soldiers  in 
keeping  step  and  standing  erect.  Before  leaving  Warren,  the 
citizens  presented  beautiful  flags  to  the  two  Companies,  known 
then  as  Champion's  Company  and  Burnett's  Company.  It 
was  a  great  day  for  Warren  and  for  the  soldier  boys,  as  the 
people  flocked  from  the  surrounding  country  and  filled  the 
town  as  it  had  never  been  filled  before. 

Previous  to  going  to  Rockford  a  vote  had  been  taken  by 
the  six  Companies  of  Jo  Daviess  County  for  Colonel  of  the 
Regiment.  There  were  two  candidates  for  this  position — 
Thomas  E.  Champion,  of  Warren,  and  Thomas  A.  Green,  of 
Galena.  The  western  end  of  the  county  furnished  three  Com- 
panies, and  the  eastern  end  the  same  number.  The  contest 
was  a  close  and  exciting  one.  The  writer  was  one  of  the 
judges,  and  took  and  canvassed  the  vote.  The  three  Com- 
panies of  the  west  end  had  250  men,  and  they  all  voted  for 
Captain  Green.  The  other  three  Companies  had  272  votes, 
and  271  voted  for  Captain  Champion.  Thus  our  Company 
lost  a  good  Captain,  and  the  Regiment  gained  a  splendid 
'Colonel. 

On  Thursday,  September  4,  1862,  we  bade  farewell  to  our 
homes,  our  parents,  our  wives  and  sweethearts,  and  took  the 
cars  for  Rockford.  The  cheers  of  the  soldier  boys  and  their 
friends  were  hearty,  though  the  tears  dimmed  the  eyes  of 
many  left  behind,  who  seemed  to  feel  that  this  parting  was 
for  all  time.  At  Rockford  the  six  Companies  from  Jo  Daviess 
County  were  joined  by  four  from  Lake  County,  the  Regiment 
organized,  and  numbered  the  NINETY-SIXTH.  An  election 
was  held  for  Captain  of  our  Company,  and  Timothy  D.  Rose, 
the  merchant  heretofore  mentioned,  was  chosen.  Until  this 
time  he  had  been  a  private.  The  non-commissioned  officers 


890  HISTORY  OF  THE  96™  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

had  been  appointed  before  leaving  Warren,  and  were  as  folL 
lows  :  First  Sergeant — Christopher  C.  Cowen  ;  Sergeants — 
Garrett  W.  Luke,  Wallace  Tear,  Henry  R.  Early  and  Wallace- 
W.  Abbey  ;  Corporals— Chas.  N.  Elston,  Thomas  S.  Leland,. 
Alexander  W.  Conlee,  William  E.  Tilton,  C.  M.  Kinneyr 
Thomas  J.  Carlton,  Albert  F.  Wood  and  Daniel  Sullivan. 
When  lots  were  cast  for  the  letter  of  the  Company  we  drew 
u  K,"  and  henceforth  were  always  the  last, — but  not  the  least 
in  usefulness  or  efficiency, — during  our  three  years'  service. 
The  Company,  while  at  Rockford,  was  drilled  in  a  very  thor- 
ough manner  by  the  Second  Lieutenant,  G.  W.  Pepoon,  who, 
though  never  having  seen  service  before,  was  quick  to  learn 
the  drill,  and,  having  a  sharp,  clear  voice,  could  always  be 
heard,  and  so  the  soldier-like  appearance  of  Company  K  in 
all  their  movements  compared  favorably  with  the  other  Com- 
panies of  the  Regiment.  Jt  was,  in  fact,  a  fine  Company  of 
splendid  young  men.  It  had  among  its  members  those  who 
could  run,  jump  or  wrestle  with  any  in  the  Regiment,  and 
when  it  came  to  singing,  very  few  could  equal  and  none  excel 
it.  It  stood  very  high  as  an  intelligent,  moral  Company, 

Soon  after  reaching  Kentucky,  Company  K  was  sent  to 
garrison  Fort  Shaler.  The  Second  Lieutenant  was  in  com- 
mand one  day  when  the  powder  was  brought  out  of  the  mag- 
azine to  expose  it  to  the  sun,  so  that  it  would  not  become 
damp.  A  large  quantity  had  been  piled  up  all  about  the  door 
of  the  magazine,  and  the  men  were  busy  adding  to  the  store 
of  explosives,  when  a  soldier  came  leisurely  along  smoking  a 
cigar.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  say  that  he  was  ordered  to- 
get  away  from  the  powder  and  shell  in  language  more  vigor- 
ous than  polite. 

While  at  Fort  Shaler  some  of  the  men  of  Company  K  had 
a  very  vivid  object  lesson  in  regard  to  Rebel  shell.  The  story 
shall  be  told  by  First  Sergeant  C.  C.  Cowen  :  "There  were 
known  to  be  a  good  many  guerillas  about,  and  suspicion 
rested  upon  a  certain  party  living  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Fort. 
Some  members  of  Company  K,  who  had  been  treated  by  him 
in  an  insulting  and  defiant  manner,  were  desirous  to  interview 
this  suspected  individual,  and  Captain  Rose,  knowing  my 


SKETCH  OF  COMPANY  K.  89 1 

cautious  tendencies,  told  the  boys  that  they  might  make  the 
scout  if  1  would  accompany  them.  We  set  out, — Chaddock, 
Providence  Williams,  Black,  Jos.  Bowker,  Ben.  Woodworth 
and  myself.  On  arriving  at  the  house  of  this  party,  we  found 
himself  and  two  others.  We  sat  and  talked  a  few  minutes,, 
and,  not  being  able  to  assign  any  cause  f5r  his  arrest,  we 
stepped  out  into  the  yard.  I  went  toward  the  well  to  get  a 
drink  of  water.  Suddenly,  looking  around,  I  saw  Chaddock 
trying  to  hold  a  32-pound  conical  shell  at  arms  length,  several 
of  the  boys  being  near  him.  Being  angered  at  the  unsoldierly 
performance,  and  it  being  instantly  suggested  to  my  mind 
that  it  was  a  trap  (as  I  saw  the  suspected  individual  standing 
about  twenty  yards  oft'  near  the  further  corner  of  the  house 
with  his  wife  near  him,  and  both  looking  as  I  would  imagine 
a  party  would  watch  the  final  drop  at  the  scaffold)  I  hallooed 
to  Chaddock  to  put  it  down.  He  not  doing  so,  I  started 
toward  him,  and,  just  as  I  got  near  him,  he  let  it  drop.  We 
were  all  so  close  together  that  we  had  to  jump  to  save  our 
feet.  This  was  the  last  1  knew  until  I  found  a  couple  of  the 
boys  leading  me  along,  the  blood  blinding  me,  having  been 
hit  over  the  left  eye,  also  in  the  right  leg.  All,  with  one  ex- 
ception, were  severely  wounded,  but  fortunately  all  recovered. 
Ben.  AVoodworth  was  the  only  one  not  touched.  A  piece 
of  the  shell  mortally  wounded  the  suspected  guerrilla,  and 
his  wife  was  badly  cut  in  the  side  of  the  neck.  Seeing 
this,  as  I  came  to  myself,  I  told  the  two  men  before  men- 
tioned, and  who  were  standing  at  the  other  side  of  the 
house  in  a  state  of  stupefaction,  to  go  and  take  care  of  this- 
man  and  woman.  They  started  as  directed,  and  we  proceeded 
on  our  journey  of  a  couple  of  miles  to  the  Fort,  being  met  on 
the  way  by  a  detachment  from  our  Company,  the  report  of 
the  shell  having  been  heard  at  the  Fort." 

From  Covington.  Ky.,'  Company  K,  with  a  part  of  the 
Regiment,  marched  to  Lexington.  This  was  our  first  experi- 
ence in  marching,  and  as  the  roads  were  very  dusty  and  the 
drinking  water  extremely  scarce,  many  of  the  men  became  a 
good  deal  disgusted  with  soldier  life,  though  none  were  dis- 
abled on  this  march.  After  a  short  rest  at  Lexington,  we 


892  HISTORY  OF  THE  96xH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

went  on  to  Harrodsburg,  where  there  are  some  famous 
springs.  Here  we  were  treated  with  great  hospitality  by  the 
loyal  citizens,  and  I  remember  particularly  the  kindness  of  Mr. 
Caldwell,  a  banker  of  that  town.  We  next  went  to  Danville, 
where  a  number  of  the  Company  were  sick  with  measles. 
Robert  Pollard  died  here,  December  19,  1862,  and  as  this 
was  the  first  death  in  the  Company,  it  sobered  us  all  not  a 
little.  Sergeants  Abbey  and  Earley  were  disabled  by  the 
measles,  and  were  never  able  to  again  do  active  duty,  although 
Abbey  was  transferred  to  the  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  and  rose 
to  the  rank  of  Captain,  while  Earley,  poor  fellow,  never  re- 
covered, and  died  from  the  consequences  of  that  disease, 
though  not  until  after  the  war  was  over. 

January  11,  1863,  J.  D.  Lester  died  of  disease,  the  second 
in  the  long  list  of  those  who  fell  in  the  defense  of  the  flag  of 
our  country. 

While  riding  in  a  stage  from  Danville,  Ky.,  to  Lexington, 
the  writer,  who  had  been  detailed  as  Aide-de-Camp  at  Brigade 
Headquarters,  saw  a  most  astonishing  number  of  crows.  All 
the  afternoon  they  were  flying  to  the  right  of  the  road  as  far 
as  the  eye  could  reach,  while  as  many  seemed  to  be  on  the 
left  of  the  road,  all  going  North.  It  is  probable  that  they  had 
been  down  to  the  Ferryville  battle-field  getting  their  dinners 
from  the  horses  and  mules  which  had  been  slain  there. 

Shortly  after  the  battle  of  Stone  River  our  Brigade  was 
ordered  to  Nashville,  Tenn.,  and  Company  K,  of  course,  went 
with  the  Regiment.  We  marched  from  Danville  to  Louis- 
ville, and  this  time  it  was  as  much  too  wet  as  it  had  been  too 
dry  on  our  first  march.  The  Regiment  took  passage  on  steam- 
boats and  enjoyed  the  sights  very  much,  though  the  writer 
was  confined  to  his  bed  most  of  the  way,  as  he  had  taken  a 
violent  cold  on  the  march,  and  had  an  attack  of  pneumonia, 
which  lasted  until  Nashville  was  reached. 

Nothing  of  especial  interest  occurred  until  we  were  sta- 
tioned at  Franklin,  where  we  had  a  skirmish  with  the  enemy. 
At  Triune  we  were  attacked  by  Rebel  cavalry,  and  had  our 
first  experience  of  bursting  shell  fired  at  us  by  a  hostile  foe. 
Horses  and  men  became  somewhat  demoralized.  As  a  shell 


SKETCH  OF  COMPANY  K.         ,  89$ 

came  singing  along  I  saw  a  man  on  horseback  drop  his  head 
as  low  as  possible,  while  at  the  same  time  the  horse  fell  on 
his  knees.  Nothing  of  moment  took  place  until  Estell  Springs 
was  reached,  at  which  place  we  camped  long  enough  for  a. 
good  many  to  get  sick,  and  Charles  Jennings  died.  He  was 
a  young  man  of  very  pleasant  disposition,  and  was  sincerely 
mourned  by  the  whole  Company.  The  march  to  Rossville 
was  a  hard  one,  but  the  men  stood  it  well,  as  they  were 
animated  by  the  expectation  of  something  being  done  in  the 
near  future.  Good  foraging  was  found  at  Rossville,  and  a 
liberal  supply  of  sweet  potatoes,  grapes,  chickens,  etc.,  was 
brought  into  camp.  On  Friday  evening,  September  18,  1863, 
the  Company  went  with  the  Regiment  and  Brigade  to  recon- 
noiter  the  enemy.  Just  at  night  his  skirmish  line  was 
reached,  and  some  fighting  done  that  night  and  the  next  day, 
though  the  Company  lost  no  men.  The  writer  had  a  narrow 
escape,  as  a  shell  struck  a  tree  over  his  head  and  fell  almost 
under  his  horse's  feet,  but  fortunately  did  not  explode.  All 
day  Saturday  and  Sunday  forenoon  we  heard  terrific  firing  to 
the  south,  and  about  noon  we  started  for  the  field  of  battle 
and  death  to  so  many  of  our  brave  boys.  The  agony  of  that 
dreadful  day  can  never  be  told  in  words.  Company  K  did  its 
duty.  From  two  o'clock  p.  M.  until  night  it  stood,  along  with 
other  Companies  of  the  Regiment,  with  its  front  to  the  foe. 
The  following  were  killed  :  Anson  Brinkerhoff,  Joseph  S. 
Bowker,  Mathew  Dunbar,  Michael  Fox  and  Darius  "W. 
Kenney.  Thomas  Porter  died  soon  after  the  battle  from 
wounds.  Lieutenant  E.  E.  Townsend  was  wounded  in  the 
right  arm  ;  First  Sergeant  C.  C.  Cowen  in  the  shoulder,  being 
permanently  disabled  ;  Sergeant  G.  W.  Luke  in  the  head ;. 
Sergeant  C.  N.  Elston  in  the  thigh  ;  Corporal  Wm.  E.  Til  ton 
in  the  side  ;  James  E.  Black  in  the  arm  ;  Edward  Graham  in 
the  right  arm  and  left  hand  ;  C.  W.  JPomeroy  in  the  leg,  being 
disabled  for  one  year ;  Thomas  A.  Conlee  in  the  shoulder  ; 
Curl  Richardson  in  the  leg ;  Henry  Shultz  in  the  left  breast 
and  left  arm,  disabling  him  for  six  months,  and  being  left  on, 
the  battle-field  and  a  prisoner  for  ten  days  ;  Hiram  H.  Hamil- 
ton, left  leg,  and  also  being  a  prisoner  for  ten  days,  and  dis- 


£94  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

abled  for  eight  months.  Thomas  C.  Graves,  in  the  foot, 
being  captured  and  held  as  a  prisoner  seventeen  months  ; 
J.  F.  Champlin  was  also  captured  and  held  as  a  prisoner  for 
several  months  ;  Edward  Graham  in  the  arm  and  thigh,  be- 
ing disabled  five  months  ;  Charles  Smith  had  a  limb  injured 
by  the  fall  of  a  horse  ;  Thomas  Morgan  was  slightly  wounded 
in  the  wrist. 

At  Lookout  Mountain,  November  24,  1863,  Company  K 
was  so  near  the  perpendicular  cliffs  as  to  be  somewhat  pro- 
tected, and  suffered  but  little.  Lieutenant  E.  E.  Townsend 
had  a  bullet  through  his  right  foot,  and  Sergeant  H.  W.  God- 
ding and  Sergeant  Thomas  J.  Carlton  were  each  wounded. 

At  Buzzard  Roost,  or  Dalton,  February  25,  1864,  Ser- 
geant Henry  J.  Harriman  was  killed  by  a  bullet  which  passed 
close  to  the  head  of  the  writer,  who  stood  about  one  hundred 
feet  in  front  of  him. 

At  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  May  9,  1864,  James  Vaughn  was 
killed  ;  Beri  Serviss  so  severely  wounded  as  to  be  compelled 
to  submit  to  the  amputation  of  his  left  leg ;  Edward  Graham 
was  wounded  by  a  piece  of  shell. 

At  Resaca,  May  14,  1864,  the  Company  was  on  the  extreme 
left  of  the  Regiment  when  the  line  was  outflanked  and  com- 
pelled to  fall  back,  and  Sergeant  Thomas  S.  Leland,  Charles 
L.  Courier  and  John  J.  Vroman  were  killed,  their  bodies  fall- 
ing into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  but  being  recovered  two 
days  later. 

At  Dallas,  or  New  Hope  Church,  May  30,  1864,  Albert 
E.  Benton  was  killed  ;  and  on  the  same  line  Sergeant  Daniel 
Sullivan  .and  Edward  Graham  were  each  slightly  wounded. 

In  the  engagements  about  Kenesaw  Mountain,  in  June, 
1864,  Ross  F.  Rayne  was  mortally  wounded,  dying  within  a 
few  hours ;  Corporal  W.  W.  Hoover  was  severely  wounded 
in  the  left  shoulder,  the  bullet  lodging  under  his  left  shoulder 
blade,  where  it  still  remains  ;  James  Hicks  was  wounded  in 
the  right  hand  ;  Wm.  J.  Edwards,  in  the  left  leg ;  W.  W. 
Hughes,  in  the  right  hip  ;  H.  S.  Dean  received  a  scalp  wound  ; 
George  C.  Morse  was  wounded  in  the  head,  and  J.  B.  Jenkins 
was  knocked  over  by  a  piece  of  shell,  but  escaped  serious  injury. 


SKETCH  OF  COMPANY  K.  895 

At  Peach  Tree  Creek,  July  20,  1864,  John  Hay,  Jr.,  had 
liis  right  thigh  fractured,  and  died  at  Chattanooga  August  4. 
Sergeant  Daniel  Sullivan  was  slightly  wounded  in  the  hip. 
Before  Atlanta,  August  19,  1864,  Fred.  Blackmail  was  killed 
in  a  demonstration  on  the  enemy's  works.  At  Nashville,  De- 
cember 16,  1864,  William  Kimble,  a  recruit  who  had  but 
recently  joined  the  Company,  was  mortally  wounded,  dying 
in  hospital  at  .Nashville,  January  12,  1865.  Hamilton  D. 
Crane  was  shot  while  driving  a  team  from  Bridgeport  to 
Chattanooga,  and  conveyed  to  McMinnville,  Tenn.,  where  he 
died  October  10,  1863. 

The  record  shows  that  the  Company  lost  seventeen  in 
killed  or  mortally  wounded,  being  the  largest  number  of  battle 
fatalities  sustained  by  any  Company  in  the  Regiment.  Two 
were  captured  and  remained  prisoners  for  seventeen  months  ; 
twenty-five  were  wounded  ;  six  died  of  disease  ;  five  were 
transferred  to  the  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  and  two  to  the  First 
U.  S.  Veteran  Volunteer  Engineers  ;  thirteen  were  discharged 
for  disability  ;  one  was  promoted  to  Chaplain,  and  one  was 
commissioned  in  another  regiment.  Of  the  one  hundred  men 
comprising  the  original  Company,  fifty  went  home  together 
at  the  close  of  the  war. 

The  Company  received  forty-three  recruits  :  two — Thomas 
O'Conner  and  Morancy  Putnam — while  at  Rockford,  in  Octo- 
ber, 1862  ;  one — Myron  B.  Champion — in  the  spring  of  1864, 
and  forty  at  various  times  during  the  autumn  of  1864  and  the 
spring  of  1865.  Nearly  all  of  these  were  transferred  to  Com- 
pany K,  21st  Illinois,  June  9,  1865,  and  went  to  Texas. 

THE  COMPANY  ROSTER. 

Captain  Thomas  E.  Champion. — Age  38;  born  in  Palmyra,  N.  Y. ; 
attorney  ;  enlisted  from  Warren  ;  elected  Captain  at  the  organization  of 
the  Company,  and  Colonel  at  the  organization  of  the  Regiment.  (See 
Roster  of  Field  and  Staff.) 

Captain  Timothy  D.  Rose.  —  Age  33  ;  born  in  Hartford.  Licking 
County,  Ohio  ;  merchant ;  enlisted  from  Warren  as  a  Private  ;  furnished 
.subsistence  for  the  Company  from  the  time  of  its  organization  until  it 
went  to  Rockford  ;  upon  the  organization  of  the  Regiment,  when  Captain 
Thomas  E.  Champion  became  Colonel,  was  elected  Captain  of  the  Com- 


896  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  KEGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  1. 

pany  ;  resigned  March  21,  1864.     Is  a  contractor  and  builder  at  Granviller 
Ohio. 

Captain  Edward  E.  Townsend.  —  Aged  24 ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess 
County,  111. ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from  Rush  ;  elected  First  Lieutenant  at 
the  organization  of  the  Company  ;  promoted  to  Captain  April  24,  1864 \ 
at  Chickamauga  a  bullet  passed  through  his  hat  and  another  gave  him  a 
slight  wound  in  the  arm  ;  at  Lookout  Mountain  was  severely  wounded 
by  a  bullet  whioh  passed  through  his  foot ;  in.  o.  with  the  Regiment.  Is 
a  large  farmer  and  stock-raiser  and  a  prominent  citizen  at  Marysville, 
Missouri. 

Captain  Wallace  W.  Abbey. — Age  24 ;  born  in  Lake  County,  Ohio  -r 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Warren  ;  appointed  Sergeant  at  the  organization 
of  the  Company  ;  had  measles  at  Danville,  Ky.,  and  was  transferred  to 
the  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  July  7,  1863  ;  was  promoted  through  the  vari- 
ous grades  to  Captain  in  the  123d  Colored  Regiment ;  had  command  of 
his  Regiment  for  a  time,  and  also  of  the  transfer  camp  at  Louisville,  Ky. ; 
m.  o.  late  in  1865.  Removing  to  Nebraska,  he  has  held  the  position  of 
Sheriff  and  Superintendent  of  Schools  of  Richardson  County,  and  for 
six  years  was  States  Prison  Inspector  ;  is  farming  at  Falls  City,  Neb. 

First  Lieutenant  George  W.  Pepoon. — Age  29  ;  born  in  Painesville, 
Ohio  ;  farmer  and  teacher  ;  enlisted  from  Warren  ;  elected  Second  Lieu- 
tenant at  the  organization  of  the  Company  ;  promoted  to  First  Lieuten- 
ant April  24,  18H4,  and  breveted  Captain  at  the  close  of  the  war  ;  served 
as  Aid-de-c.imp  on  staff  of  Brigade  Commander  from  December,  1862, 
until  October,  1863,  when  he  was  assigned  to  duty  as  Provost  Marshal, 
continuing  in  that  capacity  until  the  close  of  the  war.  At  Chickamauga 
was  the  only  officer  on  the  Brigade  Staff  who  escaped  unharmed,  two 
being  killed,  two  captured  and  two  wounded,  and  the  commander,  W.  C. 
Whittaker,  knocked  off  his  horse  by  a  spent  ball.  Was  in  all  the  battles 
in  which  the  Regiment  took  part,  as  well  as  Missionary  Ridge  and  Ring- 
gold,  where  the  Regiment  was  not  engaged.  Although  often  exposed  on 
horseback  when  the  men  were  lying  down,  he  never  was  injured  by  the 
foe  ;  was  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Was  County  Superintendent  of  Schools 
of  Jo  Daviess  County  from  1865  to  1873,  Township  Assessor  ten  years, 
Supervisor  two  years,  and  in  1886  was  elected  to  the  House  of  Represent- 
atives of  the  Thirty-fifth  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Illinois.  Re- 
sides on  his  farm  at  Warren,  111. 

First  Lieutenant  Wallace  Tear.— Age  21  ;  born  in  Lake  County,  Ohio  ; 
merchant ;  enlisted  from  Warren ;  appointed  Third  Sergeant  at  the 
organization  of  the  Company ;  participated  with  the  Regiment  in  all  of 
its  earlier  experiences  and  at  Chickamauga ;  acted  as  Sergeant  Major 
from  that  battle  until  Nov.  9,  1863,  when  he  was  promoted  to  Second 
Lieutenant  in  the  14th  Colored  Regiment ;  was  subsequently  assigned  to 
the  25th  U.  S.  Infantry,  and  served  until  1883.  Is  a  large  farmer  and 
stock-raiser  at  Durham  Park,  Kan. 


COMPANY    K. 


•'t  HKNRY  .7.  HAKKIMAN. 
eg  E.  BLACK. 


First  Servr't  ('.  ('.  CO\VK\. 

Capt.  EUWAKD  K.  To\vNSENl>. 

HARMON  S.  DEAN. 


HKHI  SKKVISS. 
KDWAIUJ  GUAM  AM 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  K.  897 

Second  Lieutenant  Garrett  W.  Luke. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Albany,  N.  Y. ; 
farmer ;  enlisted  from  Nora ;  was  appointed  Second  Sergeant  at  the 
organization  of  the  Company  ;  promoted  to  First  Sergeant  Jan.  27, 1864, 
and  to  Second  Lieutenant  May  5,  1865  ;  at  Chickamauga  was  wounded  in 
the  head,  but  did  not  leave  the  command ;  was  never  absent  from  the 
^Regiment  except  for  a  brief  furlough  from  Huntsville,  and  participated 
in  every  skirmish  and  battle  in  which  the  Regiment  was  engaged  ;  m.  o. 
with  Regiment.  Is  farming  at  Geneva,  Franklin  County,  Iowa. 

First  Sergeant  Christopher  C.  Cowen. — Age  21 ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess 
County,  111. ;  accountant  and  clerk ;  enlisted  from  Warren  ;  appointed  First 
Sergeant  at  the  organization  of  the  Company  ;  received  shell  wounds  at 
Fort  Shaler,  Ky.,  in  October,  1862,  losing  the  sight  of  the  left  eye,  and 
receiving  an  ugly  hurt  in  the  right  thigh.  At  Chickamauga  had  a  gun- 
shot wound  through  the  right  shoulder  and  shoulder  blade.  Had  a  Henry 
rifle,  a  16  shooter,  which  he  used  on  the  advancing  enemy  after  our  line 
had  fallen  back.  When  his  gun  was  emptied  of  cartridges  he  loaded  it 
again,  although  he  had  no  support,  and  kept  up  his  firing  until  the  Rebel 
line  was  but  ten  or  fifteen  feet  from  him,  when  he  was  struck  by  a  bullet 
and  fell.  A  ball  from  his  own  Regiment  tore  his  coat,  as  he  lay  on  the 
ground,  but  did  not  wound  him.  A  Rebel  gave  him  a  drink  of  water, 
but  took  his  gun.  A  Henry  rifle  captured  at  Atlanta,  marked  "Captured 
from  a  Federal  soldier  at  Chickamauga  Sept.  20,  1868,"  is  believed  to  be 
the  same  gun.  The  lines  again  shifting  he  escaped  from  the  field.  Being 
disabled  for  field  service  he  was  transferred  to  the  Veteran  Reserve  Corps 
Jan.  27,  1864  ;  m.  o.  June  30,  1865,  at  Nashville.  Is  a  law  reporter,  and 
resides  at  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

First  Sergeant  Henry  W.  Godding. — Age  21 ;  born  in  Lawrence,  Me. ; 
enlisted  from  Warren  ;  promoted  to  Corporal,  Sergeant  and  First  Ser- 
geant ;  served  with  the  Regiment,  and  was  in  all  the  battles  in  which  it 
was  engaged  ;  was  wounded  slightly  at  Lookout  Mountain  ;  m.  o.  with 
Regiment.  After  the  war,  taught  school  several  terms,  and  was  Collector 
of  the  town  of  Warren  one  year.  For  several  years  past  has  been  Bag- 
gage Master  at  Warren,  111.,  for  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad. 

Sergeant  Henry  R.  Earley. — Age  21 ;  born  in  Illinois  ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Nora ;  appointed  Sergeant  at  the  organization  of  the  Com- 
pany ;  had  the  measles  at  Danville,  Ky.,  in  December,  1862,  which  per- 
manently impaired  his  health  ;  was  discharged  Oct.  16,  1863,  and  died  in 
1865. 

Sergeant  Charles  N.  Elston. — Age  24  ;  born  in  Bradford,  Pa. ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Rush  ;  had  previously  served  several  months  in  the  15th 
Illinois  ;  appointed  First  Corporal  at  the  organization  of  the  Company  ; 
promoted  to  Sergeant ;  at  Chickamauga  was  wounded  in  the  right  thigh 
and  arm  ;  almost  at  the  instant  he  was  wounded  he  saw  a  Rebel  near  him  ; 
although  his  own  gun  was  empty  he  held  it  as  though  about  to  fire,  call- 
ing to  the  man  to  surrender,  which  he  did  ;  he  then  compelled  his  prisoner 
to  assist  him  from  the  field ;  was  disabled  for  several  weeks  ;  returned 
57 


898  HISTORY  OF  THE  96rrn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

and  served  to  the  close  of  the  war  ;  was  discharged  at  Chicago  June  8, 
1865.     Is  a  cooper,  and  resides  at  Mazeppa,  Wabasha  County,  Minn. 

Sergeant  Thomas  S.  Leland. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Nashville,  111.;  clerk  ; 
enlisted  from  Nora ;  appointed  Second  Corporal  at  the  organization  of 
the  Company  ;  promoted  to  Sergeant ;  was  a  fine  specimen  of  youngt 
manhood,  a  strong  friend  and  a  brave  soldier  ;  was  killed  at  the  battle  of 
Resaca,  Ga.,  May  14,  1864.  Is  buried  in  the  National  Cemetery  at  Chatta- 
nooga, Tenn. 

Sergeant  Curl  Richardson. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Chautauqua  County, 
N.  Y. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Warren  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  and  Ser- 
geant ;  was  shot  through  the  leg  at  Chickamauga,  but  was  absent  only  a 
fe'w  weeks  ;  was  wounded  in  the  hand  at  Resaca  ;  participated  in  almost 
every  skirmish  and  battle  ;  m.  o.  with  the  Regiment.  Is  a  miner  by 
occupation,  and  resides  at  Los  Angeles,  Cal. 

Sergeant  Daniel  Sullivan.— Age  19  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  shoemaker  ; 
enlisted  from  Warren  ;  appointed  Eighth  Corporal  at  the  organization  of 
the  Company  ;  promoted  to  Sergeant  ;  at  Peach  Tree  Creek  was  slightly 
wounded  in  the  hip  ;  at  Rocky  Face  Ridge  had  his  gun  struck  by  a  bul- 
let ;  successfully  reconnoitered  the  Rebel  lines  at  Lookout  Mountain, 
bringing  to  Gen.  Hooker  important  information,  and  was  always  con- 
spicuous for  courage  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Followed  his  trade  for 
some  years  and  then  went  to  farming  in  Iowa  ;  is  in  poor  health  ;  is  tem- 
porarily in  Chicago,  but  calls  Le  Mars,  Iowa,  his  home. 

Sergeant  Leonard  Appleby. — Age  21  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Stockton ;  promoted  to  Corporal  and  Sergeant  ;  in  many 
engagements,  but  escaped  wounds  ;  m.  o.  with  the  Regiment.  Is  farm- 
ing at  Nora,  111. 

Sergeant  Henry  J.  Harriman. — Age  23  ;  farmer  ;  born  in  Danvers, 
Mass. ;  enlisted  from  Warren  ;  promoted  from  Private  to  Sergeant  in 
January,  1863  ;  was  killed  at  Buzzard  Roost  or  Dalton,  Ga.,  Feb.  25, 
1864.  The  bullet  that  struck  him  passed  close  to  the  head  of  the  writer, 
who  was  on  top  of  the  hill  a  hundred  feet  in  front,  having  gone  forward 
to  reconnoiter  after  the  line  halted.  Sergeant  Harriman  was  one  of  the 
best  men  in  the  Company,  tall  and  graceful,  gentle  yet  brave.  His  loss 
was  mourned  by  all  who  knew  him. 

Corporal  Alex.  W.  Conlee.— Age  22  ;  born  in  Alton,  111. ;  clerk  ;  en- 
listed from  Warren  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Resided  in  Nebraska  for 
some  years,  where  he  edited  a  newspaper ;  is  now  a  clerk  in  the  Land 
Office,  Department  of  the  Interior,  Washington,  D.  C. 

Corporal  William  E.  Tilton.— Age  18  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Nora  ;  appointed  Corporal  at  the  organization  of  the  Com- 
pany ;  wounded  in  right  side  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  ;  m.  o.  with 
Regiment.  Is  a  railroad  contractor,  and  resides  at  Wakeeney,  Kansas. 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  K.  899 

Corporal  C.  M.  Kinney.— Age  26;  born  in  New  York;  cooper;  en- 
listed from  "Warren  ;  appointed  Corporal  at  organization  of  Company ; 
was  detailed  in  Pioneer  Corps  April  7,  1863,  and  transferred  to  the  First 
U.  8.  V.  V.  Engineers  July  18,  1864.  Died  near  the  close  of  the  war. 

Corporal  Thomas  J.  Carlton. — Age  33 ;  born  in  Bradford,  Mass. ; 
farmer ;  enlisted  from  Warren  ;  appointed  Corporal  at  the  organization 
of  the  Company ;  was  wounded  in  the  foot  at  Lookout  Mountain  ;  was 
well  educated,  and  served  faithfully  in  all  of  the  campaigns  and  battles 
until  Cassville,  Ga.,  was  reached,  in  May,  1864,  when  he  broke  down  and 
had  to  go  to  hospital  for  some  mouths  ;  returning,  was  m.  o.  with  Regi- 
ment. Died  at  Vineland,  N.  J.,  Sept.  1,  1880. 

Corporal  Albert  F.  Wood. — Age  26  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  wagon- 
maker  ;  enlisted  from  Warren  ;  appointed  Corporal  at  organization  of  the 
Company  ;  was  taken  ill  in  January,  1863,  and  for  a  long  time  was  in 
hospital  and  on  detached  service  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  a  wagon 
manufacturer  at  Salem,  Neb. 

Corporal  Oscar  W.  Cowen. — Age  22  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111. ; 
farmer ;  enlisted  from  Warren  ;  promoted  to  Corporal ;  had  two  bullets 
through  his  clothing  at  Chickamauga,  and  his  belt  struck  at  Lookout 
Mountain  ;  m.  o.  with  the  Regiment.  Has  been  a  Deputy  United  States 
Marshal,  and  is  now  a  physician  at  Norse,  Bosque  County,  Texas. 

Corporal  Hiram  H.  Hamilton. — Age  17  ;  born  in  Indiana  ;  farmer ;  en- 
listed from  Rush  ;  promoted  to  Corporal ;  was  severely  wounded  in  the 
left  leg  at  Chickamauga,  falling  into  the  enemy's  hands,  and  remaining  a 
prisoner  for  ten  days,  when  he  was  paroled  ;  was  disabled  eight  months  ; 
returned  to  the  command  and  was  m.  o.  with  the  Regiment.  Is  a  promi- 
nent and  respected  farmer  at  Beloit,  Kansas. 

Corporal  Thomas  A.  Conlee. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Illinois  ;  clerk  ;  en- 
listed from  Warren  ;  promoted  to  Corporal ;  was  wounded  in  the  shoulder 
at  Chickamauga  ;  returning,  served  faithfully  through  the  war,  and  was 
m.  o.  with  the  Regiment.  Is  traveling  salesman  for  the  Grand  Detour 
Plow  Company,  and  resides  at  Dixon,  111. 

Corporal  John  H.  Bates. — Age  27 ;  born  in  St.  Lawrence  County, 
N.  Y. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Rush  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  ;  was  left  at 
Bridgeport  sick,  in  September,  1863,  and  sent  to  Quincy  Hospital  ;  re- 
joined command  before  the  opening  of  the  Atlanta  campaign,  and  was 
not  again  absent ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  farming  in  Rush  ;  P.  O.  ad- 
dress, Greenvale,  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.  Is  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and 
has  been  Supervisor  of  his  township  six  years. 

Corporal  Wallace  W.  Hoover. — Age  19;  born  in  Pennsylvania; 
miller ;  enlisted  from  Warren  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  in  July,  1864  ;  at 
Kenesaw  Mountain  was  severely  wounded,  a  bullet  passing  through  his 
left  shoulder  and  lodging  under  the  shoulder  blade,  where  it  still  remains  ; 
m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  farming  at  Mitchell,  Dakota. 


900          HISTORY  or  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. . 

Corporal  Jehile  C.  Tucker. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Ohio  ;  farmer ;  enlisted 
from  Warren  ;  had  a  scalp  wound  at  Chickamauga  Sept.  20,  1863  ;  pro- 
moted to  Corporal  Jan.  1,  1865  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  now  farming 
at  Walnut,  Crawford  County,  Kansas. 

Corporal  George  C.  Morse. — Age  23  ;  born  in  Bond  County,  111. ; 
farmer;  enlisted  from  Nora;  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  Ga.,  July  3,  1864, 
was  cut  by  a  bullet  which,  passing  through  his  hat,  grazed  his  head,  but 
did  not  disable  him  ;  was  in  every  engagement  following  Lookout  Moun- 
tain ;  promoted  to  Corporal ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  with  the  Henry 
Buggy  Company  at  Freeport,  HI. 

Corporal  Thomas  Porter. — Age  24  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  shoemaker  ;  en- 
listed from  Warren  ;  promoted  to  Corporal  in  January,  1863  ;  was  mor- 
tally wounded  at  Chickamauga,  and  died  at  Chattanooga  Oct.  12,  1863. 
He  was  a  splendid  soldier,  and  gave  his  life  for  his  country. 

Corporal  John  C.  Simmons. — Age  21 ;  born  in  Illinois  ;  clerk  ;  enlisted 
from  Nora  ;  promoted  to  Corporal ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Has  been  a 
sewing  machine  agent  and  salesman  for  musical  instruments,  but  when 
last  heard  from  was  near  Topeka,  Kansas,  on  a  stock  farm. 

Charles  A.  Arnold. — Age  22  ;  born  in  JoDaviess  County,  111.;  farmer  ;. 
enlisted  from  Rush  ;  was  taken  sick  at  Wartrace,  Tenn.,  in  July,  1863, 
and  absent  about  a  year ;  at  Kenesaw  Mountain  had  a  bullet  through, 
the  skirt  of  his  coat ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  farming  at  Mazeppa, 
Minnesota. 

Ira  Barton. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.;  farmer;  en- 
listed from  Rush  ;  transferred  to  V.  R.  C.  Jan.  15,  1864.  Died  from  con- 
sumption soon  after  the  war. 

Anson  Brinkerhoff. — Age  25  ;  born  in  New  York ;  clerk  ;  enlisted 
from  Warren  ;  was  killed  at  Chickamauga  Sept.  20,  1863. 

Joseph  S.  Bowker. — Age  23  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111. ;  farmer  ;. 
enlisted  from  Rush  ;  was  killed  at  Chickamauga  Sept.  20,  1863. 

James  E.  Black. — Age  18 ;  born  in  Ohio  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  front 
Warren  ;  was  wounded  in  the  right  knee  by  the  explosion  of  a  shell  at 
Fort  Shaler,  as  described  in  the  Company  sketch  ;  had  a  severe  gunshot, 
wound  of  left  forearm  at  Chickamauga  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  farm- 
ing at  Luverne,  Minn. 

Samuel  L.  Buser. — Age  24  ;  born  in  Pennsylvania ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Warren  ;  was  detailed  as  Orderly  at  Brigade  Head  Quarters 
in  January,  1863,  and  remained  on  detached  service  until  the  close  of  the 
war,  but  always  with  the  Brigade;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Has  been  a 
photographer  since  the  war  at  Warren,  111. 

Henry  Buser. — Age  22 ;  born  in  Pennsylvania ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Warren  ;  served  as  a  Drummer  in  the  Regimental  Band  much  of 
the  time  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  a  photographer  at  Cedar  Falls,. 
Iowa. 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  K.  901 

Ellis  W.  Buser. — Age  20;  born  in  Pennsylvania;  farmer;  enlisted 
from  Warren  ;  served  as  Fifer  in  the  Regimental  Band  ;  was  a  brother  of 
Samuel  L.  and  Henry  Buser,  of  the  same  Company ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment. 
Is  a  merchant  at  Dawson,  Neb. 

Thomas  Brown.— Age  25  ;  born  in  England  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Warren  ;  discharged  for  disability  April  1,  1863.  Has  been  a  township 
•official,  and  resides  at  Oneida,  Sully  County,  Dakota. 

Albert  E.  Benton. — Age  18 ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111. ;  fanner  ; 
unlisted  from  Rush-,  was  killed  at  Dallas,  or  New  Hope  Church,  May  30, 
1864  ;  is  buried  in  the  National  Cemetery  at  Marietta,  Ga. 

S.  S.  Burthwick. — Age  26  ;  born  in  Allegheny  County,  N.  Y. ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Thompson  ;  was  in  numerous  engagements,  but  escaped 
wounds ;  he  lost  his  voice,  and  was  unfit  for  duty,  but  persisted  in 
remaining  at  the  front ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  farming  in  Rush,  Jo 
Daviess  County,  111. 

George  W.  Baird. — Age  29  ;  born  in  Ohio  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Stockton  ;  was  taken  sick  in  the  autumn  of  1862,  and  discharged  for  dis- 
ability at  Louisville,  Ky.,  January  20,  1863.  Is  farming  at  Greenwood, 
McHenry  County,  111. 

Frederick  Blackman. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Connecticut  ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Nora-,  although  but  a  boy,  he  was  an  excellent  soldier,  and 
was  killed  in  action  before  Atlanta,  August  19,  1864  ;  is  buried  in  the 
National  Cemetery  at  Marietta,  Ga. 

Willard  R.  Chaddock. — Age  23  ;  born  in  Erie,  Pa. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Rush ;  was  wounded  in  right  leg,  hand  and  eye  at  Fort  Shaler,  as 
described  in  the  Company  sketch,  and  disabled  three  months  ;  m.  o.  with 
Regiment.  Is  a  brick  manufacturer  at  Des  Moines,  Iowa. 

J.  Franklin  Champlin. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111. ; 
farmer ;  enlisted  from  Nora ;  was  captured  at  Chickamauga  Sept.  20, 
1863,  and  was  a  prisoner  for  many  months,  returning  near  the  close  of  the 
war  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment ;  was  badly  broken  in  health,  and  died  in  1875. 

J.  Manly  Clendenning. — Age  22  ;  born  in  Illinois  ;  clergyman  ;  en- 
listed from  Apple  River ;  was  promoted  to  Chaplain.  (See  Roster  of 
Field  and  Staff.) 

Charles  L.  Courter. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Lycoming  County,  Pa. ;  farmer; 
•enlisted  from  Warren ;  was  a  good  soldier,  and  met  his  death  at  the 
battle  of  Resaca,  Ga.,  May  14,  1864  ;  is  buried  in  the  National  Cemetery 
at  Chattanooga,  Tenn. 

Charles  W.  Carlton. — Age  25 ;  born  in  Bradford,  Mass. ;  fanner  ; 
enlisted  from  Warren ;  was  not  strong,  and,  after  trying  faithfully  to 
serve  his  country  in  the  Regiment,  was  transferred  to  the  V.  R.  C.  May 
1,  1864  ;  m.  o.  at  the  close  of  the  war.  Died  in  Colorado  April  11,  1881. 

George  Chambers. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Ohio  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Rush  ;  was  in  many  engagements,  but  escaped  wounds  ;  served  as  team- 


902  HisTOiSY  OF  THE  9GTH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

ster  in  the  Division  ordnance  train  the  last  few  months  ;  m.  o.  with  Regi- 
ment.   Is  farming  at  Nora,  111. 

Hamilton  D.  Crane. — Age  29  ;  born  in  Franklin,  N.  Y. ;  farmer ;  en- 
listed from  Stockton  ;  was  a  teamster,  and  was  mortally  wounded  by 
Wheeler's  cavalry  between  Chattanooga  and  Bridgeport,  and  died  at 
McMinnville,  Tenn.,  Oct.  10,  1863. 

Harmon  S.  Dean. — Age  25  ;  born  in  North  Carolina ;  farmer ;  en- 
listed from  Nora  ;  was  a  very  peculiar  sort  of  person  ;  had  a  wonderful 
memory,  but  could  never  learn  to  keep  step  ;  never  visited  another  Regi- 
ment without  finding  relatives  or  friends ;  was  teamster  much  of  the 
time,  but  was  with  the  Regiment  at  Kenesaw  Mountain  and  got  a  bullet 
through  his  hat,  on  the  night  of  June  20,  which  just  grazed  his  head  ; 
m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  farming  at  Ironton,  Sauk  County,  Wis. 

Mathew  Dunbar. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Warren  ;  was  killed  at  Chickamauga  Sept.  20,  1863. 

George  W.  Dalrymple.  —  Age  20;  born  in  Pennsylvania;  farmer; 
enlisted  from  Warren  ;  discharged  for  disability  Dec.  16,  1863.  Is  still  in 
poor  health,  and  is  farming  at  Beatrice,  Neb. 

Parley  Eaton. — Age  81  ;  born  in  Dutchess  County,  N.  Y.  ;  farmer ; 
enlisted  from  Warren  ;  was  sick  a  part  of  the  time,  but  was  with  the 
command  in  several  engagements  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Resided  in 
Vernon  County,  Wis.,  until  1885,  when  he  went  to  Colorado. 

William  J.  Edwards. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Vermont ;  farmer ;  enlisted 
from  Warren  ;  wounded  in  left  leg  below  the  knee  at  Kenesaw  Mountain, 
June  25,  1864 ;  also  had  bullets  through  his  haversack  at  Rocky  Face 
Ridge  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  'Is  farming  at  Oakley,  Green  County,  Wis. 

Michael  Fox. — Age  27 ;  born  in  Ireland ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Apple  River  ;  was  killed  at  Chickamauga  Sept.  20,  1863. 

Phineas  Foss. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Maine  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Nora  ;  had  a  bullet  through  his  hat  at  Resaca  and  one  through  his  can- 
teen at  Kenesaw  Mountain  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  a  mason  by  trade 
and  resides  in  Linn,  Washington  County,  Kan. 

Thomas  C.  Graves. — Age  20;  born  in  Kentucky;  farmer;  enlisted 
from  Nora  ;  was  wounded  in  the  foot  at  Chickamauga,  falling  into  the 
enemy's  hands  and  being  a  prisoner  for  seventeen  months  ;  was  confined 
at  Richmond,  Danville,  Andersonville  and  Florence,  returning  home 
near  the  close  of  the  war  so  broken  in  health  as  to  be  unfitted  for  active 
service  ;  m.  o.  at  Springfield,  111.,  in  June,  1865.  Is  proprietor  of  a  family 
grocery  store  at  Ashley,  111. 

John  Gholson. — Age  22  ;  born  in  Hamilton  County,  111.  ;  farmer ; 
enlisted  from  Warren  ;  had  typhoid  fever,  and  was  discharged  for  disa- 
bility Jan.  2,  1863  ;  enlisted  in  the  153d  Illinois  in  February,  1865,  serving 
until  the  m.  o.  of  that  command.  Is  a  prosperous  farmer  at  Beloit,  Kan. 


HOSTER  OF  COMPANY  K.  903 

Edward  Graham. — Age  16  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111. ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Warren  ;  was  wounded  in  thigh,  right  arm  and  left  hand  at 
Chickamauga,  the  wound  in  the  thigh  being  made  by  a  canister  shot ;  he 
was  carried  from  the  battle  field  by  a  rescuing  party  about  1  o'clock,  A.  M., 
on  Monday,  September  21,  and  conveyed  to  Hossville  ;  from  thence  he 
went  in  an  army  wagon  to  Bridgeport,  where  his  wounds  were  dressed, 
for  the  first  time,  five  days  after  they  were  received  ;  was  disabled  five 
months  ;  returning  to  the  command,  he  was  struck  by  a  piece  of  shell  at 
Rocky  Face  Ridge,  and  was  also  slightly  wounded  at  Pumpkin  Vine 
Creek  or  Dallas  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  farming  at  Royal,  Antelope 
County,  Nebraska. 

James  Hicks. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Cornwell,  England  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Warren  ;  at  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  May  9,  1864,  had  one  ear  slightly 
cut  by  a  bullet ;  at  Kenesaw  Mountain,  June  19,  1864,  was  struck  by  a 
bullet  in  the  right  hand,  the  palm  of  the  hand  and  the  ends  of  the  third 
and  fourth  fingers  being  badly  cut,  a  part  of  the  bone  being  taken  from 
the  latter ;  rejoined  the  Regiment  at  Atlanta  ;  participated  with  the  Regi- 
ment in  all  of  its  engagements  except  during  this  period,  and  was  present 
at  the  final  m.  o.  Residence,  Warren,  111. 

John  Hay,  Jr. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Scotland  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Warren  ;  was  a  good  soldier  and  performed  every  duty  ;  at  Peach  Tree 
Creek,  July  20,  1864,  had  his  right  thigh  fractured  by  a  bullet,  and  was 
sent  back  to  Chattanooga,  Avhere  he  died  Aug.  4,  1864. 

Cornelius  Haggerty. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer ;  enlisted 
from  Warren  ;  had  a  bullet  hole  cut  in  his  blouse  at  Chickamauga,  but 
escaped  wounds ;  m.  o.  with  the  Regiment.  Is  a  successful  farmer  at 
Tama  City,  Iowa. 

Nelson  B.  Hull. — Age  36  ;  born  in  Ohio  ;  at  enlistment  was  ticket 
agent  at  Warren  for  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  ;  on  the  Lebanon  march 
in  December,  1862,  contracted  a  severe  cold,  which  resulted  in  hemorrhage 
of  the  lungs  ;  partially  recovering,  was  detailed  at  Gen.  Gordon  Granger's 
headquarters,  accompanying  the  command  to  Franklin,  Tenu.,  where  he 
was  discharged  April  15, 1863  ;  subsequently  enlisted  in  the  5th  Wisconsin, 
and  was  finally  m.  o.  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  in  1865.  Is  a  Notary  Public 
and  insurance  agent  at  De  Witt,  Nebraska. 

William  P.  Heydon. — Age  21  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  saddler  ;  enlisted 
from  Warren  ;  was  taken  sick  on  the  Tennessee  campaign,  and  dis- 
charged for  disability  Jan.  1,  1864,  dying  at  Shell  Mound  a  week  later, 
and  being  buried  in  the  National  Cemetery  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn. 

William  W.  Hughes. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Kentucky  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Nora  ;  was  a  good  soldier,  full  of  fun  and  helpful  in  keeping  up  the 
spirits  of  his  comrades  ;  wounded  in  the  right  hip  at  Kenesaw  Mountain  ; 
m.  o.  with  the  Regiment.  Engaged  first  in  farming  and  afterward  as  a 
butcher  at  Nora  ;  died  in  1883,  and  was  buried  by  his  comrades  of  the  G. 
A.  R.,  of  which  organization  he  was  an  honored  member. 


904  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  KEGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 

Charles  Jennings. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Painesville,  Ohio  ;  farmer ;  en- 
listed from  Warren  ;  died  at  Estell  Springs,  Tenn.,  Aug.  20,  1863. 

J.  Byron  Jenkins. — Age  20 ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer ;  enlisted 
from  Warren  ;  was  knocked  over  by  the  concussion  of  a  shell  at  Keuesaw 
Mountain,  but  not  disabled  ;  was  one  of  a  few  who  never  drank  any 
intoxicating  liquors  while  in  the  service  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Lived 
for  several  years  since  the  war  at  Warren,  where  he  sold  agricultural  im- 
plements ;  is  now  at  Manhattan.  Kansas,  where  he  is  Foreman  of  the 
Manhattan  Mills  and  Cement  Co. 

William  Kish. — Age  34 ;  born  in  Germany  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Rush  ;  was  a  faithful  soldier,  but  was  not  strong  enough  to  stand  march- 
ing ;  transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps  Jan.  15,  1864.  Is  farming 
near  Warren,  111. 

Darius  W.  Kenney. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Bradford,  Pa. ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Rush  ;  was  killed  at  Chickamauga  Sept.  20,  1863. 

James  D.  Lester. — Age  18;  born  in  Green  County,  Wis. ;  farmer: 
enlisted  from  Rush  ;  was  taken  sick  at  Harrodsburg,  Ky,,  where  he  died 
Jan.  11,  1863.  la  buried  either  at  Camp  Nelson,  Ky.,  or  at  Perryville,  Ky. 

Thomas  Morgan. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Wisconsin ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Warren  ;  never  absent  from  the  command  for  more  than  a  day  or 
two  ;  was  in  all  the  battles  of  the  Regiment,  and  at  Chickamauga  was 
struck  on  the  right  wrist  by  a  spent  ball ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  fruit 
growing  at  Antioch,  Contra  Custa  County,  Cal. 

John  A.  Newton. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Lake  County,  Ohio  ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Warren  ;  was  sick  in  the  winter  of  1862-3,  and  discharged  for 
disability  May  21,  1863,  dying  soon  after  his  return  home. 

Jacob  Nadeg. — Age  21 ;  born  in  Germany  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Rush  ;  was  in  numerous  engagements  ;  at  Cassville,  Ga.,  a  bullet  grazed 
his  right  arm  and  entered  his  cap  box,  exploding  the  caps  and  burning  him 
on  the  thighs,  but  not  injuring  him  so  severely  but  that  he  was  able  tore- 
main  with  the  command  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  farming  at  Rush,  111. 

Butler  Newton. — Age  24  ;  born  in  Allegheny  County,  N.  Y. ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Nora  ;  he  was  a  fine  soldier,  but,  by  exposure,  he  became 
sick,  and  died  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  Nov.  7,  1863.  Is  buried  in  the  National 
Cemetery  at  Nashville,  Tenn. 

William  Pritchard. — Age  30  ;  born  in  Wales ;  shoemaker ;  enlisted 
from  Warren  ;  was  not  very  strong,  and  the  exposure  produced  inflam- 
mation in  his  eyes,  and  he  was  discharged  for  disability  Sept.  4,  1863. 
Has  resided  in  Warren  since  the  war,  and  is  a  farmer  and  fruit  raiser. 

Robert  Pollard. — Age  18  ;  born  in  England ;  miller ;  enlisted  from 
Rush  ;  the  march  from  Covington,  Ky.,  to  Danville  was  too  much  for 
him,  and,  after  a  few  days  of  severe  sickness,  he  died  Dec.  19,  1862 ;  he 
was  the  first  of  the  Company  to  go,  and  his  death  was  sincerely  mourned 
by  all  his  comrades. 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  K.  905 

James  P.  Payne. — Age  27  ;  born  in  Green  County,  Wis. ;  mason  ;  en- 
listed from  "Warren  ;  was  wounded  slightly  at  Moccasin  Point,  but  never 
off  duty;  was  absent  on  furlough  at  m.  o.  of  Regiment.  Has  been  a 
Justice  of  the  Peace  four  years  ;  is  now  a  druggist,  and  resides  at  Harlan, 
Smith  County,  Kansas. 

Oliver  B.  Pruner. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Ohio  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Rush  ;  was  detailed  in  Pioneer  Corps  April  7, 1863,  and  transferred  to  the 
1st  U.  S.  Engineers  July  18,  1864,  serving  to  the  close  of  the  war.  Is 
Treasurer  of  Hand  County,  Dakota  ;  address,  Miller  Lake. 

Cyrus  W.  Pomeroy. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111. ; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Nora  ;  at  Chickamauga  was  struck  by  a  ball  a  little 
above  the  knee,  and  severely  wounded ;  gangrene  set  in,  and  he  had  a 
narrow  escape  from  death  ;  was  disabled  for  a  year,  and  still  suffers  from 
the  'injury ;  previous  to  Chickamauga  was  bass  drummer  in  the  Regi- 
mental Band,  and  still  retains  his  drum  as  a  relic  ;  discharged  because  of 
•wound,  in  Chicago,  June  16,  1864.  Is  agent  for  the  Western  Bank  Note 
and  Engraving  Company,  and  resides  at  3445  Vernon  Avenue,  Chicago, 
111. 

Ross  Porter  Rayne. — Age  32  ;  born  in  Trumbull  County,  Ohio ; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Stockton  ;  was  killed  at  Kenesaw  Mountain  June 
23,  1864. 

Thomas  J.  Sherk. — Age  29  ;  born  in  Canada  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Warren  ;  served  for  a  year  or  more  in  the  ranks,  and  then  as  orderly  to 
the  Colonel ;  at  Chickamauga  went  twice  across  the  open  country  when 
the  Regiment  and  Brigade  came  into  the  fight,  the  Rebels  shelling  terrifi- 
cally all  the  time  ;  after  Chickamauga,  was  detailed  as  Orderly  at  Head- 
quarters of  Brigade,  and  was  Regimental  Bugler  for  a  long  time  ;  m.  o. 
with  Regiment.  Worked  at  the  carpenter  trade  for  several  years,  and 
then  bought  a  farm,  on  which  he  lives,  near  Warren,  111. 

Peter  Shick. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Pennsylvania  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Rush  ;  detailed  in  Pioneer  Corps  April  7,  1863,  and  transferred  to  the  1st 
U.  S.  Engineers  July  29,  1864  ;  afterward  sent  to  a  gun  boat,  and  has  not 
been  heard  from  since. 

Henry  Shultz. — Age  19 ;  born  in  Germany  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Rush  ;  at  the  first  charge  at  Chickamauga,  Ga.,  Sept.  20,  1863,  had  his 
blouse  almost  riddled  with  bullets,  but  was  not  struck  himself ;  on  the 
last  charge,  just  at -sunset,  he  received  a  gun  shot  wound  in  the  left 
breast,  also  left  arm  shattered,  between  elbow  and  shoulder,  also  a  flesh 
wound  in  elbow ;  was  disabled  six  months  ;  he  remained  on  the  battle- 
field ten  days,  and  was  then  paroled  and  sent  to  Chattanooga  ;  recovered 
and  was  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Has  been  Tax  Collector  of  Rush,  and 
for  some  time  past  a  minister  of  the  gospel  and  President  of  Seventh  Day 
Adventists'  Conference,  of  the  Northwest,  at  Stromburg,  Polk  County, 
Heb. 


906  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  "V.  I. 

Jesse  Smith. — Age  24  ;  born  in  Washington  County,  Pa. ;  cooper  ; 
enlisted  from  Warren  ;  was  disabled  by  reason  of  sickness,  and  on  de- 
tailed service  nearly  all  the  time  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  now  Fore- 
man of  the  Cooper  Department  of  the  State  Penitentiary  at  Joliet,  111. 

Daniel  Sommers. — Age  2i;  born  in  Lexington,  Ohio  ;  farmer;  en- 
listed from  Nora  ;  he  was  a  soldier  that  could  always  be  depended  on, 
and  was  never  seriously  wounded  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Is  a  carpenter, 
and  resides  in  the  township  of  Nora.  Postoffice  address,  Greenvale, 
Wisconsin. 

Beri  Serviss. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Illinois  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Apple 
River ;  was  wounded  at  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  May  9,  1864,  and  discharged 
Oct.  26,  1864.  His  left  foot  had  to  be  amputated.  Soon  after  coming 
home  was  appointed  Postmaster  at  Apple  River,  which  office  he  held 
about  twenty  years  ;  was  removed  by  President  Cleveland.  He  resides 
at  Apple  River,  and  has  a  furniture  store  at  both  Apple  River  and 
Warren. 

Briggs  Sutherland. — Age  30  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Rush  ;  in  January,  1863,  near  Danville,  Ky.,  had  a  gunshot  wound  in 
right  hand,  on  account  of  which  he  was  discharged  Feb.  7,  1863.  Is 
farming  at  Readstown,  Vernon  County,  Wis. 

Charles  Smith. — Age  42 ;  born  in  England  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Warren  ;  was  Orderly  at  Brigade  Head  Quarters,  and  on  the  night  before 
the  battle  of  Franklin,  Tenn.,  his  horse  fell,  and  injured  his  left  leg, 
causing  varicose  veins,  from  which  he  still  suffers  ;  m.  o.  with  Regiment. 
Is  farming  at  Salem,  Neb. 

George  W.  Torrey. — Age  27  ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Stockton  ;  was  not  strong  enough  to  stand  a  soldier's  life,  and  was 
discharged  for  disability  at  Danville,  Ky.,  Dee.  29,  1862.  Is  farming  at 
Beloit,  Mitchell  County,  Kan. 

John  L.  Taylor. — Age  22  ;  born  in  Pennsylvania  ;  blacksmith  ;  en- 
listed from  Rush  ;  he  was  kicked  by  a  mule  at  Danville,  Ky.,  and  dis- 
charged for  disability  July  30,  1863.  He  has  never  recovered  from  the 
mule's  kick.  Enlisted  in  1861  in  the  15th  I.  V.  I.,  serving  a  few  months. 
Is  farming  and  blacksmithing  at  Masonville,  Delaware  County,  Iowa. 

John  J.  Vroman. — Age  23  ;  born  in  Canada  ;  machinist ;  enlisted 
from  Rush  ;  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Resaca,  May  14,  1864  ;  is  buried  in 
the  National  Cemetery  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn. 

James  Vaughn.— Age  17  ;  born  in  Ohio  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Rush  ; 
was  killed  in  the  engagement  at  Rocky  Face  Ridge,  May  9,  1864  ;  is 
buried  in  the  National  Cemetery  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn. 

Franklin  Watson. — Age  18  ;  born  in  La  Grange,  Ohio  ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Stockton  ;  was  in  many  engagements,  but  escaped  wounds  , 
m.  o.  with  Regiment.  Address  unknown. 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  K.  90T 

Benjamin  B.  Woodworth.  —  Age  21  ;  born  in  Painesville,  Ohio  ;. 
farmer ;  enlisted  from  Warren  ;  was  with  the  men  from  Company  K 
when  the  shell  exploded  at  Fort  Shaler,  as  mentioned  in  the  Company 
sketch,  and  was  the  only  one  unhurt  ;  drove  an  ambulance  most  of  the 
time  ;  was  on  furlough  at  the  m.  o.  of  Regiment,  but  joined  it  and  went 
home  with  his  comrades.  Is  farming  near  Warren,  111. 

James  M.  Westfall. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Lawrence  County,  Illinois  ; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Rush  ;  was  taken  sick  at  Danville,  Ky.,  and  dis- 
charged Jan.  3,  1863,  for  consumption.  He  regained  his  health  and  re- 
enlisted  in  the  17th  Illinois  Cavalry,  and  served  two  years,  being  pro- 
moted to  Corporal  ;  m.  o.  at  Fort  Leavenworth,  Kan.,  in  December,  1865. 
Is  farming  at  Aptos,  Santa  Cruz  County,  Cal. 

Providence  Williams. — Age  22;  born  in  Washington  County,  111.; 
farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Rush  ;  was  wounded  by  the  explosion  of  the  shell 
at  Fort  Shaler,  Ky.,  and  discharged  for  disability  Jan.  12,  1863.  After- 
ward re-enlisted  in  12th  I.  V.  I,  Oct.  7,  1864,  and  m.  o.  with  that  Regi- 
ment at  the  close  of  the  war.  Is  farming  at  Masonville,  Iowa. 

Samuel  C.  Weaver. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Schuylkill,  Pa. ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Rush  ;  was  a  good  soldier,  and  came  through  without  injury. 
Is  farming  near  Winslow,  Stephenson  County,  111. 

Delos  P.  York.— Age  29 ;  born  in  Madison  County,  N.  Y.  ;  enlisted 
from  Nora ;  had  a  bullet  through  his  hat  at  Chickamauga  and  one 
through  his  clothing  at  Lookout  Mountain  ;  was  in  hospital  at  Quincy,. 
111.,  for  a  time ;  discharged  at  close  of  the  war.  Is  a  speculator,  and 
resides  at  Council  Grove,  Morris  County,  Kan. 

RECRUITS  TO  COMPANY  K. 

Corporal  Thomas  O'Connor. — Age  35 ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  enlisted1 
frtm  Nora  in  October,  1862,  joining  the  Regiment  in  Kentucky  ;  was  in 
all  of  the  engagements,  but  escaped  wounds ;  promoted  to  Corporal  p 
transferred  to  the  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at  Victoria,  Texas, 
Oct.  12,  1865  ;  resides  at  Earlville,  Delaware  County,  Iowa. 

Corporal  Myron  B.  Champion. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Ypsilanti,  Mich. ;. 
blacksmith  ;  was  a  half-brother  of  Colonel  Champion  ;  enlisted  from 
Michigan,  March  31,  1864,  but  was  credited  to  Chicago  ;  joined  the  Regi- 
ment just  before  the  opening  of  the  Atlanta  campaign  ;  was  in  many 
engagements,  but  escaped  wounds ;  promoted  to  Corporal ;  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at  San  Antonio,  Texas, 
Dec.  16,  1865.  Is  a  practicing  physician  at  Cheboygan,  Mich. 

William  N.  Bates. — Age  30 ;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer ;  enlisted 
from  Rush  Oct.  7,  1864  ;  died  at  Huntsville,  Ala.,  Feb.  16,  1865. 

Hiram  N.  Bates.  —  Age  31;  born  in  New  York  ;  farmer;  enlisted 
from  Rush  Oct.  7,  1864 ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865 ;  m.  o. 
at  Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  13,  1865.  Is  farming  at  Stockton,  111. 


908  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'rn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

Addison  Benton.— Age  18  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.;  farmer  ; 
unlisted  from  Apple  River  April  10,  1865  ;  transferred  to  the  21st  Illinois 
June  9,  1865 ;  m.  o.  at  San  Antonio,  Texas,  Dec.  16,  1865. 

John  K.  Bennett. — Age  29  ;  born  in  New  York ;  farmer ;  enlisted 
from  Rush  Oct.  8,  1864  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o. 
.at  Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  13,  1865.  Died  soon  after  his  return  home. 

George  E.  Cole. — Age  17  ;  born  in  Lake  County,  Ohio  ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Warren  March  29,  1865  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9, 
1865  ;  m.  o.  at  San  Antonio,  Texas,  Dec.  16, 1865.  Is  farming  near  Pawnee 
City,  Neb. 

Newton  B.  Claypool. — Age  28;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.; 
•  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Stockton  Feb.  8,  1865  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois 
June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at  San  Antonio,  Texas,  Dec.  16,  1865.  Is  farming  at 
Hampton,  Iowa. 

George  H.  Crippen. — Age  25  ;  born  in  Canada  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Savanna,  Carroll  County,  March  28,  1865 ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois 
June  9,  1865;  m.  o.  at  San  Antonio,  Texas,  Dec.  16,  1865.  Died  several 
.years  since. 

John  Dreyer. — Age  43  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  boatman  ;  enlisted  from 
•Galena  April  10,  1865  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at 
San  Antonio,  Texas,  Dec.  16,  1865. 

Henry  DeRoff. — Age  25  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  baker ;  enlisted  from 
Galena  April  3,  1865  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at 
San  Antonio,  Texas,  Dec.  16,  1865. 

Federick  Drier. — Age  24  ;  born  in  Germany ;  laborer ;  enlisted  from 
•Galena  April  3,  1865  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865.  Died  at 
New  Orleans,  La.,  July  24,  1865  ;  is  buried  in  the  National  Cemetery  at 
New  Orleans,  La. 

Bernard  Feist. — Age  32  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  miner ;  enlisted  from 
Galena  April  3,  1865  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at 
San  Antonio,  Texas,  Dec.  16,  1865. 

Harmon  Goebel. — Age  23  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Galena  April  10,  1865 ;  discharged  at  Springfield,  111.,  May  21,  1865  ;  by 
•error  is  carried  on  the  rolls  as  transferred  to  21st  Illinois. 

Carlton  B.  Harris.—  Age  17  ;  born  in  Rush,  111.;  farmer;  enlisted  from 
Rush  April  10,  1865,  joining  the  Regiment  at  Nashville  ;  was  transferred 
ito  Company  K,  21st  Illinois,  and  finally  m.  o.  at  San  Antonio,  Texas,  Dec. 
16,  1865.  Is  farming  at  Rush,  111.,  and  is  a  prominent  and  active  citizen. 

Nicholas  Hefty. — Age  33  ;  born  in  Switzerland ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
if  rom  Galena  April  3,  1865.  Died  May  28,  1865  ;  is  buried  in  the  National 
Cemetery  at  Nashville,  Tenn. 

Frederick  Hambrecht. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  cooper  ;  enlisted 
jfrom  Galena  April  10,  1865  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m. 
•o.  at  San  Antonio,  Texas,  Dec.  16,  1865. 


EOSTER  OF  COMPANY  K.  909» 

John  Hathaway. — Age  30 ;  born  in  Ohio  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from. 
Savanna,  Carroll  County,  111.,  March  28,  1865  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois 
June  9,  1865 ;  m.  o.  at  San  Antonio,  Texas,  Dec.  16,  1865.  Died  at 
Savanna,  111.,  several  years  since. 

Samuel  Johnson. — Age  17 ;  born  in  Wisconsin  ;  printer ;  enlisted 
from  Warren  April  10,  1865  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m. 
o.  at  San  Antonio,  Texas,  Dec.  16,  1865.  Is  connected  with  the  Daily 
Gazette  at  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa. 

William  Kimble. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Pennsylvania  ;  laborer ;  enlisted 
from  Warren  Oct.  1,  1864  ;  was  mortally  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Nash- 
ville Dec.  16,  1864,  and  died  Jan.  12,  1865.  Is  buried  in  the  National 
Cemetery  at  Nashville,  Tenn. 

John  Kelly. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from  Nora 
March  11,  1865  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at  San 
Antonio,  Texas,  Dec.  16,  1865. 

John  Lawson. — Age  35  ;  born  in  Sweden ;  tailor ;  enlisted  from 
Savanna,  Carroll  County,  March  28, 1865  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June. 
9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at  San  Antonio,  Texas,  Dec.  16,  1865. 

Jackson  J.  McKinley. — Age  40 ;  born  in  Pennsylvania  ;  farmer  ;  en- 
listed from  Derinda  Feb.  8,  1865  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9, 1865  ? 
m.  o.  at  San  Antonio,  Texas,  Dec.  16,  1865.  Went  to  Western  Kansas, 
where  he  died  some  years  since. 

Andrew  A.  McClellan.— Age  29  ;  born  in  Maryland  ;  carpenter ;  en- 
listed from  Savanna,  Carroll  County,  March  28,  1865  ;  transferred  to  21st 
Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at  San  Antonio,  Texas,  Dec.  16, 1865.  Is  a 
druggist  at  Onaga,  Kansas. 

Michael  Mitchell. — Age  25  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  laborer ;  enlisted  from 
Jordan,  Whiteside  County,  April  10,  1865 ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois- 
June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at  San  Antonio,  Texas,  Dec.  16,  1865. 

Ole  Oleson. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Norway  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Savanna,  Carroll  County,  March  28,  1865  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois- 
June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at  San  Antonio,  Texas,  Dec.  16,  1865. 

Frederick  Prufer. — Age  44  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from. 
Savanna,  Carroll  County,  April  8,  1865  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June 
9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at  San  Antonio,  Texas.  Dec.  16, 1865.  Resides  in  Savanna, 
Carroll  County,  111. 

Morancy  Putnam. — Age  25;  born  in  New  York;  jeweler;  enlisted 
from  Warren  Oct.  4,  1865,  joining  the  Regiment  before  it  left  the  State  ; 
served  as  an  ambulance  driver  much  of  the  time  ;  transferred  to  the  21st 
Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at  Cairo,  111 ,  Aug.  10,  1865.  Is  a  jeweler  at 
Carthage,  Mo. 

Mortimer  Pepoon.— Age  21  ;  born  in  Ohio  ;  enlisted  from  Warren 
April  3,  1865 ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865 ;  went  to  New 


910  HISTORY  OF  THE  96™  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

Orleans  with  the  command,  where  he  was  taken  very  sick  and  left  in 
hospital ;  was  afterward  sent  to  St.  Louis,  where  he  was  discharged  for 
disability  Aug.  26,  1865.  Has  never  fully  recovered ;  has  taught  school 
several  terms,  and  is  now  a  carpenter  and  builder  at  Warren,  111. 

Theodore  W.  Pepoon. — Age  29:  born  in  Ohio;  farmer;  enlisted 
from  Warren  March  29.  1865  ;  served  as  clerk  in  the  Commissary  Depart- 
ment much  of  the  time  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o. 
at  San  Antonio,  Texas,  Dec.  16,  1865.  Went  to  Nebraska  in  1869,  and 
purchased  a  farm  of  400  acres ;  served  one  term  in  the  Nebraska  State 
Senate,  and  for  several  years  edited  the  Falls  City  Journal ;  is  now  farm- 
ing at  Table  Rock,  Pawnee  County,  Neb. 

James  D.  Russell. — Age  16  ;  born  in  Illinois  ;  farmer ;  enlisted  from 
Rush  Oct.  7,  1864 ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at 
Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  13,  1865. 

John  W.  Stewart. — Age  34  ;  born  in  Vermont ;  pumpmaker  ;  enlisted 
from  Warren  Oct.  5,  1864  ;  died  at  Huntsville,  Ala.,  May  10,  1865. 

Dennis  Sullivan. — Age  34 ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  butcher  ;  enlisted  from 
Warren  Oct.  ~\ ,  1864  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  discharged 
-at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  June  21,  1865.  Died  since  the  war. 

John  Spore. — Age  28 ;  born  in  Canada ;  carpenter ;  enlisted  from 
Warren  Oct.  5,  1864  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at 
Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  13,  1865.  Was  last  heard  from  at  Marysville,  Mo. 

Daniel  W.  Spore. — Age  20  ;  born  in  Indiana  ;  wagonmaker ;  enlisted 
from  Warren,  Oct.  5,  1864  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o. 
at  Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  13,  1865.  Was  last  heard  from  at  Lincoln,  Neb. 

Levi  Smith. — Age  18  ;  born  in  New  York ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Warren  March  29,  1865  ;  had  previously  served  one  hundred  days  in  the 
142d  Illinois ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at  San 
Antonio,  Texas,  Dec.  16,  1865.  Is  a  manufacturer  of  basket  material  at 
Morristown,  Rice  County,  Minn. 

George  Stein. — Age  44  ;  born  in  Germany ;  tailor  ;  enlisted  from 
Galena,  April  3,  1865  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at 
San  Antonio,  Texas,  Dec.  16,  1865. 

Pliny  Taylor.— Age  42  ;  born  in  Virginia ;  butcher ;  enlisted  from 
Savanna,  Carroll  County,  March  26,  1865  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois 
June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at  San  Antonio,  Texas,  Dec.  16,  1865.  Is  a  policeman 
at  Savanna,  111. 

William  Tollman.— Age  33  ;  born  in  Pennsylvania  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Warren  Oct.  1,  1864  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  :  m.  o. 
at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  June  21,  1865. 

Ezra  Turner. — Age  25;  born  in  Milo,  Me.;  teacher;  enlisted  from 
Nora  Oct.  3,  1864,  and  joined  the  Regiment  just  in  time  to  participate  in 
the  battle  of  Nashville,  Dec.  15  and  16,  1864  ;  was  subsequently  detailed 


ROSTER  OF  COMPANY  K.  911 

as  Clerk  at  Brigade  Head  Quarters  ;  at  the  m.  o.  of  the  Regiment  was 
transferred  to  Company  K,  21st  Illinois,  and  was  finally  discharged  at 
Victoria,  Texas,  Oct.  13,  1865  ;  was  Special  Order  Clerk  in  the  Adjutant 
General's  office  at  Fourth  Corps  Head  Quarters  for  four  months.  Is 
cashier  and  clerk  in  the  Illinois  Central  freight  office  at  Galena,  111. 

Horatio  K.  Underbill.— Age  17  ;  born  in  Wisconsin  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Warren  March  29,  1865  ;  had  previously  served  one  hundred  days  in 
the  142d  Illinois;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865;  m.  o.  at  San 
Antonio,  Texas,  Dec.  16,  1865.  Is  farming  just  across  the  line  in  Wis- 
consin. Postoffice  address,  Warren,  111. 

Christian  Young. — Age  30  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  carpenter ;  enlisted 
from  Savanna,  Carroll  County,  April  5,  1865  ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois 
June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at  San  Antonio,  Texas,  Dec.  16,  1865. 

John  P.  Yerington. — Age  17  ;  born  in  Michigan  ;  enlisted  from  Nora 
Oct.  3,  1864 ;  transferred  to  21st  Illinois  June  9,  1865  ;  m.  o.  at  Victoria, 
Texas,  Oct.  13,  1865.  Died  in  Galena,  111.,  in  1868. 


912  HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 


CHAPTER 


The  Unassigned  Recruits  —  A  Few  Errors  Noted  —  Boys  Who  Never 
Reached  the  Regiment — A  Roster  that  Must  Remain  Incomplete. 

IN  the  revised  edition  of  the  Adjutant  General's  Report 
appear  the  names  of  twenty-two  persons  as  "Unassigned 
Recruits  "  to  the  NINETY-SIXTH  ILLINOIS.  Probably  a  majority 
of  these  are  on  the  record  by  error.  Investigation  shows  that 
nine  of  the  number,  as  follows — Jacob  D.  Berry,  Isaac  W. 
Craig,  William  C.  Higgins,  Christian  Ludacer,  Eli  Lowback, 
Hiram  McGrills,  George  Pitman,  Albert  Ratcliff  and  Henry 
W*  Weagle — enlisted  for  and  served  with  the  98th  Illinois, 
and  it  can  safely  be  inferred  that  their  names  are  upon  this 
roll  as  the  result  of  a  clerical  error.  If  they  could  be  traced 
it  is  probable  that  a  few  others  would  be  accounted  for  in  a 
similar  manner. 

But  a  majority  of  the  remaining  thirteen  enlisted  for  the 
NINETY-SIXTH,  but  never  reached  the  command.  Five  died 
on  the  wa}7,  and  two  were  rejected  by  the  Examining  Board 
at  Springfield.  What  became  of  the  others  has  not  come  to 
the  knowledge  of  the  historian,  a  diligent  search  of  the 
records  at  Springfield  failing  to  reveal  their  record  of  service. 

The  meager  particulars  gained  are  given  in  the  following 
personal  sketches  : 

THE  ROSTER. 

John  Bahr. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Lancaster,  Pa. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Thompson  Feb.  24,  1864,  intending  to  join  Company  F.;  died  at  Camp 
Butler,  Springfield,  111.,  March  20,  1864,  while  en  route  to  the  Regiment. 
Is  buried  at  Camp  Butler,  Springfield,  111. 

James  S.  Burge. — Age  22  ;  born  in  Waukegan,  111. ;  farmer  ;  enlisted 
from  Vernon  Feb.  8,  1864,  intending  to  join  Company  G ;  was  taken  sick 
at  Camp  Yates,  Springfield,  and  furloughed  home,  where  he  died  June 
25,  1865. 

William  Crothers.— Age  23  ;  born  in  New  York  farmer ;  enlisted 
from  Clinton  County  March  11,  1865,  intending  to  join  Company  I. 


COMPANY  C. 


Cprpl  HENRY  GLEA^OX. 
WALTEK  E.  DKI'UY. 


Cor^'l  DANIEL  JJENSON. 


ALBERT  A.  BURGE. 
LEVI  SHUPE. 


ROSTER  OF  UN  ASSIGNED  RECRUITS.  913 

Benjamin  Franklin. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Pennsylvania;  farmer;  en- 
listed from  Nora,  for  Company  K,  Oct.  3,  1864 ;  died  at  Camp  Butler, 
Springfield,  111.,  Jan.  23,  1665. 

Samuel  Gunn. — Age  17;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County,  111.;  farmer; 
enlisted  from  Galena,  for  Company  A,  Sept.  30,  1864 ;  rejected  by  Ex- 
amining Board. 

Charles  Irish. — Age  36 ;  born  in  New  York  ;  potter  ;  enlisted  from 
Chicago,  111.,  Oct.  11,  1864  ;  rejected  by  Examining  Board. 

Christian  King. — Age  29  ;  born  in  Germany  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Galena  Oct.  8,  1864,  intending  to  join  Company  A. 

John  Lawrence. — Age  23  ;  born  in  Pennsylvania  ;  ship  carpenter ; 
enlisted  from  Trenton,  Clinton  County,  March  11,  1865,  intending  to  join 
Company  I. 

John  McKnight. — Age  21  ;  born  in  Delaware,  Ohio  ;  cooper  ;  enlisted 
from  Halleck,  Peoria  County,  Jan.  24, 1865,  intending  to  join  Company  A. 

Josiah  Moore. — Age  28  ;  born  in  Ireland  ;  farmer  ;  enlisted  from 
Elizabeth  Feb.  25,  1865,  intending  to  join  Company  I  ;  was  taken  sick 
and  died  at  Springfield,  111.,  in  March,  1865  ;  was  a  brother  of  Lieutenant 
Moore. 

Wesley  D.  Manlon. — Age  18  ;  born  in  Clinton  County,  N.  Y.;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Vernon,  111.,  .Feb.  8,  1864,  intending  to  join  Company  G  ; 
died  at  Camp  Yates,  Springfield,  I1L,  March  3,  1864,  while  en  route  to  the 
Regiment. 

Alexander  M.  Reynick. — Age  19  ;  born  in  Jo  Daviess  County  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Galena  March  13,  1865,  intending  to  join  Company  A. 

Henry  Selby. — Age  35  ;  born  in  Ohio  ;  blacksmith  ;  enlisted  from 
Dunleith  Sept.  17,  1864,  intending  to  join  Company  I  ;  deserted  while  en 
route  to  Springfield  ;  was  arrested,  and,  again  attempting  to  escape,  was 
shot  Sept.  29,  1864. 

Emory  I.  Whaples.— Age  19  ;  born  in  Lake  County,  Ohio  ;  farmer  ; 
enlisted  from  Waukegan  Dec.  24,  1863  ;  died  in  Wilmot,  Wis.,  some 
years  since. 


CORRECTION. 
B}r  error  the  following  was  omitted  from  the  Roster  of  Company  A  : 

Frederick  Willey. — Enlisted  from  Benton,  Wis.,  March  9,  1865  ;  m.  o. 
at  Louisville,  Ky.,  June  2,  1865. 

58 


914  HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 


CHAPTER    IvII. 


The  National  Cemeteries — How  the  Graves  of  the  Dead  are  Cared  for — 
Identifying  the  Remains  —  Extracts  from  Official  Reports  — Brief 
Descriptions  of  the  Grounds — A  List  of  the  "Known"  Dead,  with 
Place  of  Interment. 


"  On  Fame's  eternal  camping  ground 

Their  silent  tents  are  spread, 
And  glory  guards,  with  solemn  round, 
The  bivouac  of  the  dead." 


THE  "Roll  of  Honor,"  published  by  the  Government 
shortly  after  the  close  of  the  War  of  the  Rebellion,  embraces 
twenty-seven  volumes,  and  to  that  must  the  reader  look  who 
desires  a  full  description  of  the  very  laudable  work  under- 
taken and  carried  out  in  completing  a  list  of  the  Nation's 
dead,  and  of  fitting  up  and  caring  for  the  beautiful  cemeteries 
where  repose  the  remains  of  a  large  portion  of  those  who  fell 
in  battle  or  died  in  hospital  during  those  memorable  years 
from  1861  to  1865.  And  yet,  while  details  cannot  be  largely 
dwelt  upon,  it  seems  fitting  to  make  some  mention  of  these 
burial  places. 

The  idea  of  fitting  up  National  Cemeteries  was  conceived 
before  the  close  of  the  contest,  but  every  energy  of  the  Gov- 
ernment had  been  directed  to  the  maintenance  of  the  vast 
armies,  and  but  little  could  be  done  until  the  Rebellion  had 
been  suppressed.  Before  the  close  of  1865  the  work  had  not 
only  been  systematized,  but  was  also  well  advanced  at  many 
points.  Gen.  M.  C.  Meigs,  Quartermaster  General  of  the 
Army,  had  general  supervision  of  the  matter,  and  detailed 
the  necessary  force  in  every  department  to  carry  out  the 
patriotic  scheme.  Often,  as  at  Chattanooga  and  Stone's 
River,  the  cemeteries  were  established  upon  battle-fields.  An 
earnest  attempt  was  made  to  preserve  every  mark  that  could 


THK  NATIONAL  CEMETERIES.  915 

lead  to  the  identification  of  all  bodies  disinterred,   wooden 
headboards  being  erected  above  each  grave. 

Subsequently  stone  tablets,  bearing  the  name,  rank,  com- 
pany, regiment  and  date  of  death  of  all  whose  identity  was 
established,  took  the  place  of  the  perishable  boards.  The 
grounds  have,  in  each  instance,  been  beautifully  laid  out  and 
enclosed,  usually  with  a  massive  stone  wall.  The  arched 
gateways  are  fittingly  inscribed,  and  a  keeper,  whose  resi- 
dence is  upon  the  grounds,  is  employed  at  each  to  look  after 
the  grounds  and  furnish  information  to  visitors.  Ample  pro- 
vision is  made  to  keep  the  premises  in  order,  and  everything 
is  done  to  make  these  National  Cemeteries  a  source  of  pride 
to  a  patriotic  people. 

The  following  extract  from  the  official  report  of  Maj.  E. 
B.  Whitman,  Assistant  Quartermaster,  who  prepared  the  lists 
of  soldiers  interred  at  Stone's  River,  Chattanooga  and  Knox- 
ville,  will  give  an  idea  of  the  difficulty  of  the  work,  and  the 
fidelity  with  which  it  was  done.  After  speaking  of  the 
imperfect  manner  in  which  the  records  of  burials  from  hos- 
pitals were  often  kept,  he  adds  :  "Many  burials  have  been 
made  by  troops  on  detached  service  or  on  the  march.  The 
regimental  returns  alone  will  show  any  official  record  of  these  ; 
and  the  only  source  of  information  within  reach  is  to  be  found 
in  the  inscriptions  or  marks  at  the  grave  itself — sometimes  a 
half-obliterated  penciling  upon  a  rough  board,  or  a  rude  carv- 
ing upon  a  neighboring  tree.  *  I  shall  avail  myself, 
as  far  as  possible,  of  hospital  and  surgeons'  records ;  of 
quartermasters',  con  tractors' and  undertakers'  lists  ;  of  private 
memoranda  kept  by  chaplains  of  regiments  and  1  y  agents  of 
sanitary  and  Christian  commissions,  and  then  of  gleanings  in 
the  woods  and  by  the  wayside,  in  the  quiet  country  church 
yard,  on  the  battle-field,  and  wherever  the  soldier  has  fallen 
and  found  a  thoughtful  comrade  or  the  friendly  hand  of  a 
stranger  to  make  the  rude  record  ;  and,  as  a  final  and  some- 
times sole  resort,  in  the  process  of  disinterring  the  bodies  for 
removal  to  National  Cemeteries,  of  the  evidences  of  identity 
deposited  in  the  grave  itself." 

In   the    Stone's   River   Cemetery   are   now   interred   the 


916  HISTORY  OF  THE  96-rn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 

remains  of  those  who  were  originally  buried  at  Franklin, 
Columbia,  Murfreesboro,  Wartrace,  Estill  Springs  and  other 
points  south  of  Nashville.  The  location  is  about  three  miles 
north  of  the  village  of  Murfreesboro,  between  the  railroad 
and  the  pike.  It  was  laid  out  in  1865,  and  for  eight  years 
thereafter  was  in  charge  of  Leonard  S.  Doolittle,  a  soldier  of 
Company  C,  NINETY-SIXTH  ILLINOIS,  who  had  a  limb  shattered 
at  Chickamauga. 

The  National  Cemetery  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  contains 
about  seventy-five  acres,  embracing  one  of  the  eminences 
which  figured  conspicuously  in  the  battle  of  Mission  Ridge. 
It  is  a  beautiful  site,  and  has  been  admirably  cared  for.  In 
it  are  buried  very  many  who  fell  upon  the  bloody  field  of 
Chickamauga,  as  well  as  those  who  were  killed  at  Lookout 
Mountain  and  Mission  Ridge,  or  who  died  in  the  hospitals 
about  the  city.  The  bodies  of  those  also  who  fell  in  the  early 
engagements  of  the  Atlanta  campaign,  north  of  the  Etowah 
River,  were  also  disinterred  and  taken  there  for  final  burial. 
Much  effort  was  made  to  identify  the  bodies,  but  in  many 
instances  the  frail  head-boards  erected  by  thoughtful  comrades 
had  been  broken  or  burned,  or  the  inscriptions  had  become 
illegible,  and  only  the  word  "unknown"  could  go  upon  the 
record.  It  is  believed,  however,  that  nearly  all  of  the  bodies 
of  those  who  fell  at  Chickamauga,  Rocky  Face  Ridge  and 
Resaca  now  rest  in  this  beautiful  cemetery. 

The  Nashville  National  Cemetery  is  situated  on  the  Galla- 
tin  Pike,  six  miles  north  of  Nashville,  Tenn.,  and  is  inter- 
sected by  the  Louisville  &  Nashville  Railroad.  It  comprises 
about  fifty-eight  acres,  and  more  than  sixteen  thousand  soldiers 
here  "sleep  their  last  sleep."  Although  a  large  proportion 
of  the  dead  in  this  cemetery  were  transferred  from  the  hos- 
pital burial  grounds  in  and  around  the  city  of  Nashville,  yet 
the  bodies  were  taken  from  two  hundred  and  fifty-one  distinct 
burial  places.  There  are  here  a  larger  number  of  the  known 
dead  of  the  Regiment  than  in  any  other  cemetery. 

The  Marietta  arid  Atlanta  National  Cemetery  is  located  in 
the  outskirts  of  the  village  of  Marietta,  Ga.,  in  full  view  of 
Kenesaw  Mountain,  and  about  twenty  miles  from  Atlanta. 


THE  NATIONAL  CEMETERIES.  917 

It  covers  twenty-four  acres,  and  was  donated  to  the  United 
States  by  Mr.  Henry  G.  Cole,  of  Marietta.  The  official 
report,  as  published  in  the  "  Roll  of  Honor,"  after  describing 
the  grounds,  says  :  "  From  the  summit  now  daily  floats  the 
national  ensign,  and  around  it  lie.  in  solemn  repose,  9,994 
Union  dead,  whose  remains  have  been  gathered  from  all  the 
battle-fields  and  hospital  grounds  of  Sherman's  advance  upon 
Atlanta ;  from  the  banks  of  the  Oostanaula,  at  Resaca,  to 
Jonesboro,  below  Atlanta,  and  east  to  Augusta.  The  dead 
from  Central  Alabama,  at  first  collected  and  interred  at  Mont- 
gomery, have  also  been  transferred  to  this  cemetery.  Here 
sleep  those  who  fell  with  McPherson  at  Atlanta,  with  Harker 
at  Kenesaw,  on  the  fields  of  Peach  Tree  Creek,  and  in  the 
forests  of  New  Hope  Church  ;  and  here,  too,  lie  those  martyr 
heroes  who  so  freely  sacrificed  their  lives  on  the  heights  of 
Allatoona." 

Captain  James  M.  Moore,  in  his  report  of  the  work  at 
Anderson ville,  bearing  date  September  20,  1865,  says  :  "On 
the  morning  of  the  26th  of  July  the  work  of  identifying  the 
graves,  painting  and  lettering  the  headboards,  laying  out 
walks,  and  enclosing  the  cemetery  was  commenced,  and,  on 
the  evening  of  August  16,  \vas  completed,  with  the  exceptions 
heretofore  mentioned.  The  dead  were  found  buried  in 
trenches,  on  a  site  selected  by  the  Rebels,  about  three  hun- 
dred yards  from  the  stockade.  The  trenches  varied  in  length 
from  fifty  to  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards.  The  bodies  in  the 
trenches  were  from  two  to  three  feet  below  the  surface,  and, 
in  several  instances,  where  the  rains  had  washed  away  the 
earth,  but  a  few  inches.  Additional  earth  was,  however, 
thrown  upon  the  graves,  making  them  of  a  still  greater  depth. 
So  close  were  they  buried,  without  coffins  or  the  ordinary 
clothing  to  cover  their  nakedness,  that  not  more  than  twelve 
inches  were  allowed  to  each  man  ;  indeed,  the  little  tablets 
marking  their  resting  places,  measuring  hardly  ten  inches  in 
width,  almost  touched  each  other. 

"United  States  soldiers,  while  prisoners  at  Andersonville, 
had  been  detailed  to  inter  their  companions,  and,  by  a  single 
stake  at  the  head  of  each  grave,  which  bore  a  number  corres- 


918  HISTORY  OF  THE  96'ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  1. 

ponding  with  a  similar  numbered  name  upon  the  Anderson- 
ville  hospital  record,  I  was  enabled  to  identify  and  mark,  with 
a  neat  tablet  similar  to  those  in  the  cemeteries  at  Washington, 
the  number,  name,  rank,  regiment,  company,  and  date  of 
death  of  12,461  graves,  there  being  but  451  that  bore  the  sad 
inscription,  ''Unknown  U.  S.  Soldier."  One  hundred  and 
twenty  thousand  feet  of  pine  lumber  were  used  in  these  tablets 
alone.  The  cemetery  contains  fifty  acres.  *  *  *  " 

The  National  Cemetery  at  Richmond,  V~a.,  is  two  miles 
southeast  of  the  city.  In  it  are  buried  more  than  six  thousand 
Union  soldiers,  only  about  one-eighth  of  whose  remains  were 
identified,  many  of  them  having  been  brought  thither  from 
Cold  Harbor,  Games'  Mills,  Fort  Harrison  and  Hanover 
Court  House.  Among  the  known  are  two  from  this  Regiment. 

At  Salisbury,  N.  C.,  are  buried  several  thousand  Union 
soldiers,  nearly  all  of  whom  fell  victims  to  their  prison  treat- 
ment. Only  a  few  are  identified.  Of  these  there  are  Orange 
M.  Ayers,  of  Company  C,  and  Corporal  Delos  Rose,  of  Com- 
pany G.  The  name  of  the  latter  also  appears  on  the  list  of 
the  dead  interred  in  the  National  Cemetery  at  Florence,  S.  C. 

Just  within  the  corporate  limits  of  Danville,  Va.,  is  a  small 
plot  of  three  acres  on  which  are  buried  the  remains  of  1,323 
Union  soldiers  ;  nearly  all  died  while  prisoners  of  war,  among 
whom  were  several  members  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH. 

In  the  National  Cemeteries  at  Knoxville,  Tenn.;  Annapo- 
lis, Md. ;  Camp  Butler,  near  Springfield,  111. ;  Camp  Nelson, 
Ky. ;  Cave  Hill,  near  Louisville,  Ky. ;  Chalmette,  near  New 
Orleans,  La.;  Galveston,  Texas;  Brownsville,  Texas.,  and  in 
the  Soldiers'  Burial  Lots  at  Lexington,  Ky. ;  Danville,  Ky., 
and  Rose  Hill,  near  Chicago,  111.,  are  the  remains  of  members 
of  the  NINETY-SIXTH. 

Below  is  a  list  of  all  members  of  the  NINETY-SIXTH  REGI- 
MENT buried  in  National  Cemeteries  whose  graves  are  known. 
In  many  instances  the  dead;of  the  command  were  sent  home 
for  interment,  and  of  these  no  mention  is  attempted.  Others 
sleep  in  unknown  graves,  but  nearly  all,  whether  their  graves 
are  marked  or  not,  are  doubtless  buried  within  the  hallowed 
enclosures  mentioned  above. 


THE  NATIONAL  CEMETERIES. 


919 


NAME. 

RANK. 

Co. 

DATE  OF 
DEATH. 

No.  OP 
GRAVE. 

WHERE  SCRIED. 

Holtkamp,  Bennett  

Priv. 

F 
H 

Dec.    16,  1864 
Aug     18,  1864 

12,298 
5,701 

Andersonville,  Ga. 

Leekey,  J.B*        
Madden,  Laughlin  
Marshall,  Alphonzo.  .  . 
McCreadie.  William  .  .  . 
Menzemer,  Chas.  C  
Rodenberger,  Hugo  
Stanchfield,  Geo.  H  ... 
Sturm,  Charles  

Sgt. 
Priv. 
Corpl. 
Priv. 

F 
0 

H 

C 
A 
C 
H 

c 

Sept.  25,  1864 
Aug.    12,  1864 
July      2,  1864 
June     4,  1864 
June  16,  1864 
June  28,  1864 
June  26,  1864 
Nov    2.S,  1864 

10,148 
5,390 
2,762 
1,617 
2,049 
2,5% 
2,532 
12,190 

Wheelock,  Alberto  — 
Bailey,  Francis  8 

;; 

H 

F 

May    10,  1864 
Dec     18  1864 

992 
3  595 

Nashville,  Tenn. 

Beall,  Josiah  

u 

A 

April  11,  1863 

302 

Beecher,  Mason  C.  ... 
Bennett,  John  

" 

D 
I 

Sept.  27,  1863 
Mar    25,  1863 

650 
799 

M 

Colgrove,  Caleb  E  
Con  ley,  William  

" 

C 
H 

Mar.   31,  1863 
April  22,  1863 

7,351 
3,0«0 

" 

Cutler,  Henry  H  

Corpl. 

c 

Dec.    17,  1864 

8,283 

u 

Davis,  Joseph  P  

Priv. 

H 

Mar.    18,  1863 

34 

11 

Denure.  Albert  . 

E 

April  28  1863 

405 

u 

Trefz,  Henry  . 

Corpl 

F 

April    1,  1863 

3,234 

11 

Hamilton.  Norris  

c 

Dec.    16,  1864 

2,509 

u 

Harwick,  Jacob  

Priv 

F 

July    27,  1863 

3,301 

11 

Hefty,  Nicholas  

K 

May    28,  1865 

14,681 

11 

Jones,  Miles  

u 

D 

April    7,  1863 

196 

11 

Keyes,  Thomas 

11 

E 

Mar       5,  1863 

986 

11 

Kimble,  William 

u 

K 

Jan     12,  1865 

8,420 

u 

Kinreid,  Thomas 

n 

G 

June  27,  1864 

10,032 

11 

Leslie,  Humphrey  
Martin,  Thomas  

tl 

I 

E 

April    9,  1863 
Dec.    19,  1863 

3,172 

7,2*5 

, 

Miller,  Fred'k  W 

11 

F 

Dec      2  1863 

3  014 

i 

Newton,  Butler  

u 

K 

Nov.     6,  1863 

210 

i 

Noble,  William  A  

11 

G 

July    21,  1864 

9,912 

i 

O'Connell,  James. 

Corpl. 

B 

Aug    23   1863 

3,146 

i 

Roberts,  G.  W  

I 

April  26,  1863 

345 

i 

Schnell,  Henry  

Priv. 

c 

June     7,  1864 

13490 

i 

Scott,  John  D  

I 

June   17,  1865 

i 

Sage,  John  

ti 

E 

Mar.    30,  1863 

867 

i 

Smith,  Reuben  .  . 

11 

G 

July    13  1864 

13,762 

i 

Taylor,  John  Y  

Corpl. 

c 

Nov    24  18C3 

3,260 

t 

Conley,  William  

Priv. 

H 

April  2i  1863 

3,080 

i 

Washbnrn,  John  

B 

Dec     16  1864 

2,484 

11 

Witman,  John  II  

11 

A 

Oct      30,  1863 

38 

11 

McClellan,  William.... 
Benton,  Albert  E  

" 

C 
K 

May      6,  1864 
May    30  1864 

1,432 
7,104 

Annapolis,  Md. 
Marietta,  Ga 

Boetcher,  Christopher. 
1'.  lack  in  mi.  Fred'k  L.  .  . 
Burbridge,  Robert  
Disch,  Andrew,  Jr  
Druse,  Carlisle  T  

M 

G 
K 
H 
A 
B 

June  20,  1864 
Aug.   19,  1864 
June  23,  1864 
Sept.     2,  1864 
June  13,  1864 

1,031 
4,390 
9,3-22 
6,215 
8,623 

Hill,  John  

Corpl. 

I 

Sept    23,  1864 

4,443 

11 

Lewis,  William  

Priv 

A 

Aug     19,  1864 

4,391 

11 

Redfern,  Francis  
Scott,  Aaron  

Sgt. 

E 
G 

June  24,  1864 
Aug      2,  1864 

9,382 
6,590 

„ 

Shupe,  Dennis  

Priv. 

G 

June  20,  1864 

6,904 

11 

Tower,  W.  W  

B 

Aug    25,  1864 

9,609 

11 

Whitmore,  Wm.  D  
Beall,  James  M  

Sgt. 
Priv 

B 

A 

June  20,  1864 
Feb      2  1863 

6,905 
262 

Danville,  Ky. 

Brown,  James.   ... 

B 

Jan     25  1863 

132 

Collins,  Alfred  

11 

B 

Jan     29,  1863 

133 

u 

Fletcher,  Joseph  E  
Hawkins,  Asel  
James,  Freeman  

I 

E 
G 
G 

Feb.    17,1863 
Feb.    IS,  18(13 
Jan.    18,  1863 

216 
170 
200 

» 

Rix,  George  

H 

B 

Jan     24,  1863 

113 

11 

Vanalstine,  William.  .. 
Williams,  John  

" 

F 
1 

Mar.    12,  1863 
Feb     17,  1863 

223 

228 

" 

Wilton,  Richard  

11 

D 

Dec.    20,  1862 

138 

u 

Bahr,  John  ... 

11 

F 

Mar    20  1864 

653 

Camp  Butler,  111 

Franklin,  Benjamin... 
Boothby,  John  A  
Green,  Henry  C  

Unassi 
Corpl. 
Priv. 

gnecl. 
H 
C 

Jan.    22,  1865 
Dec.    25,  1863 
Jan     20,  1864 

327 
335 

819 

Danville,  Va. 

Huntington,  H.  .  . 

Set. 

C 

Feb.    27.  1H64 

ti 

920 


HlSTOKY  OF  THE  96'fH  E.EGIMENT,   ILL.  V.   I. 


NAME. 

RANK. 

Co. 

DATE  OF 
DEATH. 

No.  OF 
GRAVE. 

WHERE  BURIED. 

Ingersoll,  William  

Priv. 

H 

c 

Jan.    17,  1864 
Jan.      6,  1864 

739 

461 

Danville,  Va. 

u 

D 

Dec.      8,  1862 

3,033 

Camp  Nelson,  Ky. 

Hubbard,  William  

" 

E 
K 

June  25,  1863 
Jan.    11,  1863 

3,035 
3,036 

Pool,  Frank            

tt 

E 

Nov     30,  1862 

2  8% 

Shaffer,  Terhau  
Strong,  Brainard  E  — 
Armbruster,  Augustus 
Barnes,  Geo   F*        .  . 

Corpl. 
Lieut 

E 
E 
F 
H 

Dec.    29,  1862 
Jan.    10.  1863 
Oct.      7,  1863 
Oct        3,  1863 

3<037 
3.034 
939 

12  884 

Chattano  ga,  Tenn. 

Blackstone,  Stephen  F 
Brainard,  Fred..   . 

Priv. 

E 
B 

Oct.     21,  1863 
May      9,  1864 

846 
10,034 

; 

Courier,  Charles  L  
De  Graff,  William...   . 
Dunmore,  John  R  
Forsyth,  James  

Sgt. 
Priv. 

K 
E 
D 
H 

May    14,  1864 
May    16,  1864 
July      1,  1864 
Sept.  22,  1863 

9,270 
1,373 
11,676 
9,379 

' 

Heydon,  William  P  ... 
Jelly,  William  Andrew 
Johnson,  Thomas  K... 
Knox,  James  L  

» 

K 

F 
H 
G 

Jan.      8,  1864 
Sept.  10,  1864 
Nov.    10,  1863 
June  28,  1864 

9,354 
2,277 
407 
9,911 

• 

Leland,  Thos.  S  

Sgt. 

K 

May    14,  1864 

9,266 

Litwiler,  James  

Priv. 

B 

May    14,  1864 

9,203 

t 

Meres,  Michael  

I 

Feb.    15,  1864 

10,732 

t 

Miller,  Lewis..   . 

it 

G 

May    27,  1864 

9,946 

t 

O'Leary,  Dennis  

,1 

E 

Oct.     26,  1863 

1,002 

t 

Kich,  Esau  

ti 

B 

Nov.  24,  1863 

11,094 

t 

Smith,  Thog.  J  

Lieut. 

I 

June     9,  1864 

9,791 

t 

Tarpley,  A.  C  

Priv. 

I 

May    11,  1864 

6,371 

> 

Thrasher,  John  G  
Vaughn,  James  
Vroman,  John  J  

G 
K 
K 

Dec.    11,  1883 
May      9,  1864 
May    14.  1864 

9,360 
9,889 
9,268 

j 

Wheeler,  Wm.  H    ... 

it 

G 

Oct.      5,  1863 

1.148 

t 

Cooper,  Geo.  J  

u 

B 

Nov.    18,  1863 

2,185 

Cave  Hill,  Ky. 

Sturges,  William  

K 

W 

Mar.    18,  1863 

1,605 

Bryan,  George  

t> 

H 

Nov.    13,  1862 

65 

Lexington,  Ky. 

Hollester,  Hiram  
Wilcox,  Isaac  M    .... 

" 

B 

A 

Nov.   25,  1862 
April  16,  1865 

122 

1,771 

Knoxville,  Tenn. 

Ayers,  Orange  M  
Rose,  Delos  

Corpl. 

C 
G 

Jan.     16,  1865 
Jan.    28,  1865 

Salisbury,  N.  C. 

Adduddle,  Isaac*  .  .  . 

Priv. 

H 

Aug.   31,  1863 

605 

Stones  River,  Tenn. 

Baker,  John 

G 

Sept     6,  1863 

3,847 

Bottom,  James  

>i 

B 

Aug.   23,  1863 

3,918 

>i 

Farrier,  Andrew 

it 

D 

Dec.      2,  1863 

5,022 

H 

Kinney,  Cleveland  M  .  . 
Neal,  Robert  

Corpl. 
Priv. 

K 
A 

June  25,  1865 
Mar    22,  1863 

635 
3,266 

H 

Scott,  James  M  

F 

April  16,  1863 

3,586 

It 

Trndgian,  William  
Vaughn,  John.   .. 

" 

F 
G 

Sept.  14,  1863 
Aug    22,  1863 

1,280 
5,2a3 

" 

Wakefield,  Chauncey.. 
Bevard,  Wm.  H  
Bray,  Thomas*  

Corpl. 
Priv. 

F 
I 
A 

Mar.    23,  1863 
Aug.     6,  1864 
April  26,  1865 

3,598 
1,359 

New  Albany,  Ind. 
Nashville,  Tenn. 

Edgerton,  W.  Irving*.. 
Goble,  Daniel* 

F 
F 

Mar.    13,  1863 
Feb       9  1863 

Willett.  Arnold*  

D 

Oct     28,  1863 

it 

Diehl,  James  

t 

F 

Sept     2,  1865 

Galveston,  Tex. 

Drier,  Fred'k  

i 

K 

July    24,  1865 

New  Orleans,  La. 

Delaney,  James  

t 

A 

Ang      2,  1865 

Near  Green  Lake,  Tex. 

Higley,  Albert  T  
Mitchell,  Henry  W.... 
Woodward,  Geo  

Corpl 

A 
D 
A 

Aug.    21,  1865 
Dec.      7,  1865 
Oct.     15,  1865 

45 

Chalmette,  La. 
San  Antonio,  Tex. 
Brownsville,  Tex. 

Ben  singer,  John  

Priv. 

C 

Feb       8,  1864 

Richmond,  Va. 

Flannery,  Patrick  
Gage,  Harrison  

Corpl. 

H 
I 

Dec.      8,  1863 
June         1865 

Chicago  or  Rose  Hill. 

Millett.  Herrick.   ... 

Priv. 

E 

June         1865 

Saulsbury,  William  
Post,  Renslaer  

A 
H 

Jan.      9,  1865 
July    23,  1863 

Rose  Hill. 

*Body  has  either  been  interred  as  unknown,  or  removed  home  by  friends. 


COMPANY  B. 


Principal  Musician,  HIRAM  WEATHERLY. 
WALLACE  V.  TRAUT. 


Capt.  ALLEN  B.  WHITNEY. 
Capt.  DAVID  SAULSBURY. 
GEORGE  W.  WINFIELD. 


ELIHU  D.  GRA1 
JOHN  H.  CRUV 


;|UJ&*» 


LOSSES  OF  ILLINOIS  TROOPS. 


921 


The  following  figures,  taken  from  Eddy's  "  Patriotism  of 
Illinois,"  were  carefully  compiled  from  official  records  at  the 
close  of  the  war.  By  them  it  will  be  seen  that  but  twelve 
other  Illinois  regiments  lost  as  many  in  killed  and  mortally 
wounded  as  the  NINETY-SIXTH  : 

INFANTRY. 


REGIMENT. 

Killed 
or  Died  of 
Wounds. 

Died 
of  Disease. 

REGIMENT. 

Killed 
or  Died  of 
Wounds. 

Died 
of  Disease. 

7  

74 

146 

63  

11 

123 

8  

159 

97 

64   

94 

109 

9  

185 

126 

65  

25 

39 

10  

36 

115 

66  

73 

128 

11  

162 

263 

67  

14 

12. 

122 

76 

68  .. 

26 

13  

45 

121 

69   

13 

14  

60 

84 

70 

15 

15  

77 

106 

71  

23 

16  

43 

40 

72  

86 

127 

17.  .. 

73 

66 

73 

100 

121 

18  

86 

181 

74 

75 

108 

19  

91 

45 

75 

91 

40 

20  

131 

153 

76       ... 

52 

195 

21  

100 

99 

77  

74 

145 

22  

131 

78 

78  

95 

102 

23.     

68 

35 

79 

82 

188 

24  

71 

65 

80 

53 

147 

25  

73 

149- 

81 

52 

265 

26.  ... 

75 

136 

8#  

53 

27.... 

113 

84 

83  :  

37 

81 

28.  .. 

93 

129 

84 

119 

127 

29. 

52 

204 

85        ... 

89 

129 

30  

93 

166 

86 

72 

92 

31  

141 

225 

87  

15 

203 

32  

88 

173 

88     

95 

81 

33. 

60 

183 

89 

123 

143 

34.  . 

98 

83 

90 

52 

74 

35  

90 

153 

91 

11 

134 

36. 

203 

167 

92 

51 

112 

37.... 

74 

124 

93   

90 

116 

38. 

23 

101 

94 

13 

154 

39. 

136 

117 

95 

82 

177 

40. 

54 

341 

96      

112 

107 

41  

98 

101 

97  

43 

168 

42. 

75 

147 

98 

36 

135 

43. 

70 

152 

99 

45 

117 

44. 

109 

143 

100 

85 

126 

45  

55 

106 

101  

49 

108 

46  

86 

225 

102  

50 

70 

47... 

57 

131 

103  

85 

135 

48... 

89 

228 

104  

105 

72 

49... 

83 

164 

105  

51 

114 

50. 

53 

102 

106  .       ... 

4 

178 

51... 

101 

104 

107    

29 

118 

52... 

10 

32 

108  

9 

204 

53  

87 

114 

109  

% 

54  

8 

76 

110       ...  . 

9 

49 

55... 

66 

67 

HI     

79 

157 

56  

23 

141 

112    

88 

126 

57... 

70 

83 

113  

24 

230 

58  

63 

134 

114      ..  . 

41 

146 

59  

80 

103 

115       

53 

137 

60  

74 

170 

116  

54 

212 

61  

27 

186 

117  

13 

107 

62... 

2 

255 

118... 

38 

170 

59 


922 


HISTORY  of  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  1. 


REGIMENT. 

Killed 
or  Died  of 
Wounds. 

Died 
of  Disease. 

REGIMENT. 

Killed 
or  Died  of 
Wounds. 

Died 
of  Disease. 

no         

16 

127 

138  

11 

120          

13 

237 

139  

15 

121  —  Sever  organ 

ized. 

140  

4 

20 

122 

41 

111 

141 

20 

123  

80 

116 

142  

29 

124      

40 

132 

143  

49 

125  

78 

105 

144  

1 

65 

126  

7 

187 

145  

37 

127 

37 

158 

146 

3 

32 

128        

49 

47 

147  ...      . 

24 

129  

53 

107 

148  

2 

H 

130  

29 

41 

149  

4 

3d 

131  

9 

311 

150  

1 

47 

132      

12 

151 

41 

133  

1 

11 

152     .. 

68 

134  

23 

153  

n 

135  

2 

15 

154..     .. 

72 

136  

2 

39 

155  

60 

137... 

18 

18 

15(5... 

3 

23 

CAVALBY  AND  ARTILLERY. 

a 

54 
47 
33 
30 
29 
72 
74 
46 
19 

139 

213 
150 
373 
137 
237 
126 
167 
218 

11  

36 
53 
38 
24 
9 
24 
13 

170 

159 

IS! 
338 
130 
124 
222 
81 

506    ' 

3           

12 

4  

13     .. 

5  

14 

6  

15     .. 

7  

16  

8        

17 

9        

All    of    Batteries 
combined  

10        

ERRATA. 


Page  192  :    For  "  Quarter  Master,"  read  "  Quarter-Master  Sergeant." 

Page  193  :    The  name  of  Walter  Crapo  appears  by  error. 

Page  194  :    In  Company  F's  casualty  list  the  *  should  follow  the  name  of 

John  Hocking  instead  of  Edward  Wearne. 

Page  195  :    In  line  12,  a  *  should  follow  the  name  of  Norman  P.  Ward. 
Page  223  :    In  line  9,  for  "  we  "  read  "me." 
Page  225  :    In  line  21,  for  "  pushed  "  read  "pushing." 
Page  225  :    In  line  24,  for  "  skirmishing"  read  "skirting." 
Page  330 :    Richard  Spencer  and  not  Andrew  Hindman,  was  the  Com- 
pany F  man  captured. 

Pages  335,  337  and  339  :  The  running  title  "  Resaca"  is  an  error. 
Page  367  :  Fourth  line  from  bottom,  for  "Redford"  read  "Redfern." 
Page  375  :    Same  error  as  above  in  casualty  list  of  Company  E. 
Page  514,  line  13  :    Substitute  John  Hocking  for  Edward  Wearne. 
Page  736,  line  5  :    For  "  Henry  Fidlcr,"  read  "John  Fidler." 
Page  765  :    In  running  title,  for  "Company  B,"  read  "Company  D." 
Page  785  :     Sketch   of  Stephen  F.    Blackstone  should  read,    "died  at 
Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  October  21,  1863  from  wounds  received  at  the 
battle  of  Chickamauga." 
Page  864  :    Sketch  of  Renslaer  Post  should  read,   "died  in  hospital  at 

Chicago,  July  23,  1863." 
Page  879  :  Address  of  John  E.  Evans  should  be  Woodbine,  111. 


INDEX  TO  NON-MEMBERS. 


925 


I  N  D 


SHOWING   PAGES   ON   WHICH  PERSONS   OTHER  THAN   MEMBERS   OF   THE 
REGIMENT  ARE  MENTIONED. 


Abbott,  Dr.  N.  W.,  675. 
Acton,  Major,  272. 
Allen,  Capt.  James,  210. 
Allen,  Miss  Marilla  E.,  674. 

Anderson, ,  545. 

Anderson,  Capt.,  606. 
Anderson,  Major,  21. 
Arnold,  Mr.,  530. 

Atkins,  Gen.  Smith  D.,  84,  90,  100,  101,  104, 
116,  125,  130,  132,  133,  143,  144,  147,  628. 

Baird,  Gen.  A.,  48,  54,  72,  96,  110,  114,  124, 
141  147,  174,  180,  181,  290,  627. 

Baldwin,  Mr.,  503,  507. 

Barnes,  — > — ,  538. 

Barnes,  Lieut.  A.  T.,  853. 

Bartleson,  Col.,  596. 

Bates,  George  C.,  481,  483,  484,  485. 

Beatty,  Gen.,  181. 

Ben,  Old,  596. 

Bennett,  Lieut.,  601. 

Berry,  Jacob  D.,  912. 

Best,  Kev.  Mr.,  338. 

Black,  Capt.  Harrison,  666. 

Blinn,  Rev.  Mr.,  503. 

Bliss,  Dea.  Z  ,  731. 

Blodgett,  Hon.  H.  W.,  28,  252,  253,  495,  674, 
837. 

Boone,  Daniel,  89. 

Bowen,  Col.  J.  H.,  483,  485. 

Bradwell,  Judge,  481,  484,  487,  489. 

Bragg,  Gen.,  45,  79,  118,  126,  128,  135,  142, 
149,  150,  151,  162.  164,  173,  180,  181,  182, 
188,  197,  206,224,  225,  237,  249,  251,  270, 
271,  280,  289,  603,  734,  736. 

Brannan,  Gen.,  171,  173,  174,  180,  182,  197, 
201. 

Breckenridge,  John  C.,  20. 

Brewster,  D.,  814. 

Bristow,  Lieut.,  600. 

Brookner,  Miss  May  N.,  675. 

Brown,  Mrs.  Aaron  V.,  100. 

Brown,  Lieut.,  609. 

Brownlow,  Parson,  100,  462. 

Brown,  Maj.,  27,  34,  35,  37,  38. 

Bryan,  Thomas  B.,  483,  484,  485. 

Buchanan, ,  635. 

Buchanan,  President,  20,  21. 

Buckner,  Gen.,  162. 

Buel,  Col.  G.  P.,  631. 

Bnell,  Gen.,  45,  142,  734. 

Burnside,  Gen.,  73,  150,  237,  238,  239,  241. 

Butler,  Gen.  B.  F.,  387,  C.,'3. 

Butterfleld,  Gen.,  327,  32'.». 

Campbell,  Col.,  121. 
Cardwell,  J.  W.,  71,  892. 
Carleten,  Col ,  596. 
Carroll,  William  F.,  823. 
Carter,  Gen.,  427. 


Cesnola,  Col.  D.,  596. 

Chandler,  Capt.,  601. 

Chandler,  Lieut.  G.  W.,  600. 

Cheatham,  Gen.  B.  F.,  420. 

Chetlain,  Gen.  A.  L.,  506. 

Clark,  Capt.,  611. 

Clason,  Capt.,  209. 

Clay,  Hon.  Henry,  52,  64. 

Clebourne,  Gen.,  427,  559. 

Clifford,  Lieut.,  609. 

Clink,  William,  546. 

Coburn,  Col.,  98, 100,  103,  105,  106,  107. 

Cochran,  Col.,  70,  74,  90. 

Cole,  Henry  G.,  917. 

Conrad, ,  423,  426,  433. 

Corey,  Silas,  774,  775. 

Corse,  Gen.,  403. 

Cory,  Dr.  David,  674. 

Craig,  Isaac  W.,  912. 

Crissey,  Chaplain,  468. 

Crittenden,  Gen.,  151,  162,  163, 180, 181,  204, 

225,  229,  241 . 
Crook,  Gen.,  252. 
Cruf  t,  Gen.  Charles,  265,  645. 
Curtin,  Gov.,  602. 

Davis,  Gen.  Jeff.  C.,  180,  181,  370. 

Dean,  Miss  Lemira  M.,  669. 

Deane,  Miss  Mary  E.,  668. 

Douglas,  Hon.  Stephen  A.,  20,  21. 

Dow,  Gen.  Neal,  595,  607. 

Dowd,  Col.  W.  P.,  268. 

Dowst,  S.  M.,  814. 

Daviess,  Col.,  71. 

Davis,  Jefferson,  21,  22, 46, 153,  458,  471,  474, 

490,  570,  604,  634. 
Drum,  James,  574. 
Drury,  Horace  G.,  833. 
Dufflcy,  Maj.,  364. 
Dusenberry,  E.  W.,  823. 

Eaton,  Jack,  636. 

Ellis,  W.  H.,  814. 

Espy,  Capt.  S.  B.,  138,  208,  210. 

Evans,  Lieut.  Col.,  404. 

Fentress,  Lieut.,  600. 

Kistler,  Lieut.,  (112. 

Fit/simmons,  Maj  ,  611. 

Flint,  Maj  ,48. 

Forrest,  Gen.,  94,  131,  154,  596.  636. 

Foster,  Lieut.,  612. 

Fremont,  Gen.  J.  C.,  387. 

Fuller,  Hon.  Allen  C.,  29,  30. 

Gallagher,  Capt.,  609,  611. 
Gallaher,  Miss  Charlotte  A.,  670. 
Galloway,  Lieut.  Win.  G.,608,  609. 
Garbet,  Lieut.,  612. 
Garfleld,  James  A.,  Gen.,  148,  201,  684. 


926 


HISTORY  OF  THE  96rrn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 


Gurrard,  Gen.,  333,  379. 

Geary,  Gen.,  258,  264,  265, 266,  646. 

Gilbert,  Gen.,  104,  105,  110. 

Gilmore,  Miss  Alicia,  674. 

Granger,  Gen.  Gordon,  42,  77,  79,  108,  110, 

120,  127,  128,  144,  106,  167,  172,  176,  177, 

199.  2C5,  265,  296,  903. 
Grant,  Fred.,  51. 
Grant,  Jesse,  51. 
Grant.  Gen.  U.  S  ,  41,  51,  86,  92,  103,  145, 

245,  246,  249,  257,  262,  277,  282,  301,  302, 

401,  438,  440,  475,  489,  496,  497,  503,  506, 

507,  (503,  626,  673,  676,  821. 
Grose,  Col.,  264,  265,  266,  384,  388,  441,  443, 

447,  646. 

Haines,  Hon.  E.  M.,  495. 

Halleck,  Gen.,  126,  149. 

Hall,  Capt.  Amos,  740. 

Hamilton,  Capt.  A.  J.,  611. 

Hamilton,  Lieut.,  609. 

Hannon,  Lieut.  Jesse,  211,  604. 

Hardee,  Gen.,  570. 

Harding,  Col.,  94. 

Harker,  Gen.  Charles,  310,  370, 470,  471,  917. 

Hawkins,  Rev.  L.,  731,  732. 

Hazeu,  Gen.  W.  B.,  257. 

Higgins,  William  C.,  912. 

Hindman,  Gen.,  188,  200. 

Hood,  Gen.  J.  B.,  116,  337,  338,  382,  384, 385, 
400,  401,  409,  410,  414,  415.  418,  420,  423, 
427,  432,  433,  436,  438,  439,  44U,  450,  452, 
454,  456,  457,  579,  582,  820,  833. 

Hooker,  Gen.  Jos.,  122,  249,  256,  257,  258, 
264,  2o5,,  272,  276,  27T,  296,  323,  328,  329, 
336,  345,  568,  645,  646,  661,  757,  898. 

Howard,  Gen.  O.  O.,  296,  306,  336,  384. 

Humphrey,  Gen.,  591. 

Hunt,  Lieut.,  733. 

Huntley,  Lieut.  J.  J.,  674. 

Jackson,  Gen.,  271. 

Johnson,  Gen.,  174,  180. 

Johnson,  lion.  Andrew,  670. 

Johnson,  Ciipt.,  611. 

Johnston,  Gen.  J.  E.,  289,  299,  302,  304,  305, 
312,  326,  331,  332,  335,  339,  343,  350,  352, 
379,  382,  471,  550,  551,  559,  569,  570. 

Johnston,  Lieut.  O.  S.,  3>,  707. 

Jones,  Meut.  J.  P.,  600,  601. 

Joyce,  James,  62. 

Keith,  Lieut.,  604. 

Kendall,  Lieut.,  600. 

Kinman,  Lieut.  Col.,  208. 

Kimball,  Gen.  Nathan,  388,  419,  468,  470, 

474,  475,  476. 

Kirby,  Col.,  361,  363,  474. 
Kirk,  Hon.  George,  814. 
Knaags,  Adjt.  R.  C.,  601,  604. 
Kuipe,  Gen.,  329. 

Lane,  Gen.,  423.  426,  433. 

Lawver,  I.  C.,  Adjt.,  101. 

Lee,  Gen.  R.  E.,  145,  302,  467,  471. 

Le  Favour,  Col.  Heber,  196,  205,  209,  5%. 

Lincoln,  President  Abraham,  20,  21,  22,  23, 

24,  37,  103,  121,  124,  148,  257,  269,  287, 

387,  398,  440,  462,  168,  469,  488,  577,  669, 

670,  671,  679,  704.  810,  851. 
Logan,  Gen.  John  A.,  438,  507. 
Lombard,  Adjt.,  600. 
Longstreet,  Gen.,  162,  164,  168, 182, 183, 188, 

197,  251,  639,  848. 
Lowback,  Eli,  912. 
Lucas,  Capt.,  609,  611,  614. 


Ludacer,  Christian,  912. 
Ludlow,  Lieut.,  609. 
Lyon,  Gen.,  23. 

McCabe,  Chaplain  C.  C.,  595. 

McCaulley,  Lieut.,  600. 

McClellan,  Gen.  Geo.  B.,  387. 

McClellan,  Hon.  R.  H.,  671. 

McCook,  Col.  Daniel,  166,  168,  169,  171,  173, 

177,  178,  190,  196,  199,  200,  202,  203,  204, 

209,  241,  256,  370. 
McCook,  Gen.,  151,  163,  173,  174,  180,  181, 

190,  204,  225,  229,  252,  315. 
McDonald,  Maj.,  611. 
McGrills,  Hiram,  912. 
McKcan,  Lieut.,  612. 
McLaw,  Gen.,  591. 
McPhcrson,  Gen.,  301,  303,  309,  311,  331,  333, 

335,  338,  344,  349,  355,  357,  379,  384,  651, 

917. 

McVey.  P.  H.,  823. 
McWilliams,  Capt.,  601. 
Magoun,  Dr.,  671. 
Mallon,  Joseph,  814. 
Mann,  Dr.,  637. 
Marshall,  Maj.  D.  W.,  364. 
Marvin,  S.  W.,  706. 
Marvin,  Judge,  842. 
Mason,  Ed.  D.,  A.  A.  G.,475. 
Mason,  E.  H.,  130. 
Mason,  Lieut.,  210. 
Mass,  Capt.,  600,  601. 
Meade,  Gen.  George  G.,  145,  604. 
Mcngher.  Capt.,  589. 
Meigs,  Gen.  M.  C.,  914. 
Merrill,  Capt.  Wm.  E.,  626,  627,  630,  631. 
Miller,  Capt.,  130,  131. 
Minty,  Col.,  199. 
Mitchell,  Gen.,  135. 
Mitchell,  Col.  J.  G.,  166,  177,  196,  197,  199, 

200,  202,  203,  204,  206,  208,  209,  256. 
Mitchell,  Lieut.,  612. 
Moe,  Col.  S.  B.,  183,  209. 
Moore,  Col.  J.  H.,  205,  284,  452,  462,  468. 
Moore,  Capt.  James  M.,  917. 
Moore,  Lieut.  John  M.,  210. 
Moran,  Lieut.,  601. 
Mori-an,  Gen.  John  H.,  54,  74,  77,  78,  79, 

114,  146,  586,  607,  756,  762. 
Morton,  Gov.,  102. 

Negley,  Gen.,  180. 
Neiper,  Maj.,  600. 
Newton,  Gen.,  349,  369. 
Neiman,  Adjt.  Anton,  672. 

O'Connell,  Capt.  P.,  630,  631. 
Opdyke,  Gen.,  379,  386,  423,  424,  426,  433. 
Osborn,  Mr.,  636,  637. 
Osterhaus,  Gen.,  264,  266. 

Palmer,  Gen.  John  M.,  180. 

Payne,  Col.  E.  B.,  495. 

Pcgram,  Gen.,  511,  804. 

Pemberton,  Gen  ,  128. 

Phillips,  Col.,  628. 

Pickett,  Gen.,  337. 

Pierce,  Mrs.  B.  G  ,  286. 

Pierce,  Byron,  674. 

Pierce,  Miss  Kmma  V.,  674. 

Pierce,  Miss  Ida,  674. 

Pierce,  John,  674. 

Pierce,  Capt.  Geo.  S.,  870. 

Pitman,  George,  912. 

Platt,  Hon.  J.  D.,  283. 

Polk,  Gen.  L.,  163,  180,  289,  339,  356. 


INDEX  TO  NON-MEMBERS. 


927 


Prentiss,  Gen.,  145. 

Price,  Col.,  295,  361. 

Putnam,  Capt.  James  S.,  383. 

Randall,  Capt.,  611. 

Randolph,  Lieut.,  600. 

Ratcliff,  Albert,  912. 

Rawlins,  Gen.,  506. 

Reid,  Lieut ,  606. 

Reynolds,  Gen.,  180. 

Robinson,  Ex-Gov.,  62. 

Rockwell,  Lieut.,  600. 

Rogers,  Gen.  George  C.,  404. 

Rose,  Col.  T.  E.,  596,  609,  611,  615. 

Rosecrans,  Gen.  W.  S.,  73,  86,  104,  126,  127, 
128,  134,  135,  142,  145,  147,  149,  150,  151, 
162,  163,  164,  168,  174,  177,  180,  181,  204, 
224,  225,  229,  249,  251,  257,  604,  625,  848. 

Ross,  Prison  Clerk,  598. 

Rosseau,  Gen.,  837. 

Rossiter,  Luther,  732. 

Rountree,  William,  827,  831. 

Rowley,  Gen.,  4%. 

Rusk,  Gov.,  676. 

Ryan,  Lieut.,  600,  601. 

Sanders,  Maj.,  454. 

Sanford,  Miss  Ann,  674. 

Sawyer,  Capt.  II.  W.,  600. 

Scace,  Edgar,  283. 

Schell,  Lieut.,  600. 

Schofield,  Gen.  J.  M.,  301,  335,  336,  338,  344, 
355,  379,  38i,  414,  415,  416,  417,  419,  422, 
425,  438,  567. 

Scott,  Dred,  19,  20. 

Scott,  1).  W.,  680. 

Seal,  Richard,  496. 

Seymour,  Dr.,  640. 

Shaw,  Joe,  543. 

Sheridan,  Gen.  P.  H.,  107,  108,  110, 180,  181, 
190,  229/489. 

Sherman,  Gen.  W.  T.,  73,  86,  92,  102,  245, 
246,  262,  276,  277,  289,  301,  302,  303,  304, 
308,  3k",  314,  326,  831,  332,  335,  338,  339, 
340,  343,  350,  352,  .356,  366,  369,  370,  371, 
372,  373,  374,  379,  382,  384,  387,  Sill,  307, 
398,  400,  401,  402,  4a3,  409,  415,  436,  458, 
485,  486,  488,  489,  507.  536,  575,  581,  603, 
631,  739,  740,  837,  917. 

Silvertooth,  Mr.,  637. 

S|monson,  Capt.,  321,  356,  357. 

Simpson,  Lieut.,  612.. 

Sizemore,  Capt.,  464,  465,  466,  467,  851. 

Skelton,  Lieut.,  606. 

Smith,  Lieut.,  636,  637. 

Smith,  Gen.,  110,257. 

Smith,  Gen.  A.  J.,  418,  435,  439,  458. 

Smith,  Gen.  E.  Kirby,  45,  470,  471. 

Smith,  Freddie  Parker,  282. 

Smith,  Mrs.  J.  C.,  282,  472. 

Smiih,  Gen.  John  E.,  506. 

Smith,  Robert,  670. 

Smyth,  Capt.,  606. 

Stanley,  Gen.  David  S.,  115,  284,  309, 
318,  319,  3-'!7,  :«>.  3lil).  384,  395,  400, 
422,  426,  433,  435,  467,  408,  474,  (Hi  I, 

Stanton,  Hon.  Edwin  M.,  145. 

Starkweather,  dipt.,  860. 

Steedman,  Gen.  J.  B.,  132,  147,  166,  167, 
KiS,  169,  172,  176,  177,  LSI,  ISC,,  1!M),  191, 
196,  200,  201,  202,  203.  -,'dl.  -,'ic,,  joo.  •„><);. 
208,  209,  210,  229,  232,  235,  236,  247,  430, 
439,  457,  589,  51)0,  670,  M49,  882. 

Stoneman,  Gen.,  315. 


Streight,  Col.,  489,  595,  606. 
Swayne,  Col.  P.  T.,  47,  69. 

Taney,  Judge,  19. 

Taylor,  Col..  372,  373,  654. 

Taylor,  II.  W.,  814. 

Taylor,  Gen.  Kicnard,  471.  t 

Temple,  Capt.  H.  P.,  526,  654. 

Terrell,  Maj.,  117,  130. 

Terry,  Gen.,  539,  556. 

Tibbetts,  Lieut.,  34,  844. 

Thomas,  Gen.  Geo.  H.,  151.  163,  164,  179, 
180,  181,  182,  183,  189,  192,  197,  198,  200, 
201,  204,  205,  207,  208,  225,  229,  232,  246, 
247,  257,  289,  391,  301,  319,  344,  .355,  358, 
382,  383,  410,  414,  418,  435,  436,  438,  440, 
455,  456,  462,  473,  474,  488,  489,  498,  499, 
603,  736,  739,  853. 

Thomas,  Lieut.,  600. 

Tod,  Gov.,  102. 

Turner,  Maj.  Thomas  P.,  605. 

Turner,  Capt.  Wm.  P.,  592. 

Upton,  Hon.  C.  W.,  493. 

Vallandigham,  136,  137,  602. 
Van  Cleve,  Gen.,  139,  180,  181. 
Van  Dorn,  Gen.,  115,  626. 

Wagner,  Gen.,  434. 

Walder,  Miss  Susette,  672. 

Ward,  Gen.,  327,  329. 

Warren,  Lieut.,  629. 

Washburne,  Hon.  E.  B.,  28,  496,  503. 

Waters,  Col.,  468. 

Watkins,  Col.,  118. 

Watson,  Lieut.  Col.,  364. 

Weagle,  Henry  W.,  912. 

Weaver  (bushwhacker),  153. 

Webster,  Geu.  J.  D.,  740. 

Wells,  Capt.,  208. 

Welsh,  Lieut.,  601. 

Wentworth,  Hon.  John,  481,  485,  487. 

Wetherby, .  546. 

Wheeler,  Gen.,  93,  94,  137,  252,  253,  682,  832, 
833. 

Whitaker,  Gen.  'Walter  C.,  147,  148,  106, 
168,  169,  170,  171,  172,  177,  186,  196,  197, 
199,  200,  202,  203,  304,  205,  208,  209,  210, 
238,  256,  264,  265,  275,  284,  294,  2115,  298, 
317,  318,  360,  361,  365,  372,  402,  403,  419, 
421,  432,  433,  447,  452,  511,  589,  590,  646, 
653,  661.  SlKi. 

Whipple,  W.  D.,  A.  A.  G.,  455. 

Whitman,  Mnj.  E.  B.,  915. 

Wilder,  Col.,  136,  144,  147. 

Willett,  Lieut.  James  It.,  630,  631. 

Williams,  Maj..  147. 

Willich,  Gen.,  136,  666. 

Wilson,  Gen.,  425. 

Winder,  Gen.,  544,  565. 

Wirz,  Capt.,  538,  544,  545,  551,  572. 

Wood,  en.  T.  J.,  180,  181,  183,  201,  266, 
346,  381,  422,  435,  454,  71S. 

Woodworth,  L.  P.,  283. 

Wygant,  Miss  Julia  E.,  672. 

Yates,  Rev.  J.  F.,  504. 

Yatcs.  Hon.  Richard,  87,  102,  297,  753,  774, 

815,  869. 
Young,  John,  555. 

ZollicoffcT,  Gen.,  23. 


928 


HISTORY  OF  THE  96ra  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  1. 


I  N  D  EX 


SHOWING  PAGES  ON  WHICH  MEMBERS  OP  THE  REGIMENT  ARE 
MENTIONED. 


Abbey,  Christian,  878. 

Abbey,  Wallace  W.,  890,  892,  8%. 

Abel,  John  A.,  685,  699. 

Adams,  John,  195,  872,  878. 

Adam?,  William  T.,  776,  781. 

Addndle,  Isaac,  154,  858,  920. 

Alexander,  Edward,  764. 

Allendorf,  Philip,  685,  699. 

Allendorf,  William,  805. 

Allison,  Anderson  S.,  71,  691. 

Allison,  Robert  C.,  170,  194,  778,  784. 

Ames,  Ameiius,  746. 

Ames,  Willard,  746. 

Andrews,  George  W.,  195,  525,   533,   540, 

848,  849,  859. 

Andrews,  Wallace,  312,  850,  859. 
Annis,  Henry,  193,  707,  710,  714,  716. 
Appleby,  Leonard,  898. 
Armbruster,  Augustus,  194,  793,  798,  920. 
Arnold,  Charles  A.,  900. 
Ayers,  George  N.,  743,  746. 
Ayres,  Orange  M.,  325,  330,  332,  548,  554, 

559,  566,  732,  737,  746,  752,  918,  92J. 

Bahr,  Henry,  806. 

Bahr,  John,  300,  912,  919. 

Bailey,  Francis  S.,  445.  449,  794,  805,  806,  919. 

Bailey,  George  W.,  799. 

Bailey,  John  W.,  193,  736,  745. 

Baird,  George  W.,  901. 

Baker,  John,  154,  820,  828,  92C. 

Ball,  David  R.  P.,  692. 

Bangs,  Ambrose  A.,  193,  213,  388,  522,  540, 

604,  707,  708,  711,  713,  714,  715. 
Bangs,  George  A.,  303,  718. 
Bangs,  Harrison  I.,  719. 
Barber,  Samuel,  785. 

Barker,  John,  243,  263,  869,  870,  871,  873,  874. 
Barnes,  George  F.,  118,  123,  186,  195,  216, 

263,  297,  844,  846,  847,  a53,  920. 
Barney,  Albert,  358,  375,  553,  562,  570,  571, 

572,  573,  574,  575,  757,  760,  764,  765,  827. 
Barnum,  Henry  P.,  193,  213,  365,  375,  524, 

539,  736,  737,  744,  745. 
Barr,  William,  806. 
Barrett,  Charles,  692. 
Barren,  Orville  P.,  714,  717,  718. 
Barrus,  Isaac,  633,  710,  719. 
Earth,  George,  376,  719. 
Barthold,  Ernest,  688. 
Bartles,  Edwin  A.,  87,  732,  738,  743. 
Bartlett,  Thomas  H.,  858,  859. 
Barton,  Ira,  900. 
Bastian,  John,  692. 
Bastian,  Sampson,  799. 
Bastian,  Thomas,  806. 
Bater,  Henry,  193,  736,  747. 
Bates,  Hiram  N.,  907. 
Bates,  John  H.,  899. 
Bates,  William  N.,  461,  907. 
Bayue,  Samuel  H.,  52,  118,  842,  843,  853. 


Beall,  James  M.,  87,  691,  919. 

Beall,  Josiah,  125,  691.  919. 

Bean,  William  S.,  32,  192,  208,  211,  223,  228, 

245.  297,  634,  636,  677,  681,  683,  688,  689. 
Beck,  Gottlieb,  192,  683,  691. 
Beck,  James  A.,  326,  719. 
Beck,  John  K.,  641,  828. 
Beck,  William  P.,  878. 
Beecher,  Mason  C.,  283,  755,  764,  919. 
Bell,  William,  358,  375,  872,  878. 
Bennett,  Elisha  R.,  699. 
Bennett,  George  C.,  311,  778,  782,  783. 
Bennett,  Truman  P.,  195,  872,  878. 
Bennett,  John,  125,  878,  919. 
Bennett,  John  K.,  908. 
Bensinger,  John,  193,  525,  526,  540,  737,  747, 

920. 
Benson,  Daniel,  194,  216,  514,  517,  540,  816, 

820,  828,  840. 
Benton,  Addison,  908. 
Benton,  Albert  E.,  349,  353,  894,  901,  919. 
Berg,  Christopher  H.,  71,  178,  311,  349,  359, 

367,  375,  424,  460,  679,  680,  681,  685,  687, 

688. 

Berkmeyer,  Frederick,  806. 
Besley,  John  W.,  746. 
Beesey,  John,  764. 
Bete,  William,  765. 
Bevard,  William  H.,  401,  878,  920. 
Biddlecom,  Charles  O.,  678,  821,  828,  829. 
Bingham,  George,  699. 
Bininger,  John  A.,  317,  330,  685,  691. 
Berknell,  Henry,  806. 
Bixby,  Solomon,  194,  311,  778,  784. 
Black,  James  E.  (Co.  I),  884. 
Black,  James  E.  (Co.  K),  195,  891,  893,  900. 
Black,  Joseph  P.,  48,  70,  72,  118,  147,  774, 

776,  777,  780. 
Blackler,  John,  829. 
Blackler,  Thomas,  829. 
Blackman,  Frederick,  390,  392,  895,  901,  919. 
Blackstone,  Stephen  F.,  194,  514,  539,  778, 

785,  920,  923. 
Bliss,  Timothy  W.,  746. 
Blodgett,  Asiel  Z.,  170,  186,  193,  215,  385, 

492,  521,  524,  539,  656,  657,  672,  753,  755, 

756,  758,  759. 
Blodgett,  Edward  A.,  32,  43,  86,  91,  251,273, 

286,  294,  326,  380,  431,  447,  461,  473,  657, 

658,  672. 
Blodgett,  Jared  O.,  194,  403,  577,  578,  579, 

580,  581,  582,  819,  820,  828. 
Blowney  Benjamin  G.,  79,  186,  194,  216,  377, 

388.  431,  437,  810,  811,  814,  815,  816,  819, 

820,  823. 

Blunt,  Martin  M.,  633,  764. 
Boettcher.  Christopher,  364,  375,  818,  819, 

829,  919. 
Bollenbach,  Gu&tavus,  457,  460,  584,  585, 

711,  713,  719. 
Bonham,  Homer,  851,  867. 


THE  PUBLICATION   COMMITTEE, 


(FKOM   KECENT   PHOTOGRAPHS.) 


EDWIN  DBUKY. 

M.  I'MBDENPTOCK,  .In. 


HENHV  H   GAGE. 
CHAH.  W.  EARLE. 


C.    A.    PAKTRUXiK. 

E.  A.  BLODGETT. 


INDEX  TO  MEMBERS. 


929 


Bonitell,  Henry,  195,  514,  870,  872,  876. 

Bonjour,  Thomas,  800. 

Bonner,  William,  193,  214,  514,  736,  746. 

Boogar,  Henry,  710,  719. 

Boothby,  John  A.,  71,  195,  525,  532,  533,  540, 

844,  849,  856,  919. 

Bostwick,  Hiram  L.,  194,  793.  796. 
Bostwick,  William  F.,  77(>.  783. 
Bottom,  James,  154,  710,  713,  719,  920. 
Bottom,  William,  710,  719. 
Bowker,  Joseph  S..  195,  514,  891,  893,  900. 
Bowman,  George,  326,  349.  376,  692. 
Bowman,  John,  195.  514,  872.  878. 
Brainerd,  Fred.,  307,  311,  712,  719.  920. 
Bray,  Thomas  (Co.  A),  473.  686,  699,  920. 
Bray,  Thomas  B.  (Co.  I),  633,  878.- 
Brewster,  Marion  R.,  754,  762. 
Briggs,  Frederick,  859. 
Briukerhoff,  Anson,  195,  514,  893,  900. 
Brochon,  Louis,  360,  375,  756,  757,  764. 
Brower,  Almon,  878,  879. 
Brown,  Edward,  806. 
Brown,  James  (Co.  B),   87,  709,  710,  713, 

718.  919. 

Brown,  James  (Co.  F),  194,  793,  799,  800. 
Brown,  Myron  J.,  194,  325,  330,  548-58,  567, 

570,  571,  575,  580,  634,  817,  818,  820,  830. 
Brown,  Spencer  W.,  844,  856. 
Brown,  Thomas,  901. 
Bruner,  Mathias  M.,  187,  195,  211,  639,  640 

824,  843,  844,  847,  855. 
Bryan,  Abner  C.,  857. 
Bryan,  George,  64,  846,  859,  920. 
Bryan,  William  B.,  859. 
Bryant,  Lewis  H.,  193,  213,  736,  741. 
Bryant,  Myrou  A.,  712,  719,  720. 
Bryson,  John,  685,  699. 
Bryson,  Robert,  699. 
Buchanan,  William  R.,  215,  367,  375,  378, 

794,  799. 

Buck,  Otto  J  ,  692. 
Buckley,  William,  778,  785. 
Buckner,  Henry,  806. 
Bunce,  Charles  D.,  195,  523,  540,  848,  849, 

859. 

Burbridge,  Robert,  367,  375,  850,  859,  919. 
Burbridge,  William  H.,  778,  785. 
Burge,  Albert  A.,  816,  819,  821,  830. 
Burge,  James  S.,  912. 
Burgess,  Alfred,  692. 
Burke,  Dominick,  367,  375,  377,  758,  765. 
Burnett,  Alexander,  123,  842,  843,  852,  889. 
Burnett,  George  H.,  36,  100,  121,  273,  282, 

332,  388,  410,  437,  464,  707,  709,  714,  115, 

718. 

Burnett,  Jerome,  714,  718. 
Burthwick,  S.  S.,  901. 
Buser,  Ellis  W.,  901. 
Buser,  Henry,  900,  901. 
Buser,  Samuel  L.,  377,  900,  901. 
Bush,  John  A.,  194,  514, 540,  778,  784,  785. 
Butler,  George,  194,  216,  817,  830. 
Butterfleld,  Isaac,  718. 
Buys,  John,  691. 
Byers,  Frederick  W.,  6, 123,  676. 
Byers,  John,  879. 

Cadwell,  Loyal,  822,  8cO. 

Calvert,  Richard,  800. 

Calvert,  William   (Co.  F.),  194,  397,  793, 

794,  800. 

Calvert,  William  (Co.  I.),  884. 
Campbell,  Andrew,  378,  796. 
Campbell,  Harrison  M.,  692. 
Campbell,  Peter  D.,  633,  692. 
Carlton,  Charles  W.,  901. 


Carlton,  Thomas  J.,  273,  890,  894,  899. 

Carpenter,  Elijah  C.,  721. 

Carpenter,  George  W.,  765. 

Carpenter,  Marvin  F.,  844,  855. 

Carson,  Samuel,  884. 

Carver,  Eugene,  845,  858. 

Carver,  Franklin,  678,  845,  858. 

Carver,  Miles,  32,  678,  845,  858. 

Cashman,  Henry,  194,  778,  783. 

Cashman,  John,  193,  7)1,  721. 

Castle,  Alfred  S..  633,  710,  720. 

Chaddock,  Willard  R.,  891,  901. 

Chamberlain,  Wallace  W.,  765. 

Chambers,  George,  901,  902. 

Champion,  Myron  B.,  297,  895,  907. 

Champion,  Thomas  E.,  31,  36,  48,  49,  57,  58, 
60,  62,  70,  72,  76,  88,  91,  102,  103,  123, 
125,  147,  170,  184,  185,  186,  188,  190,  198, 
202,  203,  205,  208,  212,  234,  236,  238,  239, 
240,  262,  263,  270,  283,  286,  290,  294,  297, 
298,  310,  317,  320,  321,  362,  363,  374,  401, 
404,  472,  482,  588,  658,  662,  668,  669,  708, 
754,  776,  843,  846,  847,  854,  888,  889,  895, 
907. 

Champlin,  J.  Franklin,  195,  523.  894,  901. 

Chandler,  Abner  L.,  360,  375,  664,  757,  765. 

Charter,  Erastus  A.,  860. 

Chope,  John,  754,  766,  920. 

Chown,  Richard  B.,  850,  860. 

Clark,  Hirain,  747. 

Clark,  James  H.,  53,  79,  813,  815,  823. 

Clark,  John  M.,  766. 

Clark,  Joseph  K.,  273,  641,  817,  830. 

Clark,  Samuel,  746. 

Clark,  William  P.,  800. 

Clark,  William  S.,  710,  720. 

Clarke,  Isaac  L.,  31,  38,  51,  52,  57,  70,  88,  91, 
96,  148,  185,  186,  192,  199,  217,  228,  236, 
245,  262,  483,  497,  640,  669,  670,  704,  729, 
810,  811,  813,  814,  815,  816,  819,  820,  823, 
846,853. 

Clarkson,  John  E.,  282,  765. 

Clarkson,  Theodore  P.,  91,  179,  193,  214, 
385,  472,  754,  755,  756,  759. 

Clawson,  Philip  R.,  360,  375,  756,  757,  765, 
766. 

Claypool,  Newton  B.,  908. 

Clements,  Samuel,  87,  738,  747. 

Clendenning,  J.  M.,  32,  38,  69,  87,  676,  677, 
901. 

Cleveland,  Erastus  T.,  311,  364,  375,  712, 
720. 

Cleveland,  Major  H.,  714,  718. 

Cole,  George  E.,  908. 

Cole,  James,  194,  778,  785. 

Cole,  Jajnes  M.,  785. 

Cole,  Perrin  P.,  817,  830,  831. 

Colgrove,  Caleb  E.,  125,  738,  747,  919. 

Collier,  John  H.,  193,  215,  282,  443,  754,  755, 
756,  759. 

Collins,  Alfred,  87,  709,  710,  713,  720,  919. 

Collins,  Lafayette,  709,  710,  720. 

Collins,  William  H.,  699. 

Conklin,  Jeremiah,  831. 

Conlee,  Alex.  W.,  890,  898. 

Conlee,  Thomas  A.,  195,  212,  893,  899. 

Conley,  William  (Co.  H),  125,  860,  919. 

Conley,  William  (Co.  1),  879. 

Counery,  Charles  F.,  861. 

Connor,  John  W.,  71,  192,  460,  514,  540,  683, 
693. 

Consaliis,  Joseph  E.,  311,  685,  692. 

Conway,  Patrick,  107,  194,  509,  511,  793,800. 

Cook,  Arthur,  707,  711,  714,  716,  717. 

Cooley,  Harvillah,  32,  678,  732,  738,  741. 

Cooper,  George  J.,  283,  713,  720,  920. 


60 


930 


HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 


586, 


540, 


Cooper,  Royal  J.,  194,  273,  387,  390,  391. 

778.  779,  782. 

Corbin,  John  A.,  194,  216,  812,  817,  822, 
Cosman,  Peter,  720. 
Courier,  Charles  !,„  324,  330,  894,  901, 
Coverly,  Elijah,  785. 
Coverly,  James,  785. 
Co  wen,  Christopher  C.,  195,  539,  890, 

893,  897. 

Cowen,  Oscar  W.,  273,  899. 
Craig,  John,  800. 

Craig,  Thomas,  427,  428,  583,  584,  884. 
Crane,  Hamilton  D.,  253,  895,  902. 
Crapo,  Walter,  193,  259,  757,  766,  923. 
Cribb,  Ira,  193,  736,  747. 
Crippen,  George  H.,  91  8. 
Crissey,  Handford  W.,  859. 
Crocker,  Crofton,  763. 
Crocker,  William  W.,  861. 
Crosby,  John  H.,  710,  721. 
Crotlfers,  William,  912. 
Crowell,  Lucius  C..  283,  860. 
Crowley,  Dennis,  879. 
Crummer,  Joseph,  884. 
Cruver,  John  H.,  193,  213,  710,  720. 
Cullen,  Richard  C.,  195,  525,  534,  540, 

848,  849,  860. 
Curl,  William,  720. 

Curry,  James  J.,  195,  574,  539,  847,  860. 
Curtis,  James  M.,  850,  867. 
Cutler;  Henry  H.,  193,  445,449,  525,  526, 

587,  735,  736,  737,  738.  745,  919. 


Dady,  Owen,  712,  722. 

Daley,  James  R.,  766. 

Dalrymple,  George  W.,  902. 

Daly,  V\  illiam,  879. 

Damphouse,  Peter,  367.  375,  872,  879.. 

Darby,  Edward  (let),  325,  330,  £48,  817,  819, 

831,  832. 

Darby,  Edward  (2d),  821,  831,  832. 
Darby,  Henry,  831,  832. 
Darby,  Joseph,  194,  514,  519,  539,  816,  820, 

821,  831,  840. 
Darr,  John  C.,  876. 
Dart,  Emery,  193,  212,  514,  710,  721. 
Davis,  Henry  A.,  700. 
Davis,  Joseph  P.,  125,  861,  919. 
Davis,  Noah  N.,  685,  699. 
Davis,  Thomas,  194,  216,  514,  539,816,819, 

820,  832,  840.       - 
Davis,  Watson  P.,  767. 
Davison,  Peter,  383,  392,  850,  857,  858. 
Davy,  Thomas,  786 

Dawson,  George,  367,  375,  870,  872,-  876. 
Daweon,  Robert,  806. 
Dawson,  William,  71,  263.  294,  359,  445,  468, 

795,  796,  806,  851. 
Day,  George  H.,  710,  722. 
Dean,  Harmon  S.,  375,  894,  902. 
Det-drick,  George  W.,  383,  391,  758,  767. 
Deersteiu,  Christian,  806. 
DeGraff,  William  F.,  194,  212,  309,  311,  778, 

782,  920. 

Delaney,  James,  667,  685,  699,  920. 
Demmon,  Leroy,  87,  819,  832. 
Denure,  Albert,  125  785,  919. 
Derofi,  Henry,  908. 
Denick,  Andrew  J.,  630,  633,  767. 
Devine,  Charles  L.,  766. 
Devlin,  Michael,  358,  375,  472,  553,  555,  556, 

558,  562,  567,  570,  575,  577,  755,  757,  760, 

765. 

DeVoe,  Isaac  W.,  710,  722. 
Dickinson,  Charles  T.,  767. 
Diehl,  James,  667,  806,  920. 


Dimmick,  Daniel  W.,  776,  782. 

Dimmick,  Geonre  \V.,  194,  212,  522,  540, 576, 

604,  778,  786r 
Dirnberger,  Joseph,  879. 
Disch,  Andrew  Jr.,  349,  397,  685,  693,  919. 
Disch,  Andrew,  Sr.,  693. 
Dittmar,  Adam,  861. 
Dittmar,  Erhard,  311,  794,  800. 
Dittmar,  John  G.,  800. 
Diver,  William,  193,  736,  747,  748. 
Dodge,  George  C.,  193,  514,  517,  518,  519, 

520,  539,  732,  736,  743,  744. 
Dodge,  Samuel  W.,  747. 
Dombski,  Henry,  721. 
Donahue,  James,  367,  375   818,  822,  832. 
Doolittle,  Leonard  S.,  198,  214, 514,  519,  539, 

736,  747,  916. 

Douglas,  Adrian  R.,  678,  766. 
Douglas,  Chester  W.,  766. 
Douglas,  Isaac  Mason,  754.  762. 
Douglas.  Robert  J.,  766,  767. 

Dowd,  Daniel  W.,  195,  525,  536.  540,  849,  861. 
Drew,  Walter,  194,  216,  364,   375,  813.  816, 

818,  826. 

Dreyer,  John,  908. 
Drier,  Frederick,  667,  908,  920. 
Drury,  Edwin,  407,  582,  820,  832.  833. 
Drury,  Walter  E.,  821,  833. 
Druse,  Carlisle,  356.  712,  721,  919. 
Dnnbar,  Mathew,  195,  893,  902. 
Dunbar,  William  S.,  721. 
Dunmore,  Jacob  E.,  767. 
Dunmore,  John  R.,  401.  755,  767,  920. 
Dunton,  Oscar  W  ,  861. 
Dwyer,  Thomas  W.,  833. 

Earle,  Charles  W.,  100, 191. 193, 199,  209,  213, 
239,  284,  294,  295,  329,  360,  361,  388,  401, 
423,  489,  508,  525,  540,  541,  586,  663,  664, 
730.  731,  732,  733,  735,  736,  737,  739,  740, 
745. 

Early,  Henry  R.,  890,  892,  897. 

Easton,  Benjamin  F.,  786. 

Eaton,  Parley,  902. 

Eaton,  Sherod  B.,  786. 

Eby,  Charles,  700. 

Eckhardt,  Louis,  806. 

Edge,  William,  194,  778,  786. 

Edgerton,  W.  Irving,  125,  794,  800,  920. 

Edwards,  Alfred,  722. 

Edwards,  James,  879. 

Edwards,  Thomas  J.,  861. 

Edwards,  William  J.,  375,  894,  902. 

Eflnger,  Martin,  311,  423,  424,  737,  738,  742. 

Ehlers,  John  H.,  193,  514,  736,  748. 

Ehlers,  William  H.,  193,  359,  375,  575,  736, 

737,  748,  752,  840. 
Einhart,  M.  R.,  693. 
Einsweiler,  John,  192,  684,  693. 
Elberth,  Jacob,  218,  794,  801. 
Elderkin,  Alfred,  194,  778,  786. 
Ellis,  Charles,  193,  756,  760. 

Elston,  Charles  N.,  195,  217,  889,  890,  893, 

897,  898. 

Endress,  Andrew,  884. 
Erskine,  R.  L.,  693. 
Evans,  George  (Co.  F),  806. 
Evans,  George  (Co.  I),  872,  879. 
Evans,  John  E.,  340,  872,  879,  923. 
Evans,  JMoses,  32,  52,  87,  99,  220,  253,  461, 

658.  674,  675,  825. 

Fablinger,  John,  195,  872,  879. 
Fablinger,  Louis,  807. 
Fablinger,  Nicholas,  807. 
Fablinger,  Philip,  798. 


INDEX  TO  MEMBERS. 


931 


Faith,  William,  353,  77?,  779,  784. 
Farley,  Albert,  195,  847,  861,  862. 
Farnsworth,  George  M.,  215,  817,  824,  833. 
Farnsworth,  Hiram  W.,  79,  123,  813,  815, 

820,  822,  824,  833. 
Farr,  George  C.,  850,  867. 
Farrell,  Patrick  (1st),  195,  217,  848,  862. 
Farrell,  Patrick  (2d),  195,  217,  848,  858. 
Farrier,  Andrew,  283,  755,  768,  920. 
Feist,  Bernard.  908. 
Fenn,  Samuel,  283,  786. 
Ferguson,  Alex.  O.,  767,  768. 
Ferguson.   George  G.,  297,  401,  678,  754, 

755,  760,  767,  853. 

Ferrand,  Orskine  L.,  375,  449,  707,  712,  716. 
Fidler,  John,  193,  213,  736,  748,  923. 
Fielding,  James,  884. 
Finley,  Timothy,  748,  752. 
Fisher,  Whitman  O.,  710,  722. 
Flagler,  William  H.,  325.  818,  8*3. 
Flanders,  Francis  L.,  862. 
Flaunery,   Patrick,  195,  525,  532,  533,  534, 

540,  849,  856,  857,  920. 
Fleming,  Peter,  397,  778,  779,  783. 
Fleming.  William  J.,  330,  757,  767. 
Fletcher,  James  C.,  693. 
Fletcher,  Joseph  E  ,  125,  786,  919. 
Flick,  Charles  B.,  693,  694. 
Foote,  George  H.,  833,  834. 
Forbes,  William  J.,  283,  879. 
Fordham,  Charles,  748. 
Forsyth,  James.  191,  195,  591,  849,  862,  920. 
Foss,  Alvin  B.,  862. 
Fose,  Phineas,  902. 
Foster,  Alfred  B.,  877. 
Foster,  John  H.,   195,  525,  536.  540,  848, 

849,  862. 

Fowler,  Robert  A.,  309,  311,  794,  797. 
Fox,  Benjamin  F.,  691. 
Fox,  Charles  N.,  193,  212,  710,  722. 
Fox,  Michael,  195,  893,  902. 
Francisco,  John  Alvin,  195,  216,  632,  843, 

844,  847,  854. 

Franklin,  Benjamin,  913,  919. 
Freeman,  James,  813,  821,  822,  827. 
Frisby,  Calvin,  782. 
Fritz,  John,  807. 
Fuller,  William  J.,  446,  722. 
Fulsom,  John  D.,  87,  707,  709,  710,  717. 
Funk,  Sidney  B.,  118,  194,  215,  289,  776,  777, 

778,  781. 

Fnnstan,  Adam,  694. 
Furlong,  Moses,  876. 

Gage,  Harrison,  273,  360,  375,  491,  872,  877, 

920. 
Gage,  Henry  H.,  194,  294,  331,  338,  349,  353. 

375.  817,  818  827. 
Gage,  Wallace  B.,  678,  755,  768. 
Gail,  Daniel  H.,  194,  216.  817,  834. 
Gammon,  Joseph,  194,  T93,  801. 
Oarland,  Frank,  723,  724. 
Garrett,  Richard,  282,  776,780. 
Garrow,  Frank,  801. 
Gates,  Edward  W.,  862,  863. 
Gault,  Samuel  C.,  694. 
Gayetty,  William  L.,  694. 
Geronie,  John,  869,  879. 
Geyer,  William,  694. 
Gholson,  John,  902. 
Gillmore,  Evangelist  J.,  87,  100,  282,  317, 

364,  375,  386,  388,  707,  709,  712,  714,  715, 

723. 

Gillmore,  Myron,  386,  391,  709,  712,  723. 
Gleason,  Henry,  813,  826. 
Oleason,  Isbon  S.,  631,  633,  821,  826,  834. 


Glidden,  John  D.,  784. 

Glover,  Milton,  192,  37r,  684,  694. 

Goatiea,  Louis  C.  G..  300,  694. 

Goble,  Daniel,  125,  794,  801,  920. 

Godat,  Edward  J.,  690. 

Goddard,  Abram,  880. 

Godding,  Henry  W.,  273,  894,  897.' 

Goebel,  Harmon,  908. 

Going,  Joshua  B.,  311,  778,  786. 

Golden,  John,  377,  794,  801. 

Goodburn,  Henry,  880. 

Goodwin,  William  E.,  801. 

Gordon,  William  E.,  807. 

Goss,  William  B.,  870,  876. 

Gove,  Joel,  449,  712,  723. 

Grabham,  John,  784. 

Graham,  Charles  W.,  190,  195,  849,  862. 

Graham,  Edward,  195,  312,  353,  893,  894, 903. 

Graham,  Thomas,  194,  793,  799. 

Granger.  Dighton,  312,  376,  708,  722,  723. 

Graves,  Eleazer,  710,  713,  723. 

Graves,  Thomas  C.,  195,  524,  540.  894,  902. 

Gray,  Elihu  D.,  583,  723. 

Gray,  Horace,  844,  856. 

Gray,  Joseph,  880. 

Green,  George,  877. 

Green,  Henry  C.,  193,  525,  526,  737.  748,  919. 

Green,  Thomas  A.,  70,  792,  795.  889. 

Greenleaf,  Amos,  813,  816,  825. 

Greenwald,  John,  377.  094. 

Greer,  Gustavus  A.,  768. 

Griburg,  Simon,  786. 

Grice,  Thomas.  851.  867. 

Grice,  Wesley,  851,  867. 

Grotjohn,  Christopher,  807. 

Gruber,  Valentine,  807. 

Guild,  Seber  A.,  801. 

Gnnn,  James,  125,  786. 

Gunn,  Samuel,  913. 

Guppy,  James  T.,  193,  197,  207,  757,  768. 


Haggart,  Elisha,  170,  193,  198,  756,  763. 
Haggerty,  Cornelius,  903. 
Hagus,  Edward,  807. 
Hall,  Herman  W.,  712,  724. 
Hallaner,  Jacob,  801. 
Hambrecht.  Frederick,  908. 
Hamilton,  Hiram  H.,  195,  514,  540,  802, 

899. 

Hamilton,  Jerome  B.,  869,  870,  875. 
Hamilton,  Norris.   193,  443,  449,  540, 

738,  745,  850,  855,  919. 
Hamilton,  William  A.,  802. 
Hammond,  Charles  N.,  633.  802. 
Hancock,  Edward,  365,  375,  641,  642, 

794,  802. 

Handley,  William,  802. 
Harding,  John,  283,  787. 
Harriman,  Henry  J.,  284,  291,  894,  898. 
Harrington,  Daniel,  194,  514,  778,  787. 
Harrington,  John,  642,  821,  834. 
Harris,  Alonzo,  724. 
Harris,  Carlton  B.,  908. 
Harrison,  Richard,  787. 
Hartnett,  Cornelius  E.,  754,  761. 
Harvey,  Christopher,  880. 
Harwick,  Jacob,  147,  801,  919. 
Hastings,  Henry  F.,  185,  843,  848,  850, 
Hastings,  Walter  W.,  91,  325,  330,  385, 

472,  753,  755,  757,  759. 
Hathaway,  John,  909. 
Havens,  James  O.,  79,  123,  292,  294, 

813,  815,  817,  820,  823. 
Haverstreet,  Andrew,  SOT. 
Hawkes,  Peter,  195.  525,  536,  540,  849,  8 
H-iwkins,  Asel,  125.  820,  834,  919. 


643, 


856. 
437, 


932 


HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 


Hawkins,  Charles.,  397,  758,  768. 

Hay,  John,  Jr.,  382,  392.  893,  903. 

Haycock,  Columbus,  748. 

Hayth,  Charles  F.,  194,  215,  523,  540,  576, 
778,  787. 

Heck,  Louis,  880. 

Hefty,  John,  700. 

Hefty,  Nicholas,  473,  908,  919. 

Hendee,  George  E.,  724. 

Hesse,  Conrad,  690. 

Hewitt,  Patrick,  397,  873,  880. 

Heydon,  William  P.,  903,  920. 

Heywood,  Robert,  858,  863. 

Hickcox,  James,  194,  216,  813,  815,  817,  826. 

Hicks,  George,  32,  39,  71,  72,  10*,  143,  167, 
186,  199,  202,  203,  222,  262,  293,  298,  308, 
363,  366,  389,  390,  396,  417,  431,  432,  444, 
459,  462,  468,  473,  481,  483,  484,  485,  488, 
489,  491,  494,  495,  498,  503,  504,  671,  672, 
679,  680,  682,  683,  684,  686,  687,  713,  869. 

Hicks,  James,  365,  375,  894,  903. 

Hide?,  Riley,  768. 

Higiey,  Albert  F.,  667,  700,  920. 

Hilderbrandt,  William,  700. 

Hileman,  Michael,  195,  525,  531,  532,  533, 
540,  586,  844,  847,  849,  854,  855. 

Hill,  John,  401,  877,  919. 

Hill,  Morris  S.,  32,  678,  707,  710,  713.  716. 

Hill,  William,  194,  776,  778,  783. 

Hiller,  August,  685,  700. 

Hindman,  Andrew,  311,  329,  330,  794,  799, 
923. 

Hobson,  Thomas,  880. 

Hoch,  John,  695. 

Hocking,  John,  194.  793,  801,  923. 

Hoffman,  Godfrey,  807. 

Holden,  John  H.,  428,  685,  695. 

Holland,  Thomas,  633,  880. 

Hollister,  Hiram  W.,  71,  709,  710,  713.  724, 
920. 

Holmes,  William  S.,  681,  688. 

Holtkamp,  Bennett,  194,  523,  793,  801,  802, 
919. 

Holtkamp,  Hendrick,  801,  802. 

Hoogstraat,  Herman,  317,  330,  712,  724. 

Hoover,  Wallace  W.,  364,  375,  894,  899. 

Hopkins,  Freeman,  880. 

Hopp,  Theodore,  367,  375,  685,  694. 

Hosley,  Austin,  768. 

Hosley,  Ellas,  193,  214,  514,  756,  768. 

Howard,  Charles  P.,  195, 848,  855. 

Howe,  Orrin,  193,  514,  515,  539,  736,  748. 

Hubbard,  William,  87,  787,  920. 

Hughes,  Hugh  R..  880. 

Hughes,  Owen,  880. 

Hughes,  William  W.,  367,  375,  894,  903. 

Hull,  Baalam,  700. 

Hull,  Nelson  B.,  903. 

Huntington,  Hamden,  147,  738,  748. 

Huntington,  Harrison,  147,  193,  525,  526, 
540,  729,  732,  737,  741,  718,  919. 

Huson,  Nelson,  461,  713,  724. 

Hutchinson,  James,  195,  217,  872,  880. 

Hutchinson,  Samuel  M.,  834. 

Ingersoll,  William,  195,  525,  533,  537,  540, 

849,  863,  920. 
Inman,  Squire  W.,  193,  211,  514,  516,  519, 

539,  736,  748. 
Irish,  Charles,  913. 
Irwin,  D.  B.,  884. 
Irwin,  William,  798,  807. 
Irwin,  William  J.,  807. 
Irwin,  William  T.,  884. 
Isbell,  David,  192,  211,  244,  514,  639,  683,  689. 
Isbell,  Jason  B.,  192,  311,  681,  683,  685,  688. 


Jackson,  Josiah  H.,  885. 

Jacobs,  John  O.,  850,  867. 

James,  David,  79,  288,  320,  364,  375,  377,  388, 

811,  814,  815,  818,  819,  823,  825,  835,  839. 
James,  Freeman,  87,  678,  820,  822,  834,  835, 

919. 

James/George,  678,  834,  835. 
James,  Isaac  L.,  823,  825,  835. 
James,  Jas.  Edward,  71,  678,  680,  695. 
James,  Thomas,  835. 
James,  Thomas  L.,  813,  822,  823,  825,  835. 
Jeffers,  George,  297,  677,  802. 
Jeffers,  Stephen,  32,  282,  2%,  412,  673,  677, 

802. 

Jellison,  Marcus,  787. 
Jellison,  Wm.  W.,  311,  386,  391,  576,  779,  787. 
Jelly,  Andrew  Wm.,  397,  794,  802,  920. 
Jenkins,  J.  Byron,  895,  904. 
Jennings,  Charles,  154,  893,  904. 
Jennings,  George  W.,  311,  778,  787. 
Johns,  Nathan,  885. 

Johnson,  Andrew,  195,  525,  540,  849,  858. 
Johnson,  Francis,  348,  353,  685,  695. 
Johnson,  George,  734,  749. 
Johnson,  Henry  H.,  885. 
Johnson,  Jasper  N.,  881. 
Johnson,  John,  695. 
Johnson,  Samuel,  909. 
Johnson,  Thomas  K.,  195,  514,  539,  847,  863, 

920. 
Jones  Harrison,  768. 


Jones 
Jones 
Jones 
Jones 


Henry  P., ' 
Miles,  125,  755,  769,  919. 
Nathaniel,  850,  867. 
Reuben  C.,  749. 


Joslyn,  Joseph  I.,  822,  835. 
Joyce,  William,  194,  197,  215,  273,  312,  367, 
375,  377,  390,  392,  817,  818,  819,  822,  835. 
Junken,  James,  273,  367,  375,  778,  779,  784. 

Kaufman,  Christian,  192,  683,  695. 

Kearnaghan,  Edward,  511,  802. 

Kearney,  James,  193,  525,  527,  540,  552,  561, 

732,  737,  743. 
Keiburz,  Franz  J.,  695. 
Kellogg,  Roderick,  787. 
Kelly,  John,  909. 

Kenney,  Darius  W.,  195,  514,  893,  904. 
Kenty,  James,  733,  734,  749,  752. 
Kern,  Henry,  749. 
Keyes,  Thomas,  125,  787,  919. 
Kilmer,  Solomon,  807. 
Kilpatrick,  Robert,  885. 
Kimball,  William  (Co.  B),  193,  212,  710,  724. 
Kimber,  William  T.,  835. 
Kimble,  William  (Co.  K),  445,  449,  895,  909, 

919. 

Kimmins,  Thomas,  383,  391,  794,  802. 
King,  Andrew,  194,  778,  787. 
King,  Christian,  913. 
King,  George  W.,  885. 
King,  John,  273,  817,  835,  836. 
King,  Joshua,  749. 
Kingsland,  Oliver  C.,  724. 
Kinney,  Cleveland  M.,  632,  890,  889,  9*0. 
Kinreid,  Thomas,  401,  820,  a36,  919. 
Kish,  William,  904. 
Klaproth,  William,  863. 
Kneebone,  John,  194,  311,  794,  797. 
Knopf,  Christian,  364,  375,  818,  836. 
Knopf,  Peter,  836. 

Knox,  James  L.,  365,  375,  818,  819,  836,  920. 
Koontz,  Francis  S.,  195,  872,  878. 
Kostenbader,  Philip,  807,  808. 
Kramer,  Gottlieb,  802. 
Kreitsburg,  Simon,  786. 


INDEX  TO  MEMBERS. 


933 


Kuntz,  Christian,  685,  700. 

Kuntz,  Clemens,  695. 

Kurby.  John,  195.  525.  537,  540,  849,  863,  919. 

Ladd,  John,  194,  817,  836. 

Lamb,  Nahum,  329,  330,  818,  838. 

Lamberton,  David  II.,  788. 

Lane.  Edwin,  885. 

Langdon,  Edgar  C.,  349,  353,  872,  885. 

Langdon,  Eugene  B.,  448,  685,  696. 

Lankan,  Charles,  808. 

Lawrence,  John.  913. 

Lawrence,  Thomas  H.,  803. 

Lawson,  John,  909. 

Lee,  John  C.,  60,  82,  as,  629,  631,  632,  797, 

869. 

Lee,  William,  808. 
Leekley,  Joseph  B.,  324,  325,  330,  548,  549, 

794,  796,  919. 
Lehmann,  George,  836. 
Leland,  Thos.  S.,  324,  330,  890,  894,  898,  920. 
Leslie,  Humphrey,  125,  881,  919. 
Lester,  James  D.,  87,  892,  904,  920. 
Levagood,  Henry  G.,  193,  ^56,  769. 
Lewin,  William  B.,  193,  214,  324,  325,  330, 

332,  548,  549,   551-568,  571,  735,  736,  737, 

744. 

Lewis,  James,  788. 
Lewis,  James  S.,  776,  782. 
Lewis,  William  A.,  390,  685,  696,  919. 
Lindsay,  Jasper  N.,  633,  776,  782. 
Lindsay,  Samuel  H.,  707,  714,  716. 
Lindsay,  William  J.,  712.  725. 
Linklater,  J.  H.,  215,  472,  754,  755,  757,  760. 
Lister,  John,  397,  794,  802. 
Litwiler,  James  H.,  273,  325,  330,  711,  712, 

724,  920. 

Long,  John,  460,  870,  873,  875. 
Long,  William  H.,  881. 
Lott,  Austin  E.,  769. 
Loushlin,  William  M.,  39,  100,  114,  193,  202, 

388,  624,  626,  027.  632,  729,  730,  732,  738, 

739,  740,  752. 
Lovejoy,  Ami,  712,  725. 
Lowry,  Henry,  885. 

Luke,  Garrett  W..  195,  437,  472,  890.  893,  897. 
Luttman,  Charles,  G  ,  796. 

McAllister,  James  H.,  701. 

McBride,  James,  749. 

McCafferty,  James,  195,  848,  864. 

McCann,  James  (Co.  A),  696. 

McCann,  James  (Co.  D),  360,  757,  764. 

McCarty,  John,  798. 

McClellan,  Andrew  A.,  909. 

McClellan,  William,  193,  525,  527,  540,  737, 

749,  919. 

McCoy,  John,  701. 
McCreadie,  William,  193,  525,  527,  540,  737, 

749,  919. 

McCredie,  James,  193,  736,  743. 
McCusker,  Charles,  193,  711,  714,  717,  727. 
McCusker,  Cornelius,  725. 
McCusker,  John,  445,  449,  712,  714,  718,  727. 
McDonald,  William  A.,  776,  783. 
McDonald,  William  W..  641,  642,  643,  881. 
McDonough,  Thomas.  ,s7s. 
McGill,  John,  193,  390,  391,  733,  734,   736, 

738,  743. 

McGinniss,  Edward,  195,  848,  864. 
McGregor,  James.  881. 
McKey,  William  W..  !'.':).  214,  756,  761. 
McKinley.  Jackson  J..  '.Hill. 
McKinley.  John  J.,  696,  697. 
McKnight,  John,  913. 
McMaster.  William  1!.,  696. 
McMillen,  James  H..  725. 

61 


McMillen,  Malcolm,  317,  712,  725. 

McNeil,  Thomas  L  ,  881. 

McWain,  Nathaniel,  195.  525,  537,  540,  849, 

864. 

Mack,  Henry,  194,  514,  539,  778,  788. 
Madden,  James  H.,  837. 
Madden,  Laughlin,  193,  525,  527,  540,  561, 

563,  737,  750,  919. 
Mahood,  Edward,  803. 
Mallor,  Robert  D.,  701. 
Malone,  Daniel,  195,  273,  872,  881. 
Malone,  Edward,  390,  392,  661,  664,  819,  822, 

826. 

Manlon,  Wesley  D.,  301,  913. 
Marble,  James,  725. 
Marble,  William,  336,  126. 
Markley,  Watson,  750. 
Marsden,  Samuel  R.,  696. 
Marshall,  Alphonzo,  195,  525,  533,  539,  540, 

849,  857,  919. 

Marshall,  George,  870,  873,  875. 
Martin,  Charles,  32,  87,  99,  673,  674,  852. 
Martin,  John,  701. 

Martin,  Thos.  B.,  194,  514,  539,  778,788,  919. 
Mason,  Judson  A.,  813,  827. 
Mattax,  Stanislaw,  7)2,  726. 
Matthews,  William,  283,  788. 
Maynard,  Thomas  H.,  776,  783. 
Melindy,  Peter  P.,  360,  375,  757,  769. 
Menzemer,  Charles  C.,  291,  505,  541,  542, 

543,  685,  696,  919. 
Menzemer,  Christopher,  701. 
Menzemer.  Harrison,  273,  291,  505,  541-548, 

552,  587,  685,  690. 
Meres,  Michael,  300,  881,  920. 
Metcalf,  Christopher,  700. 
Metcalf,  James,  701. 
Metcalf,  John,  701. 
Metcalf,  Josephus,  192,  212,  521,  540,  684, 

690. 

Metcalf,  Leonard,  700. 
Metcalf,  Rigdon,  803. 
Metcalf,  Thomas,  473,  686,  700. 
Mettz,  Barton  C.,  851,  867,  868. 
Mettz,  Charles  L.,  195,  848,  857. 
Millard,  James  E.,  725. 
Milheiser,  Franc,  94,  311,  737,  750,  752. 
Miller,  Charles  J.,  312,  442,  637,  638,  813, 

817,  819,  825. 

Miller,  Frederick  W.,  194,  640,  793,  803,  919. 
Miller,  George  P.,  885. 
Miller,  James,  885. 
Miller,  John,  312,  794,  803. 
Miller,  Lewis,  194,  324,  330,  333,  548,  568, 

817,  818,  819,  820,  837,  920. 
Miller,  Reuben,  638,  837. 
Miller,  Richard  K.,  696. 
Millett,  Hcrrick,  491,  788,  920. 
MilleU,  Hiram  P.,  633,  864. 
Minto,  David  J.,  749. 
Mitchell,  Henry  W.,  667,  755,  769,  920. 
Mitchell,  John  T.,  712,  726. 
Mitchell.  Michael,  909. 
Mitchell,  William,  769. 
Monahan,  William,  725,  726. 
Montgomery,  Caleb  A.,  61,  74,  90,  91.  753. 

754,  755,  759,  760. 

Montgomery,  Henry  R.,  320.  725. 
Montgomery,  Wallace  W.,  386,  391,  576,  779, 

788. 

Moore,  Charles  T.,  886. 
Moore,  George  W.,  263,  273,  297,  324,  673, 

871,  S72,  873,  874,886,913. 
Moore,  Henson,  195,  290,  848,  850,  863,  864. 
Moore,  Josiah,  886,  913. 
Moore,  Robert,  885. 


934 


HISTORY  or  THE  96rrn  REGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  I. 


Moore,  Thomas  E.,  677.  876,  877. 

Moore,  Thomas  J.,  377.  788. 

Morgan,  Thomas,  894,  904. 

Morley,  William  G.,  633,  749. 

Morrill,  John  T.,  725. 

Morris,  Otho,  881. 

Morris,  Thomas,  195.  514,  847,  857. 

Morse,  George  C.,  375,  894,  900. 

Morton,  Alfred,  769. 

Morton,  Ward  L.,  195,  212,  847,  85G. 

Moulton,  Josiah,  Jr.,  290,  817,  837. 

Mowers,  Peter,  359,  388,  392,  819,  827,  828. 

Mueller,  Frederick,  788. 

Mnnson,  B.  F.,  803. 

Murray,  Edward,  193,  213,  514,  515,  516,  519, 

539,  732,  736,  742,  752. 
Murrie,  James,  346,  353,  421,  737,  743. 

Nadeg.  Jacob,  904. 

Nantz,  Henry,  822,  837. 

Nash,  William  S.,  273,  303,  509,  510,  793,  803. 

Neal,  Charles  J.,  769. 

Neal,  Robert,  125,  697,  920. 

Nellis,  William  W.,  769. 

Nelson,  Hiram  W.,  195,  848,  864. 

Newman,  Millard  M.,  851,  868. 

Newton,  Butler,  283,  904,  919. 

Newton,  Charles,  881. 

Newton,  John  A.,  904. 

Newton,  Marshall,  750. 

Nicholas,  James,  701. 

Nichols,  Thomas  P.,  886. 

Noble,  John,  881. 

Noble,  William  A.,  349,  353,  816,  818,  819, 

837,  919. 

Noggle,  Isaac  P.,  633,  789. 
Norton,  William,  769. 

O'Connell,  James,  154,  710,  713,  717,  919. 

O'Connor,  Thomas,  318,  895,  907. 

O'Hara,  Berzelus,  761. 

O'Herrin,  James,  838. 

O'Leary,  Dennis,  194,  514,  539,  778,  789,  920. 

Oatey,  John  R.,  194,  793,  798. 

Oberlin,  William  G.,  375,  779,  789. 

Obley,  Christian,  878. 

Oleson,  Ole,  909. 

Oliver,  William  R.,  701. 

Ollendorf,  William,  805. 

Osman,  Daniel,  707,  714,  717. 

Ostrander,  Henry  P.,  822,  838. 

Ostrander,  Henry  W.,  49,  819,  838. 

Overstreet,  Abner,  886. 

Paddock,  Albert  J.,  424,  583,  758,  769,  770. 

Paddock,  George.  770. 

Palmer,  George.  BS1,  838. 

Palmer,  Joseph,  817,  838. 

Parker,  Charles,  883. 

Partridge,  Addison  B.,  62,  100,  730,  731,  738, 

739. 
Partridge,  Charles  A.,  193.  222.  296,  387,  472, 

677,  729,  732,  736,  738,  739.  740. 
Patch,  Duane,  789. 
Paul,  James  W..  886. 
Payne,  Henry  C.,  193,  218,  525,  527,  540,  735. 

737,  750.  920. 
Payne,  James  P.,  905. 
Payne,  Samuel  B.,  367,  375,  642,  643,  738, 

741,  750. 

Peeper,  Henry,  633,  681,  689. 
Pellett,  Wilson,  886. 

Penwell,  Marcellus  J.,  365.  375,  844,  a~>0,  856. 
Pepoon,  George  W.,  74,  210,  291,  295,  446, 

589,  888.  800,  8<«.  8%. 
Pepoon,  Mortimer,  909,  910. 


Pepoon,  Theodore  W..  910. 

Peppard,  Charles.  330,  757,  762,  763. 

Peppard,  Frank,  390,  391,  758,  763. 

Perhum,  Sherman  W.,  864. 

Perkins,  Joseph,  633,  803. 

Pen-in.  William,  882. 

Perry,  Hiram  N.,  789. 

Perry,  Oliver  H.,  642,  881,  882. 

Perry,  William  M.,  177,  882. 

Pettibone,  Theopholus,  633,  865. 

Pharo,  Louis,  808.  • 

Phillips,  Charles,  630,  633,  750. 

Phillips,  George  N.,  818,  838. 

Phippin,  Orlando,  367.  375,  779,  789. 

Pierce,  Byron  G.,  114,  220,  673,  674,  852. 

Pierce,  Franklin  W.,  350,  353,  460,  794,  795, 

796. 
Pierce,  Joseph  L.,  100,  118,  123,  186,  195, 

531,  842,  844,  846,  847,  852. 
Pimley,  James,  107,  194.  215,  509,  510,  793, 

800,803. 

Pimley,  Robert,  798. 
Pocklington.  Thomas  B.,  838,  839. 
Pogue,  Frank  M.,  195,872,  882. 
Pollard,  Robert,  80,  892,  904. 
Pollock,  John  K.,  157,  363.  3(54,  419,  431,  459, 

462,  729,  C30,  731,  737,  738,  739. 
Pomeroy,  Cyrus  W.,  195,  893,  905. 
Pool,  Frank,  71,  789,  920. 
Pool,  Robert,  71,  263,  273,  281,  627,  679,  680, 

684,  685,  686,  687,  789. 

Pooley,  John  H.,  194,  365,  375,  778,  779,  784. 
Porter,  Joseph  B.,  732,  741. 
Porter,  Thomas.  195,  893,  900. 
Post,  Ranslaer,  864,  920,  923. 
Poston,  Richard  J.  789. 
Potter,  Edwin,  428,  726. 
Potter,  Philo  D.,  851,  868. 
Potter,  Thomas.  193,  212,  710,  726. 
Powell,  John,  851,  868. 
Power,  Absolam,  783. 
Power,  Newton,  784. 

Powers,  Warren  E.,  309,  311,  712,  714,  718. 
Pratt,  Norman  O.,  585,  726. 
Price,  John  Jay,  125,  710,  713,  726. 
Price,  William,  192,  244,  681,  683,  689. 
Pringle,  John  L.,  681,  684,  687. 
Pritchard,  William,  904. 
Prufer,  Frederick,  909. 
Primer,  Oliver  H.,  633,  905. 
Pulham,  George,  803. 
Pnllen,  Thomas,  770. 
Putnam,  Morancy,  642,  895,  909. 

Quigley,  Isaac,  193,  214,  514,  521,  539,  756, 

761. 
Qninn,  Francis  P.,  32.  48,  186,  192.  211,  296, 

T14,  517,  5S9,  634,  636,  677,  870,  873,  875. 

Rasjan,  Harlow  D.,373. 641,  642,  643,  684, 697. 

Uahling,  Frank,  311,  376,  757,  770. 

Ransom,  John  A.,  882. 

Rausch,  Christian.  697. 

Rayne,  Ross  Porter,  3o7,  375,  894,  905. 

Reardon,  John.  865. 

Rector,  Oscar,  193,  346,  353,  660,  737.  715. 

Redeke,  Harman,  702. 

Redfern,  Frank,  367,  375,  779,  789,  919.  923. 

Reed,  David,  685,  701. 

Reed,  Vincent  L.,  770. 

Reed,  Walton,  194,  212,  639,  793,  803.  • 

Rees,  Chester  J.,  312,  844.  850,  854. 

Rees,  James,  195.  848,  865. 

Rees,  Moses,  6,  886. 

Replogan.  Abrain  L.,  770. 

Reubeno,  Edward,  192,  684.  697. 


INDEX  TO  MEMBERS. 


935 


Rcynick,  Alex.  M..  913. 

Reynolds,  John,  357,  375,  870.  872,  876,  883. 

Reynolds,  Robert,  882,  HSU. 

Reynolds,  Thomas.  170,  195,  872,  882. 

Kice,  George  W..  771. 

Rich,  Esau,  ;.'73.  711,  720.  920. 

Hich.  James,  193,  514,  756,  770. 

Richards,  James,  473,  080,  701. 

Richards,  Ransom,  8(55. 

Richards,  William  II.,  -,'81.  37(5,  685,  639. 

Richardson,  Curl,  195,  893,  898. 

Richardson,   Halsey  H.,  118,  154,  194,  034. 

035.  I i3G,  (537,  774,  775,  777,  778,  780,  781. 
Richmond.  John  L.,  770. 
Rider.  William  F.,  750. 
Ring,  Henry  J.,  259,  754,  757.  771. 
Rivenburg,  Lovett  S.,  282,  781. 
Rix,  Edward.  193.  376,  750,  703. 
Rix,  George,  87,  708,  709,  710.  713,  72C,  919. 
Robbins,  Oscar,  312,  ar>0,  865. 
Robbing,  William  II.,  194,  514,  539,  776,  778, 

781. 

Roberts,  George  W.,  125,  870,  87G,  919. 
Robinson,  Francis  J.,  290,  340,  367,  375, 

685,697. 

Robinson,  John  Quincy,  6,  794,  804. 
Robison,  John  A.,  194,  212,  034,  638,  639, 

640,  641,  793,  798. 
Redden,  John,  793,  799. 
Rodenberger,  Hugo,  193,  525,  527,  540,  737, 

750,  919. 

Rogers,  David,  681,  688. 
Rogers,  Edwin,  689. 
Rogers,  Joseph,  511,  804. 
Homer,  Louis,  797. 
Ronheild,  George  C.,  808. 
Root,  Reuben  L.,  100,  436,  449,  813,  850,  854, 

868. 
Rose,  Deloss,  325,  330,  332, 548,  549,  551,  552, 

553,  555,  560,  818,  820,  827,  918.  920. 
Rose,  Timothy  D.,  295,  888,  889,  890,  895, 

896. 

Rosenthal,  Henry,  701,  702. 
Roth,  Joseph  A.,  193.  376,  756,  770. 
Rowan.  Charles  E.,  70,  82.  83,  172,  194,  211, 

284.  294,  296,  363,  364,  384,  411,  447,  459, 

404,  505,  508,  511,  512,  540,  604,  614,  617, 

792,  793,  795,  796. 
Rubado,  Joseph,  702. 
Russell,  James  D.,  910. 

Sabin,  William,  193,  757,  772. 

Sage,  John,  125,  790,  919. 

Sallee,  James  M.,  195,  525,537,  540,  849,  865. 

Samnions,  Charles  F.,  460,  584,  600,  751,  752. 

Sanderson,  Samuel  C.,  808. 

Sandford,  Lnc.ien  B.,  K>0,  868. 

Saulsbury,  David,  87,  100,  704,  705,  707,  709, 

710,  713,  714,  722,  810. 
Saulsbury,  William,  461,  697,  920. 
Sansen,  John,  702. 
Sager,  Charles,  808. 
Savage,  Jerry,  751. 
Savage,  Joseph,  193,  525,  528,  529,  540,  561, 

737,  751. 

Scace,  William  B.,  309,  778,  790. 
Schaefer,  John  G.,  192,  223,  228,  245,  281, 

679,  680,  683,  687. 
Schaible,  John,  882. 
Schap,  Anton,  312,  794,  799. 
Schneil,  Henry,  125,  738,  750,  919. 
Schooley,  Ellis  L.,  59,  732,  741,  752. 
Schroeder,  John,  808,  809. 
Sen, warm,  Julius,  740. 
Schweri,  Joseph,  193,  525,  527,  540,  561,  571, 

737,  751. 


Scott,  Aaron,  194,  216,  349,  353,385,392,  813, 
816,  818,  819,  824,  825,  919. 

Scott,  George  W.,  808. 

Scott,  James  M.,  117,  793,  804,  920. 

Scott,  John,  880,  919. 

Scott,  Thomas,  194,  778,  790. 

Scott,  Warren  A.,  804,  805. 

Scott,  William  H.,  808. 

Selby,  Henry,  913. 

Sells,  William  D.,  147,  755,  771. 

Serviss,  Beri,  307,  312,  900. 

Shaffer,  Terhan,  80,  790,  920. 

Shannon,  Joseph,  309,  311,  794,  804. 

Shannon,  Thomas,  215,  799. 

Shatswell,  John,  660,  661,  750,  751. 

Shaw,  Charles,  390,  392,  872,  877. 

Shaw,  George  S.,  259,  757,  771. 

Shay,  James.  93,  7^9. 

Sheffield,  Daniel  A.,  32,  87,  99,  675,  676. 

Shepard,  Benj.  F.,  194,  216,  297.  677,  813, 
816,  821,  825,  826. 

Sherk,  Thomas  J.,  658,  659,  905. 

Sherman,  Nathaniel,  839 

Shick,  Peter,  633,  905. 

Shipton,  J.  E.,  681,  689. 

Shultz.  Henry,  195,  514,540,  893,  905. 

Shumerski,  Benj.,  751. 

Shupe  Dennis,  364,  375,  818,  819,  839,  919. 

Shupe,  Levi,  633,  821.  839. 

Sidner,  George,  283,  794,  805. 

Sidner,  William,  804. 

Simmons,  John  C.,  900. 

Simms,  Nelson  R.,  70,  186, 194,215,  263,  793, 
795,  796. 

Simons,  Henry,  195,  217,  847,  857. 

Simpson,  Edward,  192,  684,  697. 

Sincock,  John,  804. 

Skellie,  William,  886. 

Skemp,  Charles  W.,  702. 

Skinner,  William  S.,  709,  710,  727. 

Sluman,  John,  125,  754,  755,  762. 

Smith,  Albert  C.,  816,  821,  822,  839. 

Smith,  Charles,  195,  894,  906. 

Smith,  Levi,  910. 

Smith,  Finley,  865. 

Smith,  George  E.  Jr.,  365,  641,  642,  643,  772. 

Smith,  James  A.,  790. 

Smith,  Jesse,  900. 

Smith,  John  C.,  31,  39,  42,  48,  91,  112,  139, 
141,  176,  186,  209,  211,  236,  237,  262,  282, 
284,  297,  298,  324,  325,  333,  340,  363,  374, 
378,  437,  452,  472.  473,  470,  477,  478,  479, 
482,  488,  489,  498,  503,  505,  568,  657,  070, 
724,  869,  870,  874,  875. 

Smith,  John  W.,  790.. 

Smith,  Jonathan,  750. 

Smith,  Reuben,  360,  375,  818,  819,  839,  919. 

Smith,  Thomas  J.,  51,217,  324,  330,  333,  548, 

568,  569,  570,  670,  837,  870,  872,  873,  875, 
920 

Smith,  Valentine,  808. 

Smith,  Willard  V.,  771. 

Sneesby,  Henry,  367.  375,  738,  750. 

Sommers,  Daniel,  906. 

Spare,  Arthur,  870,  875. 

Spaulding,  Charles,  367,375,  377,  758,  771. 

Spencer,   Richard,  324,  330,  333,  548,  568, 

569,  570,  794,  798,  804,  837,  923. 
Spencer,  Simeon,  324,  798. 
Spittler,  Joseph.  883. 

Spoor,  John,  808. 

Spore,  Daniel  W.,  910. 

Spore,  John,  910. 

Sprague,  William  E..  778,  790. 

Squier,  John,  839. 

Stadel,  Gottlieb,  804. 


936 


HISTORY  OF  THE  96TH  REGIMENT,  ILL.  Y.  I. 


Stahl,  John,  312,  794,  799. 

Staneufield,  George  H.,  195,  525,  537,  540, 

849,  865,  919. 
Stanley,  Aralzeman,  324,  330,  (542,  757,  771, 

772. 

Stanley,  Robert  E.,  193,  757,  771. 
Steimlie,  August,  195,  872,  882,  883. 
Stein,  George,  910. 
Stevens,  Edmund  S.,  71,  179,  193,  214,  514, 

519,  521,  539,  754,  756,  761. 
Stevenson,  James  B.,  790. 
Stevenson,  William,  776,  781. 
Stewart,  Aralzeman  M.,  179,  193,  757,  771. 
Stewart,  Daniel  G.,  259,  757,  763. 
Stewart,  George  L.,  744. 
Stewart,  James,  312,  794,  797. 
Stewart,  John  W.,  473,  910. 
Stidworthy,  William,  808. 
Stone,  John  D.,  886. 
Stone,  Walter  E.,  712,  727. 
Strong,  Brainard  E.,  87,  790,  920. 
Strong,  John,  691. 
Sturges,  William,  125,  794,  804,  920. 
Sturm,  Charles,  193,  525,  528,  529,  540,  737, 

751,  919. 

Sullivan,  Daniel,  353,  890,  894,  895,  898. 
Sullivan,  Dennis,  910. 
Sullivan,  Michael,  443,  449,  794,  797. 
Sutherland,  Briggs,  906. 
Swan,  Henry  H.,  80,  738,  751. 
Swanbrough,  John  W.,  187,  212,  240,  273, 

297,  323,  437,  442,  445,  449,  472,  7'J7,  813, 

815,  817,  819,  820.  824. 
Swazey,  John  J.,  421,  746,  752. 
Swindells,  John,  179,  193,  756,  771. 

Tarpley,  Aquilla  C.,  401,  883,  920. 
Tarpley,  John  P.,  263,  401,  870,  871,  873,  874, 

877. 

Tarpley,  Robert  D.,  390,  392,  872,  877. 
Tate,  Ebenezer,  390,  391,  685,  698. 
Taylor,  James  M.,  309,  311,  732,  737,  742, 

744. 

Taylor,  John  L.,  906. 
Taylor,  John  K.,  681,  689. 
Taylor,  John  Y.,  193,  640,  736,  744,  919. 
Taylor,  Pliny,  910. 
Taylor,  William  F.,  118,  153,  186,  194,  236, 

263,  282,  437,  775,  776,  777,  778,  780. 
Taylor,  Worthy  S.,  146,  754,  756,  76i. 
Teal,  George,  194,  311,  778,  791. 
Tear,  Wallace,  281,  638,  677,  890,  896. 
Telford,  James,  461.  794,  805. 
Thain,  Alex.  R.,  249,  262,  360,  375,  634,  649, 

757,  763,  772. 

Thain,  Nicholas,  851,  868. 
Thain,  Richard  S.,  273,  650,  651,  652,  653, 

654,  655,  556,  772. 
Thayer,  Eli,  193,  212,  522,  540,  555,  556,  566, 

571,  577,  604,  757,  772,  773. 
Thayer,  George  E.,  764. 
Thistlewait,  Chapman,  702. 
Thomas,  James  A.,  194,  778,  790. 
Thompson,  John  C.,  193,  214,  757,  763. 
Thrasher,  John  G.,  283,  820,  839,  920. 
Thwing,  Lewis,  772. 
Tilton,  William  E.,  195,  890,  893,  898. 
Tinkler,  Joseph,  194,  778,  791. 
Tippett,  Charles  R.,  883. 
Tippit,  Nicholas,  473,  686,  702. 
Tippit,  William  H.,  702. 
Todd,  Edward  P.,  472,  777,  781. 
Tohler,  Frank,  809. 
Tollman.  William,  910. 
Topping,  George,  312,  872,  877,  878. 
Torrey,  George  W.,  906. 


Tower,  Wallace  William,  193,  213,  390.  391. 

711,  712,  727,  919. 
Towner,  Carlos  C.,  818,  828. 
Townsend,  Edward  E  ,  273,  295,  465,  888, 

893,  894,  896. 

Traut,  W.  V.,  218,  273,  711,  727. 
Travis,  William  C.,  877.      • 
Treftz,  Theodore,  698. 
Trefz,  Henry,  125,  794,  797,  919. 
Tresider,  Martin,  809. 
Trevarthan,  John,  809. 
Trevarthan,  Thomas,  311,  330,  794,  799. 
Triggs,  John,  840. 

Trudgian,  William,  154,  794,  805,  920. 
Trumbull,  Rollin  H.,  87,  705,  709,  710,  713, 

715. 

Trusty,  Edward,  790,  791. 
Tucker,  Charles,  851,  868. 
Tucker,  Jehile  C.,  900. 
Tummond,  Harry,  791. 
Turk,  Henry  W.,  754,  762. 
Turner,  Calvin,  697. 
Turner,  Ezra,  910,  911. 
Turner,  George  W.,  727. 
Tutin,  Nathaniel,  685,  702. 

Umbdenstock,  M.,  3,  4,  193,  736,  751. 
Underbill,  Horatio  K.,  911. 
Utrecht,  Frederick,  698. 

Van  Alstino,  William.  794,  805,  919. 

Van  Dervort,  II.  S.,  195,  443,  449,  843,  844, 

847,  850,  855. 
Van  Dyke,  Edwin,  195,  525,  537,  540,  849, 

866. 

Van  Patten,  Jacob,  193,  757,  773. 
Vaughn,  James,  307,  312,  894,  906,  920. 
Vaughn,  John,  154,  820,  840,  920. 
Vick,  Joseph  T.,  866. 
Vickers,  Thomas,  698. 
Vincent,  John,  273,  445,  681,  684,  688. 
Vincent,  William,  52,  192,  212,  262,  317,  679, 

680,  683,  684,  686,  687. 
Virtue,  Robert,  685,  702. 
Virtue,  William  J.,  690. 
Vose,  Samuel  P..  325,  326,  359,  818,  840. 
Vroman,  Adam,  195,  525,  532,  537,  540,  849, 

865. 
Vroman,  John  J.,  324,  330,  894,  906,  920. 

Waemers,  Frederick,  685,  703. 

Wait,  George,  87,  437,  472,  704,  707,  709,  714, 

715,  716. 

Wakefleld,  Chauncey,  125,  794,  798,  920. 
Walmsley,  William  G.,  752. 
Ward,  Norman  P.,  195,  514,  539,  848,  866, 

923. 

Wardell,  Lloyd,  784. 
Warn?,  Franz  H.,  805. 
Warner,  Edgar,  194,  776,  778,  783. 
Warren,  William,  773. 
Washburn,  John,  442,  448,  712,  727,  919. 
Washburn,  Volney,  442,  712,  728. 
Watson,  Franklin,  906. 
Wayman,  Henry,  685,  703. 
Wearmouth,  Nicholas,  273,  326,  684,  698. 
Wearne,  Edward,  194,  514,  539,  793,  805,  923. 
Weatherly,  Hiram,  678,  713,  728. 
Weaver,  Samuel  C.,  907. 
Webb,  Charles  E.,  773. 
Webb,  Chase  E.,  752. 
Webb,  Henry  A.,  273,  754,  762. 
Weber,  Gottlieb,  330,  685,  698. 
Weber,  Sebastian,  809. 
Weir,  Frank  A.,  192,  296,  363,  367,  375,  390, 

391,  472,  677,  681,  683,  685,  687. 


INDEX  TO  MEMBERS. 


937 


Weir,  John  S.,  685,  703. 

Wi-istotr.  Christian,  193,  525,529,  530,  540, 

5H(i,  737,  745. 

Wt-it/.rnuker,  Gregory.  703. 
Wells,  David,  364,  375,  712,  728. 
Wells,  Thomas  E.,  728. 
Wendling,  Christian,  840. 
Werich,  Bunihanlt,  809. 
West,  Nelson  C.,  751,  752. 
Westfall.  James  M,  907. 
Westwick,  James,  850,  868. 
Whaples,  Emery  I.,  913. 
Wimples,  William  H.,  194,  216,  816,  819,  840. 
Wheeldin,  John,  685,  702. 
Wheeler,  William  H.,  194,  216,  514,  539,  816, 

819,  820,  840;  841,  920. 
Wheelock,  Alberto,  195,  525,  540,  849,  866, 

919. 

Whitcomb,  Oscar  E.,  727. 
White,  Andrew,  805. 
White,  Andrew  T.,  732,  742. 
White,  Charles  W.,  752. 
White,  George  H.,  809. 
White,  J-ibez,  791. 
White,  John,  734,  752. 
White,  Mathew,  883. 
White,  Robert,  883. 
White,  Samuel,  883. 
White,  Thomas,  887. 
Whitmore,  William  D.,  193,  213,  364,  375, 

707,  711,  712,  716,  919 
Whitney,  Allen  B.,  87,  100,  282,  436,  705, 

709,  712,  713,  714,  715. 
Whitney,  Caleb,  193,  711,  714,  718. 
Whitney,  Hamilton  C.,  193,  211,  514,  520, 

539/710,  714,  717. 
Whitney,  Joseph  C.,  752. 
Whitney,  Willard,  707,  714,  717. 
VVilcox,  Isaec  M.,  473,  685,  686,  703,  920. 
Wilcox,  Samuel,  195,  461,  848,  86H. 
Wilkerson,  John  V.,  195,  525,  538,  539,  540, 

849,866. 

Willard,  W.  H.  H.,  690. 
Willett,  Arnold,  283,  755,  773,  920. 
Willcy,  Frederick,  913. 
Williams,  Edwurd,  887. 
Williams,  Henry  M.,  386,  391,  576,  577,  758, 

773. 
Williams,  Hugh  (Co.  F),  194,  330,  793,  794, 

805. 
Williiims,  Hugh  (Co.  I),  195,  386,  392,  576, 

872,  883. 


Williams,  John  (Co.  E),  791. 

Williams,  John  (Co.  I).  125,  883,  919. 

Williams,  Providence,  891,  907. 

Williams,  William,  809. 

Williams,  William  J.,  887. 

Willson,  Robert  R.,  685,703. 

Willy,  Henry,  703. 

Wilson,  Benjamin  B.,  195,  872,  883. 

Wilson,  Harvey  G.,  698. 

Wilson,  John  E.,  866. 

Wilson,  William  F.,  887. 

Wilton,  Richard,  80,  754,  773,  919. 

Wiufield,  George  W.,  728. 

Winfield,  Thomas,  728. 

Winter,  Conrad,  797. 

Winters,  Thomas,  703. 

Wirth,  Augustus,  796. 

Witman,  John  H.,  192,  683,698,  919. 

Wolford,  Frederick,  703. 

Wollam,  James,  751. 

Wood,  Albert  F.,  890,  899. 

Woodruff,  John  M.,  282,  443,  870,  873,  874, 

875. 

Woodward,  George,  667,  703,  920. 
Woodworth,  Benjamin  B.,  891,  907. 
Woodworth,  Horace  G.,  114,  116,  121,  123, 

133,  298,  677. 

Woolscy,  Whiting  C.,  870,  875. 
Worth,  Fred  G.,  376,  758,  764. 
Wright,  Josiah  H.,  841. 
Wright,  Robert,  887. 
Wright,  Thomas,  883. 
Wright,  William,  805. 
Wimenburch,  Carl,  794,  795,  809. 
Wynkoop,  Nile,  442,  728. 


Yates,  Charles  H.,  123,  191,  195,  216,  263, 
473,  525,  530,  531,  540,  844,  846,  849,  853. 
Ycrington,  John  P.,  911. 
Yontz,  Mathias,  685,  703. 
York,  Deloss  P.,  907. 
Young,  Christian,  911. 
Young,  David,  883. 
Young,  Gains  W.,  195,  872,  883. 
Young,  James,  710,  728. 
Young,  Joseph  D.,  391,  684.  685,  698. 
Young,  Orson  V.,  179,  193,  214,  756,  761. 
Young,  Sherwood  B.,  773. 


Zuck,  Solomon  II.  R.,  866, 


938  HISTORY  OF  THE  96-rn  KEGIMENT,  ILL.  V.  1. 


BATTLE  FLAGS  OF  THE  REGIMENT. 


The  Frontispiece,  showing  the  Colors  of  the  Regiment,  is  copied 
from  an  oil  painting  in  the  possession  of  Henry  H.  Gage,  of  the  Historical 
Society.  The  upright  flag  in  the  center  of  the  group,  and  the  short  flag 
across  the  stack  of  muskets,  represent  the  colors  carried  from  the  organ- 
ization of  the  command  until  the  close  of  1863.  Both  were  torn  in  shreds 
at  Chickamauga,  and  the  one  member  of  the  Color  Guard  who  escaped 
death  and  wounds  in  that  engagement — John  W.  Swanbrough — was 
wounded  while  carrying  them  aloft  at  Lookout  Mountain.  The  flags 
which  cross  each  other  diagonally  represent  the  colors  carried  in  the 
various  engagements  of  the  Atlanta  campaign,  and  at  the  battles  of 
Franklin  and  Nashville.  Of  these  one  of  each  set  is  in  possession  of 
Gen.  J.  C.  Smith,  and  the  others  are  in  the  Court  House  at  Waukegan, 
Lake  County,  Illinois.  The  colors  carried  during  the  closing  months  of 
the  Regiment's  service,  and  which  are  now  in  Memorial  Hall  at  Spring- 
field, 111.,  are  not  shown  in  the  engraving.  The  canteen,  the  accoutre- 
ments, and  the  stack  of  Enfield  rifled  muskets  shown  are  of  the  pattern 
used  by  the  Regiment,  and  the  sword  represents  the  one  presented  by  the 
Regiment  to  Gen.  J.  C.  Smith. 


^IVERSITYOFILLINOIS-URBANA 


SS  THE  NINETY-SIXTH  REGIMENT  ILL 


